From 1965 to 1976, the Monaco reigned as the “top dog” within the full-size automobiles produced by Dodge. Having been restyled in 1967, the 1968 models were minimally changed, most noticeably the addition of small round side marker lights. This ’68 Monaco station wagon is seeking its fourth owner and has always lived in the upper left quadrant of the U.S. From Sidney, Nebraska, this nicely running Mopar is available here on craigslist for $19,500 OBO, made years before vans and SUVs would replace station wagons. Hats off to Gunter Kramer for flipping this tip our way!
Named after the Principality of Monaco, the Dodge Monaco replaced the Custom 880 in 1965, thus bumping the Polara back a notch in the lineup. It was built on the full-size C-body platform until it became a mid-size B-body nameplate in 1977. As was the case with Ford and Chevrolet’s biggest cars, all sorts of body styles were offered, including wagons. In 1968, Dodge produced 16,900 such large wagons, split between both Polara and the more upscale Monaco. The Monaco often had imitation body side paneling, which the remaining chrome trim suggests this Monaco once had, too.
As the story goes, this Dodge was purchased new in Washington State by its first owner. The second owner took it to South Dakota and the third owner (the seller) imported it to Nebraska. The car has been treated to a garage for its whole life and looks fairly sound except for some rust starting to brew in the rear rocker panels. The wagon was repainted some time back in a Ford blue instead of the factory Medium Turquoise Metallic which the cowl tag signifies.
Under the hood resides Chrysler’s trusty 383 cubic inch V8 paired with a 727 automatic transmission. We don’t know if either of these is original, but the car runs well either way. The odometer reading of 30,000 miles is not indicated as original, so 130,000 seems more likely. The interior is an odd combination of green and turquoise and the front beach sent has been recovered in something that closely matches. The wheels are not original and appear to be a little wider than what was stock. The tires are new, and the wagon has taken several 200-mile trips with ease. This one should attract some attention at Cars & Coffee where muscle machines tend to dominate.
if you’re stuck in the car while your mom shops, you can listen to the radio by:
1) turn on 4-way emergency flashers
2) turn on left turn signal
3) press and hold brake
4) turn on radio.
Yep….used to do that to my Dad’s 68 Newport!
My 1968 Dodge Coronet did just that!
Yup I used to do that with my dad’s 69 Newport
That’s for real? I did that in our 67 Dodge Coronet wagon and always thought it was a fluke.
Replaced Custom 880 AFTER 1965. I had a 65 Custom 880 wagon with a 383.
Nice wagon, but those wheels/tires do nothing for it’s looks.
Agree….these black out’d wheels are ugly as sin. But it’s appropriate for the age of today. the age of ugliness + sin. lol
My dad who was a salesmen had a1967 Monaco wagon, white with woodgrain trim and I think a gold interior. He had it equipped with bucket seats and power windows. The bucket seats and power windows helped to alleviate the pain from his war injuries. Really nice dependable wagon. We went on a road trip up to Expo 67 with that wagon. I do not remember what V -8 it had probably the standard issue. Too bad that the days of station wagons have passed.
My dad had a 67 Monaco Wagon…440 fully loaded with every option and AM/FM. It was the personal chauffer driven car of George Love, the President of Chrysler Board in 67. It was used to take Love to the Expo 67 in Montreal…same as your car. My dad picked it up from the district Dodge rep in Pittsburgh in 1968. Awesome car that was legendary in my family.
The Monaco was a mid-year replacement of the 880. The Monaco ALWAYS had woodgrain standard (not available on the Polara). On any of these, if it’s missing, it was removed. It was “red mahogany” 3M Dynoc. I have wanted one of these for a long time, but this thing is so badly molested with mismatched paint and interior, no a/c, and poorly optioned, that it’s waaay overpriced. The stock wheels are 14×5.5, and tires are H78-14; those on it aren’t even close. The carpet in the cargo is not only the wrong color, it’s just plain wrong. Should be textured linoleum. I also note the the interior wheelhouse coverings don’t even match – they should be color-keyed with the door panels. I owned one of these from 1982 to 2002, and it was my daily driver the whole time. Sold it with 302,000 miles on the 383, only because it was a northeastern car and the rust got beyond my ability to take care of, but the a/c was still ice-cold! Still, to this day, it was the BEST car I have ever owned. That’s why I want another one! Would take too much to return this one to stock. Sorry to be negative about it, but I love these cars and don’t like to see someone asking that kind of money for one that’s so far off kilter.
Nice 383! But the car itself is way outdated and no muscle car value. And yeah, like the other guy said, blow horn and turn single on to turn on radio!@ lol🤣 and what’s up with the asking price?? People are ridiculous with what there asking for these old no value cars…
Shes a beautY….damn..!
Wow didn’t even know Dodge made a Station Wagon.
Since you very rarely saw one.
Ford was the King of Station Wagons, followed by Chevy.
Too bad Dodge didn’t make a Charger Hemi Station Wagon….back then.
They did have a hypo wagon, i think in the 2000’s.
Mopar made a lot of wagons ; I dont know how old you were in the 60/70s , but there were plenty. Granted not as many as Ford and Chevrolet , but Plymouth and Dodge likely made more than Buick and Olds. Early 60s A bodies had wagons, Mid size Coronets and Satellites/Belvedere , and full size Fury and
Polara/ Monaco , not to mention Chryslers wagons.
Yes, Chrysler was always the smallest of the Big Three, but they consistently built the biggest and heaviest wagons, and although it pained a lot of commentators to admit it, Mopar wagon design almost always beat out Ford, Chevy, and Rambler/AMC in size, capacity, and third seat room (if so equipped).
I had a 1972 Polara Custom wagon in which I once hauled 18 4×8 sheets of 1/2″ drywall and 10 2x4x14s home from Lowe’s – with the tailgate CLOSED! The guy at Lowe’s was stunned – he’d never seen a car that could do that. The rear end was squatting, but it was still under the 1100-pound limit.