Project candidates come in all shapes and sizes, with some posing more significant challenges than others. Some enthusiasts itch to park a classic in their workshop that they can transform into the car of their dreams, but finding one that suits their skills and abilities can feel like an endless search. If you aren’t a dab hand with a welder, this 1968 Charger R/T could be precisely what you’re looking for. It has surface corrosion, but the photos suggest it is a rock-sold vehicle with no significant penetrating rust. Its V8 runs, although the car isn’t roadworthy. Its next journey will be to a new home because the seller has listed it here on eBay in Riverton, New Jersey. Bidding has raced beyond the reserve to $33,700. That means it will become someone’s next project in a few days.
Dodge released its Second Generation Charger in 1968, with our feature car emerging during the first production year. Its history is unclear, but the Fender Tag confirms it rolled off the line resplendent in Racing Green Metallic. It is unclear when the color change occurred, but reversing it would be straightforward as part of this restoration. The panels are straight, but the lack of significant rust is the ace up this car’s sleeve. The typically prone areas like the lower body extremities and the steel around the back window look clean. The trunk pan and underside feature heavy surface corrosion, although I see no evidence of steel penetration. Media blasting these areas would be wise to eliminate the problem before it deteriorates, but it appears the winning bidder can relegate the grinder and welder to a dark corner of their workshop during the restoration. The distinctive R/T grille with its functioning headlight covers is in good order, the trim pieces range between acceptable and restorable, and there are no apparent glass issues.
There are no engine photos in the listing. However, the VIN confirms this Charger’s original owner ordered the R/T with the 440ci V8 producing 375hp and 480 ft/lbs of torque. They chose the three-speed TorqueFlite transmission for a more relaxed driving experience, but I can’t confirm whether this classic features power assistance for the steering or brakes. Many people focus on the Hemi version of the Charger R/T, but this car is no automotive wimp. The journey down the ¼-mile would take 14.3 seconds, and this car would have comfortably topped 130mph in its prime. The seller confirms this R/T still houses a 440, although it isn’t numbers-matching. It runs perfectly, and the transmission drops into gear with no problems. They admit the brakes are inoperative, meaning the winning bidder will take the car home on a trailer. It is unclear what other mechanical needs it has, but returning the Charger to the road could be an achievable short-term goal.
I’m unsurprised that this Charger’s interior requires a total restoration, but it is pleasing to discover it is complete and seemingly unmolested. The upholstered surfaces have seen better days, the gauge lenses are cloudy, the pad has cracked, and the bright trim on the dash and console has deteriorated. However, the factory radio is intact, and I can’t spot any aftermarket additions. Trim kits are available to return the interior to its former glory, and a car of this potential value deserves nothing less to achieve a high-end result. It will lighten the new owner’s wallet by at least $2,000, but it would be an excellent strategy to maximize the new owner’s investment.
We’ve recently seen a few classics where the bidding has been frantic, and this 1968 Charger R/T continues that trend. It has received forty-two bids, and I expect that total to climb significantly before the hammer falls. It is a prime candidate for a DIY approach, but stripping it to the last nut and bolt would be justified to achieve perfection. That approach could net a potential value above $65,000, and I won’t be surprised if that is the winning bidder’s strategy. Would you do the same?
440 and Torq-flite are a great👍combo🏁
People have gone mad with the money that they’re paying for this stuff !
Yup, I remember a guy at work bought one, in about this shape back in 1983, for the grand total of $1000.00! He drove it a couple years and sold it for about the same, it was a 383 auto.
Agreed – people need to STOP paying stupid money for cars like this. Would love to have it, but $60K? Come on.. nobody that isn’t independently wealthy can afford to spend that much
It is amazing how many people have the money to throw at vehicles that are only worth half of what they are selling for.
Drug money buys a lot of them and then they resell them to these shows on tv and make there moneys back plus a lot more!
Something is worth what someone else is willing to pay you for it. These cars consistently sell for these values, thereby making them worth what they are selling for. Your disagreements with the way the market is currently are moot.
$2000 to straighten out the interior? Not on this planet. Thats enough money to get you a full set of seat upholstery not including installation. Then just wait until you start on the dashboard / instrument cluster…
I recently had these issues addressed on my 70 GTX. You’re looking at $10,000 plus.
I have a Charger appetite and a Volaré budget.
I noticed the “O shoot!!…slow down”!! heal marks on the passenger side floor board. Lol! Must have been a lot of those back in the day.
“Just don’t speed around gas stations.” Det. Lt. Frank Bullitt.
Bullitt’s Mustang always gets the oohs and aahs, but I favor the Charger chase car, which this one reminds me of.
I can see Bill Hickman behind the wheel and shotgun toting Paul Genge on the passenger side.
Being in Jersey I doubt its ‘surface’ corrosion
Black wasn’t a color option. The chargers in Bullet were painted black for filming.
Factory literature and PPG paint charts show BB1 black as an available color choice.
Lavern, you’re so wrong. Why the wild spread of misinformation?
Many of us, myself included will continue to bemoan the stratospheric prices of these classic cars and others like them. From the outside, this is the bad guy’s car in the Steve McQueen movie classic “Bullet”. The movie filmed what is today still one of the most thrilling chase scenes in cinematic history. That alone drives the price of the car. As far as comments about other classic car prices – I get it! I don’t like it any more than any of the rest of you.
I was fortunate enough to be able to buy a triple black 1970 Monte Carlo Super Sport 454 at a time when I could purchase it for $20,000.
It was in unrestored condition then as it still is today fourteen years later. I’ve seen similar examples of my car sell for as much as $40,000 since then. However, owning and restoring a classic car as a hobby for us shade tree mechanics is fast becoming a thing of the past, whether we like it or not, and I don’t.
We will have to be content with having to begin with much rougher starting points with the classic cars we buy to restore. And as such, we will spend much more on the back end because we didn’t spend it on the front end. Classic car restoration of cars like the one in this post will simply become the hobby of people in much higher tax brackets than ours. Best to all of you with your projects.
No doubt the collectors who can buy a beat to hell shell and pay a shop to bring it back to life are adding to the hefty prices we see anymore, but greedy sellers taking advantage of the unskilled increase prices too. The cost of living these days means far less money available to do much more than change the oil and wiper blades. The enjoyment of performing small to medium upgrades here and there, as time and money allow, was the passion for me. I always made sure the wife’s car was above average and my driver was in good shape before spending anything on the project, but those days are behind me. The driver I referred to was a small block 66 Fairlane, as was usually the case with the project. I was fortunate to have lived in a time that allowed me to fix one up and sell it for a small profit, then invest in that cash in another. I always knew where that next $500 Fairlane was coming from before I finished the previous project. Was even blessed to have had the opportunity and ability to build a dream car of mine. One of those Fairlanes with a top that folded down. Paid $1,350 for that XL when I pulled it out of a farmers field. But, these days I just keep Mom’s Buick on the road and occasionally help my brother with his Ramcharger, but that’s it. It would take too long to build a car today, since I’d have to rob my retirement fund just to buy parts, and my hearts no longer in it. I envy you folks still in the game, and love to see your achievements at car shows in the summer though. Keep that going and Keep on Keepin’ on. ~S
Your a 100% right, I was lucky I’ve had a 53 Mercury 2dr ht for thirty years or longer and a 67 Dodge Coronet ht, everyone wants them but after I die my boys might get them or my wife will be a the best vacation she has ever had!
If you work hard maybe you’ll get there one day, Good things take time, I worked for the same company for 43 years,,,retired and ordered a 2022 Dodge Challenger ScatPack, WideBody with a Shaker Hood, 392 Hemi-Engine,
Anyone wanting to pay the kind of money you’re suggesting has a screw loose! Yes the car looks solid from the pictures but the cost of restoration is crazy nowadays even if you do the bulk of the work yourself. Paint job no this car will be a minimum of 12-k, interior around nine to ten thousand, complete brake system rebuild maybe three to four thousand new tires and new wheels will be a must at around three five hundred and who knows what you may run across with the engine. Without engine or transmission work that may be needed you’re looking at around 45 to 50 k restoration not counting purchase price of the car. Top dollar for me to buy this car would be 18-k!
I must have a cristal ball
I sold my old cars and invested in realestate , retited at 55 and been enjoying since
I am happy that my prperties are worth more
And
Produce more money
I dont miss the cars …
Purple, your question is no more relevant, appropriate or even interesting than it was when you left the exact same comment on at least one other car.
Real estate was a great investment, but by the prices of these barn finds it looks like rust has turned to gold.