Rare 1968 Dodge Coronet R/T Found in Massachusetts

A collector has uncovered one of the few surviving 1968 Dodge Coronet R/T convertibles, now slated for a full restoration.

Updated on Oct. 14, 2026 in Car Culture

Screen-print poster illustration of a weathered vintage muscle car chassis in a workshop, evoking the preservation of automotive heritage. — Collectors in Massachusetts have recovered a rare 1968 Dodge Coronet R/T convertible, one of only 519 produced, to begin a complete restoration. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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A rare 1968 Dodge Coronet R/T convertible was recently discovered in Massachusetts after sitting outdoors for several decades. The vehicle is now undergoing an extensive restoration process to return it to its original form.

Why it matters

This discovery preserves a significant piece of automotive history, as only 519 units of this specific convertible model were originally produced. The car provides a rare look at the manufacturing output of the muscle car era.

Of the 519 convertible units produced in 1968, only 423 featured the three-speed automatic transmission. The current restoration is working to address decades of outdoor exposure.

The players

Dodge

An American manufacturer known for its muscle car heritage and the high-performance R/T trim lines.

The details

The restoration team has already begun bodywork, including the replacement of one rear fender and the removal of the other. The vehicle currently houses a 1970s-era 440 V8 engine and shows traces of four different paint colors, suggesting several modifications throughout its history.

1968: Model year of the Dodge Coronet R/T convertible.

The Home Front

Restoration projects of this scale often reflect a broader trend in maintaining American classic vehicles as tangible investments. This effort marks a departure from modern automotive disposal patterns by prioritizing the preservation of a 1968 muscle car.

If you are storing a classic vehicle outdoors, schedule a professional inspection to address hidden moisture damage or body rust. Ensure your garage or storage space is properly climate-controlled to prevent the rapid degradation seen in this project.

The takeaway

Preserving vintage vehicles requires significant long-term planning and professional mechanical intervention. Owners should document the serial numbers and factory specifications early in any restoration to verify the vehicle's authenticity.