In profile, this 1968 Chrysler Town and Country is a boat and a half! But then again, that’s how full-sized cars, station wagons, in particular, rolled back then. And of course, this example separates itself from the hoi polloi by virtue of its fake wood flanks -a treatment that I have to admit, I just accepted but never understood. This big Mopar is located in Visalia, California and is available, here on craigslist for $6,500. Thanks to Matt H. for this tip!
Regarding the ’68 Town and Country, Chrysler’s sales brochure opined, “This one musters up the kind of luxuries most other wagons can only dream of. Which is why it’s simply the most elegant wagon about town. Or country“. I spent many years schlepping around in station wagons, if not our families’, then one belonging to a friend’s family – I even learned to drive on one. It’s not hard to see why as large families and all of their stuff could fit comfortably in a wagon of this size. The long flat roof panel provided plenty of real estate for a roof rack to accommodate those hard-shell Samsonite suitcases and stump-pulling V8 torque allowed a boat or trailer to be appended to the rear and pulled with relative ease. And in six-passenger form, you could stuff a six-footer into the well below the cargo floor (having been the stuffee, I know from experience). Heck, with the rear seat folded down, one could place objects 10.5 feet in length in the cavernous cargo maw of this wagon.
OK, so what do we have here? Well, the contact paper (not really) wood applique is about what one would expect for a car that has probably spent most of its half-century plus life, parked outdoors, in the bright California sun. It’s bleached out, completely in places, but still attached to the immense slab sides. The steel body panels show well and appear to be rust and damage-free. The seller mentions some floor pan problems inside, with one that is recommended for replacement. The rest of the exterior shows reasonably well. The babymoon/trim ring wheel treatment is a surprising find – not what one would expect on a ’60s Chrysler T&C.
Under this T&C’s Kansas-sized flat hood is a 330 HP, 383 CI V8 engine still wearing its very cool, dual-snorkel air cleaner assembly. The seller states, “It was a weekly driver until a few years ago when it needed brake work again. Very straight body, engine runs fine but this car needs restoration at this time“. Whether working properly or not, it’s good to see the mention of front disc brakes, an option in ’68. Repeated stops with front drums would be enough to make one nervous and jerky trying to haul this leviathan to a safe and straight halt. And it’s worth considering that with 150K miles on its clock, the engine is going to need more than general servicing before long. It’s also mentioned that the dual exhaust system needs to be replaced but there is enough of it left to serve as a template for a replacement. The usually found TorqueFlite three-speed automatic transmission handles gear changes.
The air hanger-sized interior features seats upholstered in “Cologne-grain” which I guess is a euphemism for vinyl. As is often the case, the front seat is in worse shape than the back. As noted earlier, the carpet has been pulled up to reveal front floors that will need some help. The headliner has been removed but the original sections are still available so that replacements can be produced using the existing pieces as a pattern. As noted earlier, being a six-passenger model, this T&C allows for a commodious storage compartment beneath the cargo compartment floor and its condition is sound and rust-free.
This Chrysler needs some work, but it’s a pretty solid base from which to start. Having watched too many episodes of Roadkill Garage and absorbing all of their antics with big station wagons makes me think “hot-rod hauler” is where to go with this wandering wagon, but obviously, there is a whole host of directions that can be taken. That being the case, which one would you pursue?
Great looking C-body! Oh, and my ’67 Newport with drums all around stops just fine thank you. I expect my new ’65 New Yorker will do the same.
Nice New Yorker Rex! I LOVE these old tanks too.
Anyone know why Chrysler used to sell these things with a passenger side head rest but not a drivers side head rest?
My grandparents had a 1968 New Yorker 4 door hardtop when I was young. They hated it lol, but I thought it was pretty cool way back then. They traded it in for a 1975 Impala sedan which they must have hated even more, because it was replaced by a new Cordoba in 1977.
My parents had a 68 t&c wagon purchased new from Caldwell Chrysler Plymouth in Columbus Ohio. It was the car I learned to drive on. It had a 383 4bbl dual exhaust, pw ps rear window washer and a 2nd button on the floor, next to the dimmer switch , used to change the radio station.
I had a 1966 T&C wagon purchased in 1974 or so on Morse Road in Cloumbus, Ohio. (Location of Caldwell motors). Big wagons, one year after the gas embargo, had very little value. It was used as a truck. Instead of back up lights, there were stainless steel blanking plates. The wiring was there. I bought it for $300, sold it for 5 cents a pound.
It appears that all comments so far are made by guys from Columbus, myself included.
Milwaukee Wisconsin
Beautiful looking car. I’d get rid of the wood trim, you don’t need that on a car. I’d reupholster the seats. But as long as everything else works like they should, I’d be willing to pay in the neighbourhood of the $6500 asking price.
If I had the room I’d buy it in a minute. I had a ’65,’69,and the worst, a ’72.
Mid Sixties Chryslers were monster cars, no matter what was under the hood.
Someone jump on this, give it what it needs, and enjoy. You won’t be disappointed.
I learned to drive near Rochester NY in a 68 T&C. 440. Convinced my dad to hot rod it and we wound up with a Holley 780, some headers, ignition, and changed the rear end to something like a 3.91. Surprised many a muscle car with that beast. 6-8ish mpg! Gas was ~40 cents at the local Mobil. Free silverware with a fill-up! We had service for 12 at least….
I remember those silverware GIVE aways….what was it, 2 place settings for a minimum of 12 gal. fill up? Those were the days & T & C’s were the wagons to have. My Mom could fit 8 to 10 of my friends in it & take us to the matinee on Saturday.
I remember those silverware GIVE aways….what was it, 2 place settings for a minimum of 12 gal. fill up? Those were the days & T & C’s were the wagons to have. My Mom could fit 8 to 10 of my friends in it & take us to the matinee on Saturday.
With a 2.91 rear end, that sweep speedometer could sweep right on past 120 and disappear up into the dash. Documented 140MPH and that’s after I let off the gas.
I remember back in 1973, just before shipping out to Basic Training. Dad let me take the family car out on a date with a neighborhood girl I had a crush on, who went on to Hollywood B movies! So that night we were to a drive in had some fun, together drank a couple shots a peppermint Snarps. Then feeling wild, especially her she wanted to go fast. Well we hit Rt 295 in Lincoln, RI, then a floored that 440 TNT, in about a mile that big ol 440 TNT, was screaming! I looked down as the speedometer needle went past 120 and into the clock to midnight! At midnight! I chit you not! That car was a 68 Chrysler Town&Country Beach Wagon Dad special ordered new as soon as Mom said we were going to have a 5th sibling and Dads beloved 64 Imperial Crown Coupe just wasn’t going to do! So he ordered the nicest best wagon he could! Loaded with everything he could.
they were among THE BEST ‘YACHTS ‘ around during that time period- I especially loved the designed sharp-edged fenders & quarter panel.
Somebody really needs to refresh that engine and compartment. That is awful looking.