1968 Dodge Charger R/T. April 06

If you've got a desire to take some classic American iron to the dragstrip, and come away from the quarter mile a winner, then this machine may be just what you're looking for.

Conversely, if you're just as happy with an impressive piece of street muscle, this car can also fit the bill. How? The vendors, Australian Muscle Car Imports (AMCI) are offering this Charger for sale with both a modified (440ci bored out .060 over) numbers-matching factory Magnum V8 as well as a ready-to-run 493ci stroker drag package that's currently fitted.
The latter includes Edelbrock heads, Diamond Pistons & H Beam rods, a 990 Holley, Mallory distributors, MSD 6al ignition, Frank Lupo transmission, turbo action Cheetah SCS shifter, aluminium radiator, Caltracs traction bars, Hoosier rear drag slicks, Weld Draglites (15x3 1'2" fronts, 10" rears), 150/250 Nitrous set-up (not plumbed in), driver's cage & more. The AMCI website has all the info.

If it's street you're after, AMCI also has the factory centre console, power steering, power brakes, air con unit, stock hood as well as a later model 'Six Pack' hood, a new set of bumpers and more to take it back to factory spec, although it would be a smart idea to keep the front disc brakes instead of going back to the original four wheel drums.

Second generation Chargers like this one are arguably the most impressive looking muscle cars of the era, the 'Coke bottle' body shape far superior to the fastback body style the Charger debuted with back in 1966.

The Charger was also carving out its own niche in the emerging muscle car market in '68, its performance potential played up in its advertising as part of Dodge's 'Scat Pack' of fast cars that included the Coronet R/T and Dart GTSport compact. Until the arrival of the Challenger in 1970, the Charger was the Daddy of the Dodge performance family.
On US dragstrips of the period, the smaller Darts & Coronets, and equivalent Plymouth Barracudas & Dusters were preferred as they offered a smaller, lighter body into which the same big capacity engines could be stuffed. Chargers still made their mark on the quarter mile though, our feature car carrying on the tradition set by the likes of Dick Landy in the US who ran a 440ci Charger, along with other Dodge Super Stockers in a Chrysler sponsored 'Supercar Clinic' where Landy's Dodges and the equivalent Plymouths run by the Sox & Martin outfit would tour the country, promoting their respective brands at Chrysler dealerships before taking their cars to the local dragstrip to take on all comers.

As well as being popular with buyers (close to 80,000 more rolled out of the factory in '68 compared to '67) and racers, the 2nd Generation Charger was a hit at the movies, too. 'Bullitt', 'The Fast & The Furious', 'Blade' and, of course, 'The Dukes of Hazzard' all pay homage to the Charger as one of the cool cars of its era.

Production of the Charger continued until 1987, although by that stage, it was a shadow o the car you see here, despite Carroll Shelby's involvement in boosting Chrysler's performance image.

A closer look at our feature car shows it's in very good overall condition inside & out. The interior & carpets are as new and the factory green duco was resprayed four years ago.

Charger R/Ts of this era are rare (and usually expensive) items in this country, very good condition units even more so. The engine options make this one a more attractive buying proposition, AMCI willing to negotiate a price if only one donk takes your fancy.
So, if you'd like to see this fully loaded Charger loaded onto a trailer and heading to your garage, get in touch with AMCI to talk dollars.
Mike Ryan

WHAT, WHERE, WHEN & HOW MUCH
Model:Dodge Charger R/T
Year:1968
Dealer:American Muscle Car Imports
150 Lacey Street
Whyalla, SA, 5608
Ph: 0412 712 007
www.americanmusclecars.com.au

Price:$71,000 (with both motors)
0-100 kph:About 9 seconds with the stock 440, less than half that with the 493
Best point:Two engines to run
Worst point:Choosing which one
Recommendation:Get loaded!
Trivia:The 'bad guys' in the Steve McQueen movie classic 'Bullitt' drive a '68 Charger R/T into a gas station. . . almost. Have another look at the movie and you'll see what I mean.