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1968 Dodge Charger Parked for 44 Years Is All Original and Numbers-Matching

1968 Dodge Charger garage find 18 photos
Photo: coppertop74/eBay
1968 Dodge Charger garage find1968 Dodge Charger garage find1968 Dodge Charger garage find1968 Dodge Charger garage find1968 Dodge Charger garage find1968 Dodge Charger garage find1968 Dodge Charger garage find1968 Dodge Charger garage find1968 Dodge Charger garage find1968 Dodge Charger garage find1968 Dodge Charger garage find1968 Dodge Charger garage find1968 Dodge Charger garage find1968 Dodge Charger garage find1968 Dodge Charger garage find1968 Dodge Charger garage find1968 Dodge Charger garage find
With 96,100 units sold, the 1968 Dodge Charger is anything but rare. However, unrestored examples that are still in one piece more than 50 years since they left the factory are tough to find. The Dark Green Poly example you see here is a fully-fledged survivor that's still 100% original.
Like many survivors, this Mopar spent a lot of time in storage. The vehicle was reportedly parked in 1980 and has not been on the road since. That's a whopping 44 years of sitting. The Charger was kept in a garage, which explains the relatively solid condition.

Granted, the coupe has a few rust holes around the wheel arches and rocker panels, and the black vinyl top is pretty much gone, but everything else appears solid. The interior also shows signs of wear, especially on the seats and the door panels, but it's complete and just a few repairs away from becoming a nice place to spend time in.

But the really big news about this Charger is that it's still 100% original. According to the owner, this Dodge retains the original sheet metal, and it's wrapped in the factory GG1 Dark Green Poly paint (which is weathered but not terrible). The interior is also highly original, while the fender tag is still in place.

Speaking of which, the Charger still has the original factory V8 under the hood. It's just a 318-cubic-inch (5.2-liter) small-block, which isn't exactly desirable nowadays, but the numbers-matching status is definitely a plus. The unit, which was rated at 230 horsepower and 340 pound-feet (461 Nm) of torque when new, mates to a three-speed automatic gearbox.

Does it still run? Well, the old V8 fires up with fuel assistance, but it doesn't idle on its own for long. Needless to say, the car has not been driven, but the gearbox is said to work. The coupe also needs new brakes to become road-worthy again. Most of the features, including the lights and the AM radio, still work after so many decades.

The Charger was given a thorough cleaning inside and out, and it comes with two broadcast sheets, one of which is in pristine condition. Even though it only has an entry-level V8, the Mopar is well-optioned. The Dodge has been in Missouri since it was new.

All told, this Charger is a fine survivor you don't get to see very often. And it's one of those classics that can be restored or just mildly refreshed and used as is. Unfortunately, since 318 V8 rigs aren't desirable, a rotisserie restoration will probably cost more than the vehicle's value on the classic car market.

But if it's something you do as a labor of love, this Charger is currently being auctioned off at no reserve, and bidding is at $24,100. The listing ends in a couple of days, and it's safe to assume the sticker will increase. How much do you think this Charger is worth?
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About the author: Ciprian Florea
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Ask Ciprian about cars and he'll reveal an obsession with classics and an annoyance with modern design cues. Read his articles and you'll understand why his ideal SUV is the 1969 Chevrolet K5 Blazer.
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