While it might seem unlikely to some, American cars do have dedicated fans in Europe, and not just for posters of a ’69 Charger or those interested in muscle trucks like Richard Hammond.
These are true car enthusiasts with a passion for classic American muscle, eager to own Detroit-made icons. One such vehicle, a 1969 Dodge Charger R/T, was nearly shipped off to Germany—until a surprising discovery about its low-mileage originality put a stop to the plan.
Now owned by a Mopar aficionado with a collection resembling a museum, this Charger narrowly avoided being sold.
The car sat in the owner’s garage for nearly two decades before he realized what a gem he had. The tale of how he almost lost this F8 Dark Green Metallic Charger, only to rediscover it, seems as rare as the car itself.
The car’s current owner, Chris Lehuede, has an intense love for all things Mopar. In fact, calling it a “soft spot” would be an understatement; it’s more like an obsession. This passion probably runs in the family.
Back in 1999, his niece asked Chris to help her find a good investment vehicle. Naturally, he chose a Dodge Charger R/T 440. As the family expert on all things Mopar, Chris took the lead in acquiring the car.
On the drive home, he noticed it handled like a brand-new car, despite being supposedly well-used with an odometer that had likely rolled over.
Yet after storing it in his garage, the Charger remained undisturbed until Chris’s niece decided to sell it.
A Swedish dealer contacted him, opening negotiations with a German buyer who was meticulous about the car’s condition, even questioning if the door panels had ever been removed due to rivet placement.
Chris did a closer inspection and was astonished to find that the car was indeed original, with only 16,000 miles (25,700 kilometers) on the odometer, not 116,000 as he had previously thought.
This discovery prompted more research, which only confirmed the car’s untouched authenticity. In a burst of American pride, Chris decided to keep the Charger in the U.S., buying it himself because, as he said, “it’s a museum piece; it has to stay in the States.” Sometimes, fortune favors those who deserve it.
The ’69 Charger belongs to a remarkable era. In 1968, the redesign of the Charger made it an instant classic, solidified by its role in the iconic car chase scene in Bullitt.
By 1969, Dodge was showcasing its dominance in muscle cars, releasing sub-models like the Daytona and Charger 500, further elevating the Charger as an American legend. With around 105,000 Chargers built in 1969, 19,298 bore the R/T badge, signifying high-performance capability.
The Charger R/T was straightforward: it came standard with the powerful 440-4 Magnum engine, while the 426 HEMI was an optional upgrade.
Of the 19,000 R/Ts, the vast majority—over 18,776—were sold in the U.S. With the exception of 432 HEMI-equipped units, all came with the 7.2-liter Magnum engine, rated at 375 horsepower and 480 lb-ft of torque.
This engine allowed the Charger R/T to complete a quarter-mile in 13.83 seconds at 102.2 mph in period tests by Super Stock & Drag Illustrated.
Chris Lehuede’s Charger remains a pristine example from this legendary production run. It’s nearly untouched, retaining original details like the elastic bands holding the lap seat belts on the headliner.
Even after 16,664 miles (26,812 kilometers) as of last September, this Charger stands as a well-preserved piece of history. Chris’s only regret is a repaint he ordered before he knew the car’s full value.
At the time, he thought he was doing it a favor. Even though he later realized it hadn’t needed the touch-up, this doesn’t stop him from thoroughly enjoying this incredible Mopar classic.