Vehicle Description
1968 Dodge Monaco 500
Monaco, officially the Principality of Monaco is a sovereign
city-state and microstate in the French Riviera a few kilometres
west of the Italian region of Liguria, in Western Europe, on the
Mediterranean Sea. It is bordered by France to the north, east and
west. The principality is home to 38,682 residents, of whom 9,486
are Monegasque nationals; it is widely recognised as one of the
most expensive and wealthiest places in the world. The official
language of the principality is French. In addition, Monegasque (a
dialect of Ligurian), Italian and English are spoken and understood
by many residents. With an area of 2.1 km2 it is the
second-smallest sovereign state in the world, after Vatican City.
Its 19,009 inhabitants /km2 make it the most densely-populated
sovereign state in the world. Monaco has a land border of 5.47 km
and the world's shortest coastline of approximately 3.83 km; it has
a width that varies between 1,700 and 349 meters.
Slip on your Wayfarers, put on your sunscreen, pack your swim gear,
and let's head down to Larvotto Beach in today's consignment that
we are proud to offer, a Dodge Monaco 500 right out of 1968.
Imagine rolling down Avenue Princesse Grace and swinging in to fill
an entire parking space with this almost 220" long cruiser. A great
driver presented as mostly original by our consignor with bucket
seats, a full-length console, a sweeping fastback roofline and 383
cubes of big block V8 power. Read on, delve into this full-sized
offering from the Mopar camp and maybe I'll even direct you to the
topless part of the beach.
Exterior
Wonderfully straight and equally as massive steel slabs work to
form the fuselage sides of this car all draped in Burgundy Metallic
paint. Consignor states that this paint is the original coating
that was applied at the Newark, DE plant witha couple of minor
touch-ups. Gaps are well minded, and while there are numerous
chips, scrapes and scuffs in the finish no invasive rust is seen.
The chrome bumpers and trimmings are all mirror-like and presenting
beautifully. Leading the way upfront with its trisected eggcrate
grille flanked by dual headlights and some bumper mounted turn
signal lights we feel the air of distinction this car oozes. We
note the late in the model year addition of chrome trimming on the
fender caps and leading edge of the hood, creating a faux loop
bumper look. A wide rocker and lower body molding runs from stem to
stern and is presenting in clean stainless. The upper and lower
body meld into a uniformly curved unit which is accentuated by the
sweeping black vinyl covered fastback roofline and curved
greenhouse glass. This top is original and shows with a few issues
at the base of the rear but remains intact and untorn. The rear of
the car has full length silver surrounded deeply inset tail lights
with a silver center divider, and a trunk lid which hides a
2-bedroom NYC apartment(sic). The perfect throwback bumper sticker
adorns the lower right of the tail end promoting good old "Tricky
Dick" for his presidential run. Thin white stripe 14" radials wrap
steel wheels with ribbed and Fratzog baged covers on all 4
corners.
Interior
Loads of black vinyl and cloth covers the tuck and roll and cross
emblazoned inserted seats with smooth bolsters outside. As per the
Monaco 500 package, the front seats are individual buckets
separated by a long black console with a silver and chrome top
insert. Also seen on the console is a black padded armrest, side
mounted courtesy lamps and a chrome handled "space needle"
automatic shifter. The backseat matches the buckets and has plenty
of romper room plus a center mounted Monaco 500 badge. All of this
seating is showing wear and degradation in the form of seam splits,
tearing and repairs made with black tape. Upfront an open V format
design dash has a black padded top, and a black ribbed and chrome
trimmed angled dash front. Here the rectangular gauges reside, as
well as toggles 60's style that operate the headlights, wipers,
flashers and heating controls. Below all this menagerie is a thin
black metal strip which houses the ignition, a few chrome pulls and
a large ashtray setup to allow you to go full cigarette after your
back-seat adventures. I knew that topless beach would get her in
the mood, but I digress...Faded black carpeting provides the
backdrop for this spacious interior and is protected by a mix of
carpeted and rubber mats.
Drivetrain
Under the long and wide hood lies a turquoise blue blocked and
valve covered original 383ci V8 with a single 2-barrel carburetor
atop, sitting snugly within the unrestored engine bay. A black
single snout air cleaner sits atop and most of the attachments show
a degree of patina and surface rust. On back is an A727 Torqueflite
3-speed automatic transmission which pushes power back to the rear
which is an 8-3/4-inch Suregrip equipped axle with 2.76 gears. Our
consignor states that the radiator was recored, a new thermostat,
thermostat housing and water pump were recently installed as well
as a recent tune up being performed. Our consignor also recently
completed a trouble-free trip from Reading, PA to Stone Harbor, NJ
in this car...while not the sunny Mediterranean shores, still a
wonderful vacation spot.
Undercarriage
Some mild surface rust, but all structurally sound framing,
floorboards and rockers, however we do note invasive rust has taken
hold on the passenger lower rear trunk drop off. Nice patina but
overall, no signs of neglect anywhere. Cushy torsion bar front
suspension and forgiving leaf springs for the back provide the ride
and a single stock style exhaust system in on for the exhale. Newer
power drums are all around underneath to bring this massive piece
of steel to a stop.
Drive-Ability
Just a pleasure to test drive and she fired right up. No
complaining when I pushed the accelerator in gently, then firmly
after a nice warmup lap. Handling was good considering the sheer
bulk of this car and stopping was right on the dime. A fantastic
cruiser offering up plenty of interior space. I realized I needed
to pay attention when returning to the mall, as this is a large car
to be throwing around, and you need to have good judgement to keep
the steel straight when around other obstacles, particularly when
negotiating a 3-point turn, you'll need 5 lanes...literally. All in
all, a fun and comfortable cruise on our fabled test track with
only the clock not keeping time and the windshield washers being
nonfunctional.
A wonderful example well cared for and only driven on Sundays by a
grandmother to church...but I digress... it is very well cared for
and has been used by our consignor over his 25 years of ownership.
Mechanically and physically sound, and a looker at any show because
it is very unlikely you'll see another one. A turnkey car, goer and
shower here for the hook and catching right out of Classic Auto
Mall's Halls...Now grab me my coconut oil and slather me up, I'm
off to show the beach goers my new thong.
VIN DECODE
DP23G8F107112
D-Monaco
P-Premium Price Class
23-2 Door Hardtop
G-383ci V8 2bbl
8-1968
F-Newark, DE Assy Plant
107112-Sequential Unit Number
TRIM TAG
CAR: Dodge Polara 2 Door Hardtop
ENGINE: 383cid 2-bbl V8
TRANSMISSION: 3-Speed Automatic
TIRES: Unknown tire code
MODEL YEAR: 1968
BUILD DATE: August 21.
AXLE: 2.76 Rear Axle Ratio, Sure Grip
INTERIOR: Premium Trim Grade, Vinyl and Cloth Bucket Seats. Black
Interior.
PAINT: Burgundy Metallic.
