The 1969 Dodge Charger is the car that most people picture when they think of the muscle car era. The fastback roofline, the recessed grille, the hidden headlamps — it's one of the most coherent automotive designs of the period.

The Charger 500 and Charger Daytona variants are the racing story. The R/T is the street performance story. The base Charger is the design story — the same sheet metal without the performance trappings, available with any engine Chrysler offered.

For a driver rather than a collector, the Charger R/T with the 440 Magnum is the sweet spot. The 426 Hemi cars are historically significant and priced accordingly. The 440 delivers 90% of the Hemi's street performance at a fraction of the cost.