A very complete photo album can be seen via the link at the bottom of this listing.
Located in Branchburg, NJ, the asking price is just $3,950 for a car that appears to need only modest work to be returned to the road. It is equipped with a Powerglide automatic transmission and the odometer shows 36,095 miles, which the seller indicates is probably 136,095. Here is the information provided by the seller:
My nephew purchased this car early in 2021 while he was studying automobile tech in high school. It needed a bunch of work, but was roadworthy after fresh rubber and a few other key parts were installed. A couple of years passed, not being a practical car, and more work needed, he decided to abandon the project.
The good:
> The hood and front of the car are in good shape
> Glass is in good shape
> It does not leak any fluid
> Windows all crank down/up
> Seats are in better than average shape
> Smog was deleted
> We have the hub caps for the 500, it has Monza wheel covers right now
This is 1 of 7,200 ‘68 500s, of about 15,400 total 1968s. The car started and traveled confidently while he drove it to school for his senior year (2022-23.) I never drove the car, so I have no info as to the quality of steering, brakes, and gauges. I did ride in the car, and was not scared. It has been parked inside.
The work that has been done:
> Replaced the gas tank with new (Clark’s)
> Replaced the fuel sending unit with new (Clark’s)
> Replaced the exhaust system from the manifolds with new (Clark’s stock single muffler)
> Replaced all the flex heater tube with new (Clark’s kit)
> Replaced the A/F, wires, points, cap with new
> Replaced the master cylinder with new (more on this later)
> Replaced all 4 tires - Ironman GR906 185/70R-13 (Date code 3820)
> Installed spring loaded idler pulley -- (Clark’s kit)
> Installed new windshield wiper arms
> Installed new rear view mirror
> Installed new (ish) battery – date code 12/20
What we have that is new, but not installed:
> Electric fuel pump kit with oil pressure sensor, and mechanical fuel pump delete plate (Clark’s kit)
> Carb choke kits (Clark’s)
> Might have a matching side view mirror for the passenger side – I bought it, but didn’t see it in the parts box. He may have replaced the driver’s side with it.
> We have some shop manuals & the carb balancing tool(s)
> An indoor dust cover
I’m going to guess the tires have about 500 miles on them. COVID was still a thing, and he was only driving it to school. The tread looks good. I believe he had an alignment when they were installed – he was working as a shop-hand at the time. Also had access to a family car.
The challenges:
> The car will not start without priming the carbs with gas – the car sat for a long time. Once it starts it will run until it warms up, then it dies. If I prime the carbs again, it will run for a short time then die.
> The master cylinder was bench primed until there were no bubbles. Instructions said to bench prime it installed, to avoid overextending the piston – which I did for 30 minutes. The pedal will not build pressure to bleed the lines. My guess is there is still air in the master cylinder because of the angle – perhaps a pressure bleeder? I don’t have one, I'm not buying one. So the car has no brakes currently.
> The emergency brake holds the car still on somewhat flat surfaces, gotta chock it.
>It will need to be towed.
What it needs:
> Thermostats – both sides
> Probably carb rebuild/replace
> Brake diagnosis
> Lots of interior work. Headliner is gone, side panels are in poor condition
> Rust in all the lower quarter corners
> Back of the car was “bumped” – looks a little pushed in between the tail lights, but not the bumper
> Some window trim is missing – some is in the trunk.
My thoughts from when I was a car guy a long time ago:
Someone into Corvairs could rebuild the carbs, and get the brakes working in a couple days. Throw in the thermostats, and the heater hose from the shroud to the firewall and you’d have a functional car. Rip out the aftermarket radio in the glove box, and start sourcing parts – and it becomes a driver. Start doing the body work and away you go.
This car has some unique paint – let me know if you’ve seen it, or have any provenance. Has a Lead East sticker from 2013.
VIN: 101378W109254
A full photo album is at <this link>.
Contact the seller, Patrick, at <this link>.