Bob Rubens' 1969 Dodge Charger - opens in new window or tab. is not jinxed, even though it was stolen twice. In a twist of fate, Rubens was able to buy his dream muscle car in 1970, partly because thieves had stripped off its drivetrain and other valuable parts.
The story begins when Rubens, a career commercial pilot, saw Bullitt - opens in new window or tab., the hit action thriller starring Steve McQueen and his 1968 Dodge Charger - opens in new window or tab.. Rubens knew that he had to own a similar Charger, despite the car being beyond his budget.
Photos: Bob Rubens
A friend of a friend who worked in a nearby salvage yard offered to keep an eye out for a deal on a Charger. One day, a recovered stolen 1969 Charger rolled into the yard. Thieves had stripped it down, but the shell was in good shape. Rubens got word and quickly outbid the competition.
The Plot Thickens
As it turns out, the enterprising thieves had abandoned the Charger, hoping they could buy it cheaply at the salvage yard. Their ill-fated plan was to return the stock drivetrain to the vehicle, get a legal title, and sell the popular, nearly new Charger. But Rubens beat the bad guys to the punch.
He bought the car and got it running for about $1,700. That’s less than half the price of a new one back in the day.
A few years later, while attending college in St Louis, Rubens would take the Charger to the city's Inner Beltway, a desolate five-mile stretch. That's where local street racers competed. Rubens knew that his two-ton muscle car wouldn't overwhelm the local talent. But he held his own against rival hotrodders.
Rubens returned from school one day to notice the ignition missing from the car. Fortunately, the thief had overlooked the kill switch that Rubens installed. The kill switch - opens in new window or tab. was attached to the coil so the starter would spin, but the engine wouldn’t start.
The kill switch was in place when, soon after, thieves tried to steal the Charger again. Rubens had parked the car on a suburban street in St. Louis but forgot to set the kill switch. He got lucky again when the car was discovered parked on the street just five miles away.
New Go-Fast Parts
The Charger came with the 440 cubic-inch engine - opens in new window or tab., not a Hemi - opens in new window or tab.. And Rubens wasn't enamored with the Dodge's four-speed manual. He had wanted the three-speed automatic, which was great for street racing. So Ruben tried various go-fast tricks, swapping in these items:
- A MOPAR Six Pack - opens in new window or tab., which uses three carburetors, two of which only engage at full throttle
Rubens later realized that Dodge engineers knew best. Unfortunately, these swaps didn't make the beast any faster. But his mods made the car more comfortable. He installed cruise control and a white vinyl interior.
Bringing Back the Charger
After college, a busy family and work life prevented him from using the Charger. So the mean machine sat for five years until 1980. Slowly, he started returning the Charger to factory stock. Rubens wisely put the original motor back under the hood.
Rubens also asked a painter to lay down black enamel paint to match the original. His goal was authenticity. Rubens requested the painter to include orange-peel flaws, like the original factory paint job. However, when Rubens picked up the Charger, the painter introduced a silky smooth finish, saying the Charger was too lovely to ruin with paint flaws, even if intentional.
More than four decades later, the car still features those factory black body panels and the interior is original except for the white seats.
Rubens retired seven years ago after 39 years as a Northwest and Delta Airlines pilot. After retirement, he found more time to enjoy his cars, even taking the Charger to the annual Copperstate 1000 Rally - opens in new window or tab..
The event is held every April. Participants take their classic rides through remote Arizona back roads. Ruben's first time with the rally was in 2014. He enjoyed it so much that he came back three more times.
This year, Rubens ran the route through Northern Arizona and Utah with his son Rob. The Charger will stay in the family, passing down to Rob.
Rubens said:
is Charger has created the experiences that have shaped my lif
This twice-stolen 1969 Dodge Charger has been Rubens's faithful companion for over 50 years. And these days, he never forgets to set the kill switch.
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This article is meant to provide general guidance only. Automotive maintenance, repair, upgrade, and installation may depend on vehicle-specifics such as make and model. Always consult your owner's manual, repair guide for specific information for your particular vehicle and consider a licensed auto-care professional's help as well, particularly for advance repairs.