When I first spotted this Charger here on eBay, I assumed it was the one we featured back in October, but then I started taking a closer look at it and realized it’s a different blue and rust Mopar! This one was supposedly found in Washington State and then made its way to Pennsylvania, where its currently located. The seller bought it with big plans for it, but as it always seems to go, they’ve got too many other projects to tend to. Their loss is your gain!
I have a feeling this seller is actually dumping it as it’s going to be a massive project. They try to play it off like it will be a simple restoration, but there is rust in the floors, trunk and gas tank. If you are skilled with a welder, you could do the repairs yourself, but it won’t be a simple job. On the upside, the seller has a reworked the engine for the car.
The original 440 is still with the car, but the seller doesn’t offer much information about it. Instead they talk about the included spare 440 that has been bored out and is now a 452. It has been worked over and should be an impressive powerplant! The only problem, the engine is sitting next to the car instead of in it. It will be a lot of work to get this car ready for this built engine, but it does give the next owner options on how they want to build this car. Personally, I’d focus on getting the original engine running well, then address the cosmetic issues. After I have this muscle car back on the road I would start thinking about dropping the built engine in it.
With the worked over engine and the rough look, this could be a real show stopper and drag strip monster! If I were going to modify a find like this, I would go the same route this seller was planning. Rather than modifying the original engine, they found another engine to customize, that way the original can be left alone so the car could be returned to original down the road. Whether you put the new engine in or not, this Mopar looks like fun! Let’s just hope it’s solid enough to be worth the work it’s going to take to save! So would you drop the built engine in it or leave the original 440?
The rebuilt engine is the best part of the deal.
Keep the original engine, after sinking money you could retire on it will help when you have to sell it later.
Hi there …… Wasn’t sure if you reported on this 1953 or not. It is listed on Ebay.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Packard-Sedan-/371491029720?forcerrptr=true&hash=item567e9742d8%3Ag%3Afr8AAOSwFGNWTpEC&item=371491029720
I’d pull the old engine and stuff the new one in right away. Hide the old engine in a crate. Get the car on the road poste haste. Why waste time working on an engine that may not run well, when you have a great new engine to use. It’s also not a good idea to let a freshly rebuilt engine sit around for long periods of time.
I think if you were a good body guy, you could buy cars like this, turn it into a body shell, fix all the panels and floors, take it to primer and sell it for $25k. I would think people would buy those as a starting point over stuff like this.
The seller says “The car has the original engine with A/C mounted. The engine is tight, this is why I’m selling a new rebuilt fresh engine with the car, here are the engine details.”
The fresh 440 looks and sounds great. Does anyone know what the seller means when he says the original engine is “tight?” Does that mean it will not turn easily?
Deserves to be saved
The 68 charger is one of the most beautiful cars ever made
I’ve aways thought this style Charger was one of the best muscle car body designs ever. But Chris above has the right idea, a lot of hobbyists can do the mechanical work, but lack the skills, tools and room to do the requred body work. But this one may just have enough left to make it restorable without bankruptcy, especially with that replacement engine. A bit too expensive, even with the spare engine. Nice that he cleaned it off and put air in the snow tires in front.
If this were my car I’d sell the built engine to help fund my restomod plans. I’d redo body, suspension, and interior. Then I’d search out a wreck with the modern hemi and over drive trans, than I’d transplant the hemi, trans, and wiring harness/ controls system into the car. This is the direction I believe IMHO we as car guys are going to have to go to make some of these old muscle cars meat the standards that are gradually being imposed on both sides of the border.
Another one for Graveyard Karz.. Mark Worm-man would love this project… LOL
over 12K now with a few short hours to go.
$12,301.00 SOLD! I hope the buyer is a member here, and keeps us posted on the progress.