Known ownership histories are always desirable with classic cars, but some take that trait to a higher level. Such is the case with this beautiful 1968 Dodge Charger. The current owner has been its custodian since the 1970s, and the kicker is they are a former Chrysler Manager. They have preserved it as much as possible, with the odometer showing 67,823 miles. All good things must end, with the Charger listed here on Craigslist in Gilbert, Arizona. The asking price of $87,500 is hardly pocket change, so it is worth digging deeper to determine whether it is justified. I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder Rocco B. for spotting this fantastic survivor.
This Charger caught my eye immediately with its combination of Burgundy paint, White “bumblebee” stripes, and chrome Magnum 500 wheels. I then read the listing text, discovering the seller’s claim that the car is almost all original. If the paint has survived more than five decades in its current state, that is indicative of a classic that has been the seller’s pride and joy since they purchased it in the 1970s. A close inspection may reveal panel and paint imperfections, but they aren’t visible in the supplied photos. If it’s as good in the flesh as it appears in the listing, this Charger would look at home on a showroom floor. Its beauty is more than skin deep because it has spent its life in Arizona’s dry climate. That makes its total lack of rust unsurprising. The exterior is clean, with the underside equally impressive. The chrome and glass are spotless, with the seller indicating the headlamp doors work as they should. The previously mentioned Magnum 500s are wrapped in tires from the folk at BF Goodrich, filling the wheel wells perfectly.
If this Charger’s exterior is stunning, its interior serves up more of the same. The only identified fault is the non-functioning factory radio. Otherwise, everything works as it should. The upholstered surfaces sport White vinyl, and although the front seats wear slipcovers, it appears there are no tears or other problems lurking beneath. The Maroon carpet contrasts the sea of White, tying the interior and exterior nicely together. The dash and pad look excellent, with the Rally gauge cluster featuring a working Tic-Toc-Tach. The car isn’t loaded with extras apart from the radio and rear defroster. One surprise is the original owner’s decision not to order this Charger with air conditioning. Adding an aftermarket unit is possible, but with the interior currently unmolested, I’d wind down the windows and utilize what Mother Nature provides.
The original owner ticked the right boxes when they ordered this Dodge because its mechanical configuration should offer power to burn. The engine bay houses the iconic 383ci Magnum V8. Shifting duties fall to a three-speed Torqueflite transmission, while power assistance for the steering and brakes join the mix. The Magnum should produce 330hp, launching the Charger through the ¼-mile in 15 seconds and on to a top speed of 126mph. The seller indicates the car is numbers-matching, and they recently performed significant preventative maintenance to ensure it is in excellent mechanical health. They fitted a new fuel tank, fuel lines, and a fuel pump. The carburetor received a rebuild, the suspension received new bushes, and there were other tasks the seller didn’t specify. The upshot is this classic is in excellent health. They supply this YouTube video that provides a walkaround and engine start. That awesome V8 sounds as sweet as a nut, with no smoke or odd noises. The engine bay is immaculate, and it doesn’t flatter to deceive. The Charger runs and drives perfectly, making it a turnkey proposition for a lucky new owner.
Dodge found itself with a hit on its hand when it released the Second Generation Charger. It was the weapon of choice for 96,100 buyers, representing more than 15% of total Dodge sales for that year. If this 1968 Charger is as original as the seller claims, its condition is astounding. It appears to need nothing and would attract attention for the right reasons wherever it goes. That brings us to the subject of the price, which is a difficult nut to crack. It is well above the figures quoted by Hagerty and NADA ($71,800 and $37,900, respectively) for a perfect example, but as we’ve seen previously, their figures can be off substantially. Recent sales results suggest a price around $80,000 would be about right, although a passionate Mopar enthusiast might be prepared to go that extra yard and commit to this Dodge. Do you think this Charger will find a new home quickly, or will the seller need to exercise patience?
Nice one. All good except for the price.
All kinds of beautiful music from Gilbert, AZ-this Charger and Lindsey Sterling.
Though entirely different genres, it’s Amazing what we get from little known towns everywhere..
From a town that I grew up in most famous as the Hay Capital of the World it now sports a population of over 300,000. Add football to the genres as surprise star of the NFL, Mr Irrelevant, Brock Purdy of the San Francisco 49ers also hails from Gilbert.
Another car guy with good taste in music! Lindsay Sterling has talent to burn.
I potentially believe the mileage, but everything else is a bit of a stretch. That radiator gleams as if brand new and the black is too glossy. If this car was one year old with 67K miles it wouldn’t look that good. Wires in engine compartment seem to have some body paint on them. I think this is a nice, nice car, but not a survivor for over $80K. If seller is serious in originality claim, get out a paint meter and show measurements across all the panels.
” Almost all original and unmolested.” from the ad…..notice a few things as well – those round top radiators were out and should have the square top along with the unsilence air cleaner…..paint over spray and that “buffed to hell ” look always bothers me….
Price a bit optimistic. However, most 68 Chargers on this site need $10,000 worth of China made junk sheet metal and another $30,000 in labor to even begin to make them look as good as this car. Why start with a rot box that some fool won’t fix when you can have this despite the simple things the experts have deemed incorrect and brought to our attention. I was 12 years old when this car was new. My best friends grandfather owned the local dealer and we sat in them on the show room floor. I later worked there in high school. Radiators were worn out in 4 to 6 years as no one ever changed coolant. The old brass/copper rads hate antifreeze. They all turned to white scale inside and kaboom plenty of leaks.
Nice charger, I agree even with the low miles, some things look a little to nice. That would not bother me I.E the radiator. Looks to me that might have had the radiator refreshed and got a glossy paint job to finish it out. OfCourse it should have been satin-but small thing. It looks like a super clean and tight car. Very clean, for sure to bring high $$
I thought the stripe was reserved for the R/T package. I had a 68 R/T 440 with the same setup of a column shifter linkage with buckets and folding arm rest. Great car for a triple date in 1975. Got my license in 74. Charger was my second car. Poor car was rusting out by 1976.
Yes looks great, but i would not call that red.
Howie….who called it red? In the write up, they specifically said it was “Burgundy”. Second paragraph.
Robert the seller calls it red, go to the ad on Craigs List, Paint Color: Red.
Very nice car.
I particularly don’t like white interior and muscle cars.
Especially if you’re always wrenching on cars.
Very hard to keep clean when you got grease on your clothes and hands all the time.
A lot of cars of this era, did not have AC. I don’t believe any of our family cars had AC until our 1973 Chevelle Malibu. None of our 60’s cars did.
We called it 250 Air conditioning. Wind down 2 windows and go 50 mph.
wallah !
And Burgundy was not often a color you saw on Chargers, which makes this one rarer yet. Wonder how many came out Burgundy/Maroon ?
Most of these cars had whitewalls & wheel covers back in the day …
https://images.craigslist.org/00x0x_5osXA2Z8zAzz_0sZ0hZ_1200x900.jpg
Same with 1st gen Camaros, etc.
You state they checked the right box ?? Really ? The right box would have been the hemi ! 383 magnums were common site in my neighborhood. All the RR n SB’s had them.
Adam always writes up his cars as if the car was special ordered , whether its a top of the line car or a base model sedan. And you’re right , most Chargers did have a 383 in them , and they were in the dealerships lot- no need to order one
I am no Mopar expert by any means, but shouldn’t the broadcast tag VIN# match the vehicle VIN#? Maybe this started out as a 138 car?
At that price I don’t think the guy really wants to sell it. Gorgeous car but not that gorgeous.
Beautiful car. Mopars have grown to demand high prices. He doesn’t claim it to be original paint. This body style is highly desirable to collectors. I think any of us would be more than proud to have any brand old car in this condition. The cost of getting a car back to this shape would be insane. I’m sure someone will buy it and love it.
Nice car 75 grand tops
I agree with a few of the other replies. A classic car is a beauty to admire and yes it is a part of automotive history. But a classic car or any type of vehicle shouldn’t cost as much as a vehicle that’s selling for more than a brand new production model at a new car dealership. Why should anyone pay more for a classic. When a brand new car or truck sells for less than what this vehicle is selling for?