Triple Green 383 Project: 1968 Dodge Charger
Taking into account that this 1968 Dodge Charger here on eBay is a base model with a 383 2-Barrel and enough rust present to make even optimistic project seekers think twice, I guess it’s not surprising nobody has placed the opening of $19,000 yet. But with the market still red hot for B-Bodies and considering this one is mostly complete on the outside, it’s probably just a matter of time until someone decides they’re ready to commit, but a complete restoration lies ahead for them plus there’s also a reserve price, so who knows how much the seller is hoping for. If you’re up for the challenge, the car is located in Leland, Illinois if you want to go take a look.
Two unfortunates seemed to help seal the fate for the back half of this Charger, one being that it originally came with a vinyl top, and although that was removed at some point a more catastrophic decision was to cover the rear part of the car with a tarp, which was in place for many years and contributed to what you’re seeing here. Along with the roof rust, there is also plenty of corrosion in the quarters, and while the seller says the doors and fenders are in very good usable shape I’m more inclined to think that they might be salvageable with some effort put into them.
The 383 was a middle-of-the-road engine choice for the ’68 Charger, available in both 2 and 4-Barrel configurations. This one is the former, which produced 290 horsepower when it was new, but unfortunately, there’s zero muscle going on here as the motor is said to be stuck. The big block is stated as an original component as is the transmission, although no mention of the rear end.
Things inside haven’t fared a whole lot better, with many interior items we can see needing some sort of refreshment, but we do get a pretty clear view of the floor which is said to be scaly. The seller mentions a couple of specific areas that need patching but suggests a new floor may be a better choice, and I tend to agree. Even though the frame rails are said to be solid, with the amount of rust on other parts of the car I’d give them a very close and thorough inspection before I got too far into a restoration. Are you seeing any potential for this 1968 Dodge Charger, or is it more favorable to wait for a better-bones car to start with?
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Comments
It never ends…
One large tops imo and I’m being generous.19k ? Cmon man! This may be a parts car at best.
I have always like the Dodges. But, this one, is just to far gone to warrant a bid of almost 20g’s. Unfortunately, in my opinion, at best, this is now a parts car. Roof, quarters, floor, suspect rails, and a stuck motor? Again, imo, it’s a 2 to 5k donor car for a real restoration.
Power steering with manual brakes.
Like my `61 Valiant…
I remember when these were $800 cars.
YearOne makes most of the body parts today.
A rear quarter panel is $550.
Rust bucket
A sonar blip, that’s about all it is good for.
Last time I saw that much rust, I fell off my dinosaur. If rust was the price of gold I would think about it. Even the patina has rust on it. I would definitely be in at 2500.
A replacement engine is no problem- I have a Slant Six on a stand in my garage just lookin’ for its next rocket ship…
Who drives into the ocean? Yep, this owner did. Remember, cars can’t swim
Hey guys, you could always find a big wing and a nose cone somewhere and fix her up Joe Dirt style! Heck yeah, primer all the rusty spots up, with multiple color primers, of course, and just find a snazzy mullet wig…. great things could happen!
I like the 68-70 Charger, however this car only has 3 things going for it.
1.) It’s a Charger
2.) It’s a 68
3.) It is a big block car
That’s really about it. I hate the thought of a 2nd generation Charger being a parts car, but I tend to agree with others, that’s what we have here.$2-3K at best in value. $19K, sorry no.
Triple green & quadruple rust.
I had a 1974 440 Magnum triple green charger in 1980. Fun car but this one, $19,000. Nope.
A fool and their money soon departs…
Too bad …
Glad no one’s biting. Body shops these days are very apprehensive about rust. I just had the joy of getting estimates for an approximately 4″ x 4″ non-structural rust area in my rear driver’s side door well. I practically got kicked out of three shops by boot heel and one $1,800 quote before finally getting a shop in a very rough neighbourhood in my city to do it for a reasonable price.
This thing literally has 100x that amount of rust. You’ll be into this thing for $50k in sheet metal work alone, unless you’re handy with a welder.
I don’t know what to attribute that to. I guess cars rust a lot less now, so body shops are not used to it? Regardless, always make sure you think of this and find a shop before taking a plunge on a rust bucket like this.
Another Ebayer thinks they have struck gold. 19k is very high place to start considering all the work this car needs. Oh, and it needs a motor too. No thanks.
I think it’s restorable and better than the orange one with the slant six.Its got the original wingnut that’s gotta be worth something.lol.Nice ride when done.I thought my bros green 69 looked good with side pipes.A shame he sold it for fifty bucks cuz the driver door latch broke.Just the good old days…..
If I had a shop I would buy it for 2 or 3 thousand and take my time restoring it but it would be difficult to find a donor roof for it then I would pull the 383 and tear it down and see if it could still be rebuilt just because it is stuck doesn’t mean it can’t be rebuilt it would be a fun project you could restored if the 383 was not rebuildable you could get a hellcat crate engine and drive train it could be cool when done fully restomoded.