Drive Or Restore? 1968 Dodge Charger
If I came into a sizeable inheritance, I’d probably need to own at least one of each year’s second-generation Dodge Charger. But if I had to narrow it down to a sole model as my favorite of the three, ’68 might get the nod just because of how cool they look from the back with those round taillights. If you’ve been on the hunt for a B-Body to get on the road without too much effort or one to restore, this 1968 Dodge Charger here on eBay might be a good choice for either goal. The car is up in Platteville, Wisconsin, with bidding already at $28,600, still shy of the reserve, but not that far off from the buy it now cost of $34,500.
It’s not obvious that this started out as a green Charger, but that must have been a long time ago as the finish looks like it’s been white for a long time. The body is nowhere perfect, but from what I can tell the seller seems to be spot on for the most part when he says it’s solid compared to a lot of them. There are some rust areas in the quarter panels and trunk floor, but the good news is he’s got replacements for all three, although the way the ad is worded I didn’t quite catch whether or not they come with the sale or if these components are going to cost you extra.
None of the interior photos are of super high quality, although overall it doesn’t seem too bad inside, and all the seats still look pretty good. The dash has some cracks, but down below where it’s important the floor appears to be reasonably solid plus we also get to see more than half a dozen pictures from the underside, which appears to be structurally sound.
The 383 is believed to be the original motor and it’s said to run really well, with a prior owner adding an Edelbrock carb and giving the engine a tune-up. The TorqueFlite is leaking some fluid, but the seller has in his possession a 4-Speed with a pistol grip shifter and floats the idea of offering it to the buyer for some extra moolah, should a manual be of interest for the next owner. I’m liking that this one is probably not too far from driveable and could be enjoyed as it gets worked on, and it wouldn’t surprise me if somebody taps the instant gratification button before the auction runs the course. What would your short and long-term goals be for this one?
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Comments
Short term goal would be to drive it. Long term goal; see the above. Over time replace and repair then maintain. Oh yeah and drive it.
Lot o rust poppin thru from previous bondo repairs and lots of other rust too. For 30 k I’d take a pass if I was a mopar guy. For that price he should at least throw the extra parts in to the deal.I can’t stand when people who list cars who “think” it’s a #’s engine would just check to see if it is before listing it and say it is or isn’t.
Hmm this car for 32 grand or a 1970 Monte Carlo with a Rat 454 ready to roll with A/C & didn’t it have a 4 speed? I love a charger & I drive a Ram but these type of comparisons leave me thinking I’ll take a Rat !
I love it! However…..my first collector car was in much better shape than this one and after investing $80,000 in it I sold it. I kept in touch with the buyer and then the guy he later sold it to. The first buyer and the next guy who bought it from him, together spent about $35,000 on it. That second owner after me entered it in its class at the Mopar Nationals in Carlisle in Summer 2020 and won. That said, I’ll pass on this one. I learned my lesson and I like my IRA/401K more than this 68 Charger which I would love to have. (I write checks because I’m not a mechanic like so many of you guys are.)
I had a 68 Charger 383 blew it up replaced it with a 440 TNT it was fast but too light in the ass end –no grab–plus tinny did not like how the doors sounded when you shut them.–I drive a 55 Newport Windsor Deluxe and when you close the door it sounds solid–been driving this ol girl for 39 years. I worked in a bone yard for 38 years and had my choice of many old but special autos. One of the best was a 1965 Pontiac 2 plus 2 421 tri powered 4 speed convertible.–what a sleeper–