I’ve had a “thing” for this vintage Dodge Dart for a long time. The fact that it’s a convertible just adds to its allure. This one’s a top-drawer 1968 GTS performance model and boy oh boy, it sure looks fine. It’s an older restoration, but it has held up beautifully, so let’s take a deep dive and check it out. Bristol, Connecticut, is where this Dodge droptop calls home, and it is available here on eBay for a current, no reserve bid of $21,700, with 34 bids tendered so far.
The Dart’s fourth generation (’67-’76) had a long run but the ones that interest me the most are the first three iterations (’67-’69). The styling was light and clean – later versions lacked the crispness, IMHO, these first three years possessed. Dart’s lineup for ’68 started with the standard Dart (two and four-door sedan), moved up to the model 270, continued with the sporty GT, and then topped out with the performance-oriented GTS, two-door hardtop and convertible positioned at the top of the totem pole. Total 1968 Dart production exceeded 280K 171K units and about 8,300 wore the GTS trim level (approximately 400 were convertibles so this is a rare one).
So, what did the GTS package get a prospective buyer? A power bulge hood, rear bumblebee stripes, rally suspension, chromed exhaust tips, and red stripe 70 series tires, among other items. The most important feature, however, was ChryCo’s new for ’68 275 gross HP, 340 CI V8 engine (with a 300 HP, 383 CI V8 on the option sheet). The seller tells us that the 340 “LA” powerplant in this Dart has been rebuilt with a .030″ overbore, a COMP Cams 268-degree camshaft, an Edelbrock Performer four-barrel carburetor, and Mopar electronic ignition. The rear wheel connection is made via a TorqueFlite three-speed automatic transmission. No mention is made regarding operating prowess but there’s no reason to suspect an issue. One nice mechanical feature that helps haul this hotrod back a bit is the inclusion of front disc brakes.
The exterior of this attractive A-body has been resprayed in code QQ1 bright blue and it makes for stunning visuals with its contrasting white folding convertible top. The seller mentions that the convertible top frame is misaligned but the included images don’t indicate a misfit. The rally wheels, holding up all four corners, are later pieces and not original to this car – regardless, they work perfectly in this application.
As goes the exterior, so does the interior as it’s a redo in the original style vinyl upholstery. The bench seat arrangement and horizontal speedometer may not be the first thing that comes to mind for use on a performance model but it’s typical for a car whose bones are based on an economy model. One surprising feature, not often found on a convertible of this era, is air conditioning.
So, what’s not to like? Nothing in my book, this GTS is about as good as it gets. Will I consider a bid? It’s tempting wouldn’t you agree?
Drop dead droptop.
[ reinserts tongue back into mouth ]
I had a 67 Dart convertible, it was a fun car. Put a 4-spd in it, too. If I could have found one cheap I would own a second one. However, my heart is in the B-bodies, so I own two of those instead. Someone will have a fun car, and this one is really nice. Finding upper balljoints and the socket to remove them will be an adventure all its own.
That’s strange, Rock Auto still shows them in stock.
As I have learned the hard way working on old motorcycles, lots of things are shown as ” in stock” until you place the order.
No, the small upper ball joints are easy to find. There is no issue, and I’m not talking looking on the internet, I’m talking about experience. If you don’t mind non-stock, options open up farther. I put QA1 tubular uppers on mine, because I care more about driving performance than 100% originality other than the car’s obvious appearance. Another option would be to install later Mopar front disks with the large upper ball joint. (I didn’t even look whether this car has drums or discs). Mancini and others sell the small ball joint socket.
Nice article. Your number is WAY off on GTS’s produced in 1968 though. It’s about 8300 GTS’s total, with 315 of them being convertibles.
Agreed, I think I had the GT count mixed in with the GTS numbers. Fixed now, thx.
JO
Jim you and I share the same affinity for this model/year/series I’d love this in my stable (if i indeed had one still) three hurricanes cleaned ours out sadly. Enough of the south, time to rebuild further inland and north and enjoy retirement My Dad’s tennant had this car in a hard top and I was smitten with them since
I’m a Dart lover also… Had a 69 gt convertible years ago with the slant 6 and auto tranny on the column. Was in the used car section of a local junkyard. paid $100 bucks for it. Adjusted up the noisy lifters and drove the car for five years.. One of the best cars I’ve ever owned.. Would love to have another but prices for a nice one are a bit nuts.. This one for sale is the perfect combo, color, condition, and power.. It’s got it all
Well, I am certainly glad it is 2500 miles away, and so is my wife. Wow, what a beauty and if I was going to buy, I would have to add bucks for a manual transmission. This is close to the perfect Dodge for me.
Thanks for the post.
This looks just like the one that I had to give up when I found out the wife was pregnant . . . . . ‘cept mine had the 383, buckets and a console . . .
I have always liked these Darts. Clean styling and nicely sized. This particular example has a lot going for it. Since I can’t buy it; I will content myself with parking it in my fantasy garage. I’m going to watch this to see what it sells for. I think it has several thousand dollars more to go.
These are great with 440’s in them. 340 cars are a little doggy.
Sold 1/27/2025 with a high bid of $28,300. Which looks like a good deal if it’s nice as the ad suggests.
Steve R