1968 Dodge Charger

Description

The Dodge Charger body was completely redesigned for 1968. The fastback was replaced with a Coke-bottle shaped coupe with a smaller, more vertical rear window which had small flying buttresses.

This second version of the Charger would ultimately become the most famous.

The 318 cid 2-barrel engine rated at 230 horsepower and 340 ft-lbs of torque was standard, but later a 225 cid slant-six (145 hp, 215 ft-lbs) became available as a downgrade option. A 383 cid 2-barrel rated at 290 horsepower and 390 ft-lbs of torque, a 383 cid 4-barrel rated at 330 horsepower and 410 ft-lbs of torque, a 440 Magnum 4-barrel rated at 375 horsepower and 480 ft-lbs of torque, and the 426 Hemi rated at 425 horsepower and 490 ft-lbs of torque were optional.

1968 was the first year for the R/T (Road/Track) option which included the 440 Magnum engine, heavy duty brakes and suspension, and "Bumble-Bee" stripes on the rear of the car (which could be deleted).

A 1968 Charger gained fame in the famous Bullitt (Warner Brothers, 1968) car chase against Steve McQueen's 1968 Mustang GT.

1968 Charger Key Differences

The 1968 Dodge Charger was the only year to have dual round tail lights.

1968 was also the only year to have a wide front grill with no central divider in combination with a front bumper that was mounted below the grill.

A 1968 Charger was the only one to have round front and rear side marker lights.

Similar Years

The 1968 - 1970 Dodge Chargers shared the same bodies, but different grills and tail lights set them apart.

How to Identify a 1968 Dodge Charger

Overview

• Second version of the Dodge Charger (1968 - 1970)
• A two-door coupe was the only body style produced (1968 - 1974)

1968 Charger Grill

• The grill extended the full width of the car and had no central divider (1968)
• Hidden headlights were mounted behind the grill (1968 - 1970 standard, 1971-1972 optional)
• The grill was now black instead of chrome (1968 - 1970)

1968 Charger Front Bumper

• A chromed front bumper was mounted below the grill (1968 - 1969)

1968 Charger Tail Lights

• 1968 was the only year for round tail lights on a Charger (1968)

1968 Charger Rear

• The rear panel of a '68 is unique with the dual round tail lights (1968)

1968 Charger Front Side Marker Light

• Round front side marker lights were unique to 1968 (1968)

1968 Charger Rear Side Marker Light

• Round rear side marker lights were also unique to 1968 (1968)

1968 Charger Rear Window

• The rear window was now much smaller and more vertical (1968-1970 this style)
• The C-pillars formed small flying buttresses on each side of the rear window (1968-1970)

1968 Charger R/T Rear Emblem

• The R/T badge was included on the rear panel for R/T Chargers (1968-70)

1968 Charger Rear Stripe

• R/T Chargers came standard with the rear "Bumble-Bee" stripes which wrapped around the trunk and rear fenders (1968-70)
• The two wide and two narrow stripe pattern was unique to this year (1968)
• The stripes could be deleted at no cost (1968-1970)

1968 Charger Interior

• The interior was completely new for 1968
• The rear seats no longer folded and were now a bench seat instead of a bucket seat (1968-1970)

1968 Charger Fuel Cap

• The design of the pop-open fuel cap was unique for this year (1968)

1968 Charger C-Pillar Emblem

• The "Charger" script was mounted on the C-pillars behind the door windows (1968-1970)

1968 Charger Hood Vent

• Turn signal indicators moved to the vents in the hood (1968-1970)

1968 Charger 440 Engine

• The optional 440 cubic inch Magnum engine was rated at 375 horsepower and 480 ft-lbs of torque

1968 Charger Wheel

• Optional chrome-plated steel road wheels ("Magnum 500", Code 580)

More 1968 Charger Pictures

For more photos of vintage 1968 Chargers, visit the Dodge Charger Gallery at the Muscle Car Jungle.

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