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Restoration R/T: 1968 Dodge Charger R/T

This 1968 Dodge Charger R/T has some rust issues that will need to be dealt with, but given the sort of money these are currently commanding, it could be money well spent. You will find the Charger listed for sale here on eBay. It is located in Ottawa Lake, Michigan, and is offered for sale with a clear title. At the time of writing, bidding has reached $15,200 in this No Reserve auction.

This shot shows some of the rust that the new owner will be dealing with. The seller states that the Charger will need new quarter panels, a trunk pan, and fuel tank. There are some other areas that have rust issues, but he feels that these can be repaired. There are also a few minor dings and dents to be repaired, and the vinyl top will also require replacement.

The interior appears to be basically complete, but it will need a complete restoration. The worst news from my perspective is that it looks like someone has hacked (that’s the only word for it) a hole in the dash to fit an aftermarket stereo. However, a talented welder should be able to repair the damaged metalwork as part of the restoration project. There are some items that look complete and in good condition, such as the instrument panel and floor console.

The engine fitted to the car is not original but is a ’75 440ci engine. It turns freely, but he doesn’t know if it runs. The owner is also including a ’68 date coded 440 block as part of the deal. He is also unsure whether the automatic transmission  is original, but he does state that the car is fitted with a Posi rear end. The car is also fitted with power steering and power brakes.

As I previously stated, the Charger R/T is a car that is continuing to attract some pretty healthy prices. This one needs some work, but the car is in no way beyond help. Decent examples, even ones that aren’t numbers matching, are commanding prices of $45,000 and above. As a point of comparison, I have located a project grade car that requires some rust repairs. These aren’t as comprehensive as this car’s, but it also is not a numbers matching car. The owner of that example is asking $34.000. That makes this one certainly worth a second look.

Comments

  1. Avatar Keith

    Another rusty Mopar with a smogger 440…..Oh yeah it’s worth at least 25k! …….NOT!

    Like 22
    • Avatar Clayton

      It’s worth at least twice that. Paint it orange with a rebel flag on the roof and jump it over a washed out bridge. Yeeeee Haw!

      Like 8
    • Avatar Poncho

      It’s gotta be worth at least twice that. Paint it orange, put a rebel flag on the roof, and jump it over a washed out bridge. Yeeeee Haw!!! I always wanted to do that.

      Like 6
      • Avatar glen

        Yea, but not in your own car!

        Like 8
    • Avatar PRA4SNW

      Keith in with his comment early – saw that coming.

      Like 12
      • Avatar Keith

        PRA4SNW…..you’re on to me bro!………..LOL!

        Like 2
    • Avatar Stillrunners

      Dang…havent seen you post for a few days…I was getting worried…nice start car wise.

      Like 2
  2. Avatar Will Fox

    Here’s a jewel that shows REAL promise! Looks great from what I can see, and the owner has a correct date-coded 440 block to boot? SWEET. The real nice part about this `68 is, MANY reproduction parts are available for these!! I can see this hitting $30K before the bidding’s over. Easily. You’d have a $100K+ car once restored that will only increase in value. I’d prefer one of these over a `70 Chevelle SS454 LS6.

    Like 8
    • Avatar Billy007

      Increase in value? Huh? Baby Boomers have had their 50th high school reunions already and are now making prearranged funeral plans. Who in the future is going to buy these? I see only numbers matching pristine rare trailer queens as investments for the high rollers in the future, and even that is iffy. The money boys are not car fans, they are into prestige, and once the hype slows down, they will move onto collecting something else. They are a fickle bunch. My advice, buy something you enjoy and can afford, but DO NOT count on it being a good investment. Anyone that says otherwise, has skin in the game and their advice can not be counted on as being good for you, just for them.////I will say one thing pleasant about the car itself, I truly like white walls, why are those not in style anymore? Gosh, am I getting old too?

      Like 28
      • Avatar Newport Pagnell Member

        I think the future lies in the teens from the Fast n Furious crowd who grew up in that era of films:

        https://www.hotcars.com/fast-and-furious-fans-should-know-about-vin-diesels-dodge-charger/

        Like 6
      • Avatar Big Fun Member

        (sigh)…Billy007 is right- I don’t want to admit it, but the car game for the average guy is different now than even five years ago. A good friend, car guy since day one passed on at 68. He was waiting for “some day ” to come and it didn’t. Buying the best example you can find is the best answer…and drive and/ or show it . While you can. Yeah , bummed out because I lost a friend to illness in 120 days after diagnosis, so our family has decided to get out and drive the classics that were gathering dust. This Charger might be someone’s dream car. Buy and get going… have fun with it! Thanks for listening.

        Like 16
      • Avatar TCOPPS Member

        Billy, rest assured when you baby boomers pass on, there will be many of us “millennials” who can only hope that these cars drop in value. Fact of the matter is, they aren’t making any more of them and I could make a strong argument that there are many of us out there restoring cars like this piece by piece since we can’t afford to drop $30K at one time to do it. The muscle cars of the 60’s and early 70s will always have a market. I’d challenge any baby boomers to prove me wrong. I know you’ve preached that new cars are sooo much better than these classics, yet I am curious as to why you continue to follow barn finds? I own a new dodge charger and yes I love it and I get many looks–not nearly as many as I do cruising in my classic muscle cars. Would I prefer to daily drive a new car, of course.

        Like 9
      • Avatar Billy007

        TCOPPS, I follow BF because believe or not, I enjoy old cars, own a few myself, I just don’t enjoy the insane pricing of late. I hope that I will begin to see some backing off the the insanity, but so far, I have not…but I will keep hoping. I also hope that after my generation is gathering dust, younger people will indeed be able to purchase cars of my youth for a fair and honest price, not some dreamy price that only a crooked hedge fund manager or trust fund baby could afford. As said, and will say again, buy for love, not for money. Owning a car for an investment is like getting married to someone only because they are very rich, you might have something of value but in the end you are deeply sad on the inside.

        Like 5
      • Avatar PRA4SNW

        And Billy in with his comment, saw that one coming too.

        Same old story, same old song and dance.

        Like 16
      • Avatar Jimmy

        I have to agree with Billy007, we decided to sell our 70 Mach1 and purchased a 2012 GT/CS as our newer show car and we also purchased a 2006 plain Mustang for a daily driver and we still had money left over. We are not as popular with the classic car guys at our car cruise with the 2012 as we were with the 70 Mach1 but who cares. Now when we attend all Ford shows or all Mustang shows that is a different story all together. We have talked to the people with the newer Mustangs which are in their late 40’s to late 60s and most said they bought them because they were tired of wrenching or constant paranoia driving an old classic. Mine was the getting tired of the up keep of a old classic musclecar at 65 years old. Now we want to do more traveling in our Mustang and the 2012 will be much more comfortable than the 70. I can be a impulse guy so if the right deal on the right vehicle comes along ( Mid 50’s Ford Panel Truck ) I may just buy another classic but it will be a daily driver quality not a show car. I do like this Charger.

        Like 4
      • Avatar Steve in Charlotte

        I like whitewalls.

        Like 5
      • Avatar Billy007

        @Steve, Very nice Camaro, great white walls! What engine? I bet something basic and practical, something an adult can drive and enjoy. Thank you for showing us.

        Like 5
      • Avatar Stillrunners

        Some person that finds a picture of them as a baby with one of the parents holding them next to a blue one after their death.

        Like 0
  3. Avatar Jimmy

    Looks to be one of the better MOPAR projects that have come thru Barn Finds in quite awhile. It will probably sell in the mid 20s.

    Like 3
  4. Avatar mainlymuscle

    $ 100 k for a “non anything ” Charger ??
    Where are you when I want to sell a car ? This car is 70-80 thousand dollars (plus purchase price), away from being a $65,ooo car period.I sold my 68 last year for 45, with no needs,but a # 3 car at best.I just wasn’t willing to “invest” (Ha,see what 007 says ) to take it to the next level.This is still a worthwhile project,as nothing says ”MUSCLECAR” like a 68 Charger !
    Though predominantly a GM guy,I need another one of these to house Mopar’s new crate mill.They unveiled their new 1000 Horsepower plus,426 Hemi,at Sema last month.Yeah Baby !

    Like 6
  5. Avatar Keith

    The people who loved these cars are getting older and moving on to other things like paying their medical bills etc. These days the younger crowds are preferring cars from the eighties/nineties. Demographics are changing and the older fifty/sixties cars are going the way of the dinosaur. Lastly in my opinion I think these Mopar owners have about squeezed as much $$$ as they can get out of their Mopars and soon will be taking a hit on the prices. Back in 2005/07 Mopars were hugely expensive (thanks Barrett Jackson), not so much in 2018.

    Like 4
    • Avatar Chris

      I’ll say that I hope you’re right. It’s totally absurd as to what the old car hobby has become with the disprotionate prices. I’ve always loved the cars of the 50s and 60s but it seems it’s been more like 25 years since I could fully participate in the old car game. The wealthy people who have huge surplus income to invest crazy money in these cars have all but forced many of us out. It sucks, anyone could have bought a 68 Charger like this for a couple grand at one time. Now your looking at purchasing a car that will require at least double that investment only to be really worth less than that! Billy007, despite his odd ramblings makes a fair argument with the idea of buying a new model muscle car with a warranty and all the comforts and be done!!

      Like 2
      • Avatar robert semrad

        Yes, indeed…Billy007 is full of wisdom….
        2018 Shelby Mustang 500 GT…..$60,000
        2009 Shelby Mustang 500 GT…..$30,000

        New muscle cars vs. old muscle cars, obviously, the new muscle cars are the better deal. The new cars retain their values, whereas the old muscle cars lose value year after year after year.

        right?

        Like 0
  6. Avatar Del

    No VIN break down.

    No fender tag mention.

    Has the build sheet been searched for ?

    This Mopar guy is not interested.

    Like 4
    • Avatar Poncho

      RE: Fast and Furious Generation…Do you really think that these kids are going to be able to handle the power of a big block musclecar? You are talking about kids who add a turbo to a four cylinder that has ABS brakes and all of a sudden think ‘it’s quick’ and they can ‘drive’. You can’t just go from a four cylinder to a hemi, mash the gas pedal, and think you can drive it home without wrapping it around a telephone pole. Imagine never driving a drag car to jumping into a top fuel dragster. I was afraid to sell my one car to a teen for fear he wouldn’t be able to handle it. Got a friend that restored a ’68 Charger R/T when he was a teen with his dad. Sold it to pay for college. Kid he sold it to rolled it. Then wanted to buy another car off him. Answer = No!

      Like 3
      • Avatar glen

        A friend of my nephew bought a new Challenger, not the Hellcat, because that was too much for him. So, he takes his Grandmother for a drive, and ends up getting an ….$8000.00 ticket! I didn’t know that was even possible. Then he goes and buys some performance parts, you know, to make it go faster!

        Like 3
  7. Avatar Newport Pagnell Member

    I live near Bradenton Motorsports Park here in Florida. Lots of young guys/gals running on the test and tune nights. Many
    street driven Mustangs,Camaros,Challengers running in the 11’s and 12’s.

    Like 3
  8. Avatar Keith

    110% agree with Billy007!!!!!!

    Like 5
  9. Avatar Jason

    Agree Billy007, I live in Australia and I’ve been a 68 dodge charger fan since I was about 16.
    Im 42 now and after a few job changes I could buy a reasonable one now.
    You know a lot of rust, interior a bit shabby non numbers matching type of car.
    Trouble is I cant seriously justify spending that amount of coin on something that needs a heap of work and more money spent on it.
    Then I seen a 58 Buick with all its chrome work, big proportions and styling inspired by a Wurlitzer jukebox lol. What a car.
    And you can get them in good condition at a reasonable price…
    Personally id rather buy something complete, running and needs a good tidy up without rear quarter panels missing, gaping holes in the floor and half of the rest of it missing….
    I know what ill be buying soon and it wont be a charger

    Like 5
  10. Avatar Paul Oberman

    That is exactly the package I have always wanted. Paint it dark metallic green with the black landau top. Auto trans and a/c

    Like 2
  11. Avatar Del

    I am beginning to think people bid junk like this up , just for the fun of it.

    When they win then they ignore the item and drift off to some more mayhem.

    The trouble is naive people think the thing actually sold. But it didn’t

    Like 1
  12. Avatar 433 jeff

    I really like the dodge but would take the chevelle over it, or maybe both. If i was on the side of the road with my Classic car i would have a better chance of getting home than i would with a new car that had computer problems or sensor issues, Lets put the fuel pump in the tank and not on the side of the block?!?? Ummm i can certainly do both and have, but i will take the pump on side of block.

    Like 1
  13. Avatar Mbirm19

    I just bought an all original true barn find 68 charger. GG 1 dark racing green mettalic in July down in Alabama. Every part on the car was original. Interior, top etc in great condition. 383H code. Auto. Paid 29300 for the car and still feel I stole it. No rust. No dents. All original ppwk, keys, build sheet still in the car etc. Don’t care if value goes up. It’s an amazing all original car that can’t be replaced.

    Like 1
  14. Avatar Al

    The problem is all financial. There’s so much money floating around because of all the govt QE programs and artificial low interest rates that the money is chasing all assets- real estate, fine art, cars, etc.. One day the bubbles will pop and there will be a reckoning. This time it will be global because all countries are swimming in debt and are leveraged o the max. Look for a swift depression, then a hyper inflation when the govt prints up more money to pay off debts.

    Like 0

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