What a disheartening sight! This 1967 Dodge Charger would have been quite a car in its prime, but those days are a long way behind it now. It isn’t clear how long it has spent hidden amongst the foliage, but it has now been dragged out into the open in preparation for its journey to a new home. Restoring this beauty will be a fairly sizeable undertaking, so let’s take a look and see whether it is one that you would be willing to tackle. The Charger is located in Kansas City, Missouri, and is listed for sale here on eBay. The owner has set the BIN on the Charger at $5,000, but the option is available to make an offer. There are currently 98 people who are watching the listing, so let’s try to work out whether this is because they really want this classic, or whether it is just some form of morbid fascination.
It’s funny because once the Charger had been dragged out of the shrubbery, things don’t look quite as bad as we might have expected. I mean, I’m not going to pretend that there isn’t a lot of work ahead, but first impressions are not that bad. There are rust issues, and these have impacted the quarter panels, but the rockers and other lower extremities look quite promising. Similarly, there are no signs of problems around the rear window, which can be one of the really prone areas. It is no surprise with a car in this sort of condition to find that the floors are all pretty bad. We don’t get a look at the underside of the vehicle itself, so it is impossible to see the state of the frame rails. Given how susceptible some areas of these can be, there is a real possibility of some work right there. For me, one of the worrying tell-tales is the rust that has developed in the engine bay where the shock tower and inner fender meet on the passenger side of the vehicle. You will be able to see this in the engine photo below, and it isn’t clear whether this might be indicative of a far greater problem. I don’t think that there is any doubt that a personal inspection is warranted on this car. As I’ve said in the past, virtually no car is beyond repair. It just comes down to a cost vs potential value equation to decide whether it is actually worth the effort.
The owner believes that the engine in the Charger is a 383ci V8, and the VIN confirms that this is what should be there. In this case, we also find a TorqueFlite transmission, along with power steering. Once again, we are delving into the unknown here. We have no real idea when the 383 last ran, or even whether it turns freely. I never like to see engines covered with debris in the way this one is, especially when a lack of items such as an air cleaner leaves them vulnerable to ingesting things that they probably shouldn’t. There are a lot of twigs and other items there, and you have to wonder what is now roaming around inside the intake. The reality is that if someone does choose to restore this Charger, then an engine rebuild will probably be on the “to do” list anyway. If it is eventually revived, then the Charger could be a pretty potent car once again. The 383 should be good for 325hp, and even though the vehicle would tip the scales at 3,785lbs, it should still be capable of a ¼ mile ET of around 15.3 seconds.
It would appear that the Charger’s interior is complete, but there is a real possibility that this is about as far as the good news is going to go. Judging by the photos, while it sat hidden in the shrubs, the front windows have both been lowered. That means that everything has been exposed to the elements. That not only means that all of the upholstery is a throw-away, but you can be sure that the seat foam and other padding will be in the same sort of state. There are items that could be salvaged, but you would have to think that a lot of the electrical components will also be beyond help. That’s a tragedy because that could potentially spell the end for one of the Charger’s coolest features, the electroluminescent gauge cluster. It might be a possibility that the gauge cluster could be restored, but this is not a cheap exercise. Given the fact that this is specialist work and will require everything to be recalibrated, then the new owner can bank on a 4-figure sum on this area alone. Even a set of replacement lenses for the gauges sell for more than $300, which should provide some indication of how much the final total is likely to be. Items such as the seat frames, the console, and the basic dash structure could probably be saved and restored, but the shopping list for the interior is going to be extensive.
The big question now is whether this Dodge Charger represents a viable restoration project, or whether it is beyond help. It is hard to know just how extensive the rust is in this vehicle without undertaking a personal inspection. The fact is that even though organizations like NADA offer potential valuations of around $43,000 for a fully restored, 383-equipped Charger, it is possible to find nicely restored cars for around the $30,000 mark. That makes the results of a personal inspection important because that could potentially tip the scales in either direction.
Sorry, guys, but 383 engines had the distributor in the front. This appears to be a new for 67, LA 318 c.i. This car has the desirable full length console, but as stated, it’s going to need a LOT of work. Also, current VIN decoders don’t seem to work on VIN’s w/ less than 17 digits.
Moparman, the H in the VIN is supposed to be a Hi Perf 383.
The car is 53 years old and they could have replaced the engine years ago.
Make that “appears to have desirable full length console”; ebay pictures don’t show it clearly, and I think that it was an option for ’66 only! It’s a shame when your mind goes bad!! :-)
“H” in the Vin makes it born with 383 4BBL.
Per
https://www.lhmopars.com/vin66-74.htm#1967
Moparman is right. Has LA motor in it now.
Full length console in 66. Shorter console is 67. Bought these new back then. And yes, distributor in rear is LA engine series.
Foot note for the 66-67:
66 318 is a Poly. 67 is an LA. Both dist in rear. And completely different engines.
Also, 66 had a 361 2 bbl carb option. 67 went to a 383 2 bbl option. Most beautiful dash at night ever on any car ever made
First LA motor came out as 273cid in 1964. Had one in a 64 Dart GT.
The LA transplant in this Charger can be 273 318 340 or 360 cid. They are all LA motors. Casting #’s will tell.
I had 2 66’s and 3 67’s at one time or other and best I can remember they all had full length consoles. I may be wrong — long time ago.
Dash lights made for a totally different night time driving experience.
Loved them.
I would add the 60 – 61 Chrysler “Astrodome” instrument cluster to the most beautiful dash at night list as well. I always wanted a 67 Charger to go along with my 67 Barracuda fastback. Maybe some day..
No way it’s worth 5K, maybe $599.00
I would by one for 20K instead.
https://classics.autotrader.com/classic-cars/1967/dodge/charger/100966665
Dont take this the wrong way but I love the split back seat in this one….I know..I have problems. Just does something for me. Might be the back seat Mr. Drysdale complex.
And youre correct. Unless you like to waste money buy this one.
Clean it out, both garbage and vegetration. cant see $hit in these pics, Look it over and under good.
Cheers
GPC
It’s truly a sad sight as I find the ’66-’67 to be the absolute sweetest looking Chargers. It it were a ’68-’70 pretty much everyone would’ve called it a great find.
Considering its location it seems to have survived the MO climate shockingly well. As a starting point for an accurate restoration it’s simply too bad considering what this gen sells for, however as a carcass to start a pro-touring project it might work. If you’re to toss out seats and instruments for modern, more sporty pieces anyway and utilze one of the newer bad-ass Hemis there’s no reason to rip apart a ‘too good’ example.
In current condition it’s not an easy vehicle to sell, I’d let seller ripen for then to throw him a low-ball
Always loved these!! I like the wheels. Does anyone know what they are? Who makes them?
I think the wheels are from a later Dodge Mirada:
http://www.wheelcollision.com/store/H1181-01181XXGR-MIRADA.htm
(No idea why I retained THAT particular nugget of information)
Could also be from a Cordoba, but they are definately the right wheels:
https://www.forfmjbodiesonly.com/classicmopar/threads/5-on-5-cordoba-mirada-15-wheels-for-sale.7130/
The wheels may be worth more than the car!
https://www.americanracing.com/product/wheels/vn427-shelby-cobra/
The way way back was a pretty cool place to ride as a kid. (Back when that was allowed.)
Is that a 1995 Camaro in the woods next to the Charger?
I love these cars. To me they look European with the size of an American car. A great combination of sporty looks and luxurious appeal.
I am so sick of sellers not cleaning the GARBAGE out of cars they are trying to sell.. I am not even a little interested in anything that they do not clean up.
Parking it in the woods is a death sentence.
Questionable if even enough parts to part out
Having owned a 66 Charger ,I can tell you there are lots of parts left on this ride, but not at that price !
I brought home a ’67 Charger that had been in the woods for 10 years. Had it running in a few hours. Went thru the brakes and had it driving. Is it worth the asking? Can’t tell without seeing it firsthand. And I realize it’s not a Second Gen Charger, BUT, compare that asking against the $20,000 asking for the pure rusted to death junk Second Gen Chargers seen here
1st pic – I thought it wuz a Marlin (one in blue, ck 2nd pic)
https://www.oldcarsweekly.com/car-of-the-week/car-of-the-week-1967-amc-marlin
torino, marlin, charger…(ye ol ‘fastback’ days…