68 Charger

[oz_charger]

Hi,

I'm in the process of looking for a 68/69 Charger R/T, a couple of cars that have caught my eye are the Green 68 Hemi at www.friendshipclassics.com in Washington and the Orange 69 R/T at streetsideclassics.com in Charlotte. The hemi seems really cheap and I keep thinking about the old adage if its too good to be true it probably is. Does anyone know or can anyone vouch for either of these cars. As usual thanks in advance.

[rooks]

Firstly, contact the sellers, and ask for all the numbers (VIN, Engine, Fender, Trunk Lip & Radiator Support), and also ask for nice, clear, legible, close-up photo's of all of them.

That unfocused, half light, half shadow crap is nonsense and should not exist in the world of classic sought-after car sales. The Fender tag is from a Hemi, so that's a good start, but get all of them to be sure. Also ask if there's any documentation to go with it. (Broadcast sheet, owners history etc). The '69 440 says it's undocumented.

If they arn't prepared to do that, tell them to suck a fart! They'll soon get a shock, because every single potential buyer will ask for the exact same things. It's a Hemi, not a 318.


Once you hear back, there are people that will go and actually inspect the vehicle for you (for a fee), get you a heap of photo's, and give you a complete run-down of the vehicle.

Good luck mate!


Edit: Regarding the price. It's definitely low, but isn't too unrealistic. If you look around, most Hemi Chargers that are asking over $100k are both completely restored, and have documentation. Those between $80-100K are either restored, but without doc's, or with doc's but un-restored.

The $60-$80k is where you'll find the un-restored, un-documented models. These will also be the ones that more than likely left the factory with fewer options.

I'm by no means any kind of authority on the matter, it's just what I've noticed browsing though 'for sale' listings over the last few months.

[drfangs]

i lived in DC near the dealership and took a quick 15 minute look at it early 2009.  the motor is not original, but other then that it looked really good.  hood, door, trunk all closed well (may not mean much, but it makes me feel good when it happens, everything seemed straight, and i couldn't see any bodywork, but it was a really quick look.  Something to definitelly pursue.  i didn't start it or drive it because it was in the indoor showroom and he wasn't willing to deal. 

[1969chargerrtse]

I don't like how they don't mention the motor is not original. They point should be noted, like the other details.

[tan top]

looks like that one that was on ebay a few years back  ,  guy had owned it a long time  , but had to sell as family comitments etc ,  but don't quote me on this , can't be 100% 

[oz_charger]

I spoke to the dealer who has the hemi car and he told me the motor was a warranty replacement block. I was more curious about the cars history, you hear stories about cars that have been badly damaged or rebodied etc. Funny thing about Australian collectable mopars is that everyone wants to know the "provenance" of a car and not just the numbers. What helps is that our country is quite small (population wise)  and the chrysler community even smaller, so you can quickly find out about a cars history and therefore know which cars to stay away from especially if there are questions on their authenticity (even when the numbers appear to match)

[CDN72SE]

The 1973 Dodge 400 Base looks interesting. 

[maxwellwedge]

I spoke to the dealer who has the hemi car and he told me the motor was a warranty replacement block. I was more curious about the cars history, you hear stories about cars that have been badly damaged or rebodied etc. Funny thing about Australian collectable mopars is that everyone wants to know the "provenance" of a car and not just the numbers. What helps is that our country is quite small (population wise)  and the chrysler community even smaller, so you can quickly find out about a cars history and therefore know which cars to stay away from especially if there are questions on their authenticity (even when the numbers appear to match)

Ask for the numbers on the very bottom of the engine...and what is on the VIN Pad. If it is indeed the oft quoted "Warranty Block" the numbers (or lack of) will tell the real story. Either way, it has been stated that it isn't the original engine so it is what it is.

[oz_charger]

I have just put a conditional offer on the green Hemi 68 Charger at Friendship Classics in Washington DC. If the dealer accepts then I need to get the car inspected as its for me a lot of money to send from Australia and I dont want to buy a lemon. Does anyone know a local inspection service or would be willing to have a look at it for me for a generous fee if my offer on the car is accepted. I cant really fit into my budget the flight over. PM me if anyone is interested or knows someone who can do it.

[rooks]

Mate, think about contacting UStoAUS, or SherMatt


Both these companies have solid reps among the US imported muscle scene down here and can help with every facet concerning inspections, price negotiations, payment, shipping, importing, customs & registration once in Oz.

I talked to someone once that had UStoAus do an inspection for him, and he said it was fantastic. They went over every bit of the car, took it for a test drive, and sent him dozens of hi-res images of all the nooks & crannies ... said it was so good in fact that he didn't buy the car, because they found a few things that the owner didn't know about.

The main bloke based in the States is an Aussie, and all he does is drive around the country doing inspections, buying cars, and having them transported back to their warehouse in Cali to get ready for shipping back here.


Shermatt are a husband & wife team that, whilst I have never heard any specific stories, I have heard nothing but the highest of praise for - havn't heard so much as a single bad word about them.



Before booking an inspection with anyone, let the seller know what is going on, and double check that they are OK with a full inspection. Some will only let you take photos, and nothing else. Make sure they will be able to test drive it, jack it up and have a look underneath etc. Nothing worse for them than getting half way across the country, only to be told look but don't touch. Waste of time for both parties.


Best of luck.

[Yeahmate]

Hi,

I'm in the process of looking for a 68/69 Charger R/T, a couple of cars that have caught my eye are the Green 68 Hemi at www.friendshipclassics.com in Washington and the Orange 69 R/T at streetsideclassics.com in Charlotte. The hemi seems really cheap and I keep thinking about the old adage if its too good to be true it probably is. Does anyone know or can anyone vouch for either of these cars. As usual thanks in advance.

Nar you don't want to buy a sixty eight mate, to many over here now in WA.  .
Five counting mine that I know

[rooks]

Haha ... 1 more won't hurt though. Half a dozen '68's pales in comparison to the seemingly hundreds of Camaro's over there.

[oz_charger]

I'm pretty sure I had the second 68 in WA, which I bought in 2000, with the only other one being the red one with SCAT plates at the time (although I could be wrong). Mine was black with 6/71 blown and EFI 383. Its now moved on, has been stripped down and is being rebuilt by the new owner.

[twodko]

Hello Oz,

Welcome to the site. My friend, one word - BEWARE! I'm clearly unfamiliar with the business that has this car you're interested in BUT if its a "consignment" place be very, very, VERY careful. They are notorious for lying, cheating people and grossly overpricing "classic" cars. In large part, they are scamming con men. If this is a consignment place I'd look elsewhere. If you choose to proceed find a licensed appraiser in the area and ask them for references from others who have used their services before hiring them. If they balk at this find another appraiser. Phone books from any city can be found on the internet to assist you in finding appraisers. Few of us can afford to jepordize the kind of mney we pay for these cars......better to be ultra cautious IMO. Get the VIN number and check the title's status to make sure its not a salvage title, if it is run!
I'm raising this red flag because a guy who recently bought my former freshly restored 69 Chevelle from a consignment place in Edmond, Washington got taken to the cleaners! Unbelievably, the "resto history" binder I sold with the car was still with the car and the new owner called me about it. Unfortunately, after the fact. The car had been wrecked and very poorly repaired.  After speaking with me about the car it was clear he was walked down the "garden path".
Oz be careful man. Good luck.

Tom

[Shermatt]

Oz

Matt here from Shermatt International over here in Florida. (yes, Im an Ozzie)

Street side classics have some nice stuff in there but the last cheapy that I inspected for a client in melbourne I wouldnt let him buy it. Spray foam and teck screws held it together and enamel paint and a good set of flouro lights made the pics look amazing.

I wouldnt buy it for my client even though he still wanted it....sorry but I have a reputation to keep.

Ended up getting him something that was $1000 more expensive but a rock solid car. He was glad he took my advice

I think the last restored 68 or 69 RT (numbers matching) charger I bought was advertised at $33k USD and we stole it for $22k for another client in Melbourne.....think we bought that one up in Colorado (private sale)

My advice to you...dont use car yards mate...theres no room to move to get yourself a bargain and there all tossers anyway   

If you need an inspection, were quite happy to help but we use video so its a LIVE feed of what I can see...not just photos

If you want to send me an email with the link, I can tell you if there is anything wrong with the car just by looking at the pics

matt@shermatt.com or

www.shermatt.com

happy Hunting