Detroit Speed restored a 1969 Dodge Charger to near perfection! | If you’re ever in the motor city cruising the highway and you briefly experience an ear-piercing metallic whine accompanied by a rapid orange flash, that could be Detroit Speed’s 1969 blown Dodge Charger passing you at about 150mph. But you’ll never know, will you..?If you were in the scenario mentioned above, how would you handle it? Would you slam on your brakes, maybe flash the car to slow down? Would you call the cops to report this dangerous driver, or would you speed up in desperate hope to catch up to this beautiful symbol you your own uncontrollable curiosity? 
The Charger started off looking nearly bone-stock. | Our recommendation? None of the above. Sit back and enjoy this article designed to cover every remarkable feature in this stunning classic muscle-car restoration.To begin, let’s get you acquainted with the makers. Detroit Speed is known in the automotive industry for manufacturing quality aftermarket products for Camaros since 2001. They also have a complete fabrication facility to transform their customers' vehicles into something they could only dream of. DSE focuses on providing and using automotive components and systems which deliver that late model vehicle feel in a classic muscle-car, while also providing the horsepower all auto-enthusiasts constantly crave. And with their first high-profile Mopar project, Detroit Speed did just that. 
Detroit Speed did a complete frame-off restoration on this 1969 Charger. | DSE took this tired old (but beautiful) has-been muscle car and transformed it into a modern day hellcat killer, all via a Chrysler 426ci Gen III Hemi armed with a Whipple 4.0L twin-screw supercharger. Some say no amount of power is too much, but this Charger proved that to be untrue on the chassis dyno. During the dyno runs, severe wheel-spin plagued the Mopar, causing the numbers to be a bit fudged at a traction-limited 664 hp and 831 lb-ft of torque. Detroit Speed thinks 1,000 HP is just a set of sticky tires away.While the engine is an obvious win, let’s get more into the drivetrain on this gorgeous Hemi. The Charger is equipped with a Bowler 4L80E automatic and 2,200-stall lockup converter to handle the engines high-output, and includes a custom DSE pistol grip shifter so the driver can “handle” the car! The rear axle features a DSE 9-inch rear-end with 31-spline Moser axles, 3.891:1 gears, and a Truetrac limited-slip differential. Now you see another factor of that dyno wheel-spin, right? 
A lot of custom fabrication was completed during the restoration of this '69 Charger | In order to provide the supercharged Hemi with enough airflow, DSE customized their own intake utilizing a seriously-rectangular K&N panel filter to accommodate the location and shape of the induction area. K&N panel filters have been increasing in popularity with the more elegant muscle-car restorations. Professionals like the Ring Brothers are known for using K&N panel filter setups in a lot of their builds, along with amateur builders as well. You can see some of the custom engine bays on any of K&N’s social media channels using @knfilters, and if you’re looking for a panel filter for your custom build, you can get just what you need using our search by dimension tool. 
Detroit Speed fabricated a custom intake accomodating a K&N panel filter. | To ensure a great ride, the Charger’s front suspension is comprised of Detroit Speed’s own subframe assembly, control arms, spindles, springs, and sway bar, held smoothly in place by JRi shocks. The rear similarly includes a DSE four-link assembly, sway bar, and springs along with a couple more JRi shocks to handle the massive body the Charger is known for. 
The K&N panel filter fits Detroit Speed's custom intake like a glove! | When it came to brakes, Detroit Speed didn’t mess around. Seeing as the 1969 Charger’s stock curb weight was at about 3,600 lbs, it’s undoubtedly a good thing DSE elected the Corvette ZR1 15-inch carbon ceramic discs and six-piston calipers along with Bosch adjustable ABS/traction control to handle it’s massive speed capabilities and weight. Stunning gold and black Forgeline Dropkick Wheels hide the more-than-capable brake system, and are fortified with Michelin Pilot Sport 275/35R19s in the front and 335/30R20 rear tires. 
The Charger is equipped with a Chrysler 426ci Gen III Hemi armed with a Whipple 4.0L supercharger. | One of the most interesting things about this car is the hood. In order to make room for the massive Whipple supercharger, DSE grafted the front section of a Charger hood onto the back section of a Road Runner hood giving them the extra few mandatory inches required. They also carved a seamless, single-piece grille out of billet aluminum giving the Charger unmatched class up front.It’s fair to say this Charger comes with all the bells and whipples, or eh whistles. What more could you want in a car? Hope you enjoyed our article and if everything you’ve just read escapes your memory entirely just remember the following; if you’re ever in the motor city and you briefly experience an ear-piercing metallic whine accompanied by a rapid orange flash, don’t go chasing after it because you’ll never catch up. 
The interior of the Charger looks just as great at the outside. | 
Detroit Speed proves their capability in every detail of this 1969 Dodge Charger. | |
