Help me decide what to do with my 68.

[Ryan]

so now that my 69 r/t is just about done I need some help as what to do with a 68 r/t I have that has been sitting on the side of my house for a few years. Its a real R/T PP1 red black top black interior, column shift auto. I was told that the column shift on an r/t is very rare. The last owner installed some 4 speed pedals and linkage so I am kinda torn as to what to do with that.

Anyways so I am trying to decide what I want to do with the car and i have a few things in mind. Obviosley there is the stock restoration option but that to me seems a liittle boring. Would I be ruining the car if I made it mostly original as far as looks go, but stuff a 6.1 hemi and a auto in it? Also how much would I kill the value if I decided to paint it LL1 blue?

[Blown70]

I guess do you plan to sell it... As an R/T it maybe worth more correct. 

However, I am very much a fan the 6.1 idea more so with a maybe a 5-6 speed behind it 

I am NOT a fan of a column shift car, just me.   I like them on the floor.

[terrible one]

I'm not much of one for the CS on a muscle car either.

That small point aside, I would definitely say do what you want with it! Every time. The modern hemi idea sounds cool as well. I sure wouldn't hesistate to go back to the factory colors though!

[drifter69]

Do what you want, I am also finishing a 69 and soon as it's done I'll be looking for a 68. I have two 70's in my yard but no title to either one. Anyways back to the topic make it what you want.

[WingCharger]

Do what you want! Keep the column shifter, and clutch and other parts to make it look like a manual on the interior and throw a auto behind a 6.1. Be at a car show, pop the hood, and see how many people ask you how you column shift a 6.1.

[Dave22443]

I think you need to sell it to me at a reasonable price and let me fix'er up.

If your '68 were a 318 or 383 car, I would say go for the 6.1.  If its a real R/T though, I'd keep it near original.  But those are just my 

My first choice would be to have you sell it to me 

[41husk]

Or trade down to a 318 car and use the cash from the trade to help with the restoration.

[SeattleCharger]

The Hemi and any trans would be cool, original color might be better, for some original restore appeal, but no matter what engine/trans combo  (440 or hemi),  it is still a real R/T, can't take that away from it.    Probably a person buying it would care more that its a real R/T with original colors,  than if it had original column, they would probably prefer a wicked eng./trans combo, more than they would care if you kept the original colomn shift,     

[General_01]

Or trade down to a 318 car and use the cash from the trade to help with the restoration.

I think that sounds like the best option.

[Dans 68]

Ryan,

Even with it being an R/T make it your way, with the thought in the back of your head that it can always be returned to factory condition should you ever want to sell it. The new owner will appreciate all the original items you kept, such as the column shifter, and will restore it their way. Adding a 6.1 hemi and auto will not ruin it. As long as you like it no more need be said.

So, all that being said  , put in a hemi and manual transmission. And have a blast.

Dan

[FLG]

I agree with dan. Do whatever you want...your not doing ANYTHING that cant be un-done. Keep all the original parts and have a blast with whatever you choose to go with. How about a stroker motor?

[Ryan]

my 69 is a 496 stroker with a tremic 5 speed and 410 dana, so I was thinking somthing a little more cruizing oriented for the 68, hence the modern hemi and a modern auto. Probably keep it PP1 since it is very sought after color combo. Plus that way if I wanted to sell it I could drop a stock 440 in it and be good to go.

[Dave22443]

Does this mean its not for sale 

[Ryan]

do you really want it?

Not my backyard BTW

[Neal_J]

Is that the rarely-seen cowl-induction soda can or the even rarer hood tach soda can?



Neal

[FLG]

Neal, dont you realize? With no front window it makes a perfect spot for a cup holder 

[Dave22443]

do you really want it?

How complete is the car?  What are some of the major missing items (like glass, heater box, etc)?  And how much would you want for it?

[Ryan]

car is actually very complete. It will need front windshield, and rear window depending how picky you are, i have 2 but they are kinda scratched up. Needs motor and tranny, gauge cluster....... um a few underhood items here and there, but most of the car is there. Probably want to replace the drivers fender its kinda beat. I have extra doors and door parts, 2 sets of trim, a good grill, the suspension is complete. The only bad thing is the car does not have a tilte, but that is not a problem in many states.

[rt green]

coluom shft  rt rare? now you tell me. already switched it over to a 4 speed.  dang!! oh well. i've had too many colum shift cars anyway.

[charger_fan_4ever]

Darn

i looked high and low for a project 68 r/t for 6 months. Ended up settling for a 70 rt.

[Ryan]

I know how it goes man, I wasnt even looking for one, but a guy I knew ended up coming accross this for next to nothing and I picked it up from him for 2 grand, I think I did OK, its has no rust excet the rear window corners about 3"x3"

[charger_fan_4ever]

I know how it goes man, I wasnt even looking for one, but a guy I knew ended up coming accross this for next to nothing and I picked it up from him for 2 grand, I think I did OK, its has no rust excet the rear window corners about 3"x3"

wow $2k i guess you couldn't pass that one up.

[moparstuart]

I know how it goes man, I wasnt even looking for one, but a guy I knew ended up coming accross this for next to nothing and I picked it up from him for 2 grand, I think I did OK, its has no rust excet the rear window corners about 3"x3"

wow $2k i guess you couldn't pass that one up.

wow i'd kill for a 68

[Ryan]

I know how it goes man, I wasnt even looking for one, but a guy I knew ended up coming accross this for next to nothing and I picked it up from him for 2 grand, I think I did OK, its has no rust excet the rear window corners about 3"x3"

wow $2k i guess you couldn't pass that one up.

nope, especially considering I was able to use a bunch of spare parts it came with on my 69.