Debate on fixing 68 or buying near done

[future68]

Thanks for the add. Not sure there's a right answer to this question but it's a debate in the family so I wanted to know, what would y'all do?

Cousin is contemplating a 68 Charger non-R/T

28k running 318, 3 speed with minimal rust - some noted bondo (quarter panel) not sure yet if bondo in other places, rust inside bottom of windshield and the usual cancer bubbles at back window - this with the intention of putting in larger motor and all that comes along with that and fixing the rust issues.  OR

Hold out for a 440 with little to no rust but maybe could use paint job guessing 40-45k if that price even exists in today's world.

Quick answer is "how much does he have to spend". He has the 45k but he is worried that the 28k car might very well go over the 45k budget he has and on the flip hasn't found a 68, rust free and great condition at 45k

Thanks all

[JB400]

Welcome to the forum.   What you didn't mention was skillset.  If you have the skills to restore a car, I'm going to favor restoring your own car.  Reason being, you'll know what you have.  Buying a car already done, you have no idea where others have cut corners, especially when it comes to paint and body, or the engine.

It you don't have the skills, stay on your toes and don't settle for just any car.  Make sure to inspect the car and have a second set of eyes look it over.

[Oneofthesedays]

Thank you JB400. Sounds like maybe ordering an inspection might be best??  He and I have some basic skills regarding looking a car over but I'm sure there's plenty we wouldn't know to look for. He is much more skilled with the mechanical side of things. He would need to sub out all body work. Thanks again!

[hemi-hampton]

I think for $45k you should be able to find a decent 68 R/T done.  LEON.


P.S. $28k for rusty 318 needing works sounds rediculous.

[70 sublime]

Another big thing is time
How much spare time do you have to work on a project that is always going to take longer than you hope

[70 sublime]

There are a lot of things that should be changed when going from a small block car to big block other than just the motor

Is the 68 on the road now ?

If it has a perfect frame under it and on the road it might be a good car to start Charger ownership with while still looking for the dream Charger
Work on the 318 car but do nothing to it that can not put back together and drive it in a couple of hours
You would still have $15 000 cash sitting around to put down as a deposit when the dream Charger shows up to hold it while you sell the 318 car
A driver Charger would not be very hard to sell

If it takes 5 or 10 years to find the dream car the prices will more than likely be higher than today but the 318 car will have gone up in value also so it would be better then just the cash in the bank trying to earn interest

[Oneofthesedays]

Rusty 318 - has rust, not sure it's a rust bucket and it drives per the seller. Time I think would be an issue especially if he try's to charge all that he wants done. Here a link to a 45k car that I shared with him. He immediately said not just looking at the wheels and gauges.

https://seattle.craigslist.org/see/ctd/d/1968-dodge-charger-383-big/6661152420.html

If 28k for a 318 is stupid high than I guess it's a non issue. I will see if I can get and post a few pics of 318.

Thanks everyone

[hemi-hampton]

Here's a nice solid 68 Charger with 318. ebay always full of old Chargers. LEON.


https://www.ebay.com/itm/1968-Dodge-Charger-Charger/132728494216?hash=item1ee73c1888:g:nIoAAOSw1d9bY1RV

[Challenger340]

I think for $45k you should be able to find a decent 68 R/T done.  LEON.


P.S. $28k for rusty 318 needing works sounds rediculous.

I dunno about that leon ?   

Many have tried finding a decent '68 R/T for $45K, and depending on one's criterion in applying the word "decent" ? I think the success rate may be pretty darn low.

[Oneofthesedays]

Thanks Leon. I assumed this ad was fake as we sent a ebay message twice and text messages and get no responses

[darbgnik]

Buying a finished car is the smart money. But you have to see proof it was done right.

That being said, there is nothing particularly smart, when it comes to money, with this hobby. If the fun comes from the build, you obviously don't buy one done.

[hemi-hampton]

I think for $45k you should be able to find a decent 68 R/T done.  LEON.


P.S. $28k for rusty 318 needing works sounds rediculous.

I dunno about that leon ?   

Many have tried finding a decent '68 R/T for $45K, and depending on one's criterion in applying the word "decent" ? I think the success rate may be pretty darn low.

What's wrong with this nice 68 R/T for $39k??? LEON.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/1968-Dodge-Charger-/302810076091?hash=item4680e313bb%3Ag%3AZnMAAOSwRS9bT5QT&vxp=mtr&nma=true&si=WORqRYA5k2LA%252BLfWEAnRKK8DhRc%253D&orig_cvip=true&nordt=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557

[future68]

I don't know to to reply with the original posters comments but for Leon, again we tried to get more details on this car and no one responds. No return email, no return text or call back. Ad states buyer to inspect, can't inspect if I can't get a response. Also, 29k is current bid with a reserve so who knows how high it will go. Would persue it if I could get a response.

[c00nhunterjoe]

If it has visible rust and bondo. It has twice that non visible. 30k for a needs restored smallblock car is too much.

[future68]

That's the scariest part. What has been done that you cannot see. I guess it comes down to inspections and perhaps referrals from people who know the guy/gal doing a restore.

Maybe we should list what we are looking for on the "wanted page" it sounds like it's a bit of a needle in a haystack but stranger things have happened.

Seems we are leaning toward a more complete car at the top of the budget.

[Edelbroke]

nobody must look in the classifieds on here

[Oneofthesedays]

I check the classifieds both for sale and wanted but I never see much change... still worth a shot you never know if someone new to the group might check it out.

[Challenger340]

I think for $45k you should be able to find a decent 68 R/T done.  LEON.


P.S. $28k for rusty 318 needing works sounds rediculous.

I dunno about that leon ?  

Many have tried finding a decent '68 R/T for $45K, and depending on one's criterion in applying the word "decent" ? I think the success rate may be pretty darn low.

What's wrong with this nice 68 R/T for $39k??? LEON.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/1968-Dodge-Charger-/302810076091?hash=item4680e313bb%3Ag%3AZnMAAOSwRS9bT5QT&vxp=mtr&nma=true&si=WORqRYA5k2LA%252BLfWEAnRKK8DhRc%253D&orig_cvip=true&nordt=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557

https://www.ebay.com/itm/1968-Dodge-Charger-/302810076091?hash=item4680e313bb%3Ag%3AZnMAAOSwRS9bT5QT&vxp=mtr&nma=true&si=WORqRYA5k2LA%252BLfWEAnRKK8DhRc%253D&orig_cvip=true&nordt=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557

You asked... so for starters,
like the owner says "The paint has some bubbling, and some under the vinyl top", meaning, by the time you strip the "bubbled" paint, and the Vinyl Roof to repair the "bubbles" ? Well, just say'in.... if it's like any other prior restored Car that later on starts to "bubble" ? you may end up in another restoration.
IMO, hence why he's trying to dump it asking $39K hoping for $35K.

[challenger70]

Buying a finished car is the smart money. But you have to see proof it was done right.

That being said, there is nothing particularly smart, when it comes to money, with this hobby. If the fun comes from the build, you obviously don't buy one done.

Truth, 50 cents on the dollar buying a done car.

[Mytur Binsdirti]

P.S. $28k for rusty 318 needing works sounds rediculous.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yuBHak_S7bE

[hemi-hampton]

I don't know to to reply with the original posters comments but for Leon, again we tried to get more details on this car and no one responds. No return email, no return text or call back. Ad states buyer to inspect, can't inspect if I can't get a response. Also, 29k is current bid with a reserve so who knows how high it will go. Would persue it if I could get a response.

Well, what ever car your talking about forget about it. Buy one in better shape for $45k. LEON.

[hemi-hampton]

I think for $45k you should be able to find a decent 68 R/T done.  LEON.


P.S. $28k for rusty 318 needing works sounds rediculous.

I dunno about that leon ?  

Many have tried finding a decent '68 R/T for $45K, and depending on one's criterion in applying the word "decent" ? I think the success rate may be pretty darn low.

What's wrong with this nice 68 R/T for $39k??? LEON.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/1968-Dodge-Charger-/302810076091?hash=item4680e313bb%3Ag%3AZnMAAOSwRS9bT5QT&vxp=mtr&nma=true&si=WORqRYA5k2LA%252BLfWEAnRKK8DhRc%253D&orig_cvip=true&nordt=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557

https://www.ebay.com/itm/1968-Dodge-Charger-/302810076091?hash=item4680e313bb%3Ag%3AZnMAAOSwRS9bT5QT&vxp=mtr&nma=true&si=WORqRYA5k2LA%252BLfWEAnRKK8DhRc%253D&orig_cvip=true&nordt=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557

You asked... so for starters,
like the owner says "The paint has some bubbling, and some under the vinyl top", meaning, by the time you strip the "bubbled" paint, and the Vinyl Roof to repair the "bubbles" ? Well, just say'in.... if it's like any other prior restored Car that later on starts to "bubble" ? you may end up in another restoration.
IMO, hence why he's trying to dump it asking $39K hoping for $35K.

Whatcha mean hoping to get $35k, he already got the $39k. If your worried about the bubbles & you got $45k to spend but paid $39k use the other $6k to fix the bubbles & you have what you want. LEON.

[sdweatherman]

Buy something that you can drive and enjoy right away - the nicest, most original and unmolested car that $45K can get. You should be able to find a nice 383-4bbl car for that, as long as you are patient with the search. Scott.

[future68]

I think that's the ticket Scott.  Something that can be used now is the best option.  Now if only we could find a really good one for 45K.  Here again if anyone is on the fence or knows someone who might be selling their 68 in the future please reach out.  Our utmost priority is very, very little rust.   We don't want to replace panels and floors etc... looking forward to continued responses and I'll try to stay diligent and patient in my search. 

[GMP440]

  I would pass on this one.  Keep the $28,000 and put it towards an R/T that's done.  Rust under the bottom of windshield usually means extensive work to the upper cowl.  Then you have that back window rust.  This could become more of a project than anticipated.  What else is the bondo covering up; rusty rocker panels, rotted quarters, doors etc?If you don't have the skills to do the work and have to have a shop do it your looking at least $80 to $90 per hour (down here in Florida).  Rust work is very expensive in labor costs.
You could end up buying the car and dig into it and find you need quarters, doors, fenders, rockers ,etc.  Pricing all those panels and more from AMD, those costs could be at least $4000 or more.
  As someone posted earlier, $28,000 is way too much for the car your describing.  Don't be in a hurry,  take time and start searching out a car that's done or a good rust free original, even if it's a non R/T car.