68 383 4 Speed Added To The "next in line" Cars To Do!!!!!

[lilwendal]

There was a thread started by Dan 2 weeks ago on a Ebay car.  http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,55479.0.html
Auction ended without reserve met so I called and left a message if I could buy it for reserve since its local.
A week goes by with no response then today the guy calls saying its for sale and he was calling me because of my excellent feedback when his other bidders had low feedback values.  So we talk for an hour or so.  Sends me a couple pics of the car..title...numbers and fender tag.  He relists the car at our agreed price and It's bought and paid for. I figure no risk since its an Ebay and Paypal transaction if the car doesn't turn out to be what he says.
Unfotunately I was at work so I couldn't fully decode that damn confusing 68 style tag. Got home amd viola!!
We'll its 90% what he says but most importantly a true 68 383 HP 4 speed car with sure grip.  Buckets & console
It was a customer order car and ordered it with a AM 8 track.  Bright red with black interior and black top so I'm definetly OK going with the original color.  No offense to you green car guys
His Ebay pictures really sucked but after the talk and pics I'm confident its not in bad shape at all.  Plus comes with alot of extras.  What its not is a disc brake car or originally equiped AC car.  Hopefully they didn't butcher the firewall or maybe he's just confused of what the airbox looks like.  He's not overly familiar with the Chargers.
Overall I'm stoked and pick it up this weekend.  I'll forward picks as soon as I pick it up.  So officially now there is another 383HP 4 speed car accounted for.
Moral of the story is there are still cool cars out there at decent prices.  Just have to be watchful and follow through.

[CB]

congrats on the 4-speed purchase  


















...to bad it isn't a '69  j/k

[richard pettys 73]

sweet cant wait to see the pics 

[Magnumcharger]

Yeah, sounds GREAT!!! Post pictures please!!











And it's not "posi"....it's "sure-grip" in Dodge-ese....

[tan top]

congratulations    ,  looking forward to seeing pictures 

[CB]

Oh ya

[lilwendal]

Oh ya

Hey.....Theres pics in the attached thread that goes to the Ebay auction.  You just need a magnifying glass to see them. 

[tan top]

Oh ya

Hey.....Theres pics in the attached thread that goes to the Ebay auction.  You just need a magnifying glass to see them. 

    yeah    ..need to see more pictures ,  !! every part of the car    

[Tilar]

Quite the find there. Oh, and how about some pics? 

[Dans 68]

Did you really only pay $2,775 for the car?  Serves me right.... Again, that seems like a great purchase and I look forward to lots and lots of pictures. Did I say lots of pictures?

And contrary to CB's European opinion, the reason it is a '68 is the best reason of all.... (damn '69 owners....)

Dan

[lilwendal]

Did you really only pay $2,775 for the car?  Serves me right.... Again, that seems like a great purchase and I look forward to lots and lots of pictures. Did I say lots of pictures?

And contrary to CB's European opinion, the reason it is a '68 is the best reason of all.... (damn '69 owners....)

Dan

Click on the "item relisted" part of the first auction.  Thats what I paid.

[lilwendal]

Yeah, sounds GREAT!!! Post pictures please!!











And it's not "posi"....it's "sure-grip" in Dodge-ese....

Old habits...Fixed.... And to think....I never owned a Chevy in my life

[Magnumcharger]

Yeah, sounds GREAT!!! Post pictures please!!











And it's not "posi"....it's "sure-grip" in Dodge-ese....

Old habits...Fixed.... And to think....I never owned a Chevy in my life

You're as human as the rest of us imperfect mortals!!

[lilwendal]

Fender tag
Bottom row
XP29  62  3  C11  203152
Second up
12345678  AX  TRM  PNT  UBS
50      9    48  C6X  PP1   B
Third up
ABCDEFGHJKLMNPQRSTVWXYZ
                          0 7       6
Top
abcdefghjklmnpqrtuwy
64      7             1

Can't be 100% sure of the top row.

[1969chargerrtse]

I love 4 spd cars, good Luck with it and come back soon.

[bull]

Cool! Welcome to the club. Is it the 4bbl or 2bbl version?

[Dans 68]

Did you really only pay $2,775 for the car?  Serves me right.... Again, that seems like a great purchase and I look forward to lots and lots of pictures. Did I say lots of pictures?

And contrary to CB's European opinion, the reason it is a '68 is the best reason of all.... (damn '69 owners....)

Dan

Click on the "item relisted" part of the first auction.  Thats what I paid.

Oh, so $3,500 for a numbers matching 1968 383 4-bbl 4-speed red car with black vinyl top and suregrip. Sure glad I passed on that one! 

Can't wait for the photos! 

Dan

[Dans 68]

Cool! Welcome to the club. Is it the 4bbl or 2bbl version?

It is a 4-barrel version, you know, one of the common '68 4-speeds....

Dan

[69*F5*SE]

Congrats..........I wish mine was a 4 speed.

[Fitz73Chrgr]

My Dad had a '68 383 HP 4spd back in the day & I'd love to get ahold of another one...

I'm excited to see pics & follow the resto!  Keep us constantly updated!

[1970Moparmann]

For $3,500 it's a good purchase.  You still have some work to do from the looks of Ebay item 280331418424.  What am I saying though, I just put in $4,000 in new sheet metal myself....

I love 4 speeds, that is why I'm doing this car of mine.  It definitely needed more work that what I was expecting!  Since it's a true 4 speed though, it's worth it!

[Dans 68]

Mike, here is my take on the fender tag.

Dan

Fender tag
Bottom row
XP29  62  3  C11  203152
X - Charger model line
P - Premium line
29 - 2 door sports hardtop
62 - 383 4-bbl
3 - A833 4-speed
C11 - March 11, 1968 build date
Second up
12345678  AX  TRM  PNT  UBS
50      9    48  C6X  PP1   B
5 - drip rail mouldings
0 - body rail mouldings
9 (?) -  8 = wheel lip mouldings
4 - 3.23 ratio
8 - sure grip
C6X - C (Charger) 6 (vinyl bucket seats) X (black) (interior trim codes)
PP1 -  P (red roof) P (Red body) 1 (monotone paint) (paint codes)
UBS - not sure, striping delete (?)
Third up
ABCDEFGHJKLMNPQRSTVWXYZ
                          0  7      6
O (should be a 6)(rear seat speaker)
7 (?) R1 = AM radio & R8 = AM/FM radio. S1 = A/C, & T7 = Tic Toch Tach (I hope it has this!)
6 (?) Probably a Y6 for a black vinyl top
Top
abcdefghjklmnpqrtuwy
64      7              1
6 (console)
4 (bucket seats)
7 (?) Should be h7 for hood mounted turn signals
1 (?) Should be u1 for a sold car (someone ordered it)

Can't be 100% sure of the top row.

[Belgium R/T -68]

Congrats with the car Mike You don't seems to have work enough.

I always wondered how it comes you guys like 4-speeds so much since you learned us europens switching over to automatics.

[lilwendal]

Mike, here is my take on the fender tag.

Dan

Fender tag
Bottom row
XP29  62  3  C11  203152
X - Charger model line
P - Premium line
29 - 2 door sports hardtop
62 - 383 4-bbl
3 - A833 4-speed
C11 - March 11, 1968 build date
Second up
12345678  AX  TRM  PNT  UBS
50      9    48  C6X  PP1   B
5 - drip rail mouldings
0 - body rail mouldings
9 (?) -  8 = wheel lip mouldings
4 - 3.23 ratio
8 - sure grip
C6X - C (Charger) 6 (vinyl bucket seats) X (black) (interior trim codes)
PP1 -  P (red roof) P (Red body) 1 (monotone paint) (paint codes)
UBS - not sure, striping delete (?)
Third up
ABCDEFGHJKLMNPQRSTVWXYZ
                          0  7      6
O (should be a 6)(rear seat speaker)
7 (?) R1 = AM radio & R8 = AM/FM radio. S1 = A/C, & T7 = Tic Toch Tach (I hope it has this!)
6 (?) Probably a Y6 for a black vinyl top
Top
abcdefghjklmnpqrtuwy
64      7              1
6 (console)
4 (bucket seats)
7 (?) Should be h7 for hood mounted turn signals
1 (?) Should be u1 for a sold car (someone ordered it)

Can't be 100% sure of the top row.

Thanks Dan... Thats what I came up with too.  I did get a couple digits shifted.  3rd row should be 0 under R for AM 8 track.  And 7 under T for tach.  The B under UBS second line I believe is for black upper door.
And I believe C11 for production date is Dec. 11th right
Now I just have to find a way to distract myself till the weekend

[RT/SE]

Great buy!!!!!!!! That is going to be one nice car when you are all done.  Congratulations on the purchase. 

[Dans 68]

Mike, here is my take on the fender tag.

Dan

Fender tag
Bottom row
XP29  62  3  C11  203152
X - Charger model line
P - Premium line
29 - 2 door sports hardtop
62 - 383 4-bbl
3 - A833 4-speed
C11 - March 11, 1968 build date
Second up
12345678  AX  TRM  PNT  UBS
50      9    48  C6X  PP1   B
5 - drip rail mouldings
0 - body rail mouldings
9 (?) -  8 = wheel lip mouldings
4 - 3.23 ratio
8 - sure grip
C6X - C (Charger) 6 (vinyl bucket seats) X (black) (interior trim codes)
PP1 -  P (red roof) P (Red body) 1 (monotone paint) (paint codes)
UBS - not sure, striping delete (?)
Third up
ABCDEFGHJKLMNPQRSTVWXYZ
                          0  7      6
O (should be a 6)(rear seat speaker)
7 (?) R1 = AM radio & R8 = AM/FM radio. S1 = A/C, & T7 = Tic Toch Tach (I hope it has this!)
6 (?) Probably a Y6 for a black vinyl top
Top
abcdefghjklmnpqrtuwy
64      7              1
6 (console)
4 (bucket seats)
7 (?) Should be h7 for hood mounted turn signals
1 (?) Should be u1 for a sold car (someone ordered it)

Can't be 100% sure of the top row.

Thanks Dan... Thats what I came up with too.  I did get a couple digits shifted.  3rd row should be 0 under R for AM 8 track.  And 7 under T for tach.  The B under UBS second line I believe is for black upper door.
And I believe C11 for production date is Dec. 11th right
Now I just have to find a way to distract myself till the weekend

Yep, you are right...sorry about that. Must have been a brain cramp.    Two weeks younger than mine...a very close sister!

Dan

[CB]

And contrary to CB's European opinion, the reason it is a '68 is the best reason of all.... (damn '69 owners....)

Dan

That's all I have to say

j/k Dan, ....great car, great car 

[OldGuy]

Welcome to the "Sub-Club" of DodgeCharger.com (owners of 1968, 383, 4 bbl, 4-speeds within the forum)

[1970Moparmann]

Welcome to the "Sub-Club" of DodgeCharger.com (owners of 1968, 383, 4 bbl, 4-speeds within the forum)

OldGuy, I know there were only 259, or so, 383 4 speeds, but how many you think have factory air?  I know according to mother mopar, this apparently didn't happen, but my 68 has it. 

Thanks

[Finn]

  Very nice! Cant wait to see pics!

[Dans 68]

Welcome to the "Sub-Club" of DodgeCharger.com (owners of 1968, 383, 4 bbl, 4-speeds within the forum)

OldGuy, I know there were only 259, or so, 383 4-bbl 4 speeds (There were 74 383 2-bbl 4-speeds), but how many you think have factory air?  I know according to mother mopar, this apparently didn't happen, but my 68 has it. 

Thanks

My take is that only a handful had factory air...now, where is it mentioned that factory air was not an option with a 383 4-bbl 4-speed? I know this has been covered before (I probably arguing the other side). The red book (which is chock full of errors) shows option code 411 , which specifies "Air Conditioner (NA w/383 ci 2V, 426 ci, 440 ci w/393)" ("393" being the option code for a 4-speed). Is this option code correct?

So, the 383 ci 4v is thus not mentioned in option code 411. Error? Fun stuff to contemplate.... 

Dan

[WingCharger]

I wonder why no A/C with 383 2bbl?

[bull]

I wonder why no A/C with 383 2bbl?

Maybe not enough horsepower? Who knows why.

Anyway, here's a two for one sale. One of them he says is a factory 383/4 speed black on black car that turned up on craigslist in the Seattle area: http://seattle.craigslist.org/tac/cto/1113232334.html

[Dans 68]

Good find, Bull. I posted the ad also in the Cars for Sale section.

Dan

[bull]

Good find, Bull. I posted the ad also in the Cars for Sale section.

Dan

I just emailed him to try getting the VIN and fender tag info to verify what he's saying. That's actually a fairly good price for two 68s.

[Dans 68]

Good find, Bull. I posted the ad also in the Cars for Sale section.

Dan

I just emailed him to try getting the VIN and fender tag info to verify what he's saying. That's actually a fairly good price for two 68s.

Hah  , I did also before I posted above. He probably is thinking "WTF is going on?" I did mention this site to help loosen up any recalcitrance on his part.  Hopefully he will give the info out.

Dan

I do have an engine and 4-speed that need a home...say, how are you doing for storage? 

[bull]

Good find, Bull. I posted the ad also in the Cars for Sale section.

Dan

I just emailed him to try getting the VIN and fender tag info to verify what he's saying. That's actually a fairly good price for two 68s.

Hah  , I did also before I posted above. He probably is thinking "WTF is going on?" I did mention this site to help loosen up any recalcitrance on his part.  Hopefully he will give the info out.

Dan

I do have an engine and 4-speed that need a home...say, how are you doing for storage? 

Recalcitrance? Jeez, I'll have to look that one up. I'll just pretend you said reluctance.

Anyway, you're saying you have a 383 and an A833? What's the date code on them? Well, it probably doesn't matter. I have room outside for a car (maybe even two) but no room inside for a spare engine.

[Dans 68]

Good find, Bull. I posted the ad also in the Cars for Sale section.

Dan

I just emailed him to try getting the VIN and fender tag info to verify what he's saying. That's actually a fairly good price for two 68s.

Hah  , I did also before I posted above. He probably is thinking "WTF is going on?" I did mention this site to help loosen up any recalcitrance on his part.  Hopefully he will give the info out.

Dan

I do have an engine and 4-speed that need a home...say, how are you doing for storage? 

Recalcitrance? Jeez, I'll have to look that one up. I'll just pretend you said reluctance.

Anyway, you're saying you have a 383 and an A833? What's the date code on them? Well, it probably doesn't matter. I have room outside for a car (maybe even two) but no room inside for a spare engine.

Well, I did have to use the spell check feature.... And I was told the 4-speed was out of a '68 Charger XP (2-bbl, I believe) but the engine (still a bare block) is a 400 going to a 471. Just a pipe dream (that my wife thinks I am currently smoking....)    wife me

Dan

[RAC95054]

Congrats, Mike!  Sounds like you picked up a beauty for only a little dough.  BTW, the avitar I use is the car I put the gauges in you just restored for me.  Thanks again for that!  -Russ

[bull]

Well, I did have to use the spell check feature.... Dan

No, you spelled it right. I looked it up on dictionary.com and the definition fits.

My 833 is at the tranny shop right now, supposedly getting rebuilt or "freshened" as some people like to say. Hang on to yours. They're not cheap or easy to find.

[ryan053]

Congrats on your purchase. Red and black is a good combo. I love my green car though

[lilwendal]

OK sorry for the delay......First few is for the numbers guys. It appears to me it is what it is.
68 383 HP 4 speed.  Still in its original paint so no suprises.  All the factory 4 speed brackets and hump are definetly original.

[lilwendal]

More 4 speed shots

[Dans 68]

Very nice.     That is a keeper. Good buy!

Dan

[lilwendal]

Going to need some floor board work..Trunk floors..and either lower quartes or full quarters.  Will have to wait to see whats there when its striped. All the frames and crossmembers are solid with no issues.

[WingCharger]

Factory undercoating saves yet another Charger!!

[lilwendal]

Some engine bay pics

[lilwendal]

trunk

[lilwendal]

Rear interior

[lilwendal]

Some outside shots

[lilwendal]

The stuff that was in the car when I picked it up.

[lilwendal]

And the goodies he had purchased for the car that were in his garage.

[tan top]

   nice will look awesome when done  red with a black top  ,  hmm thats odd ..don't see a front sway bar   or even mounting tabs on the control arms ..

[lilwendal]

 nice will look awesome when done  red with a black top  ,  hmm thats odd ..don't see a front sway bar   or even mounting tabs on the control arms ..

I don't think the K member is the original.  Its not a power steering car either but theres the box.

[lilwendal]

And lastly..The powerplant.  He claimed it has been fully rebuilt.  I'll pull the pan and check it out but looks good so far.

[Dans 68]

Mike,

Looking at the photos, and those of the "extras" that came with the car you did fantastic on the purchase. Keep us apprised on your progress when you get cranking on the restoration. Is that the original engine? Check the numbers by the oil pressure sensor. Do you have a 4-speed for it? Is that an "043" radiator? Worth $400 just by itself. Very exciting! 

Dan

[lilwendal]

Mike,

Looking at the photos, and those of the "extras" that came with the car you did fantastic on the purchase. Keep us apprised on your progress when you get cranking on the restoration. Is that the original engine? Check the numbers by the oil pressure sensor. Do you have a 4-speed for it? Is that an "043" radiator? Worth $400 just by itself. Very exciting! 

Dan

Dan...I don't think its the original engine.  The cars an early 68 but the engines a late 68.  No vin stamping.
I havn't had a chance to check the radiator numbers yet but yes I was thinkg the same thing hoping it ewas the correct one.

[lilwendal]

And just a couple more.

[lilwendal]

Overall I'm very pleased.  Will of course need the typical Charger rust areas addressed but overall a decent project with good bones.   Anything that might be missing I have so no issues there.  Including the correct K member with sway bar and manual box.  And all the 4 speed components.
There was a bonus to all this.  I ended up buying two more cars from him.  When I was picking up my Charger..there were two 73 Chargers parked side by side.  100% complete and have been siting there since the 80's.  Lots of rust but the interiors and the trim,grilles and glass are all mint.  But thats not why I purchased them and in fact will be offering the bodies or parts to members here or throw them on Ebay. Sorry I'm just a 2nd gen only guy with way too many projects.   Heres why I purchased them.....
He and his brother used to street race them back in high school and the one has a 70 440 HP installed and the other a 70 340.  Both have Dana 60s installed   So now I have to go back two more times but well worth the trip.
When I get them here I'll post pics and offer parts or the whole bodies to you 3rd gen guys.  I'll be keeping the drive lines.

[lilwendal]

No wonder its a red car.. Notice the title picture Its a Cornhusker's ride.  The rear bumber still has a 1982 Nebraska tag and registration sticker.

[bull]

So how far down the line is "next in line" among the cars you're going to do?

[lilwendal]

So how far down the line is "next in line" among the cars you're going to do?

  Still havn't shot the paint on the wife's 65 Rustang vert.  The 70 Cuda needs a few more days of metal work before I start the body work.  That one should go quick with everything on the damn thing new.
Then the 68 Charger RT is after that.  A Travis ex car. And a weird one. Power windows with tinted glass but no a/c  Then this 68 4 speed.  Two things have kept me busy and both have to do with $$$$.  The clusters have been 5 or 6 a month.  No complaints and it affords me the $$ to pick up parts for the projects.  Next is the 'real' job. My official release date is Dec. 9th.  Getting laid off after 20 years. I get quite a bit of comp/vac each year but am forgoing it so I can get it paid out when I seperate. So  no long weekends to work on the cars.  My goal is to have the wife's car finished and 4 or 5 good projects and needed parts rounded up before that Dec. 9th date.
Then make a go at doing cars full time.  I don't want to do work for others really and if I did I'd like to specialise in metal work only. Hopefully I can do a car every 3 months or so and be OK.  Well see but I gotta at least try.

[Dans 68]

Mike,

Let us know how we can help (you know, by continuing asking how you are progressing, why won't you post more pictures, why the is the when the, etc.  )

Good fortune to you on making a go of it. I am slightly envious.... (o.k., so I am very envious....) 

Dan

[Neal_J]

Great deal on a great project.  Congrats!~