1968 Dodge Charger

[Paul Ceasrine]

1968 Dodge Charger,

The 'base performance' Charger, with a 383/330 HP engine.

Charger 383/330 HP production numbers were '19,012' (18,754 - Automatics) and 'only' (258 4-Speeds)

Coming in at #3653 lbs., and with an 11.07 Wt/Hp factor.

Actually a fairly good Weight/Horsepower factor for the track, as the 1968 Charger 383/330 HP was classed in G/S or G/SA.

Coming out of the 'showroom' with 3.23 Sure-Grip Gears, performance was respectable.

* 4-Speed.............15.30 @ 90.2 MPH
* Automatic...........15.46 @ 89.1 MPH

The 'only' Gears available from the factory for the Charger 383 was either the 'Standard' 3.23 - or the 'Optional' 3.55's.

With 3.55's, you could get the Charger 383 into the 14.95 range.

[Charlie A]

Somewhere I have a picture of my red/black '69 Charger SE at Lakeland in Memphis.
I remember it clocking 15.20's (383-TorqueFlight) on a regular basis so your numbers are "right on".
Now, I have to dig that picture out from that old box!

[Paul Ceasrine]

Never realized the 'limited' productions numbers for the Charger 383 '4-Speed'.

Only 258 out of 19,012 'Charger 383' cars produced, were 4-Speeds. (1.4%).

Found an old article, stating that Chrysler was worried about the 4-Speed drivers
getting too rough with the near #3700 lb. Charger, and destroying the drive-train components.

"Limited 4-Speeds = Limited Warranty Repairs"

Charlie A,

Performance numbers sound 'right on'. My friend ran his 'stock' 1968 Charger 383 in H/SA in 1969.

15.30's @ 92 MPH.

Also confirmed, the 1968 Charger 383/330 HP 4-Barrel was 'not' the 383/335 HP 'H-Code engine that
was found in the 1968 Dodge Super Bee.

The 1968 Charger '383 4-Barrel' did 'not have the 440 Camshaft, Valve Train, Windage Tray and 440
Exhaust System.

Option Engine Code #062 (383 4-Barrel)

Available in 1968 Dodge
A-Body Cars......GTS 383
B-Body Cars......Charger, Coronet, Corner Deluxe, Coronet Model 440 and Coronet 500
C-Body Cars......Polara and Monaco

[Charlie A]

I was a kid working in a body shop for the local Chrysler/Dodge/Plymouth dealer back in 70-71.

What I wish I could go back and buy.

Dealer drove one of the Hurst 300's.

LOTS of muscle on the streets and on the lot back then.

Delta farmers were making tons of money in that period.

Seems like every one was driving a factory hot rod.

Leaving the office. Have to get home and find that Charger pic.

[Paul Ceasrine]

I know what you mean.

My father had an Amoco Service Station and 'Semi-Performance Shop' starting in 1967.

Surrounded by Ford, Chevy, and Plymouth Dealerships.

The Service Station was only 20-Minutes from Dover Drag Strip, and every Friday and
Saturday night the place was filled with kids with new Performance Cars, fine-tuning them for Sunday.

Everybody who got out of the Army, bought a 'Musclecar'.

I remember the 'Coke-Bottle' style of the new 1968 Chargers. They just looked 'COOL' with the
double round tail-light assemblies.

Also an excellent car for 'Power-Brake Burn-Outs'

.

[Paul Ceasrine]

Edge,

The early 1968 Dodge Charger 383 cars utilized the 'Dual-Snorkel'
Air Cleaner, and the units did 'not' have an engine identification 'pie tin insert'.



Other 'standard' items
* Open Rear-End w/3.23 Gears
* Drum Brakes (10" x 2.5") (Front and Back)
* .90" Torsion-Bar
* .94" Front Sway-Bar
* 4.5 Leaf Rear-Springs
* 1" Shock Absorbers
* 22" Radiator

Note; The R/T Package was 'not' available with the 1968 Charger 383.

[k.pascoe]

Paul, What was the total production of the '68 Charger? Do you have that by engine breakdown?

[Paul Ceasrine]

1968 Dodge Charger (Production Numbers)

Charger 383
* Total Production.......19,012

* Automatics................18,754
* 4-Speeds........................258

Charger R/T 'Magnum 440'
* Total Production.......17,584

* Automatics................14,366
* 4-Speeds....................3,218

Charger R/T 'Hemi Charger'
* Total Production............475

* Automatics.....................264
* 4-Speeds.......................211

[Paul Ceasrine]

Be The First Person On Your Block To Have A 'Flyin Charger'

Found At Glendale Dodge (South Brand Boulevard, Glendale, California)

[Paul Ceasrine]

The 'first' 'Hemi Charger' to make it's name at the Track

1968 NHRA Winternationals 'A/MP'