1968 Dodge Charger

[Paul Ceasrine]

1968 Dodge Charger R/T '440 Magnum'

375 Horsepower @ 4600 RPM's
480 Foot Pounds of Torque @ 3200 RPM's

* 4-Speed - w/3.54 Dana.................... 14.40 @ 96.8 MPH
* Automatic - w/3.23 Sure Grip........... 14.87 @ 94.3 MPH
* Automatic - w/3.55 Sure-Grip........... 14.53 @ 95.5 MPH

The 440/375 HP featured 2.50" exhaust pipes, with 2.25" tail-pipes, and a 2.25" 'H-Pipe'.

While the Automatic Transmission in the 383 carried a 2300 RPM Stall Torque-Converter,
the R/T '440 Magnum' utilized a 2000 RPM Torque-Converter.

The '440 Magnum' was also equipped with a heavier-rated 727-B Torque-Flite which
had an additional Pinion {8-Pinions in total}, and a larger Output-Shaft.

While both Mopar 440 and 383 Big-Blocks were equipped with 11" Clutch Units in the
A-833 4-Speed, the '440 Magnum' had the heavier-rated Clutch-Disc and Pressure-Plate.

[Paul Ceasrine]

1968 Dodge Charger R/T '440 Magnum'

[Paul Ceasrine]

1968 Advertisement

Let Boch Dodge Turn Your 383 4-Barrel Into A 383 'Magnum HP' With Our
Dealer Only Engine Performance Kit.

For $383 you can turn your 383 into a 'Magnum HP'

Our Performance Parts Department can offer you an 'over-the-counter' 'Magnum HP Kit',
which will add over 50 Horsepower to your 383 Big-Block giving you an output of
383 Horsepower.

Performance Kit includes,
* 383 'Magnum HP' Camshaft
* 440 Valve Springs
* Special Intake Carburetor Adapter
* Holley 780 CFM Carburetor
* Unsilenced Air-Cleaner
* Distributor Advance-Kit
* Cyclone Headers
* High Pressure Fuel Pump

383 'Magnum HP' Camshaft (Hydraulic)
Lift...............450/.465
Duration..... 276*/292*
Overlap...... 54*

This Camshaft is more aggessive than the 440 HP Camshaft.

[Paul Ceasrine]

Motor Trend (December 1967)

Road Test, 1968 Dodge Charger R/T ('440 Magnum' - w/Automatic and 3.23 Sure-Grip)

Performance.......14.90 @ 95.5 MPH

* Respectable, despite absolutely no traction with the F70 x14" tires.

[Paul Ceasrine]

'Just What The Doctor Ordered'

Several Southern California Dodge Dealers partnered with Cragar Wheels to market a
1968 Charger R/T '440 Magnum' with a "Cragar Performance Package".

Cragar S/S Wheels, Cyclone Headers and a Dodge Maximum Performance
(ignition-kit and carburetor jet-kit) installed.

The Charger R/T '440 Magnum' 4-Speed with 3.54 Sure-Grip Gears advertised as
running a 13.80 @ 103 MPH.

[Paul Ceasrine]

July 6, 1967 (Dodge Press Release)

Dodge unveil's the new 1968 Charger R/T '440 Magnum' at Chrysler's Chelsea Proving Grounds.

Public Relation's Manager Frank Wylie, is pleased with the car's performance, and sends information to Hot Rod Magazine listing
the Charger R/T specifications and performance results.

Charger R/T '440 Magnum' with Automatic Transmission and 3.23 Sure-Grip Rear.

1/4 Mile Performance.......14.66 @ 97.4 MPH

Base Price - $3506

[Paul Ceasrine]

Street and Strip (October 1967)

Street and Strip Magazine tests the 1968 Charger R/T '440 Magnum'

We were supposed to receive a new 1968 Charger R/T with a '426 Hemi', but when we got to the
Dodge Storage Facility on the West 51st Street in Manhattan, we were given a 'Bronze Metallic'
Charger R/T with a '440 Magnum' as our 'Test Car'.

The new stylish Charger was equipped with a Torque-Flite Automatic Transmission, and a
3.23 Sure-Grip rear-end. The Charger R/T was also equipped with - an upgraded interior with
Bucket seats, Console, Dashboard Rallye Guage Package with an 8000 RPM Dash-mounted
Tachometer. The black Vinyl-Top and rear deck Bumble-Bee black-stripe added nice exterior
appointments to the 117" Wheelbase and 208" elongated car.

Other added options included; Front Disc-Brakes, Power-Steering, 26" Radiator and Fan-Shroud,
Tinted-Glass, Exterior Decor-Trim and the 'stylish' 14" x 5.5" Chromed Road Wheels with
F-70 x 14" 'red-line' Goodyear tires.

Though we were disappointed in not getting the '426 Hemi' we were still pleased with getting a '440'
instead of the slug-383.

A quick look at the 'Dealer Price Book', we found that a 4-Speed Transmission is 'standard' with the
Charger R/T (Base Price; $3506), and that the Automatic Transmission is an additional $186

Our Charger R/T had a sticker price of $4317

Our 3-Week long 'performance test' will include, Elapsed-Time tests performed at WestHampton Raceway
on Eastern, Long Island and follow-up perfomance upgrades at Rockville Centre Dodge on Sunrise Highway.

The Charger R/T '440 Magnum' with a shipping weight of #3737 lbs, rates at 375 Horsepower, and as per the
1967 Drag Rules, the Charger would fit into the the NHRA 'B/SA' Class, and the AHRA 'C/SA' Class.

Performance Test

Running in 'delivered' condition, a series of 'break-in runs' were performed first, to get the feel of how the 3700+ lb.
Charger R/T would handle down the track and through the traps.

After we got the feel of the Charger, we were able to run several 1/4 Mile 'accelerated elapsed time tests' - with the car
performing between 14.62 and 14.88, with speeds between 94 and 96.4 MPH.

Our best run was - 14.62 @ 96.4 MPH

Our tests were run, by keeping the Torque-Flite Transmission in 'Drive', and leaving the starting line at idle (1100 RPM's),
as the Charger R/T had to be feathered off the line, to help prevent the F-70 X 14 tires (6.55" wide and 26.45" diameter)
from spinning into oblivion.

Once we were able to get a steady traction-load, we dropped the gas-pedal to the floor and the Goodyears still broke loose
while the Charger accelerated steadily. We found the 440/375 HP pulled very strong, and the Torque-Flite had shifts points of
4000 RPM between 1st-and-2nd, and 4600 RPM between 2nd-and-3rd.

The Dash-mounted Tachometer has a 5000 'red-line', but the 440 pulled into the 5200 RPM range without a problem, and
there were no valve-float problems with the Hydraulic-tappet Camshaft and High-Rate Valve Springs.

We will follow up, with a visit to Rockville Centre Dodge for our 'check-up' and recommended performance up-grade before
returning to the West Hampton Raceway.