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 blue date 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.

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