This 1968 Chrysler Newport Convertible is going to require a complete restoration, but it is fitted with the unusual Sportsgrain option, so it is certainly a car worth considering. If this is a car that interests you, then you will find it listed for sale here on eBay. It is located in Rowley, Massachusetts, and is being sold with a clear title.
There’s no way to sugar coat this: The Newport has some rust issues that will need to be addressed. There is rust in the firewall on the passenger side, rust in both quarter panels, one inner rocker, and some in the frame rails. The wood-grain has also deteriorated badly, while the soft-top will require replacement. There is one piece of the Sportsgrain trim that is not on the car, but it is in the trunk. You may be looking at the car and be prepared to put it in the “too hard” basket, but it’s worth considering that Sportsgrain was a one-year-only option and that only 175 Convertibles were ordered with it fitted.
The Newport is fitted with a 383ci V8 and automatic transmission, and also features power steering and power brakes. The car runs, drives, and stops okay, but the owner suggests that the new owner should probably trailer it away. The exhaust is loud, and the owner thinks that there is a leak towards the front, while the tires are pretty old, and should be replaced.
The interior is going to require a fair amount of restoration work, but it is complete. The radio and dash lights don’t work, while the dash pad is cracked in several places. All of the seats will require new covers. The upholstery on the door trims is in fair condition, but it looks like the cards themselves may be warped.
While the Newport needs a fair amount of restoration work, it is a car that is going to be worth watching. It is currently not easy to find a reasonable Convertible below $11,000. With this one, it is being sold in a No Reserve auction, and with the bidding only sitting at $509 at the time of writing, this could be a good project car.
Other than the woodgrain this is a stone standard Newport Convertible. It’s true that it was sort of an experiment on Chrysler’s part but other than that i fail to see an attraction at that figure. Just eyeballing it I think you are looking at bout $35,000.00 in restoration provided open heart surgery on the driveline is not required.
Who knows what they were thinking? Mercury offered the woodgrain trim in ’68, too.
http://topclassiccarsforsale.com/uploads/photoalbum/1968-mercury-monterey-1.jpg
Yes. Its rare.
But a full nlown resto is going to empty your wallet.
And when its done the car will have trouble reaching 10 grand at auction.
No way. Jose
Really cool car. Kind of need to stop the “One Of.”
Super rusty car, sadly not worth restoring as a concours restored one is only worth around $35,000 and it’d easilly cost you 50,000 to restore it.
These last 60’s C body’s just aren’t worth much right now.
That assumes every single car restored is for resale purposes. If it’s done by the buyer, for the buyer, who cares if it’s worth $50?
I’m just saying, you’ll be losing money buying this to restore when there are better cars out there for half of the cost.
Tune it and drive it. Replace blown fuses and enjoy the life left in the old girl. The ride of these cars at 80 mph is a floating soft enjoyable experience. They usually are geared for hyway driving. I had a couple of these one 66 I put a 68 road runner 440 in with dual strait pipes it rode so sweet at 100 . Restore it if you have a bunch of money you don’t need. Or just send it to me as I have way to little.
Tend to agree with Blaster and Maestrto1. This is an ideal parts car for an existing Sportsgrain car. With the Sportsgrain option being an attention getter and eye grabber, Chrysler in their usual mysterious ways built many of these cars as otherwise strippers. No power accessories, no a/c, cruise or optional engines.
Mi-grain
At this price you can’t go wrong.
It is, after all, a 1968 Chrysler convertible.