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.
The money is in the drivetrain. It looks complete and might make a good donor car for one that is stripped and needs running gear. Will probably wind up as a VIN donor.
Steve R
As Steve said, the body is at the point of “maybe not saving,” so you’re buying a fairly valuable drive train and VIN number. Most of the outer body panels and the floor pan are toast. There’s no picture of the trunk, but given what I see it’s likely a likely needs replaced.
The real problem is there are no under body shots. That could be because there’s nothing there, or just no access to a lift to take them. If the body and floors are that bad, I would assume that there may not be anything left of the
unibody structure under it.
If that’s the case, a better body is likely your best option. A used E-Body is going to be expensive and if Unicorn replacements are around they may be
more. Of course transferring this VIN number to another body is a Federal
Offense, but people do it. Pretty sure I wouldn’t take that chance.
Not really the year Challenger to invest the time and money for a return.
How can it be a Rallye model without a Rallye instrument cluster?
The rallye gauge cluster was an option
Hi guys, just an FYI, it’s not a Rallye Challenger.
No where in the sellers ad does it state it’s a Rallye model that I could see. 340 alone does not make it a Rallye.
Looking at the Fender tag, the VIN starts with JH. For 1972 only the Rally cars VIN starts with JS. (1970-1971 R/T cars also start with JS).
1973-1974 Rallye cars VIN starts with JH and the Rallye was no longer a separate Challenger model and became and option package denoted by A57 on the fender tag.
For 1972 you could option a base Challenger with a 340 which the 5th digit on the VIN indicates with the “H”. This also got you the performance hood and dual exhaust.
If it was a Rallye car it would also have a Rallye gauge package and side front fender louvers unless it came with factory body side molding.
Doubtful this would be used as a VIN donor. It’s not an especially valuable car. A cool car, yes. Valuable, eh…. For 1972 the biggest engine was the 340, not like a Hemi or 440.
Yeah, it’s not the most popular year but it still is a Challenger. Need some body work and no mention of the subframes. Price seems fair. Four speed is a big plus!
Too much rotten rust for 10K !
I would have loved to have this car when in New condition.
This looks like a cool project, but this is not a Rallye Challenger.
If you look at the VIN on the sellers post, the VIN starts with JH which for 1972 only indicates that it is a base model Challenger. For 1972 the Challenger Rallye Models start with JS. That was the same also for 1970 to 1971 for the R/T Models. Starting 1973 through 1974 all challengers started with JH and the Rallye model became an option package with the fender tag code A57.
I cannot see anywhere in the sellers ad that it mentions that this is a Rallye model.
The engine, transmission and rear end ratio makes this a fun car to drive. The price seems pretty fair and don’t know what the subframes look like but it looks like a decent price for a stick shift muscle car!