The listing details are light, very light and the seller suggests that those interested in this 1968 Chrysler Newport convertible contact him for more details. Regardless, there’s probably enough here to give this Whammer-Jammer size Mopar its due. It’s located near Fredericksburg, Virginia and is available, here on craigslist for $11,000. Chuck F gets a nod and a wink for this discovery!
When you compare all of the models that Chrysler offered in ’68 – the New Yorker, 300, Newport Custom, and the Newport, with what’s available today you have to just shake your head – what a way to ruin a venerable brand! Anyway, the unusual thing about this Newport is its faux wood-slathered sides. A mid-’68 option, known as “Sportsgrain”, it saw service on 965 hardtops and 175 convertibles. Considering that there were only 2,800 Newport convertibles produced in ’68, that means just six percent were so adorned – a rare option for a rare car!
All in all, this Newport shows well even if it does look a bit like a four-wheeled Chris-Craft. The veneer may have a bit of fade, and some of the driver’s side trim is missing but the Polar White finish still presents well. One image of the lower passenger side quarter shows a minor bit of bubbling commencing, so there’s a likelihood that more is brewing elsewhere. Images of the underside illustrate some scale and surface rust but it appears to be a solid structure. Unfortunately, there are no included images of this Newport in the top-up mode so the condition of the folding top is unknown.
Also unknown is an image of the engine but we know from the included Galen Govier certification letter that a 330 gross HP, 383 CI V8 engine is lurking under that huge, flat hood. There’s no mention of operating prowess but we do know that there are at least 100K miles that have been amassed over the last half-plus century. It does appear that the fuel tank has been replaced so that’s a positive indication of some refurbishment. A Torque-Flite three-speed automatic transmission was the only game in town with this optional engine selection.
The black vinyl upholstery looks Otay! There is no indication of splits or cracks in any of the seating surfaces and the carpet reveals no indication of wear or fade. Nice to see is the inclusion of the optional bucket seats and center console, complete with what Chrysler referred to as a “Performance Indicator”.
The seller states, “Very rare car with some rare options“. I would agree with the rarity of a ’68 Newport convertible, and its Sportsgrain flanks and bucket seat/center console arrangement would qualify as rare options. If you would like to know more about this car, the seller has provided his telephone number and encourages interested parties to call. For what this Chrysler is, I’d say that the price seems reasonable, what says you?
Power vent windows!
Only powered by the user, those little cranks on the panel twirl the glass out. It has 4 power switches to lower the rear windows.
RDS, Here’s the photo showing the power vent windows.
Looking at the passenger door, there are two switches. One for windows, one for the vent. There are no cranks on the door.
Sorry Rumple, this car clearly has the power vent windows. There are no cranks on any of the door cards. There is a mirror stick on the driver’s door, but otherwise all windows are electric, same as my ’67 Newport Custom.
I was wrong there. Out of curiosity, how do the back windows work?
Here’s an enlargement showing the right rear passenger power window switch.
Rumpledoorskin,
I just wanted to chime in and say; I love it when BF members come up with really creative and unsual avatar names! Yours is one of the best I’ve ever seen.
Thank you. My username was inspired by Rex Kahrs.
What is the silver bullet looking thing on the cowl? You have to look at the Craigslist add to get a good look.
Automatic headlight dimmer
On the driver’s door, there is a bank of 4 switches down low that operate the 4 main windows. Look up high on the driver’s door and there’s a bank of two switches that operate the vents. On the passenger’s door, you see a switch low (window), and a switch high (vent window).
Thanks. I see that (barely) in the ad. Always grateful to be taught something!
1968 star car in the Prequel of Planes, Trains and Automobiles….starring Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis…reunited.
It’s an automatic headlight dimmer sensor. I don’t recall Chrysler having that, but Imperials had it available. I could be wrong. If it is factory, I think it’s rare. It looks a lot like one’s I’ve seen on contemporary Cadillacs. Imperial had it behind the grill.
Back in junior high school, there was this nasty little girl named Betsy, whose mother had a white 2 door hardtop model of this. It was visible on the bus ride in the afternoon, a block off the main drag. The only reason I knew it was her mom’s car was because it was in front of her house, she never told me.
Makes you wonder what else didn’t she tell you?
“Nasty Betsy”. Isn’t that one available on Netflix?
This “wedge” style was very popular for the convertibles in 1968, and I liked all the models that had this “wedge” shape, no matter the name plate.
Love Shack Baby
“It’s as big as a whale, & it’s about to set sail” 😁
It’s as big as a whale
Extremely rare with it’s options. It also has power seat, tilt wheel and cruise control. Worth saving!
And the telescoping feature too.
I like it! Bring A Gas Station !
Strange placement of the autronic eye if that’s what it is. Caddie had them inside the windshield. I’v never seen one outside. Has anyone else?
Needs some renewal of the shelf paper on the flanks but otherwise looks pretty sweet!
Looks to be a real possibility…..somebody is going to get a nice cruiser,
Lincoln also used the same outside sensor, and saw a T-Bird with it.
Easier finding teeth on a chicken 🐔
Beginning in 67, these were mounted OUTSIDE on MOST cars. Caddy hid theirs behind the grille, but if you wanted one on a Buick, Olds, etc. they were no longer on the dash, they were on the cowl. It was a different design than the earlier ones, and, yes, they are not common on anything but a Cad.
There’s no wood in this “woody”. A bad headline.
Wow, I never saw a woodside Convertible. Pretty neat even for the fake stuff…
I’m a regular visitor to northern Virginia, and unless there a 2 identical cars in NoVa, I’ve seen this car on the road a few times, and tried once to catch up to it before being cut off at a red light.
Having owned several 1965-68 full size MoPaR convertibles, from Imperial to Fury, I’m familiar with them, and the option list on this car is very impressive. I would predict that this car also has the power passenger seat that also reclines. I find it interesting that there are no photos of the engine compartment or mention of what engines lurks under the hood. It’s possible [and probable, considering how this car is loaded with rare options] the engine is the 315hp 383, and perhaps even the 440 4 barrel V8.
But it should be checked over carefully in person, as I suspect, based on the photos, that this car has had a fair amount of rust repair in the rear quarters, and the trunk floor should be checked for rust as well.
The included Govier certification claims it to be a 383-4Bbl.
JO
Also has the factory AM/FM radio. I have only seen 2 and both of those were in Imperials. Phoenix Graphics in Arizona makes the wood grain dy-noc for these, by special order. Car is loaded with just about every option possible back then, but with the underside looking crusty, and the bubbling thru on the paint, $11K is a big ask, may go for less with a personal inspection. If you have to farm out the rust repair, it could get expensive.
I’m a diehard moparman but damn, it is ugly with the woodgrain. A friend of mine had a real woody convertible Chrysler and a woody sedan to keep it company. Stripped the varnish with razor blades, both were as smooth as glass and the metal was green on both. Beautiful cars.