Vehicle Description
1968 Dodge Monaco 500 2 Door Hardtop
Monaco, officially the Principality of Monaco is a sovereign
city-state and microstate in the French Riviera a few kilometers
west of the Italian region of Liguria, in Western Europe, on the
Mediterranean Sea. It's also the name selected by Dodge for their
flagship line beginning in 1965. Of the 21,100 Monaco's produced in
1968, just 3,400 of them were of the higher trim level, named the
Monaco 500.
For consignment, a 1968 Dodge Monaco 500 two door hardtop showing
75,753 miles but the true miles are unknown. Stunning, rare, and
maybe a bit obscure, the design of this car is so unique, it's
likely to stump most people born after 1960 when it pulls into a
car show. In the 60's, designers elongated and narrowed body panels
and often added interesting trim that would set them apart from
similarly styled cars. This Monaco is an example of that trend.
Exterior
Wonderfully straight and equally as massive steel slabs work to
form the fuselage sides of this car all draped in two stage Medium
Dark Turquoise Metallic paint, contrasting with the white vinyl top
that sandwiches the turquoise with a white rocker panel, itself
sandwiched by stainless trim. Leading the way upfront with its
trisected eggcrate grille flanked by dual headlights and some
bumper embedded turn signal lights and all parts, including the
hood line, comes to subtle square nose. Out back, the fastline
sweep of the rear window blends into the large flat decklid, then
dipping to the rear of the car with full length silver surrounded
deeply inset tail lights with a bladed center divider. 15-inch
Mopar road wheels are wrapped in thin striped white wall tires with
the back wheels partially covered by the lower wheel opening. The
parts bin for round marker lights was filled to the brim for 1968
with all Mopar models getting fitted with them. Imperfections
include scuffs, dented scuffs, and some touched up scratches.
Interior
Ah yes, square patterns with grommet accenting seemed to be a
trademark of the late 60's and early 70's and appears here on the
white vinyl door panels. Then it's back to basics with vertical
stitch patterning on the wide bucket seats, white vinyl with a bit
of discoloration that the passage of time will cause, but mostly
intact along with the center armrest and rear seats with the
dipping middle to the seat backs, the chosen place for a nameplate
emblem and in perfect view from the rear view mirror. We note a
small tear on the side of the passenger seat. Upfront, a clean,
black 3 spoke steering wheel leads the way to rectangular gauges as
well as aircraft influenced toggle switches that operate the
headlights, wipers, flashers and heating controls. A ribbed plastic
faceplate covers the dash from the center right where we find an AM
radio, courtesy light under the dash pad, and typical vent lever
panel. Since the shifter is on the column, the floor is open,
covered in black carpet, and clean while a whitish headliner rises
above, high, tight, and holding the clipped in shoulder belt. The
trunk is large and flat and is covered with a black carpeted
mat.
Drivetrain
Under the long and wide hood lies a turquoise bluedate correct
383ci V8 with a single 2-barrel carburetor atop and mated to a date
correct A727 TorqueFlite 3-speed automatic transmission. The engine
is clean and show worthy and presents in original condition. Power
is routed to the 8 3/4 inch rear with 2.76 gears while power drum
brakes are supplied front and back.
Undercarriage
General patina and discoloration exists underneath, while surface
rust is minimal and a driver quality level of grease build up is
present. Dual exhaust flows back in tandem and meets a pair of
Thrust mufflers before exiting just before the rear bumper.
Suspension is made up of torsion bars in front and leaf springs in
the back.
Drive-Ability
A pleasure to test drive and she fired right up. No complaining
when we 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, however we do note the car
pulling right. A fantastic cruiser offering up plenty of interior
space. The clock is not working but all other functional items do
as we float this rare Dodge back to the mall. While Classic Auto
Mall represents that these functions were working at the time of
our test drive, we cannot guarantee these functions will be working
at the time of your purchase.
A wonderful example well cared for and always run on non ethanol
fuel. The Monaco 500 badge on the vinyl top's C-pillar is the
crowning jewel to this classically 60's oddity that also boasts its
original turquoise color, strong body lines, and long, linear trim,
a period trend. This car is poised to return to the show circuit to
wow the audience and whether it's a pure Mopar show or your town's
Church fundraising car show, this car has presence overload!
DP23G8R340499
D-Dodge Monaco/Polara
P-Premium Price Class
23-2 Door Hardtop
G-383ci 2bbl V8
8-1968
R-Windsor, Ontario, Canada Assy Plant
340499-Sequential Unit Number
FENDER 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:March 15.
AXLE:2.76 Rear Axle Ratio
INTERIOR:White Vinyl
PAINT: Medium Dark Turquoise Metallic
OTHER:White Upper Door Frame Color.
MOLDINGS:
14:Sill Moldings
30:Body Belt Moldings
Classic Auto Mall is home to more than 1,000 classic and
collectible vehicles for sale via consignment in a climate
controlled 336,000-square foot showroom (that's more than 8
acres!). The largest single location consignment dealer of classic
and collectible vehicles in the country is located in Morgantown,
Pennsylvania, just 1-hour west of Philadelphia off Exit 298 of the
I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. For more information visit
www.classicautomall.com or call us at (888) 227-0914. Contact us
anytime for more information or to come see the vehicle in person.
There is no guarantee of mileage. A $299 Dealer Administrative fee
is not included in the advertised price.
With so many great cars, you know we have a lot to talk about, and
we do that each week on the Classic Auto Mall Podcast with host
Stewart Howden. Stewart discusses new inventory as well as trends
in consignments and car prices, while interviewing celebrities and
automotive professionals about amazing cars and their history. Tune
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