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 Monégasque 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, Monégasque (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.
OTHER: White (Dodge), Sable White (Plymouth), Polar White (Chrysler, Imperial) Racing Stripe.

MOLDINGS:
14:Sill Moldings
30:Body Belt Moldings
78:Wheel Lip Moldings

ABC OPTIONS:
R2:Music Master AM Radio
X2:Tinted Windshield Only
Y6:Black Vinyl Top

abc OPTIONS:
a6:Console
b4:Bucket Seats

Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special interest automobile showroom, featuring over 650 vehicles for sale with showroom space for up to 1,000 vehicles. Also, a 400 vehicle barn find collection is on display.
This vehicle is located in our showroom in Morgantown, Pennsylvania, conveniently located just 1-hour west of Philadelphia on the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. The website is www.classicautomall.com and our phone number is (888) 227-0914. Please contact us anytime for more information or to come see the vehicle in person.