What Makes An R/T An R/T? Comparing 1968 Dodge Charger Models With The Dealer's Data Book

Much like Hansel in "Zoolander," the '68-70 Charger is so hot right now. And among them, the cars commanding the most ridiculous prices are original Charger R/Ts. But what makes the R/T so special? If you ask me, 80% of the appeal is the little badge that says R/T, denoting that it is not the standard cruising model. But people in various groups on the internet argue that the R/T was totally different, and light years beyond the standard car in its performance and construction. How could that be possible, when both cars are built out of the exact same sheet metal components? In this video, we look at what the Charger R/T really is - and the amazing amount of equipment shared with the base Charger. ‪@rocketresto‬

[@peterkovacs8654]

I miss my 68 R/T terribly. She was a blast to drive

[@chrismc.4437]

Yes I suppose you do

[@richardweyland116]

I could listen to that engine all day long.

[@geebopbaluba1591]

When I was a senior in high school in 73-74 my friend had a 68 GTX Plymouth 440 magnum automatic and I loved that car.

[@bod7468]

I had a 68 r/t when I was in my 20s that's the best looking of the second gen Chargers fore sure. Got a 70 R/T SE now that needs a lot of work man I miss the 68. Thanks for the video.

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

I agree - but 70 is great too!

[@mrlawn007]

Hey Tom I still have the 1968 rt red charger that once sat in your yard . It sits in a heated garage not yet started on it but maybe next year I'll have the time when I retire . Its going to look great. Thanks for helping me Tim have a good day.

[@NGH99999]

I bought a base model '68 Charger in 1987, just after high school graduation. $800. Though only 19 years old at that point, the car was already a basket case. Barely drove home. For the record, my dash had the Fratzog emblem. Over the years, I swapped the original 318 for a 440 HP, as well as an 833 4-speed. Later, a swap on the front to larger Mopar Performance torsion bars, late-model 11-3/4" "cop" disc brakes, and MP Hemi B-body springs under the rear. All of this combined to make a car that was an absolute blast to drive. The secret to the 4-speed was specing a HD diaphragm-style 11" clutch in place of the standard Borg & Beck style used by Chrysler on all its muscle-era cars. It's hard to describe how fun these cars are to drive, not to mention you make friends everywhere you park the car - or at stop lights.

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

Nice! The diaphragm clutch is so much better. No question there. Yes, owning a Charger seems to be a really great way to make friends. Haha.

[@Nelson-ok2jv]

I bought my 68 in 1981 senior year 800$ 383 magnum. I loved it. I never should have sold it

[@swissarmychainsawadams9541]

Jamie, thanks for the great content. Always educational, which I appreciate. Keep up the good work!

[@moparedtn]

You covered most of it, Jamie. I think you only omitted the braking system differences (and options). I've always been a one-Mopar-budget here, so unless I give up my '68 GTX a Charger won't happen, much as I'd like it to at this stage of my life (62). - Ed on the Ridge

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

I did cover the 11” standard drum brakes on R/T and the optional disk brakes. I didn’t mention that the drums on the base car would be 10s.

[@65rivierags35]

Second generation chargers rule! Best looking classic muscle cars of the Era!

[@tedlawrence4189]

The hemi and 440 Chargers were fast. Mine just had a 383, 4 speed,373 posi. Not as fast as the big blocks but still fairly quick. It's all I could afford as I was 19 back in '68. Chargers were not cheap.

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

The 383 is awesome! I have never found myself ripping around in my basic 383 automatic car and wishing it had more. Well, there was that time I considered putting a 426 in it - but that was mostly just because the Hemi is the coolest thing invented by man.

[@ws678ta]

383 is a big block. 3:73 is a GM gear, and posi is GM terminology. Still friends ?

[@leefalvey9670]

I"m an old guy and remember when all those mopars were new, Remember getting out of the Navy in 1967 and was quoted under 4k 440 4speed brand new out of the box. Decided couldn't afford it due to insurance price at the time. LOL

[@michaelnault5905]

The wheel covers on Tom's are coolest ever made :⁠-⁠)

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

I… disagree. Haha. That’s what my car is supposed to have but I don’t think that’s what I want in life.

[@prorebuilder]

Excellent video. I am trying to get my 69 R/T ready for this summer. Thank-you for the inspiration to keep working on the car.

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

Awesome! Thanks!

[@danwoods315]

Man they got it so right with the 68. I check on your subscription number pretty much daily. Glad to see it keeps going up

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

I totally, totally agree. Oh yeah! We’re getting places. Haha.

[@joshuajesch7154]

I am same way. His videos make my day always

[@vitale6633]

Great Video!!! Working on my 1968 Charger. Perfect timing. Struggling with the front brakes...

[@butcher390]

Those 68 Dodge Chargers , Are absolutely 💯 beautiful !!!!!

[@tonyb3864]

Good info. I like the reference book you have. However, pretty much anything was possible back then. You could special order almost any option. Money talks. Also they mixed and matched shit on the production line to keep things moving along. I found a 68 Newport wagon many years ago that had a 440hp in it from the factory. Also my 1974 challenger had a big block A-833 in it and nobody could explain why. I bought that car from the original owner in 1978 so I know it was unmolested. I argued with the guys at the dealer when I ordered parts from the direct connection catalog for it and the front input bearing was much bigger than what they sold me. I had to bring my bearing in to prove it to them. They still said this was just not possible but got me the correct bearing anyway. I have other mutant mopar stories. I'm just tired of typing. Lol

[@chrismc.4437]

Funny, sorry to burst your bubble but there were absolutely no big block Challengers produced from the factory in 1974. Before you start with the old "you could order anything back then" whatever you had was installed after the car was manufactured.

[@steves9905]

When I was a kid in the 70’s and there were cheap R/T’s, and muscle cars in general, everywhere I wouldn’t have looked twice at a non R/T. Now older, and realizing the value of all walks of life, I understand them to all be the same car and just as cool. My ideal now would be a 383 column shift a/c car. My only real qualification now is lack of rust

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

That’s what I’ve got! Minus the AC, anyway. And I really love it. The balance of torque and fun, with semi acceptable fuel economy and reliability of the 383 is great. It’s the low compression 2 barrel engine so it runs fine on today’s garbage regular fuel. It’s still plenty exciting to drive, and the looks I get driving down the road… well, none of the dropping jaws are saying “but it’s not an R/T…” it does have minor rust to deal with some day. Unfortunately that’s the name of the game with Chargers. But I’m very happy.

[@walterward8164]

😊 Nice way to brighten up this day. Late to rise it's a retirement thing 😅. Just sitting here looking out at my MX- MERCURY Montego Acapulco blue. So here's the truth of this car. Knowing full well I am probably never going to find my Road Runner Again. This is to be second best option. So I think we should talk before spring gets here. I will check your options for this.

[@alcyr5655]

Back around 1990, I lent my brother $1200, but took in his '69 Coronet R/T. 440 column shift. Pretty much stock, other than a Holley double pumper, and headers. I didn't care for the Burnt Orange paint. I didn't think he would pay me, to get his car back. Back then I thought it was a rocket. It would also burn through a full tank of fuel in under an hour, when driven in a unacceptable manner.

[@cougariog8817]

Good tutorial! Learned alot.

[@OlderNotNecesarilyWiser]

That really was interesting. I remember a friend had an RT with a 383, must have been a replacement engine, as this was back in 70. Thanks for doing this one!

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

A Challenger R/T could have a 383 Magnum (4 barrel,) but a Charger couldn’t. So if a Charger R/T had one - that would have been a swap!

[@scatpack68]

Thanks for posting another great vid. Some interesting things to note: I have found that early production '68 Chargers got the bullseye emblem while later ones got the fratzog. My '68 still had the original fuel and vapor return lines with factory undercoating still present. The fuel line was 5/16 and the short hose just pushed onto the original 3/8 sender. Turquoise was the correct engine color for '68 440 magnums. The 727 was specific to '68 440 mags, receiving two 4 pinion planetaries, higher ratio kickdown apply arm, & added clutch capacity & special input shaft.

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

That makes sense. Yep. The data book actually says that there were several different 727 configurations used, depending on which engine was ordered.

[@303Mopar]

The '68 Charger is absolutely one of the best muscle cars ever made!

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

I totally agree!

[@danpatterson8009]

At the start of the '68 production run, 4-speed cars got the Inland shifter, and those are what appear in the factory service manuals for that year. During the production run they changed over to the Hurst (cueball) shifter, so some '68s have those.

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

Indeed!

[@nickstadler2451]

Im happy with my 70 Chrysler. It has a 440, front disks and a sure grip from the factory for a quarter of the price of a R/T Charger.

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

Awesome! I think I need some full size muscle in my life one of these years.

[@joshuajesch7154]

There is a 68 new Yorker in my area with a 440 mag out of a 70 charger. He sold once and bought back. Wont sell to anybody that just wants its engine. It's been in the car since 71 when his 383 broke its crank.

[@noberet]

Thank you! Yes, it is kind of annoying when the 'experts' come around. My 1972 Rallye Charger is a year that they didn't do R/T. And it is spelled right, lol.

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

Yep! The Rallye is a really cool car I think.

[@jimlubinski4731]

These are magnificent! I could easily settle for a 318 for a daily driver, but the prices are just outrageous for any Charger, especially '68-'70.

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

As someone who owns two of them… yeah, ouch. But I am super happy with my ‘68 and I’m not willing for to turn it back into the dollars I put into it.

[@keithroute8906]

Great video, nice job. I am no expert and have no idea what could or could not have been special ordered and like your friend I have never seen some of those things in that manual, sales brochure or whatever that was. I do know that back then you could for sure order what you wanted. In my grandfathers case he ordered his overly stripped. He was a strange but demanding man but he would brag sometimes how he got his way ordering cars. He wanted the cheapest car he could get other than the engine which he would pay up for if he didn’t like the base engine. It would come with nothing or nothing upgraded, manual everything, no radio, no mats, no trunk liner. Due to his cheapness and loving blue on blue color choices he had rare one of one (or one of very few) cars. He drove his cars year round and even though he always garaged them they had typical rust belt bottom rot on them from the salt on the roads in the winter. So I don’t know either what is right or wrong in that brochure but I suspect some of that information is wrong just based on what I have seen over the years. I do know my grandfather getting stripped cars for cheap and what he got away with on the price so I would never say never on what might be out there.

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

He would’ve liked my Demon 340. Haha. Blue, no top, no frills, stripe delete, one important option - four speed…

[@johntotten4872]

The Charger is a beautiful car but my all time favorite is the 68/69 Road Runner. My first muscle car was a basket case 68 RR with a 400 and 727. A few years later I found a 69 RR 383, 4 speed, matching numbers Calif built, Calif yellow and black plate car. Loved that thing. Had to sell and miss it to this day.

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

Roadrunners are great too. I’d love to have one. But I’ve always preferred the lines on the Charger. It just speaks to me.

[@beljames1563]

Beautiful cars fun times infirmative videos. I was11 in 68. By then was already a Mopar fanatic. I'd bug my dad to drive by the Mopar dealers in Centralia and Chehalis so i could get a glimpse of the new models.. especially b bodies. I thought they were the coolest. In 68 my neighbor bought a new Super Bee 383 4 speed. I thought it was the coolest car ever. I ended up owning it for a short time in the early 80s. Sure wish I'd kept it😢

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

Dang. I would love to have a ‘68 Bee myself… that’s an awesome car.

[@beljames1563]

The best word for most modern styling...nondescript. Granted there are a few exceptions.

[@helenfinchsewwrite]

Would love you to do a video of the Chrysler 300 our son has a 1971 440 .we are sure there’s only a handful of them in England . Last time we took it out someone shouted out “it’s a boat” definitely get loads of smiles per gallon.

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

I’ve done videos on a ‘61 G and a ‘65 L. There will be more videos as they come!

[@michaeld6779]

My friend has a 70 Charger with a Hemi in it. One of 27 that came to Canuckastan. He was offered $ 200,000 g for it. He was told to go pound sand...😎😁

[@VINTAGE1959]

I adore the old white wall tires. Very rare. Very Bullitt Charger look

[@willythewave]

Back in the early 1980`s I was a mopar guy just like you and I worked at AAMCO Transmissions...I got old though...and that sucks. :(

[@jts9120]

Love the 68' with the hubcaps!

[@jamiemoore3359]

My Dad bought a 68 Charger brand new back in 1968. He ordered it with the 383 motor and 727 torqueflite since my Mom couldn't drive a stick shift. When the car came in my Dad noticed that the dealer was charging him an extra $80-90 than what he was told the car would cost. The dealership ordered the 383 High Performance on accident. They didn't charge my Dad for it, and he accepted the car. Unfortunately the last time I rode in a 68 Charger, I missed my first day of kindergarten because my Mom hit a 69 Camaro head on and totalled the Charger.😓

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

Aaaaahhh, crap. That’s a bummer.

[@arthurjdiberardino7435]

I had a triple black '71 Charger SE with the 440. I miss that car. 😢

[@ariltonpires7336]

so cool thank you so much! Greetings from Brazil

[@DarrylDutton-y3b]

I had a 68 R/T same color with black stripe on the back. I loved that car. My lottery number was 5. (Draft) My wife sold it while I was in training, she sold it for$240.

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

Holy crap… ouch.

[@1badsj]

OH the PAIN!

[@francoisbedard7394]

Your wife,or your EX-wife ?? 😂😂

[@Treasure-Charger]

Cool Video. New subscriber here. I have a 1970 R/T but LOVE the 1968 models!

[@SeanJoseph-s2s]

Yeah....I wish I still had my 70 R/T it was a nice car.... good content and thanks.

[@joshuajesch7154]

My 69 (originally green exterior and interior) had 383 2bbl. 727 column shift and 3 23 suregrip. It did have the tic toc tac and walnut simulated steering wheel...it was non R/T as well. And hood mounted turn signals (wasn't sure if they all had that) and sway bars on back but idk if it was original sway bar. Was this a run of the mill optioned car or did it have anything unique for a non R/T.

[@andrewh9613]

Hello mate great informative video cheers Chrysler made chargers here in Australia too they look a lot different to American ones but still look great the E49 was the race R/T version.MOPAR👍

[@chuckiegsdodgegarage7422]

We talked about the high cost of Chargers that are total rust buckets. I have been looking for year's, Recently I found and purchased a beautifu originall 70 RT SE that is all # matching and no rust. The body paint is weathered but I'm not going to touch it I'm leaving it as it is. It has a cool luggage rack on the trunk. I'm so happy and can't wait to drive it around town.

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

Nice! Well bought!

[@willythewave]

Geesh man I love that sound.

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

Tom’s car sounds fantastic. I was going to start the video on the Magnum swap but something else showed up 😅

[@willythewave]

@@DeadDodgeGarage I get chills all over. That`s the perfect sound. Thank you for posting bro.

[@Legacy_Lou]

Love the "air quotes" 😂

[@Mike-Olds-1]

I can’t wait for a in-depth review of the greatest charger ever the 1981 charger 2.2 😆

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

Oh I can’t wait either… we have a muddy field at our disposal.

[@Steve-vl5mg]

My 1970 500 Charger that started life as a 318 with a 904 Trans and a 291 rear gear came will a lot of the heavy duty stuff bought it used in 1973 for $1500 Finally upgraded the entire drive train A 360 POLICE INTERCEPTOR Engine Holley 600 CFM small 1/4 race cam and headers 727 Trans 391 gears. Sold it in 1987 for $ 3K When our 1st Daughter came along

[@SolamenteVees]

I lol'd at the "terrible Inland shifter" comment 9:07

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

Working as intended. Haha.

[@clembob8004]

One thing I never quite understood was why Dodge didn't offer the 383 4bbl in the R/T, rather than forcing you to have either a 440 or a Hemi if you got the R/T. If I'm not mistaken, I think the same was true for the Coronet R/T. In any case, they are all very cool cars with or without the R/T package.

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

I have wondered that myself. Maybe because the Super Bee and Roadrunner existed? The 383 is just a fantastic engine.

[@clembob8004]

@@DeadDodgeGarage Yeah, that could be. I agree, the 383 is a great engine, actually more practical than the 440 or Hemi for a daily driver, and yet they have good power.

[@srt_aiden1450]

Man gotta love that Mopar rumble 😍😍🤤

[@michaeladamo6279]

Hey Jamie, happy new year buddy! Hey, you did miss something but it’s not very important. You said that the clock was standard on the dash I think the blackout plate was standard. The clock was an option. I’m just saying I’m not nitpicking your videos or your knowledge! I love you man!

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

On any other dash you would be right, but on this “rallye” dash found in all Chargers 68-70 and other B bodies, there is no block off plate. The clock is standard, and the Tic-Toc-Tac was an option. Happy new year! And thank you!

[@michaeladamo6279]

@@DeadDodgeGarage you’re welcome! I really need to start catching the lives again on Sundays! and I’m not arguing with you but I can remember seeing the clock cost like 56.00 bucks 1 time I was looking through a price/ options book that’s why I thought that and I know the TikTok tag was like 119.00 or so. I could’ve sworn it said like 119 but if you’re positive, I’ll just erase that from my memory Bank!

[@robdent3984]

Brilliant video …. Where is the best place to buy a light project charger ?

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

I don’t think there is a “best place.” Chargers are in such high demand that every vaguely fixable one has skyrocketed in value, and guys will line up around the block to buy them. If it’s listed publicly, you *will* be in competition with many others to buy it - at least if it is priced right. Every single Charger purchase I have made, witnessed, or been involved with was off-market, meaning that someone knew someone else, someone reached out to us with the car, someone with another car for sale also had that car, etc. If you want one, you have to look for a deal. Ask around. Join local groups. Beat the bushes. Become the guy that everyone knows is looking for a Charger. That’s the best I can tell you. Good luck!

[@american4736]

I have seen some 68' R/T Chargers with the R/T logo on the small dash cluster button. Was that correct for the late 68' Charger R/T or was that added by the owners?

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

Not correct, as far as I know. But I still don’t know why some have a fratzog emblem there and some have the circle thing like mine.

[@RayEC70]

I thought I had the engine color correct. I got the Chrysler Turquoise 383-440 Big Block 1962-71 made by Bill Hirsch. I know the Hemi orange did not show up until 69 for the 440. I also upgraded the suspension and steering so it drives and handles better since I do try to drive it when I can. Since it does handle so much better I kinda wish the bucket seats were wrap around bucket seats because sometimes it is hard to stay in the seat. Other than that the car is what it was when my parents bought it new in 68. The paint and body was redone in 92 and the engine and transmission rebuilt last year. I would like to see what the proper turquoise color should look like as this is how i remember it before the engine was rebuilt.

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

The color is close - it should have a little more blue in it though. It should actually be very close to the color of your car! I really like the setup on this car. All of the best bolt on suspension components. I haven't had a chance to actually drive it thanks to the weather, but I know from experience that it will do great things.

[@musclecarmitch908]

If I'd only had a way to forsee the future I'd kept all the Chargers I had, 2 68's, 2 69's and 1 70, Oh the pain......the pain......my only hope now in my old age would be to win the lottery! At least I have the pictures and memories! Funny how strange life can be, when I was a teenager my dream was to have a 68-72 corvette but it was impossible then for someone with my wages and age, I satisfied my craving with the coke bottle shape of the Charger's and had one from 1978 to 1996. Crazy how the Corvette's are worthless now compared to a Charger, I have plenty of Corvette's now but all my memories as a teenager and young adult were made with charger's, just weird I couldn't obtain what I wanted then and have it now but want what I had then and now it's unobtainable. 🤔 Awesome comparison and video Jamie!👍

[@joshuajesch7154]

I'm 41...but me and my brother had a 69 that we mowed grass to purchase when we were only 15. We sold it in 2002 and have regretted it terribly everyday since. I will get another. Still saving.

[@musclecarmitch908]

​@@joshuajesch7154👍

[@mrlawn007]

Hey Jamie what is the story on the trunk lids that in early 68 like mine the inside holes are cut out but later they stopped this .

[@blownaway4371]

Beautiful color!!🥰

[@kart70]

In a weird sort of way, the 340 in the Demon and Duster is like an R/T in that it is more of a car package than just an engine upgrade.

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

Yep. Demon 340 / Duster 340 are kinda sorta technically different models, just like Charger R/T. But my point of view on this is that both of those are still exactly the same car as a slant six Duster in all of the ways that matter.

[@kart70]

@DeadDodgeGarage I respectfully disagree in that a 340 Demon has different transmission (no three on the tree), brakes (disk is standard), rear axle (8 3/4 standard), exhaust, and spring/ sway bar. That's not to say a /6 or 318 couldn't be ordered with this similar equipment. It's that this is all standard with the 340 and that it's so much more than just the 340 engine

[@richardsholl5977]

Brilliant! Informative.

[@318willrun]

Love the Chargers !!! Good video!

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

Thanks! Hey, I was just watching some of your videos too! Great stuff.

[@Dave_W93]

I would love to own one

[@jamesparks1966]

Nothing against the newer mopars but I miss seeing the classic mopars running up and down the roads , says the guy who drives the 2000 rt Dakota

[@edwardpoe7323]

Great video. Who ever gets to make a video like this?

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

Really, really lucky people 😅

[@jamesparks1966]

My ultimate dream mopar the 68 ps I watched your cross country trip with the purple charger and it was a pretty cool ride Along

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

That was a great time. Even when it went bad. Haha.

[@glennyaromy1367]

Cool video man. Much more interesting than yesterday's ford, 😂😂

[@Huffy_Turns_a_Wrench]

Dang dude.... I love your videos.....

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

Thanks!

[@1968charger]

WOW this is a great video I can relate to.

[@mastersurvivor2099]

All I can think about is owning one of these beasts

[@1968mopar11]

Thank you for the video.

[@paulcabezola3559]

I believe the small block cars had .086 diameter torsion bars .090 in the 383 cars and .092 in the R/Ts. I have s 68 Charger R/T 440, I always thought that one equipped with a 340 and 4spd would make a sweet driver. Maybe I'll build one someday.

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

That sounds correct to me! The 340 is a fantastic engine, and I’m sure it would do cool things. We just dropped a 380 horse Magnum in a ‘68 and that seems to be pretty good. I dunno though… the big block in the Charger is just so right.

[@paulcabezola3559]

@DeadDodgeGarage I totally agree, I've owned 68 and 69 Chargers with 318, 383 and 440 plants. I definitely prefer a 440, no Hemi yet if that changes I'll let you know. LOL

[@J.R.in_WV]

In a second Gen Charger if it’s an R/T it’s gonna be a factory 440 or Hemi car. If it isn’t…it’s not an R/T. There are a ton of other differences mentioned in this video but it’s crazy the number of 383 cars people claim are R/T’s

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

Yeah… I did discuss that, obviously, but 383 R/T Charger is not a thing. Now, there are Challenger R/Ts with the 383 HP. But that’s a different story.

[@arvinwhitt4106]

Love your channel man, my 1967 dodge dart gt come out with a 273, 727 trans, what size rear end do you think it has,when I drive it it seems to be geared low, I don,t know, and also looking for upper control arm with the ball joints in it seems, like i have called everywhere, but no luck,chassic performec, chassic industes, going thur the front end, to make sure its still safe I had the for about 18 years, restored it but not the front end, just new inner and outer tie rod ends, let know THX, AW.

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

You’re probably not going to find control arms for that. There aren’t any tubulars available that I’m aware of. Your current arms will need to be rebuilt with joints and bushings. I would guess it’s got 3.23 gears, but there are other possibilities.

[@arvinwhitt4106]

I,can,t find ball joints like the one I got, there shorter on the big treads, THX,man AW.@@DeadDodgeGarage

[@bartetzenhouser2943]

I miss my 67' Corenet R/T. 440 Manum. 😢

[@ericpulliam8477]

Hi Jamie, do you happen to know how often or why blinker deletes we installed on the hood? My 68 R/T has metal inserts. Not sure if that was an option?

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

I have no idea on that. As far as I know, they should all have lights!

[@ericpulliam8477]

@@DeadDodgeGarage it does not appear to be a place to upload pictures on here, let me know if you want to check them out. I will email you pictures of them.

[@jfv65]

I ❤ these cars but with European gas prices it is quite a luxury to drive them, not to mention that these cars are extremely rare and expensive in Europe.

[@Trex1268]

With Dale's Demon being such a rare car (with the original engine). Why not put that 340 rebuild on top of the to-do list?

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

Because it’s enjoyable now - and because the Garbage Can isn’t ready to race. I’m not in a big hurry to make the Demon slower 😅 having the other car ready to take out will cover those duties.

[@Trex1268]

@@DeadDodgeGarage Sometimes it's not always about speed. Just say'in....

[@jasonmushersee]

brother had mid 70's pontiac catalina stock 455 & quadrajet when you tromped on the pedal pushed you deep into the seat wonder how it compare to these rt

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

455 is a great engine, but they are all torque and no horsepower by then. Compression ratio was… I don’t know, very low. I know someone with an R/T like this with four speed. The 440 had been modified somewhat, but nothing crazy. The driver’s seat is bent… well, ok, that incident could have involved nitrous.

[@joeanderson444]

"Tick-Tock-Tach"! I like that!

[@Ross046]

Great content.

[@shanewilson9250]

Remember, Hemi orange engines didn't start till 69. The Chrysler Corporation Blue didn't start till 72

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

1) I recently learned hemi orange and the “high performance” orange used on HPs are not the same color. The 426 Hemi was orange from the outset in ‘64, and the Max Wedge was also orange, but yes - orange 440 HPs and 383 HPs did not come until ‘69. Before that, they were turquoise. Didn’t I talk about that in this video? 2) Corporate blue was absolutely in use by 1970 on non HP engines. I believe it was used in 1969 on 318s and other low performance engines like the slant, but I could be wrong on that, and the blue engines I’ve seen may not be correct. As with many things, it’s hard to find 100% bonified original engine compartments to compare to - and who knows if the change occurred for the entire model year, or somewhere in the middle - like the 340’s change from orange to corporate blue in February 1971. I have seen listings online that refer to corporate blue as 72+. That is not correct. What is correct is that orange engines went away over ‘71-72, and all that was left was blue.

[@youtubecarspottersguide1]

shows that one cant just drop a 440V8 in to a 318 car and call it a R/T

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

One can change the engine, transmission, springs, front and rear brakes, fuel line and sending unit, and badges - and then they have done exactly what the factory did. The VIN and build plate will always tell the story of what the car was, of course. It’s more than just an engine, but it’s definitely not rocket surgery, that’s all I’m saying.

[@michaeldyer6304]

A quick way to tell a 68 from a 69 or later is to look at the front side maker, it'll be round on a 68 on the later its rectangular. Just how i always would know at a quick glance....

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

Of course. I’ve done a spotter’s guide before.

[@autopar3000]

This video makes a point that is often lost on some people. All these old muscle cars are just a collection of parts. There's no special voodoo inside one of these cars that you can't bolt right on. Or weld on, in the case of torque boxes (weld on poorly, if you're going for the factory look).

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

Exactly! All that. Haha.

[@tomthomas9910]

Wish id known how much $$$ a 68 SE all option car was worth in the 80"s when i had mine, A/C , power brakes that a big cam would effect & headlights , ( 727 ) auto, power windows, hated them always getting motors out of the mopar land yachts, & power steering, # matching 383 727 323, car pavement roaster" especially w 4:88"s first first & first" 2500 TCI stall solid motor mounts, cheetah reverse manual valve body" meats 28x10.50 wished it had a locking gas cap" 3 rear ends 741, 742, 789, 904 heads 30 over forged pistons / billet rods , adj lifters double springs, clutch fan , built 2,3 gear bands in trans, but wish it was a hemi 4 speed car $$$. In B5 blue white interior/ stripe

[@tomthomas9910]

No hood pins" factory hood latch outside car sucked " so drill small hole in latch lever and could get a small brass padlock in-between the grill , factory rear axle had left hand lug nuts, at least the driver side, lefty tighty" ?

[@tomthomas9910]

Wood grain on steering wheel and console, around dash, clock in tac ,

[@scottsmith1897]

Dont we all....... had a 69 RT/SE in the 80s and sold it.

[@Fleetwoodjohn]

On some cars the body is cool enough! I’d drive a slant in any 3 of the years!

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

Damn right!

[@jerrywalker9592]

Would love a video like this o the 1968 coronet 440 , RT and 500. Mine is a 500

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

I would love to do that! Hopefully I can get my hands on one of those some day.

[@ronclaman156]

My first car 68 500 oil burning 383 auto 727 on floor console Gave 2 hundred dollars .in. 1976 no rust on it any where

[@BlindBatG34]

You spent the whole video blabbing about Chargers. Where's the weird raptor dog? P.S. You put out some of the best mopar content on the web. I look forward to when you have hundreds of thousands of subs and so much feedback that my witty but useless comments get lost in the noise.

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

The weird raptor dog moved to Utah with Myles. I did have him for a live stream once, and he was similarly annoying! I don't know when or if we'll ever get to that point... but I guess we'll see. Thanks for your support!

[@lookiedrew]

Nice video, I'm glad I stumbled on to it " any Charger is a good Charger " I like that but....I don't like all the newer ones and their drivers...ih,oh and police Chargers too

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

I guess I could’ve specified classics. Haha.

[@Steve-vl5mg]

R/T Stands for ROAD and TRACK USE I would imagine it had certain Heavy Duty PARTS FOR TRACK USE

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

That’s the idea.

[@kenjohnson3641]

Cool video

[@michaeladamo1188]

Hey Jamie is That emblem in your car from a road wheel (magnum 500)

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

Similar emblem, but not quite. Also, smaller. Haha. Apparently it’s an early production vs late production thing.

[@trojan440]

4 speeds, 18 spline hemi input shaft or 23 spline? I would have to count mine. You should be so glad you have yours now , have you seen the price of those beasts recently?

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

Oh I’m very glad. Tom sold the purple ‘69 for more than I paid for my car - and other than the little rust bubbles that need to be addressed, mine is kind of better in every way. 86k original miles, numbers matching drive train, one not amazing repaint, mostly original interior… yeah. I’m very glad I already bought it. Dont even know what it would be worth now. I kind of thought I was buying at the very top of the market. Nope… anyway, any four speed Charger R/T will be the 18 spline - Hemi or 440. And will have the Dana 60 axle. I know the same is true of Challenger R/T with a 440 six pack or Hemi. I don’t know about other engines or cars that may have used them. But most other four speeds will be the 23 spline.

[@jamesblair9614]

The 440 is technically the wrong colour, you’ve just joined an extremely contentious, ongoing and seemingly never ending subject. Colour is a subjective thing, and the way we see a colour changes as we age, so the colour you see at age 70 and say that’s exactly what I remember from 1968, will in fact be different, it just looks the same to you. The lens in your eye yellows with age, so it’s like looking through tinted glasses. When it comes to the turquoise/green shade, there seems to be quite a range in shades. I still have the original valve cover off my 69 340, which was removed when the car was only a couple years old. It has been borrowed and used for paint mixing. It looks pretty green, and it did when I bought the car back in 1970. A lot of guys with 69 340’s don’t want to see it.

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

Well it's close. I agree - I have seen many, many different shades of "Chrysler Green," but the most correct I can figure seems to have a lot more blue in it than this. At least it isn't orange. Haha.

[@gerrywood3584]

Junkerup patina kool

[@jamesonpace726]

Wonder how odd it must feel to work everyday with cars made in the same era I was....

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

It’s even more odd, because the cars that were being made in the era I was born were nothing like this. Nothing that most guys my age are playing with is anything like this. But it’s where I found my interest, passion, and a place to hone and maximize my abilities. I have been told several times that I have the best job ever, and - in spite of the many frustrations involved - I am strongly inclined to agree.

[@doranmaxwell1755]

Had one in the mid 70's Now have a 2014 ex cop car hemi R/T which has the colum shifter that only cop cars had lol.

[@bobgoble2228]

I think the blue color on the engine was correct for 68 and went to orange in 69.

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

Correct!

[@racehemi426425]

I hate brake boosters. I would love a video on when you need brake boosters. The positive and the negatives of power brakes. Can you have disc brakes without boosters?

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

You *can* have manual disks, and Chrysler even used them on A bodies in some years. They use a special brake pedal with a different pivot point that lessens the pedal effort somewhat. I have converted from a dead brake booster to manual disks a couple times over the years (without the special pedal) and the results have been mixed. On the one hand, the pedal effort is better compared to pushing through a broken brake booster. On the other hand, it’s still terrible. The 1971 Dodge Challenger that I installed a 392 Hemi in some months back had manual four wheel Wilwoods. The pedal effort was… yeah, terrible. My best disk brake experiences have been with those more modern type booster and master assemblies. Our wagon has that setup with factory type front disks, and it yielded the best brakes of anything in the fleet. Nice feeling pedal, not overly sensitive, and very effective brakes without early lockup. I am installing those on two builds here at home. If you are dedicated to the manual disk idea, yes, it can be done. But it’s generally not great

[@racehemi426425]

@@DeadDodgeGarage thanks greatly for the info. I personally would sacrifice pedal effort for a much better feel. And space under the hood