Classic muscle cars from the 1960s offered new-car buyers unbeatable performance for their dollar. Potential buyers could order these vehicles loaded with luxury touches, but the reality was that they were still hard-edged performance cars at heart. If only there were a way to achieve respectable performance while experiencing life in the lap of luxury. Happily, there is. That role falls to vehicles like this 1968 Chrysler 300 Convertible. It is a big and luxurious classic, but it can still hold its own when the pedal hits the metal. Our feature car is a three-owner survivor that is in remarkable condition. The time has come for it to find a new home, so the owner has listed it for sale here on eBay. The 300 is located in Tempe, Arizona, and while bidding has reached $11,811, this remains short of the reserve.
At nearly 18½ feet in total length, this Chrysler is a classic with a genuine presence. While it makes a bold statement, it does so while presenting beautifully. Its original Sovereign Gold paint shines impressively, and it covers panels that are also immaculate. There is no evidence of significant damage or problems, with the panels and paint both being in above average condition for a survivor of this vintage. The owner doesn’t mention any previous accident or restoration work, which may mean that this car is 100% original. The good news appears to extend to a general lack of rust. If this Chrysler has spent its life in the dry climes of Arizona, that is no great surprise. There is nothing visible in the supplied photos, and the owner mentions nothing in the text of his listing. The White power-top is in remarkable condition, with no signs of rips or stains. The exterior trim shines as nicely as the paint, while the tinted glass appears perfect.
Since we’ve already discussed this Chrysler’s size, let’s think about its weight. It tips the scales at 4,266lbs, making it a pretty heavy beast. Therefore, if progress is going to be even remotely reasonable, it needs something special under the hood. The company came to the party by equipping the 300 with a 440ci V8 that produces 350hp. Power finds its way to the rear wheels via the three-speed TorqueFlite transmission. Since this is a luxury car, it is no surprise that it also features power steering and power brakes. Given its size and weight, the ¼ mile ET of 15.6 seconds looks relatively impressive. There are plenty of modern offerings that can beat that figure, but few offer the same level of luxury and presence. The engine bay doesn’t present as nicely as I expected, but its overall appearance is in keeping with an original survivor of this age. The seller has recently installed a new radiator, a new carburetor, and a new battery. The buyer won’t be reaching into their pocket to spend money on the drivetrain because this Chrysler runs and drives perfectly. With summer just around the corner, it should offer some pretty effortless and enjoyable drop-top touring for its next owner.
I’ve always felt that any owner who orders a car with white interior trim is a braver person than I. While there is no doubt that it looks pretty stunning, it is also prone to becoming badly marked, stained, or yellow. That fate hasn’t befallen this Chrysler. The interior trim still looks a crisp white, with none of the problems previously mentioned. The dash and pad also present nicely, as do the console and carpet. The car is equipped with factory air conditioning, and while this operates, it doesn’t blow cold. The owner suggests that it may be due for a recharge, so the buyer will need to investigate this. Otherwise, for their money, they will receive power windows, power locks, power seats, an economy gauge mounted in the console, and an AM radio.
If considered purely on a dollars-per-pound basis, this 1968 Chrysler 300 Convertible offers a lot of steel for the money. Its overall condition is impressive, and it seems to need nothing. I’m not surprised that it hasn’t hit the reserve at the time of writing, and I expect that there might be a little way to go before this occurs. If we leave Haggerty and NADA valuations to one side and look at recent sales results, I expect the bidding to probably land at around $15,000 before it hits the reserve. If you are looking for a classic that offers luxury, wind-in-the-hair motoring, and respectable performance, this Chrysler is worth a closer look.
A gold/white ’67 300 convertible with a 440. It does not get any better than this.
Rex, if the lead image is any indication, this is a `68. Taillamps in the lead image are definitely `68 units. `67 had vertical lamps than ran over the top edge of the rear fenders.
Gotta disagree. Always loved the sculpting on the ’68 Chrysler bodies, but the 300 hardtops are sharper in my book.
https://www.oldride.com/library/files/images/chrysler/1968/1968-chrysler-300-1.jpg
Not to mention 1968 was the year of the side marker
Rex Kahrs: (hope that’s not your job!), Gotta disagree with you. Always loved the sculpting on the -68 Chryslers, but make mine a red hardtop.
https://www.oldride.com/library/files/images/chrysler/1968/1968-chrysler-300-1.jpg
This is a real beauty! The lead photo made me think it was blacked out at first! Just the ticket for top down cruising (just not in the HOT sun, LOL!)
GLWTA!! :-)
Quite the beauty!
So a large 1968 car weighs 4266lbs but a new Challenger will tip the scales at 4k lbs. Makes you wonder.
“Makes you wonder”, not really if you think about it.
Consider all the Federally mandated crap on today’s cars. A dozen air bags, energy absorbing bumpers, door impact beams, catalytic converters and other assorted emission and safety equipment not required in 1968. Then add all the comfort and convenience items available today, such as computers, 9 speaker sound systems, nav systems, 12 way power seats, heated seats and steering wheels, cameras, parking sensors, etc, stuff that 60’s cars didn’t have that all adds weight.
If it weren’t for all of the light weight materials the automakers are using today, and advances in the packaging of options and controls, a new Challenger would probably weigh 5000 pounds or more.
It was a decision to get an old muscle car or a new one? I took the new one, a Challenger that weighs over 4K pounds. As to all of the,”Modern Stuff” I will take the stuff anytime, especially the safety equipment. The car feels heavy which it is, however the few times it had to be tossed to avoid a collision, it did fine. It is surprisingly agile when necessary. It has a great idle, a huge amount of power, decent mileage for what it is, fantastic Brembo brakes, back up camera and radar, on and on and it requires no work. New wins this time.
2021 Camaro is 4120 lbs.
That is a `67 front end.
`68 had hideaway headlights.
I think it is a 67 with 68 taillights. 68 would have had trim on the front fenders behind the wheel openings. Also, 68 came with road wheels as standard, not wheel covers. Strange. Call it a 67/68 300?
Road wheels were optional. This one has the standard 14” wheel covers that were the same as the 67’. http://oldcarbrochures.org/United%20States/Chrysler_and_Imperial/1968_Chrysler/1968_Chrysler_Brochure/slides/1968%20Chrysler-23.html
The side marker lights should be round in the back, and square and in the front bumper.
I think it is part Newport or maybe a rebuild.
I messaged the seller on eBay and have not heard back.
Too many oddities.
It is most likely a 1968 with a ’67 front. Guessing it rear ended someone at some point as the fenders, grill, and bumpers are all ’67. None of it is Newport. They have a different shape hood and fenders that wrap the grill in the intake look. But the bumpers are also from a ’67 300 as they don’t have turn signals on the corners (added in ’68). As long as the frame isn’t damaged or twisted from the impact, I don’t think I’d sweat it.
Personally, I never liked the vents behind the wheels on the ’68 or the turn signals in the bumpers as they interrupted the clean lines.
It is a shame about it not having the hidden headlight grill.
I can’t say, I know nothing of these cars, but the first thing that caught my eye was the large gap between the front fenders and doors on both sides. At least it indicated the front end had been worked on.
Regardless nice car!
I would say, if you are looking for the epitome of American beauty, this is it. Just gorgeous.
Absolutely gorgeous motor car. Wish it were mine.
Well i must say i can relate to this American beauty, i can appreciate it has I own a 1961 Buick Electra 225 beast of a car the length will not fit in my garage as 225 means 225 inches long , motor 401 Head pin 445 2 speed transmission , power steering A/C, power windows 100 percent original with 26,000 miles on Odometer third owner garage find love cruising with it turns a lot of heads i say the chrome it has is fun to polish so shiny , bubble top , 4 door ashtrays and lighters at each door , electric seats so much to mention lol
Claude,
Love those ’61 Buicks with the swivel mirror dashboard. I had a 1961 Buick Invicta convertible in white with black top and red interior. I also had a 1962 Buick Electra 225 convertible. Baby blue, blue interior and white top. Too bad they took the mirror dash away in 1962.
Hi Angela , hoping you have enjoyed your Buicks Invicta was nice too
My neighbor, Mr. Pike, said his Mom always loved them Buick Electrics!
In 1968, no one would have considered this a ‘muscle car’.
Oh ya this is a cruiser !!!!
Actually , the space between the front fender and door is normal it is a long and heavy door therefore the inges are bigger to make room upon installation it is the same has my 61 Buick Electra 225 huge doors
I have a 63 Pontiac droptop, long heavy doors also … it doesn’t have a wide gap like that, equal spacing both front & rear of the doors, about 3/16″.
Possibly a 68 Newport front clip.
The side marker lights would make it a 68.
several correct comments about 67/68. I believe it has been rebuilt- a 68 with a 67 front clip.
It just amazes me that you 60-70 year old motor heads can’t tell the difference between a 1967 and 1968 vehicle.
1968 is when side marker lights were introduced. Although, this particular 300 convertible could have a 1967 front clip as it has cornering lights but no front side marker lights. You can plainly see the small square marker light on the rear quarter panel.
I myself would have to Google to see the difference between the ’67 & ’68 front ends
Ok, solved that mystery. It’s definitely a 1968 300 convertible. Just Google it. The reason I couldn’t see/find the front marker light is because it’s on the bumper. Not the fender.
So, a 1968 from the firewall back and a 67 forward of the firewall??
Google the 67’s also. The 68’s had hidden headlights. Very attractive.
I have brochures from every year of the 60’s. My dad had a 66, 69, 72 and 76 Chrysler.
I’m so confused…has anyone NOT noticed that the right quarter panel marker light is square vs. the left being round?! And sorry, but there are NO marker lights in the front bumper, left or right! Something is not quite right here, LOL!! :-)
Mine was a typo. Saa-ree!
67 still had a 4spd stick option wow what a dandy that would be. Google showed a tnt version was available a bit more grunt from the 440, and a 3.23 gear vs the standard pkg. Either way great machine here
Nice except I’m not into gold colored vehicles. That era, the ’60s was by far the best era for automobiles. Today no performance choices, no color choices and the cars need a diet. I recall reading an interview with Lewis Hamilton stating F1 race cars are too heavy. A racecar of all things being too heavy.
I was a senior in high school in 67/68, I noticed an anomaly in the pictures that I just can’t dismiss. In the very first picture the side marker light is round which is correct for a 68 model. 67’s did not have side marker lights at all. In the fourth picture is a shot of the right side of the rear and the side marker light is rectangular which is correct for the 69 models. Hmmmmm.
Moparman, I DID notice the square rear marker light on the drinker’s side, and the ROUND one on the Captain’s side.
Here’s a shot of the 300 from my 1967 catalog, which shows the lights on the the front fenders aft of the bumper. Not sure if these are cornering lights or side marker lights.
Here’s a look at the 300s flank from the same catalog. No marker lights of course. You can tell I’m retired.
The seller added a note saying it has a ’67 grill but doesn’t know the history of why. Very nice looking ride! At $15,700 now with 6 days left, RNM.
Sharp car but the wrong front clip combined with one round and one square rear side marker light tells me one replaced quarter panel too.
I could live with the front clip being replaced, as long as the frame is straight. But rear quarter panels too? Someone put lipstick on a pig.
The quality of the work is probably good, due to how the car presents itself. Too bad the builder didn’t handle the details a bit better lol.
Great article, very well written. The car is freaking beautiful, I’m in lov3.
Let’s try to clear up some items, the ‘68 300 had round rear side markers. The ‘68 Newport had square rear side markers. Both models had a square front side marker inserted in the bumper. The Newport and the 300 used the same sheet metal in 1968. Yes the ‘68 300 had hideaway headlamps and the Newport did not.Based on the VIN, this is a ‘68 with some mismatched pieces. BTW, I do own a ‘68 300 convertible. Chrysler built 2161 300 convertibles for the 1968 MY.
It’s absolutely a 68, read the VIN. It just has a 67 grill. It’s still a big beautiful car and the lines are amazing.
I have read all of the comments and as yet nobody has remarked “lose the fender skirts” which is surprising.
Fender skirts look cool, I like em.