Some cars are great by virtue of their pedigree—you know, matching numbers, rarity, unusual options, that sort of thing. And that’s fine if you’re a numbers guy who likes that sort of thing. But then there are other cars that are great because they’re great cars. They run well, look great, and are sorted out properly. Numbers cars are not always great cars, and non-pedigreed cars are not always junk, and this 1968 Dodge Charger is a fantastic example of a great car that doesn’t need numbers to justify its existence. It is exceptionally well built with some of the straightest sheetmetal we’ve ever seen. It packs a date-code-correct and nicely warmed-over 440 cubic inch V8 backed by a 4-speed, so it’s a blast to drive. And you simply won’t find a better color for your musclebound Charger than Hemi Orange, which punches onlookers in the face before hammering away in a cloud of smoke. If you’re a driving guy rather than a paperwork guy, this is the Charger for you.

Experts will quickly glance at the fender tag and spot the fact that this car started life as a green-on-green base model with a 318 2-barrel engine. That doesn’t really matter today other than the fact that it has been our experience that the modest small-engine cars usually lead easier lives than their hi-performance siblings, and that seems to be the case with this Charger. All that was erased thanks to a 7-year nut-and-bolt rotisserie restoration that was completed in 2012, resulting in this spectacular Charger you see in the photos. And yes, it’s every bit as nice in person as it looks on your screen. It’s been dressed in brilliant Hemi Orange with a black bumblebee stripe, and we can’t argue with the spectacular look—this car gets a LOT of attention here in the showroom. The quarters have been replaced, but you’ll never spot the work and the panel gaps are extremely good for a car like this—Chrysler certainly wasn’t known for its build quality. The doors snap shut with a precise-sounding kerCHUNK and the gaps around them are tight and even. The hood latches with your fingertips and the trunk lid pivots on well-oiled hinges. We’ve seen Chargers in this car’s league, but they were at least twice as expensive. It really is that nice.

There’s also a nice-fitting black vinyl top that wasn’t original equipment, but they did source all the correct trim parts to make it look like an OEM job. The vinyl is the correct grain and there are obviously no signs of trouble underneath. All the chrome and stainless was restored or replaced with correct reproduction parts and R/T emblems were added to complete the illusion. And yes, the headlights and hood-mounted signal indicators work like they should.

You know the interior is fresh since it was originally green—if it’s black, it’s new. We like the choice of bucket seats with an unusual center-mounted “buddy seat” that was a rather rare option and it’s cool to see it here. The upholstery is correct for 1968, with those unique “splits” in the seating surfaces—don’t worry, it’s supposed to look like that. New carpets, fresh door panels, and a new headliner all make it feel almost new inside (the headliner photographed oddly because the flash emphasizes the perforation, but it’s immaculate in person). A full complement of Rallye gauges keep an eye on the engine, with the only missing piece being the clock portion of the Tic-Toc-Tac, something we’re searching for as this is written. There’s a functional AM/FM radio in the center of the dash, complete with Chrysler’s unique vertical knobs. And yes, that’s a Hurst gearshift with a cue ball knob connected to a correct A833 4-speed manual gearbox underneath. The changeover is seamless and from behind the wheel, there’s no way to know this isn’t a real R/T. Only the numbers guys are going to worry. The back seat is virtually untouched and the trunk is not only spotless, but comes with a fitted plaid mat that looks OEM. See what I mean about quality?

The R/T came standard with a 440, so when this car needed an upgrade for that original 318, they found a date-code-correct block and rebuilt it to largely stock 1968 R/T specs. There’s a slightly larger cam inside, but nothing that affects the idle, and the sucker is seriously strong on the street. It was bored .020 oversize, which suggests that the block itself was in great shape and didn’t need a deeper cut, and it was nicely detailed with correct Hemi Orange paint. Edelbrock supplied a 4-barrel carburetor and matching aluminum intake manifold, as well as a set of finned valve covers that aren’t quite correct but sure look good. Original-style exhaust manifolds were ceramic coated so they’ll look this good for years to come and matching orange plug wires for the ignition system are a little flashy. Other correct details include the hoses and clamps, a reproduction reservoir bottle, and a heavy-duty 26-inch radiator. You’ll also not new wiring throughout, a fresh ballast resistor on the firewall, and an upgraded dual reservoir master cylinder with power assist for the front disc brakes. This Charger was built to drive.

You can see more quality work underneath where the beautiful floorboards are protected by a light dusting of undercoating but nothing so heavy as to hide details. The aforementioned 4-speed manual gearbox feeds a fresh Dana 60 rear end filled with 3.54 gears on a limited slip so you know this sucker hooks up hard. A new reproduction dual exhaust system has just the right sound and isn’t too loud, so this car is great to cruise, and everything related to the brakes and suspension is new, so it rides and handles properly (something that we can’t say about a lot of trailer queens). Fresh shocks, a new gas tank out back, and new springs ensure that it sits right, with just a bit of a rake. Classic 15-inch Magnum 500 wheels are always the right choice and they carry staggered 255/60/15 front and 275/60/15 rear Firestone radials with only a few hundred miles on them.

If you can’t tell, we’re extremely impressed with this Charger. It’s beautiful to look at and just as brilliant to drive. There’s a huge amount of money invested here to get it to this level, so you’re getting a high-quality car that needs no excuses. If you’re looking for a Charger to drive, one that works right and won’t make you worry about your “investment” when you’re behind the wheel, this is an awesome choice. Call today!