100% Original: 1973 Dodge Charger

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The owner of this 1973 Dodge Charger says that it is 100% original, and with its overall condition, that makes it a true survivor. It is a car worth looking at seriously, especially if you are a person considering your first foray into classic car ownership. Our ever vigilant Barn Finder Ikey H spotted this classic for us, so thank you so much for that Ikey. Located in Seattle, Washington, you will find the Charger listed for sale here on Craigslist with an asking price of $8,500.

The panels and paint on the Charger look really good, and the owner makes the claim that the car is 99% rust free. There are a couple of quite small blemishes and dings on the body, but it is still impressive for a car of this age. It looks like the bottoms of the quarter panels on both sides are either dirty, or they have been a bit gravel-blasted over the years. If this is the case, then it really isn’t any surprise. The bottoms of the quarters do taper in, and without mudflaps fitted to the car, they will always be prone to copping a bit of a pounding from road debris.

By 1973, the impact of tightening emission laws was being felt with cars like the Charger. Meeting these regulations resulted in a drop in engine power, but at this point in time, it hadn’t reached the harsh stages that it would reach in later years. The 318-equipped Chargers, such as this one, would be considered to be more of a comfortable cruiser than a bruising muscle car. They could still get up and go when they were given a poke, but the standing ¼ mile passed in a rather leisurely 18 seconds. This 318 is original, as is the TorqueFlite transmission. The car also comes equipped with power steering, power brakes, and factory air conditioning. The owner does say that the car runs and drives really well.

Ah, the 1970s. The era that gave the world plaid in abundance, and shag carpet by the mile. If those are two items that really stoke the fires in you, then you’re going to love the interior of the Charger. Once again, this is all original, and it really has been incredibly well preserved. Apart from the A/C, the interior isn’t over-burdened with luxury appointments. But what is there works exactly as it is supposed to, right down to the original AM radio.

Judging by the text in the ad, the owner of this 1973 Charger really loves his Mopar products. He also doesn’t seem too fussed about somebody buying the car and modifying it. He even floats the idea of dropping a big-block under the hood. I probably wouldn’t change too much on this one, because I think that it is a fantastic window into the 1970s just the way it is.

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Comments

  1. leiniedude leiniedudeMember

    I used to work with a guy that had the same rig, color and all. He was a real jerk, putting cigarette butts in my pop can and so on. I moved on because of him. A month later I saw his car on the front page of our local paper. It was stalled in a flooded road. I still smile every time I see one of these in this color! Thanks for the smile Adam.

    Like 21
  2. NotSure

    My father bought this in green. It was the first time that he’d bought a brand new car. He would have been 57 or 58 at the time. Had it for a few years then got hit in the drivers rear quarter by a dude driving an MGB. Guy ran a stop sign in the fog. My folks were thrown around a little but okay. Insurance totaled the Charger. I don’t recall the damages but might have hit other things while it was spinning. I sort of assume that the MG was a loss too.

    Like 1
  3. Bakyrdhero

    A buddy in high school had a dark green 73 Charger with a vinyl roof. He stripped the roof and painted it bright green. I suppose it looked more exciting, but I could never really get into this generation Charger. This one should be preserved the way it is though.

    Like 6
  4. Ward William

    At the rate MOPARs are appreciating in value, if this is numbers matching, it’s a steal, even if it is a later model slushbox.

    Like 7
  5. Henry Kaczmarek

    I had a 73 SE. Just like the one in the picture. 400/427trans. Same paint/top
    HAULED ASS—Got my license suspended in less than a year with tickets.
    Wide stance, long wheelbase really pulverized pavement. Would do 120 without effort.

    Like 8
  6. Henry Kaczmarek

    Sorry, meant 727 torque-flite

    Like 2
  7. Rock On

    The drug dealer at my highschool drove a blue one of these with a white vinyl top and interior. All of the seating surfaces had burn holes in them from cigarettes and other smoking products. It was rare to see the car drive by without smoke billowing out of the windows!

    Like 5
  8. PRA4SNW

    Love it!

    Like 3
  9. ChebbyMember

    This was Aunt Grandma’s version of the Charger. So homely with its malaise bumpers and passenger car hubcaps. IMO that color is awful, Chrysler painted a lot of cars with it including my 1975 Duster. Given it’s condition you could sex this one up quite a bit. But it would still be that nasty brownish gold.

    Like 1
  10. Miguel

    I didn’t know 2 door Coronets were so valuable.

    Like 1
  11. Kenneth Carney

    My BIL had one this same color. Like this
    car, his had a 318 V-8 and a 727 Torque-
    Flite too. That car was kick-ass! He and
    his brother went to our home state of
    Illinois for a small vacation before doing
    their best imitation of the Cannonball
    Run! They practically flew from Illinois
    to Florida in just over 11 hours! 110 MPH
    all the way, and that 318 never missed a
    beat! One night, he had a few too many
    and crashed the car through a brick wall
    at a local condo complex here in Winter
    Haven. He wasn’t hurt, but the car was
    toast. Looks like one of those Springtime
    Specials that Chrysler was offering to perk up slumping sales. These cars
    had the special interior shown here and
    sometimes a special exterior package
    as well. If you by chance, find a Plymouth
    Satellite Sundance, buy it at once! These
    things are scarce as hen’s teeth. As for
    this car, I’ll be using it to create a portrait
    of my BIL’s beloved Charger for either a
    birthday or Christmas gift.

    Like 1
  12. stillrunners

    Nice ! Stayed after a garged one just like this – same color – old lady car who had passed and family was renting the house. Finally the old garage fell down on it – side ways. Saw it later at a shop….sad damage – have pictures of it in the collapsed garage somewhere. Can’t remember how many notes I left….on it !

    Like 1
  13. Paul S.

    I owned the same year, model and colors; I was the second owner. I undercoated the fenders, doors, trunk, and wheel wells in 1982. Sold the car in 1984 to a guy who was driving it from New York to California.

    Like 0
  14. William waitt

    An old lady who lived down the street from me had one just like this one in the 80s. I had a red 72 charger. We would wave to each other every time we drove passed each other.

    Like 0

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