The other day, somebody asked me if I watched televised auctions such as Mecum and Barrett-Jackson, and after contemplating the question for a couple seconds, I had to reply that I didn’t anymore. It’s been a while, and the reason I drifted away from that scene is that I’m really more of a ten-footer guy; that’s what I buy and that’s what I like. The incessant restomods, Corvettes, Mustangs, and supercars don’t really appeal to my earthy Midwestern sense of “knowing my place,” for lack of a better term. Yes, I like my cars to be a step off the beaten path for the most part, but if you like cars you like cars, and there’s little sense in trying to convince myself that I don’t like 1968 Chargers, because I do. In my opinion, they’re the best-looking muscle car ever made, and even if this Hemi-powered example is a little too shiny and “auction-ready” for my tastes, I can’t help admiring it. Mitchell G. spotted it on eBay in Bozeman, Montana, and the high bid is currently $69,100 (which has not met the reserve).
While this Charger has some characteristics of a “restomod,” it’s more stock than not, down to the 426 Hemi that the trim tag proclaims to be a factory option. The seller does not feel that the Hemi is original to the car because there’s no VIN stamp (a warranty engine?), but it does have an early 1968 date code. Because the car deviates from stock in its paint color (originally “Yellow,” whose name is a far cry from the High Impact colors on later Mopars) and wheel/tire combination, that may not turn off prospective buyers. The Hemi was recently rebuilt to original specifications, including date-code-correct Carter AFBs up top. As many Barn Finds readers surely know by heart, the Hemi produced 425 horsepower at 5000 rpm, and 490 lb.-ft. of torque at 4000 rpm, all channeled through a 727 Torqueflite in the case of this car. The trim tag claims that the Chrysler 8 3/4″ rear end (the Dana 60 was standard on four-speed cars) originally had a 3.23:1 Sure Grip installed, but the seller says that the car has a 3.55:1 gear ratio. It’s an easy change to make over the years.
The undercarriage looks beautiful, and even if fresh-looking undercoating often raises some red flags, this car looks clean enough that it’s unlikely to be hiding anything nefarious. The rear torque boxes seem to be present and accounted for, which is a good sign, and the seller says that “the sheet metal appears to be original, including the floors and quarter panels.”
The interior looks stock, with black vinyl buckets and woodgrain trim, and like the exterior, it’s nearly flawless. The full instrument panel cluster is one of the better layouts of the ’60s.
Since everyone wants a 1968 to 1970 Charger, supply and demand decrees that none of them come cheap, and it will be interesting to see where this one lands. Although I would prefer mine with original yellow paint, stock wheels, and a bunch of small imperfections, somebody is going to get a beauty when the hammer falls on this one. Maybe I should get back to watching those TV auctions if this is the kind of car I’ve been missing.
In the add it says it has 2 flaws that do not show up in the photos. I wonder what they are. Other than that it is a very nice Charger!
Mark, those ‘flaws’ can’t be too big a deal, given the overall condition. I think I could live with them!
That video just makes you want to hop in, select 1st gear.. and head for one of those speedy Montana Highways.
Prime Mopar automobile.
And no, not everybody wants one….this isn’t the only super car ever made…and besides, I’d be afraid to take this car out on the road for fear of dings, dents, rock chips etc. The only real place this car belongs is 1/4 mile at a time.
It appears to me this car has gone through a body off restoration sometime in the recent past. Makes me curious as to why I found no mention of such.
Nice car. I agree that the original color would have unquestionably been my preference. However the color change was done quite professionally. Most likely after a complete body strip.
The vinyl top should be in the alligator/crocodile pattern. Never really been a fan of petroleum covers. Very seldom do you find one which doesn’t have water collection pockets underneath.
$69.000 ? Think again. That’s what they get for a rotbox with a slant six. I said yesterday that I never get the pop-up ads in the middle of my comment.Well,guess what?
Can’t do a frame off resto on a unibody Mopar.
Maybe my wrong choice of words. You sure as heck can remove all the running gear components with all of the sub group pieces and parts. I really think that you pretty much understood what I was saying. Have you looked at all of the pictures?
I’d take the 66 Carroll Shelby 350 listed here for $199k in a heartbeat over this car….just sayin.
The single exhaust instead of a dual exhaust seems odd, isn’t it?
Both cars show dual exhaust,,,the Shelby’s comes out both sides in front of the rear wheels..
My mistake. Wrong car.
“In my opinion, they’re the best-looking muscle car ever made…”
Aaron, you are obviously a man of impeccable taste.
No offense Aaron or anybody who agrees with that statement, opinions are like “behinds-everybody has one”.
“And no, not everybody wants one….this isn’t the only super car ever made…and besides, I’d be afraid to take this car out on the road for fear of dings, dents, rock chips etc. The only real place this car belongs is 1/4 mile at a time.”
“I’d take the 66 Carroll Shelby 350 listed here for $199k in a heartbeat over this car….just sayin.”
“No offense Aaron or anybody who agrees with that statement, opinions are like “behinds-everybody has one”.”
Q.E.D.
If your a big man you dont fit in a mustang. The 68..69 70 Chargers are very masculine but graceful and classy. I like Camero and Mustangs even though I dont fit in a Mustang. I think this 68 is in the top 10 best looking cars ever made I LOVE it.
Still true today. I can barley get in a Camaro. I can get in a Mustang but it’s not comfortable. Charger/Challenger no problem. 6′ 5″ 265 pounds. Something that matters. 63 years old.Once upon a time getting in and out was not a big deal.