Classics like this 1968 Dodge Dart GTS invariably spark spirited debate among enthusiasts. It is a numbers-matching vehicle that comes with significant documentation tracing its history to Day One. Those who subscribe to the “only original once ” mantra will contend that preservation is the most appropriate course of action. Others will believe that it is worthy of a restoration that recaptures its youthful good looks. However, the reality is that there is only one opinion that genuinely matters, and that will be provided by the person who eventually hands over the cash to park it in their garage.
Dodge introduced the Dart GTS in 1967, but its late arrival on the market resulted in relatively poor sales. However, the situation changed in 1968, with 8,295 buyers taking one home. Our feature car hails from that model year and is claimed to be unrestored. The first owner combined Code W White paint with a contrasting Black vinyl top and matching stripes to create a car that undoubtedly turned heads in its prime. Close examination reveals paint flaws and imperfections that seemingly support the survivor claim. However, what this car seems to lack is serious penetrating rust. An in-person inspection would provide a clear picture, but the exterior is clean, and the only visible issue is this area in the spare wheel well. It might be patchable, although I suspect that some people may view replacement as the best approach. I concede there is surface corrosion in some areas that should be treated before it deteriorates further, but prone areas like the rear rails seem rock-solid. The glass is in good condition, the chrome should be acceptable if the winning bidder tackles a restoration, and the Dart retains its original “Simulated Mag” wheel covers.
The question of preservation versus restoration becomes more complex when we focus on this Dart’s interior. It retains items like its bucket seats, console, and AM radio. However, the seller performed a retrim in the correct Black vinyl. The process didn’t include refreshing the painted surfaces, which is slightly surprising. The overall impression is positive, and it seems that addressing the paint’s shortcomings would push the overall appearance close to perfection. However, some enthusiasts will view the retrim as a logical first step in the restoration of this classic to its former glory. I always believe that there is no categorically right or wrong answer in these situations, only the varying opinions that make the classic world so fascinating.
Dodge nominated its 340ci V8 as the entry-level engine for 1968 GTS buyers, but this car’s first owner strode the middle ground by selecting the 383ci powerplant. They teamed this with a three-speed TorqueFlite transmission and an 8¾” Sure Grip rear end. The 383 generates 275hp and 340 ft/lbs of torque, providing performance that satisfied most buyers. The seller confirms that this GTS is a numbers-matching classic that recently received a new fuel tank, exhaust, and brakes. They supply a significant collection of original documentation, including the Dealer Invoice, Broadcast Sheet, and Window Sticker. There is no information confirming its mechanical health, but nor are there signs that it is anything but a turnkey proposition for the winning bidder.
The seller listed this 1968 Dodge Dart GTS here on eBay in Kenner, Louisiana. A single bid of $25,000 is below the reserve, although the Watch List and view totals suggest there is a general interest in this classic. Some enthusiasts will believe it deserves to be preserved, while others may believe that the interior retrim marks the first step in a sympathetic restoration. Regardless of which path you would follow, have you seen enough to pursue it further? I would like to wish you good luck if you do.
Handsome! Keep it the way it is.
The 383 4 bbl. engine in the 1968 model year GTS was rated at 300 horsepower, not 275…..that figure was for the 340 4 bbl. engine rating……
That would be the first 340 I have ever seen with the distributor in front!!! However a 383 Was available in 1968 ( and 50-70 Hemi Darts were made in 1968) In 69, They went Slant 6s (2?), 273, 273 hipo, 318, 340, 383, and all the way to 440’s.
Same 383 generated 335 horsepower in the B body cars but the restricted flow of the drivers side exhaust manifold cost the A body cars 35 horsepower.
This Joe agrees with the other Joe!
Meet car. Could this be the same one that was featured in September of 2019?
Steve R
Good catch Steve. Same marks on the left front fender and left quarter below the gas cap.
Back around 1970, one of these came in on trade at the Chevrolet Dealer I worked for. The Dart was a 383 4speed and was crazy fast. It was traded in on a SS454 Chevelle.
I have the same car. And it is a little animal! Definitely does surprise ya! All done except for paint otherwise all new. Ppl tell me leave the paint like it is as a survivor. Maybe paint next yr. Deceiving little cars. Love it! It’ll be interesting to see what money it brings. Glwts.
These were the nicest Dodge Dart body of all time.
My Mopar guilty pleasure…I’d refresh / detail the engine, go thru the suspenion and braking components and drive the wheels off this Dart. I think that the 67-69 body style was the nicest of the lineage. Only thing that’d make this GTS mo’ better – a shift your own trans. But still, this is one cool little Dart.
Awesome. As a LA car I would check the underbody for possible rust. If it’s kosher, leave it as is. The documentation is a huge plus.
The rust in the spare tire well concerns me, as you don’t know what’s under the carpets or vinyl top, both prime areas for rust to take hold, in the roof and floorboards. To stop the car from rusting any further, repairs to the trunk floor are a given. Yes, it’s only original once, but if it rusts away to nothing, how does that affect the value of a car? It won’t help, that’s for sure! Rust is like leprosy, you have to stop it or it will spread! I vote restore it!
Mopars of this era dissolved like Tang in rustland, particularly the trunk floors. I can see some penetration here. That was highly unfortunate because these were unibodies and they are hard to fix if they rust in the wrong places.
They rusted no worse than any Ford or GM product of the same era , especially the unibody cars Novas Camaros Mustangs all rusted , but they weren’t meant to be saved or treasured like today
Really a nice one. I would consult with a Mopar group on what I should clean up, repair, replace and what ever is needed to make it a daily driver and local car show entry. Like antique guns, guitars and furniture you do not want to change something only to hear “I just wish you hadn’t done that”. Would not take much to make it nice….
Lots of keyboard builder comments. This cars been well taken care of and is most likely a 100,000 plus survivor. It’s for sale in LA not from there and that pin hole wheel well could have had a jug of water stored in it or something else. Plenty of Ebay pictures if you care to look and know what your looking at – rust from the back window ? – look at that picture of a rare rear window defogger. Would buy and do just a refresh of mech. stuff. Had a 1968 GTS 340 car I wish didn’t go to a buddy but it did – still waring that factory bronze paint.
I’m guessing the trunk weatherstripping gasket failed, and rain water pooled in the tire well, rotting it from the inside out.
Good picture of the trunk with the plastic cover up – not seeing a leak from the rear window or trunk seal evidence. Owned a lot of A -B -C and E bodies and that trunk pan is to die for.
100,000 mile survivor…..
Nice car for the year and I really like it
Before I can say restore or preserve I would want to get it on a lift and just really give it a good inspection with the rust in the trunk spare area I bet it’s starting on the floor pans as well I would want to replace all the rubber suspension and body mounts. But this has to be one of the cleanest i have seen in a long time
When it was on here in 2019 the article stated there was rust on the floors. https://barnfinds.com/383-powered-1968-dodge-dart-gts/
This one has all the typical big block A-body amenities…Like no power steering,no power brakes and of course poor spark plug access,and forget about long tube headers…depending on the level of rust this car has would be the biggest consideration as to what to do with it.metal work can quickly eat up a budget for a car build.
Like a FE in a Mustang – GM had the right idea and cost saving idea.
For those matching # questions on Mopar’s…..the seller has included the Vin in the Ebay ad and a picture of the rear of the motor/auto trans and you can see the last stamped #’s match the last of the vin and NOT the fender tag. This was for 1968 as from 1969 up the Vin would also be on the fender tag. Win an argument/cheeseburger on my 1968 Form S with it’s matching Vin motor/auto trans stamping….even with Mopar guys.
And that pic of that new tank and pin holes make me think by looking at the tires this could be low milage car.
Didn’t Joe Mannix drive one of these in his late 60s TV Show? His was black but still…
I think Joe Mannix’s car was a GTX Convertible, but the show is in reruns on MeTV at 1:00 A.M, for the curious, and there’s always IMDB as a reference.
The show changed make and model often. I did a Google search for “Mannix cars” and you could find them several ways. That search should work for many cars used in popular culture that wasn’t a one off production or appearance.
Steve R
Yes, Mannix at one point had a dark green ’68 Dart GTS convertible.