What a great era it was during the latter 1960’s when automobile performance was king. The pony car race was on. Our featured 1967 Dodge Charger 440 Magnum played a big role in that regard.
The Dodge Charger model first appeared in 1965 as a fastback version of the Dodge Coronet. The Charger came out as it’s own model in 1966. The first generation Dodge Charger ran from the 1966 model year through the 1967 model year. The second generation ran from 1968 through 1970.
First generation sales were so so but did pick up with the second generation Chargers which many feel were the best and fastest looking models of all. The second generation models also had a strong record with NASCAR and broke speed records.
A 1969 Dodge Charger also made a name for itself as the General Lee in the television series The Dukes of Hazzard.
The 440 Magum Engine
Dodge produced some of the most iconic muscle cars ever built in the U.S. From the mid 1960’s and into the 1970’s, Dodge and Plymouth both built some of the finest performance cars, supercars and pony cars, seen on the streets and drag strips of America.
The Magnum name was marketed by Dodge as a high performance 440 cubic inch V-8 with Carter four barrels that produced 375 HP. The Six Pack carburetor version available only in 1970 got up to 390 HP. The 440 Six-Pack was Chrysler’s most powerful engine behind the 426 Hemi. The Six Pack was considered an alternative to Chrysler’s Hemi.
Some would say that the Hemi required more tuning than the Six Pack and was more costly than the Six pack. Some felt the performance was even better with the Six Pack.
The 440 engine itself was produced from 1965 to 1978. The federal emission and safety regulations that began in 1971-72 and the change to unleaded gasoline meant a change in horsepower during the Magnum’s run. Eventually during the early 70’s the engine was detuned down to 335 HP and then 280 HP. Because of this the best years for the 440 Magnum were from 1966-71 without a doubt.
The Legendary 1969 Dodge Daytona and It’s Banning From NASCAR.
The 1969 Charger Daytona model which made a name for Dodger on the race tracks came standard with the 440 Magnum Engine. The Charger Daytona performed so spectacularly on the NASCAR circuit ( six wins over about a year and one half ) that it found itself banned. NASCAR banned all “aero cars” such as the Daytona.
NASCAR officials put a ban on aero cars with engines bigger than 300 cubic inches. They felt there was a need to level the playing field as they say. The Charger Daytona had a wing on it’s tail as well as a specially designed nose cone which improved it’s aerodynamics considerably. The 1969 Dodge Charger Daytona broke NASCAR speed records and literally blew the competition away.
1967 Dodge Charger 440 Specifications
As mentioned above, the 1967 Dodge Charger 440 Magnum was equipped with a 440 cubic inch V-8 with a four barrel carburetor delivering 375 HP. Also available was a 426 cubic inch Street Hemi that delivered 425 HP. As a side note, automakers at that time advertised gross horsepower which was horsepower achieved with engines running on test stands with no accessories attached. Obviously reported horsepower output went higher.
Standard transmission with the 440 Magnum was a three speed manual with a four speed manual available. Also available was a three speed automatic.
Brakes were four wheel hydraulic drums with front discs as an option.
Dimensions include a 117.0 inch wheelbase and an overall outside length of 203.6 inches. Width was 75.3 inches and height 53.0 inches. The 1969 Dodge Charger had a base price in the neighborhood of $3,000. Curb weight was about 3500 lbs.
Total 1967 Dodge Charger production was a bit 15,780 vehicles.
See related Auto Museum Online articles found on the links below..
Reference material for this article includes..The Complete Book of Dodge and Plymouth Muscle by author Mike Mueller. Mopar: The Performance Years by Martyn L. Schorr.
The 1969 Dodge Charger 440 Magnum Collector Car
The main things about the 1967 Dodge Charger RT 440 Magnum collector car is that it’s rare, carries plenty of horsepower and carries a strong price tag.
Dodge Chargers from this era are really legendary performance cars and are head turners at car show events. This includes both the first and second generations.
Current asking prices for 1967 Dodge Charger RT with it’s 440 cubic inch engine are in the $40,000 to $50,000 range. By comparison we see the 1969 Charger RT’s priced above $100,000.
(Article and photos copyright Auto Museum Online)