Bright Blue 1968 Dodge Charger R/T Ditches Factory 440 V8 for All-Time Great HEMI Option

Dodge redesigned the Charger for the 1968 model year to feature coke bottle styling, with a “kick up” rear spoiler and a “flying buttress” rear. This car had a lot of road presence, and to this day it looks just as amazing as it did over half a century ago.

The most desirable spec you could get back then would have been the R/T, which stands for “Road/Track”. It came standard with a 440 ‘Magnum’ V8, although you could also get it with a 426 Hemi as an optional extra. Both engines were terrific, although I have a feeling you already know which of the two is more legendary.

Between the 1968 and 1969 model year cars, you can make a case for either of them as being “peak Charger”. Visually, it comes down to which front end you prefer – the 1969MY car has that center divider in the middle of the front grille, and I think most people prefer that look over the original grille without the divider (myself included).

Speaking of “peak Charger”, we just found a 1968 example that comes really close to perfection, and it’s up for grabs to the highest bidder – you’ll want to hurry up since the auction is almost closed. Currently, the top bid stands at $95,000.

It’s still wearing its factory Bright Blue Metallic colorway, although it’s been repainted several times since new. Other visual highlights include the concealed headlights, hood-mounted turn signal indicators, Hemi badges, the black vinyl top, polished fuel-filler cap, black R/T tail stripes, and a set of black-finished 20” American Racing wheels with Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tires and Wilwood brakes.

The car also comes with a custom independent front suspension, plus front and rear coilovers, hence the aggressive stance.

Meanwhile, the interior features black vinyl front bucket seats and a similarly upholstered rear bench (with silver accents), a push-button starter, power windows, a Classic Auto Air climate control system, a Hurst shifter, auxiliary gauges and a woodgrain steering wheel with a Mopar-branded center cap.

As for the power unit, gone is the original 440 V8 with its 375 horsepower, replaced instead by a 426 ci Hemi, rebuilt and stroked under current ownership, before getting fitted with a FiTech dual-quad-style fuel injection system and tubular headers (with X-pipe and Borla mufflers) for the dual exhaust. It sends power to the rear wheels via a five-speed manual gearbox.

It's safe to say that classic Chargers rarely get more gorgeous than this.