How many 1969 440 darts were made?
There isn’t a single, publicly published figure for how many 1969 Dodge Darts with the 440 cubic-inch engine were produced. Production data for that engine option is scattered across multiple model lines and body styles, and there is no consolidated nationwide tally available in one official source. If you can specify the exact model name and market (for example, a Dart model with a 440 engine versus a Barracuda or Challenger with a 440), I can help narrow it down further.
In 1969, the 440 V8 was part of Chrysler’s broad performance lineup and appeared across several Mopar models, sometimes in high-performance packages rather than as a standard factory option. Because production records were kept by model line, trim, and region, a precise count for “1969 440 Darts” depends on how you define the term—whether you mean the Dodge Dart itself with 440 power, or any Mopar car in the same year using a 440 engine. Below, you’ll find context, the models involved, and how researchers approach the question.
What the 440 engine meant in 1969 Mopar terms
The 440 cubic-inch V8 was Chrysler’s big-block option that year, widely associated with high-performance vehicles. While it’s most famously paired with muscle cars like the Barracuda, Challenger, and Charger, there were instances where the engine was available or swapped into other models via factory options or dealer-authorized packages. The exact distribution by model and trim varies by source, and factory documentation often lives in scattered archives rather than a single public database.
Key points about the 1969 440 option
The 440 engine served as a symbol of performance during the late 1960s Mopar era. In 1969, buyers could encounter the 440 in several ways—from factory-installed powertrains in true muscle cars to late-stage option packages on wider model lines. Because counts are not compiled in one place, enthusiasts and historians typically compile estimates by cross-referencing factory build sheets, registry records, and period brochures. This makes a precise universal total for “1969 440 Darts” elusive without narrowing the scope to a specific model family and region.
Models and configurations often associated with the 440 in 1969
To illustrate the landscape, here are the Mopar configurations most commonly discussed in relation to 1969 440 power. The Dart line itself could be involved in some high-performance packages, but the 440 is more frequently linked with other model lines. The entries below show typical associations rather than an authoritative production count by model.
- Plymouth Barracuda (1969) — 440 V8 available in performance-oriented configurations and option packages.
- Dodge Challenger (1969) — 440 V8 offered in certain high-performance trims and package combinations.
- Dodge Charger (1969) — 440 V8 available with performance-focused packages during the model’s early years.
- Dodge Dart family (1969) — select Dart/Swinger variations could be configured with the 440 engine through dealer options or rare factory packages; not all Darts carried the 440 as a standard or widely available option.
Discussion of these models helps establish the scope of where 440-equipped Darts might exist, but it does not yield a definitive count for “1969 440 Darts” on its own. Researchers emphasize model-by-model verification using primary records rather than a single aggregated number.
How production counts are typically determined
Enthusiasts and historians rely on a combination of primary documents and corroborating sources to estimate counts. These include factory build sheets, dealer order catalogs, period brochures, and documented registry records. Because the 440 option spanned multiple model lines and was sometimes limited to particular packages or dealer configurations, a unified total for all 1969 Darts with 440 power is not straightforward to establish from public records alone.
Before diving into data sources, note: any estimate will hinge on clarifying which specific model, body style, and market you intend to count. Narrowing the scope to, for example, “1969 Dodge Dart Swinger equipped with a 440 V8 in the U.S.” will produce a different figure than a broader query that includes Barracudas and Challengers sharing the same engine designation.
Data sources and methods for researchers
Researchers typically cross-check several kinds of records to build a composite picture. The following list describes primary avenues used to approach the question. The numbers cited in any given study are only as solid as the sources and the scope defined in the research.
- Factory build sheets and partial VIN data kept by Chrysler’s historical archives, when accessible to researchers.
- Period dealer catalogs and option sheets that show how the 440 option could be ordered on various models, including any Dart-specific configurations.
- Enthusiast registries and club archives (for example, Barracuda, Challenger, and Dodge Dart clubs) that compile documented examples and survivor data.
- Published reference books and production studies by automotive historians, which often synthesize multiple primary sources into model-by-model tallies.
Given the fragmented nature of the records, a single authoritative total for “1969 440 Darts” remains elusive without a narrowly defined scope. Researchers continue to refine numbers as new documents come to light and as clubs share build sheets and VIN-level information.
Bottom line for researchers and collectors
The precise count of 1969 440-equipped Darts depends on how you define the scope: which model line, which body style, which market, and which packages qualify as “440.” There is no universally accepted, consolidated figure publicly available. For a more exact answer, please specify the exact model name (for example, Dodge Dart Swinger or a particular Barracuda/Challenger variant) and the market you’re interested in. I can then pull together the most relevant, source-backed estimate or point you to the best archival avenues to pursue.
Summary
In short, there is no simple, universally published number for how many 1969 440 Darts were made. The 440 engine appeared across several Mopar models in 1969, and counts are scattered across factory records and enthusiast registries. To obtain a precise figure, it helps to specify the exact model, body style, and market, after which you can consult build sheets, dealer catalogs, and registry data. If you share your preferred scope, I’ll help assemble the most reliable estimate available from current sources.
How much is a 1969 Dodge Dart worth today?
Typically, you can expect to pay around $11,200 for a 1969 Dodge Dart in good condition with average spec. What is the highest selling price of a 1969 Dodge Dart? The highest selling price of a 1969 Dodge Dart at auction over the last three years was $58,300.
How much horsepower does a 1969 Dodge Dart 440 have?
375 horsepower
In B-body trim, the engine was rated at 375 horsepower at 4600 rpm, and 480 Ibs. -ft. of torque at 3200. The 440 that was dropped into the Darts also used the same cylinder heads and valves as the 383, and these pieces produced the same 10:1 compression ratio in both powerplants.
Are 1969 Chargers rare?
Survival rate of these cars is <50% so say less than ~115K total. Compare that with just 1967 mustang production at ~472K and ~235K Camaros in 1968… So by comparison to other popular classics Chargers are less seen and not as common - but not exactly “rare” but definitely less common.
What is the rarest Dodge Dart?
The rarest Dodge Darts are the 1968 Hemi Dart drag cars (LO23), built specifically for racing, with only 80 being produced, and the 1968 Dodge Dart GTS Convertible, of which only 315 were made. The Hemi Dart is the ultimate collectible due to its high-performance engine and exclusive, one-year production for the drag circuit, while the GTS convertible is considered the rarest in the street-legal category.
You can watch this video to learn more about a 1969 Dodge Dart Swinger 340 4-speed: 56sRocket RestorationsYouTube · Nov 8, 2025
- 1968 Hemi Dart (LO23): This is arguably the rarest Dodge Dart overall.
- It was a factory-built, non-street-legal drag car equipped with the 426 cubic-inch Hemi V8 engine.
- Only 80 of these Hemi Darts were built in 1968 with the help of Hurst Performance.
- They are highly sought-after by collectors and can sell for very high prices.
- 1968 Dodge Dart GTS Convertible: Considered one of the rarest street-legal Darts.
- Only 315 GTS convertibles were produced in 1968.
- This version featured the high-performance 340 V8 engine.
- Some of these rare convertibles are still around today and are highly collectible, particularly in specific colors and with original features like the rarer grille, according to MoparInsiders and autoevolution.
