Dodge found success with its mid-size quasi muscle/personal luxury car, the Charger, when they brought it out in mid-1966. Since it was based on the rest of Chrysler’s intermediates, it would receive a redesign for 1968, gaining something of a fuselage shape. This Charger is from the first year of that second generation and it will be a mega-project to restore. It’s missing a lot of stuff – including an engine and transmission – and has cancer in several places, like the floorboards. This roller is available in Rapid City, South Dakota and here on eBay where the bidding has reached $8,000. Fortunately, there is no reserve.
From the seller’s description, the Charger would be more desirable if it still had a drivetrain and had been one that was performance oriented. However, this one started life out as a “secretary’s car” with the 318 cubic inch V-8 and TorqueFlite, which have long since flown the coop. This configuration was quite popular in 1968, leading to sales of more than 33,500 units. But that does not translate to scarcity today, although you could certainly opt to drop a big block in this car since you’ve practically got a clean slate. If this were a ’69 Charger, I’d say this was a leftover from the Dukes of Hazzard.
This car looks to have been painted Hemi Orange from the factory, which is something for the plus column, But the seller tells us the car has rust in the “usual places” that does nothing to help the car’s case. The floorboards are shot, and the chassis looks pretty crusty to me. The right rear quarter has rust problems and the driver’s side might just as well, too. The driver’s side fender is bent, there is no front grill and what’s left of the front bumper is on the ground, and the glass it out of the car but will be provided except for the windshield. No hood is present, but the seller will provide an extra. The car rolls and steers, but it will not come with the wheels you see (substitutes will be made).
It looks as the buyer is going to have to source an entire new interior as we see little to nothing there to work with, including the dashboard. This car has spent a lot of time outdoors, given the one photo provided that has snow all around the Dodge. The title is currently being transferred to the seller’s name, so presumably that will be straightened out by the time the buyer comes after his prize.
As recently as a year ago, a 1968 Charger with a 318 had an average resale value in Fair condition of $15,000, according to Hagerty. This car is a long way from being that good and the bidding has already exceeded half that value. This car is going to need a lot of time and money for a restoration and what’s left would make an expensive parts car. So, whether the car is worth saving is up for debate. For my money, I’d pay more to find one that’s complete and in better condition to bring home.
Another day, another non running, rusty POS 1968-70 Dodge Charger being bid up to stupid numbers by the Mopar crazies. Good luck to everyone involved!
POS? Project Optimism Syndrome? A condition where people buy projects with an inflated sense that they will buy, fix and ultimately be driving it to car shows within a short period of time.
I would venture to say that the levels of fanaticism and enthusiasm displayed by members of any and all car brands exceeds that of people who view cars as just appliances. With most of the desirable Mopars being produced in less numbers than their Ford/Chevy counterparts, there are not as many surviving, thus fueling desirability, I’d say ALL of us who frequent this site are “crazies” to some extent, but for some of us our craziness is limited by our restraint and finances!! Merry Christmas & Best Wishes to all!! :-)
It’s called ‘Auction Fever’.
Someone quick put on a pair if old license plates to make it matching numbers.
Its crazy to bid up so high but its a good car to get creative and use after market gauges and a crate engine with stick..
create ones own console and back seat etc etc
The body shell itself might be worth saving. If nothing else, it could serve as the basis for a G-Machine project involving an Art Morrison or Roadster Shop chassis, since the fabrication of a new floor is often part of the building process involving such products.
Russ Dixon asks ‘Worth Saving?’, it was before some bonehead started tearing all apart and losing the pieces… But who am I to question, we don’t know the motivation behind this. But 8K? I can get a lot of older iron for 8K that I can get in and drive. BTW, the ’68 is my favorite.
It needs a lot of work, but still looks 100% better than most of the Chargers shown here. If bidding doesn’t get stupid, someone with a stash of parts won’t be too bad off.
Not sure if I would call a ’66-’67 Charger a “quasi” Muscle Car,especially a R/T 426/440. Websters would have a picture of one of these next to the defintion.
I agree with Dave. Looks better than most 68 Chargers left rotting in fields, like the one I found last winter in upstate NY, at least it was half covered with a tarp in tatters. Ship this pig to Chris in Vegas, he can do the same quality work as GYC at half the price. Boy, $8,000 doesn’t buy much anymore.
No
Wouldn’t pay $800 let alone $8000. Let it return to where it came. Ashes to ashes rust to rust.
roadkill general mayhem clone anyone?