I can easily understand the urge to take an automobile and build it into something better than before, but considering using a more base-model car might make more sense in the long run when an enthusiast decides to move forward with such an undertaking. According to the seller, this 1968 Dodge Charger started out as a 440-powered example, which is already a very desirable commodity itself. This one’s now got a Hemi under the hood, stroked to 472 CID. This muscular Mopar is located in Belle Chasse, Louisiana, and can be found here on eBay, where bidding has already reached $31,100.
I might have chosen an entry-level B-Body with a 318 to start with and have kept the 440 intact here, but the car’s past is unknown, and perhaps the factory engine was already missing before the project began. The seller tells us he bought the car in South Carolina in 2010, and it’s got a Georgia plate, so it’s unclear how the Peach State got into the mix. The photos show limited views of the exterior, but we can see it now wears an R/T badge at least on the rear, with the owner citing health issues as the reason for parting ways here. The black paint appears to be of driver quality, but fortunately, the visible sections of the sheet metal appear straight overall.
Just about all of the information centers around the engine, and rightfully so, as it’s an impressive build. The original 440 has been swapped for a 426 Hemi stroked to 472, assembled by Marsh Performance in Linwood, North Carolina. It’s chock-full of goodies, including a mix of Mopar parts and aftermarket components, with some of the latter being a cam, lifters, and pushrods from COMP Cams. Headers are from TTI, with the MSD ignition ensuring the monster motor starts properly, provided it’s currently running. Interestingly, the two 4-barrel setup found on most 426 Hemi engines is no longer present, with a Demon 750 CFM on top instead. This one’s also equipped with an automatic transmission, but besides being confirmed as a 727 TorqueFlite, no further details are given.
Literally zero information is shared about the interior, and not many photos either. However, from what can be seen, things inside appear to be looking pretty good for the most part. The radio is MIA, but the sound made by the 472 is probably music to the ears of whoever happens to be behind the wheel of this 1968 Dodge Charger. It’s mentioned that there’s more work that needs to be done here, but this one doesn’t seem that far away from being ready to tear up the roads, and I’m certainly envious of the direction this car is headed in. How about you?
Looks adequately menacing…best of an engine presumably not running, as shots outside the storage bay would have been nice…wonder what its needs are…
The second engine picture shows plug wires and belts, unfortunately the ad leaves out a lot of key information.
The idea that it’s a 440 SE, only works if is also an RT, which the seller says it isn’t. Who knows what it started life as because they didn’t include a VIN.
It seems like this engine block, heads and intake are from the Mopar Performance catalog and not vintage parts.
I’d price it as a 68 Charger with a Hemi transplant, nothing more. Its overall condition should determine its value.
Steve R
Check out the ebay listing. Read thru to the section that reveals that the engine was broken in most likely on a dyno.
I knew a guy who bought one of these with a Hemi in it
brand new.It was always kept in perfect shape.It was Black,
& had a California personalized plate that said “HEMI” on it.
Sadly,he sold it to an idiot who proceeded to ruin it.I’m
not sure if it still exists.
1st pic in the garage reminded me of that wicked Mopar “the black ghost”🇰🇪 that roamed the streets of Detroit 🚥🏁
Look deeper into the “black ghost”. Its a scam.
Too bad it was only a story, but maybe it did happen, in Fantasy Land.
I’ve seen a lot of people relay stories about a car that don’t make sense to people that spent a lot of time at a track or street races. Stories often get exaggerated over time, the person telling it often believe what they are saying is true, knowledgeable people listening generally won’t correct them, the person telling the story can’t be convinced what you are telling people is untrue, they often getting angry if you try to correct them, no matter how gently. Someone along the way likely has enough knowledge that they know what is being said is untrue, figuring out who that is generally isn’t worth the effort. It’s better to separate yourself from these people so they can go their way.
Steve R
The black ghost is not a scam and it wasn’t a dodge charger it was a 1971 challenger with a factory 426 hemi with 4 speed pistol grip 4 speed it was black on black and belonged to a Vietnam veteran that was garage kept and only taken out on Saturday night for street racing and never lost a race not even to police. It set parked in his garage after he died and about 4 years ago his son got it out tuned it up and gave it a good cleaning and still drives it till this day And that is a fact jack
$31k is a steal and I remember back in the 80s people were giving away base model chargers with no rust for free and now they’re selling it for over $10k with a lot of rust and no driveline and actually getting money for it ! Crazy 😜 and this one has a Hemi in it! How Times have changed lol 😂if this was a 69 and a manual transmission it would be the bomb 💣
It’s not $31k… 5 days to go… auction
I came here expecting Bullitt comments to explode on this post
Me too.
I’ll bite, this was the true star of Bullitt. Something about those 4 round taillights screams “come fukk with me” & the rolling burnout backs it up..
Running or not, looks to me me like the seller has something to hind. Push it out for better pic’s.
I used to do business in Louisiana. Don’t get me wrong. Cajun language has a dielect all of its own,
Very nice start. Now, all a person should plan on is building a box to keep all those ponys headed in the right direction. And, sometimes being able to slow down.
The the front picture of the car the top of the passenger fender looks kinda Krispy or is it the lighting? Also kinda wavey along the top of it. Peace!
Black Ghost is a made up story…
The car is in very rough shape… Currently being repaired in the bad areas of the body.
The big, bad Hemi was gross under the valve covers…
Hard to tell with this Charger…
not a lot of good pics but a ton of go-fast chrome on the motor
Chrome gives you 10 more horsepower!!!
Is it just me? Or does the ebay listing pictures have dash pictures of 2 different cars? The first one, which is actually a 2 second video, has a very pink hue to it, and it shows the tach on what looks like the A pillar. In the second picture, which is the one used in this listing, it shows the tach clearly on the steering column. Just looks very weird to me.
I have had a 68 and 69. I blew up the 383 in the 68 put in a 440 TNT could not get it going from a dead stop–too light, great from 20 mph up. Very tinny doors sounded like dropping a tin can into a bucket. If you are wondering where I got all these cars –I worked in a bone yard for close to 40 years–and I had the pick of the litter. If I only knew what they would be worth down the road I would be living the high life. The best of the bunch was a 1965 Pontiac 2plus 2 421 convertible try power 4 speed–what a fun car.
Ive had over a hundred cars, 90% Mopar
As Steve R said, only could be an R/T SE, but it seems to miss some of the SE parts, the dress up kit for the pedals as an example. Also it was an a/c car. So what is it? Well a correct VIN would tell us, but they’ve given some rando numbers so that is no help. If you were serious about purchasing it you would want a good Mopar person to inspect in person, and probably talk with the engine shop. It has that Enzo Ferrari line about You’re buying an engine, I threw in the body for free about it.
No SE in 68.
You’re right Rod. Silly me. It does support my argument that this isn’t what it seems. Claiming that is an R/T is one thing, it may be. As you point out though, you cannot claim it to be something that didn’t exist.
Caveat emptor.
If it had a reserve, it doesn’t seem to now.
I miss Dodge.
Old school Mopar’s Rule!
I bought a ’21 Challenger Scat Pack wide body, shaker hood, 6 spd 485 horse. Nothing old school can touch it. 11 sec Qtr mile, 180 top end. 24 mpg hiway. What’s not to like?
Look at the hood to fender gap. Rh side has a large gap, LH no gap at all. With the dark pics, lack of vin. Few pics. I wish the winner of this auction good luck.
SOLD for $55,535.
49 bids.