1972 Dodge Challenger 340 4-Speed Project

The heyday for the Dodge Challenger “pony car” was in 1970 and 1971. That’s when big-block V8 engines still ruled the Chrysler family tree, and the Challenger R/T had 383, 440, and Hemi 426 cubic-inch motors in its wheelhouse. The Rallye model debuted in 1972, and the 340 small-block V8 by default became the senior performance engine. The seller has a numbers-matching ’72 Challenger Rallye that we’re told has been sitting for some time. It runs, but only on a limited basis, and will need loads of cosmetic love. Located in Quakertown, Pennsylvania, this Mopar is available here on craigslist for $10,000.

When the Challenger debuted in 1970, it found 77,000 buyers in a market that had become saturated in five years. But two years later, only 23,000 customers came forward as the Challenger fell victim to the decline in muscle car sales. Minor styling updates were made in 1972 that would largely carry the car through 1974, when dropping interest led Chrysler to cancel the Challenger along with the Barracuda over at Plymouth.

The cowl tag for this Challenger decodes the original paint color as Light Gunmetal Metallic. But the paint on the tag and cowl is more blue in color. It probably doesn’t matter, as dark grey/black primer dominates now and some sheet metal work will be needed, such as fixing rust in the rear quarter panels. The odometer reading is 90,000 miles, suggesting the Dodge has been well used over 54 years. The interior is woefully in need of attention, too.

We don’t see $10,000 Challengers very often here on Barn Finds. But this one will run up a sizeable tab as you work on restoring it to its 1972 glory. The seller will consider a trade for “old cars,” but that’s a pretty wide proposition. The fact that this Dodge is numbers-matching adds to the prospects that it will receive an extreme makeover. Thanks for the latest tip, Tony Primo.