Stalled Project: 1968 Dodge Charger
Hidden away in this garage is a 1968 Dodge Charger desperately needing love. Some enthusiasts hesitate to tackle another person’s unfinished project, but since this one stalled early, it might not be that bad. Its original drivetrain is intact, although the winning bidder might choose to slide something more potent below the surface. The Charger is listed here on eBay in Fort Pierce, Florida. Bidding has passed the reserve to sit at $5,600.
This Charger cuts a pretty sad figure wheeled out into the light of day. The seller commenced dismantling it, but the process stalled early. They retained the removed parts, including them in the sale. Its Light Blue Metallic paint is surrendering to surface corrosion, and the vinyl top is nothing but a memory. Bondo is visible in some panels, but the car’s most pressing need is its rust issues. Externally, this isn’t as bad as we’ve seen in some classics from this era. It is visible in the lower rear quarter panels, the rear valance, and several other spots. The seller admits the floors and trunk pan are bad, with replacements to go on the winning bidder’s shopping list. There is no information on the rails, but with history confirming the rears are prone to problems, the buyer probably needs to brace for work in that area. The supplied photos suggest the glass is intact, but the trim is an unknown quantity.
Those considering a faithful restoration will be pleased to learn that this Charger retains its original mechanical components. The engine bay houses a 318ci V8 that, in its prime, sent 230hp to the rear wheels via a three-speed A-727 automatic transmission. While this wasn’t the most powerful combination the company offered in 1968, the Charger’s ability to cover the ¼ mile in 16.6 seconds was considered respectable by most buyers. It is unclear when this motor last fired a shot in anger, but the visual indications are that we can measure the time in years rather than months. If it turns freely, revival may be possible. Alternatively, someone might have something more powerful lurking in their workshop, making this classic an ideal candidate for a transplant. There is no information on the presence or condition of any interior trim or hardware, but the photos confirm the original owner ordered the Charger with the luxury of air conditioning.
The person who commits to returning this 1968 Charger will probably take their “brave” pills because there will be plenty of work ahead. However, we have all seen plenty of classics in worse shape resurrected, and the availability of parts means Mopar products from this era need to be pretty far gone before they are beyond help. A faithful restoration could be financially viable if the new owner performs most of the work themselves. Alternatively, updating the car’s mechanical components as part of the build might produce a better return on the investment. What would be your plans if you found this Charger in your workshop?
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Comments
Hi Everyone
Not really a Mopar guy, Chevy, Porsh, BMW, but a little more the Blue Oval 66 Ford fairlane gt. Ever heard that verse “Whiskey Bent and H___ Bound! This is what I would think! Time to take our hobby back and enjoy it for what was and is. A relaxing in the afternoon in the garage.
Lets just get right to the point, it’s a total P.O.S. and should be sold for scrap metal.
I agree 👍. But there’s one born every minute.
You have lost any vision or perspective you “may” have ever had, and need to go back to your better homes and gardens support group.
Scrap….. REALLY ???
Funny, I just drove past a similar blue ’68 hemi charger behind a chain link fence in a storage lot yesterday. The tarp over it was long shredded and the car was pretty beat up. It looks like it’s been there for a lot of years. It was in alot better condition than the charger in this story though. I never really cared for them, even if Daisy Duke did occasionally drive one.
Daisy Dukes with a lot of fringe!!!lol
Daisy had a CJ not Wrangler.
Only when the boys go in trouble lol, she had a wrangler
5600 for this? Not me but hey I guess if you can get that price and that’s what today’s market brings and both parties are satisfied…god bless.
This will get to 10 grand easy. Stupid money for these wrecks, but they are in such high demand they bring the money. I wish I had bought an acre and filled it with these cars when I was 16 and they were $300 still running. They were common throw away cars in the late 70s/early 80s.
Thanks to Hollywood
Comes with original rust.
I don’t know what is more sad, the shape that it is in or the fact that someone will probably pay 10K + for it.
Exactly, a fool and his money soon part company. They can say what they want, that car is a pile of rusted scrap metal, A.K.A. a pile of crap. Spend your money suckers. Ten years from now you’ll be selling what’s left of the rust pile for $50 and you’ll be deeper in debt too.
They aren’t making more of these so I highly doubt it’ll only be worth $50 in ten years.
Calling Graveyard Cars yet?
OK- Parts car – maybe for that tv show.
If I found this in my workshop, I would first go get a tetanus shot. After that I would push it out as it, as it sits, doesn’t deserve inside storage space. I would then sell it to some sucker for about $5600. We used to say “tape a quarter to it, so it will be worth something”. Adjusting for inflation, you will now have to tape a dollar to it. A totally rusty 318 charger, even with A/C, just doesn’t seem worth it. Maybe I’m just overly pessimistic.
Face it guys. This heap of 50 year old plus rust will sell north of $15,000. I love 68 Chargers and so does every other motor head in the USA.
When you say ‘Stalled’ do you mean fubar?
It looks like this bad boy’s “project” stalled around 1979.
It’s sad what these project cars go for now. 10 or 15 years ago this would be a parts car worth a few hundred bucks I have a 64 dodge custom 880 with a 361 I bought 5 years ago for 4k. Now junk cars are worth a fortune
For $5,600 what you are buying is a real VIN tag, plus hopefully a firewall and a front radiator member with the #’s on them. Then everything else new. $100K job with modern crate hemi, tremec, modern suspension etc. and sell for $150K. No way this gets “restored”.
This car will be purchased and restored, and fetch big dollars, regardless what the normal neigh Sayers on here want to think ,who are clueless about the market! It’s the same group who all ways complains, and if they had one of these classics would be asking 10k for the same car! What hypocracy!!
Pshaw to those who think things out thoroughly and see what can and can’t be. How dare they for even leaving an opinion.
Looks like you’d have a hard time finding a square inch of un rusted metal to weld new body parts to. You are basically buying a vin tag with a ton of iron oxide thrown in.
Shuttle Guy, everyone has a right to their opinion, which are a dime per dozen! However, when that opinion does not include the true reality of a given product within a given market, that said opinion had NO VALUE!! If your opinion states the above listed vehicle has no value, please prove it within your opinion based on current trends, data, and market expectations! THAT IS REALITY ! That is the true opinion not a bias toward its a pile of junk, need a tetanus shot etc..give me a break!
Your right, it’s worth whatever someone who likes it, is willing to pony up. Worse cars have been saved. Considering the restoration costs, it would not be worth doing on a 318 car. As the vin for a resto mod, I might pay a couple grand.
Read my first comment. It states “I don’t know what is more sad, the shape that it is in or the fact that someone will probably pay 10K + for it.” Nothing negative really. Just my “opinion.” As I stated it will sell.
The guys photo shows he has a 69 Charger in the garage; I’d say this was his parts car . I’m a Mopar guy but lucky for me, I never really cared for this gen Charger