The owner of this 1968 Dodge Charger R/T operates a business specializing in restoring Mopar products. To a certain extent, it makes me wonder why he isn’t returning the R/T to its former glory because he could potentially make a larger profit by pursuing that path than he will by selling it as-is. However, there may be a sound reason for his choice, and you have to appreciate that he is candid about the car’s shortcomings and flaws. With his considerable experience, he is effectively staking his and his company’s reputation on not missing a single detail. That is a reassuring factor to consider for potential buyers if they plan to make a play for this classic. Located in Alma, Arkansas, you will find the Dodge listed for sale here on eBay. The owner has set a BIN of $29,500, although he leaves the way clear for interested parties to submit an offer.

As is often the case with Chargers from this era, time has not been kind to this classic. It rolled off the production line wearing Code P Red paint with a Black vinyl top and Black tail stripes. The vinyl is long gone, while there are only faint signs of the stripes. It is no surprise that this car has rust issues, but they are far from the worst that I have seen in a Charger. The lower rear quarter panels have rot, and the buyer will need to choose between patches and total panel replacement. The former will be cheaper, but fresh steel would be an approach that should minimize the chance of future issues. The doors, lower fenders, and rockers look pretty sound, but there is the usual rust that develops under the vinyl on these classics. The seller indicates that this is repairable, but his long experience leads him to suggest that replacing the roof skin would be a better approach. The frame rails look pretty good, with only a single repairable spot in the passenger side torsion bar cross-member.

It appears that a previous owner may have commenced restoring this Charger, but the process stalled pretty early. He installed a new driver’s side floor, but the rest of the rust remains untouched. The seller includes most of the steel to whip the underside into shape, including the passenger side floor and rear footwells. The buyer will need to source items like a trunk pan, but with their ready availability and affordability, that shouldn’t pose a challenge. Most of the exterior trim is present and in good order, and while the same appears true for most of the glass, the buyer will need to add a windshield to their shopping list.

Dodge didn’t offer a bad drivetrain combination in the 1968 Charger R/T, with the entry-level 440ci V8 churning out 375hp. This car rolled off the line with that motor, a three-speed TorqueFlite transmission, an 8¾” Sure Grip rear end, power steering, and power brakes. While this configuration could be considered the least potent in the R/T’s armory, the ability to storm the ¼ mile in 14.3 seconds indicates that it was no automotive wimp. I would love to state that the R/T is mechanically complete, but only the rear end remains. That leaves the buyer with decisions to ponder. Sourcing a date correct 440 and TorqueFlite is possible, but they may elect to pursue a different path. I have seen situations where owners have slotted a later Hemi and six-speed manual transmission under these cars with considerable success. A 6.4-liter crate engine, wiring harness, and management system can cost under $11,000. If the buyer elected to bolt a six-speed Tremec to the back of that Hemi, that would add a further $4,500 to the equation with all of the correct adaptors and other items. Throw in some suspension and brake upgrades, and that would make this a potent vehicle that would command respect. It isn’t a cheap path to follow, but it could pay financial dividends. I recently found a ’68 where the owner had chosen this approach, and that car sold for $160,000. That makes it worthy of further consideration.

The Charger’s interior continues a consistent theme with this classic: it is complete but needs plenty of work to return to its best. The upholstered surfaces are damaged beyond repair, the headliner and carpet are gone, and the dash pad is badly cracked. The dash itself looks restorable, with the Rally gauge cluster and AM radio intact. The buyer may consider spending money on a trim kit to achieve a factory appearance. If they aren’t concerned about originality, the lure of leather upholstery may be impossible to resist. One original item worthy of reinstating would be the factory air conditioning. The Charger may have been a red-hot performer, but there’s no reason why its occupants should feel the heat!

Buying any project car can take a leap of faith, and the trick will always be determining what you can do to minimize your risks. There is no such thing as a risk-free approach, but some are better than others. The attraction of cars like this 1968 Charger R/T is that the owner has laid bare all its flaws and faults for the world to see. The loss of its original engine and transmission is a significant disappointment, but that doesn’t make it less worthy of restoration. If the buyer chooses a faithful refurbishment, it is a classic that could command a value of more than $65,000 if the focus is on the finer details. With a custom build, the sky is the limit. When you consider the BIN, that leaves a reasonable amount of wriggle space before its financial viability is called into question. With seventy-eight people watching the listing, I won’t be surprised if this classic heads to a new home very soon.