Dodge Charger R/T: The Fastback That Defined an Era
Few silhouettes say "late 1960s muscle car" quite as immediately as this one's sweeping fastback roofline and hidden headlights.
Illustration for editorial purposes
Muscle Car Design at Its Most Confident
The American muscle car era produced dozens of memorable shapes, but few as instantly recognisable or as thoroughly embedded in popular culture as this one's dramatic, coke-bottle-hipped fastback profile.
Generations at a Glance
| Version | Years | Engine | Gearbox | Body | 0–60mph | Top Speed | Price New (US) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Charger R/T (440 Magnum) | 1968–1970 | 7.2L (440ci) V8, 375bhp | 4-speed manual or 3-speed TorqueFlite automatic | Hardtop Coupe | approx. 6.1s | approx. 130mph | approx. $3,506 (1968 base R/T) |
| Charger R/T (426 Hemi) | 1968–1970 | 7.0L (426ci) Hemi V8, 425bhp | 4-speed manual or 3-speed TorqueFlite automatic | Hardtop Coupe | 4.8–6.4s | approx. 142mph | approx. $4,400 (base + Hemi option) |
A Restyle That Introduced Hidden Headlights and a Tunnelled Roofline
The second-generation Charger, introduced for 1968, adopted a dramatically restyled body with a distinctive tunnelled rear window and hidden headlights that could disappear behind the grille when not in use. Its "R/T" designation, standing for "Road/Track," denoted the performance-focused variant fitted with Dodge's largest and most powerful V8 engines available at the time.
440 Magnum or 426 Hemi: What Actually Changed
Its dramatic "coke-bottle" body styling, with pronounced curves over the rear wheel arches, became one of the most celebrated shapes of the entire muscle car era. Available big-block V8 engines gave genuine straight-line performance credentials to match the car's aggressive visual presence.
From Bullitt's Villain Car to the General Lee
Its starring role as the villain's car in the 1968 film "Bullitt" and later fame as the "General Lee" in television's "The Dukes of Hazzard" cemented its place in popular culture well beyond typical muscle car enthusiast circles. That sustained media presence across multiple decades has kept the car's profile unusually high compared with many contemporaries.
How Much Does a Dodge Charger R/T Cost Today?
Well-preserved original R/T examples, particularly those with documented big-block engines and desirable options, command strong prices among American muscle car collectors, with values reflecting both genuine performance pedigree and the car's outsized cultural footprint.
Watch & Explore
Sources: Stellantis Heritage archives, Wikipedia.