UPDATE 07/06/2023: We sometimes see classics at Barn Finds, where an owner is unsuccessful in their first attempt to find a new home for their pride and joy. Such is the case with this 1973 Dodge Charger Rallye 340. It failed to sell last time, despite the bidding reaching $23,600. The seller is taking another swing at it, listing the Charger here on eBay. The details remain the same, but the bidding is below the reserve at $15,700. Here’s hoping it will be a case of second-time lucky for this enthusiast.
06/27/2023: Some cars are easy to ignore, while others make a first impression guaranteed to attract attention. This 1973 Dodge Charger Rallye 340 fits into the latter category because it presents beautifully. It is in excellent mechanical health and only requires minor non-urgent interior tweaks to lift it to the next level. It needs a new home before that happens, with the seller listing it here on eBay in Tampa, Florida.
This Charger wows you the moment you lay eyes on it. Its Code K6 Bronze paint features an exceptional depth of shine that is impossible to ignore. The seller admits it received a repaint at one point but that the paint in areas like the door jambs remains original. The panels are laser straight, and the gaps are consistent. The underside shots are limited, but they reveal nothing beyond a dusting of surface corrosion in prone areas like the rear rails. The seller is very accommodating and has additional photos they will provide to interested parties. The glass is as flawless as the paint, and the sparkling chrome contrasts the dark paint shade. Rounding out the exterior is a set of Rallye wheels that fill the wheel wells effectively and reinforce the car’s muscular appearance.
The positive impressions continue when we examine this Charger’s interior. It appears to be unmolested, with no evidence of aftermarket additions. The seller is candid about its condition, confirming the buyer will eventually face the cost of replacing the split driver’s seatcover and the deteriorating headliner. However, a brief online search uncovered seatcovers in the correct material and color for approximately $550, while a headliner adds $210 to the total. With those items installed, this interior would be hard to fault. The remaining upholstered surfaces are excellent, as is the carpet. There are no cracked or crumbling plastic components and no evidence of UV damage. It isn’t weighed down by factory options, but the Rallye gauge cluster, factory tachometer, console, and AM radio all add to its positive impression.
Charger buyers in 1973 could choose a range of V8 engines with capacities from 318ci to 440ci. However, the 340ci was exclusive to the Rallye and is what we find hiding under this classic’s hood. The original owner teamed it with a three-speed A-727 automatic transmission, a 3.23 rear end, power steering, and power front disc brakes. The 340 should produce 240hp and 290 ft/lbs of torque, which is enough to launch it through the ¼-mile in 16.1 seconds. That doesn’t make this the fastest Charger ever built, but the mid-range power and torque delivery means that in-gear acceleration should satisfy most buyers. The engine sports some cosmetic upgrades that help it to make a positive impression. The V8 exhales through a dual exhaust, and there might be aftermarket headers. Otherwise, it is a numbers-matching vehicle that runs and drives perfectly. Plenty of warm summer weather remains, and spending some of that time behind the wheel of this Charger sounds almost irresistible.
I admit I have never been a massive fan of the “fuselage” styling adopted for the Third Generation Charger, but I accept it was very much of its time. This 1973 Dodge Charger Rallye 340 forces me to eat humble pie because the paint color and wheels endow it with a classy but muscular appearance that is impossible to ignore. It has attracted twenty-one bids, suggesting people like what they see. The seller’s decision to encourage in-person inspections inspires confidence, and I will be unsurprised if a few people accept that offer. If you are a Mopar enthusiast hunting for a car to add to your collection, is this Charger one you might pursue further?
Big.fan of the fuselage era at Mopar. This thing is flat out gorgeous. Wheels really set it off. GLWTS
Funny, the wheels are the only thing I’d change! I get a lot of people like the bigger wheels, but to me, an old car has to have period wheels. 15″ Rallyes for this.
Much cleaner looking than the SE with the vinyl & associated quarter windows. Nice exterior. A little too much “nicotine ivory” on the interior for me, even though period correct.
Never heard it called that, but love the “Nicotine Ivory”..reminds me of (both) Grandfathers 68′ Impala and 70′ F100, can you even find a late model Camaro/Mustang/Vette someone smoked in??
Frank, you can’t smoke in a late model car, unless you flick the ashes and butt out the window or on the floor.
The last new car I can recall that came with an “ashtray” was a 2008 Mini Cooper that came with an ashtray that took up a cupholder. I tossed it onto the garage floor the first day I brought it home – probably still there, laying under some shelving.
Gorgeous Charger Rallye. If it was a city and boulevard cruiser mainly, and not used for long hwy sojourns, I’d throw a set of 3.91 ⚙️ out back, and really help that Torq-flite rev out the 340 mill.
Stanimal!!! Wild thang 😂
Not criticizing, I owned a 78′ Pinto with an (Ugly) Vinyl Roof (didn’t order it myself)
but with 3.91 gears, what would this car top out at?? 95mph?? my 94 Z28 had 3.4 gears, but a 6 speed, most I took it to was 130mph
This is beautiful, and why I love the fuselage style.
Just really eye catching – I see aluminum intake and headers.
Would love to care for this one – and drive to show the new car clones, all in white or Grey, what a nice car looks like.
Nice!
I’m a smoker so nicotine interior is nice lol, I would help that 340 be a smoker with a 6 pack setup too! Nice car
BA, nothing wrong with a couple drinks 🍻,couple cigarettes 🚬
Wow.. A real 73 340 Charger! With the vin number to match. You don’t see that many like this. It’s a shame the main part of the AC was removed.Being in Tampa you need AC! I wonder if the seller has it? The rims are a 16″ aftermarket setup. I seen these before. They fill out the fenders and quarters well. The engine compartment looks great. I guessing the seller reserved is set between $20,000 and $25,000. It’s worth $20,000 since work is still needed. Good luck to the next owner.🐻🇺🇸
This is a factory non-AC car. A childhood friend’s parents had the same setup in a 74 Coronet. The center of the dash has vents, but there are no side ducts. The controls have Off/Vent/Heat/Defrost, with no mention of AC or Max AC. I don’t think these had the under dash vents either that the earlier models had.
I’m not sure, but I think you’re looking at the heater core connections. You can see that the heater core has been bypassed with a length of hose from the water pump to the manifold. I’d assume that the heater core is probably bad.
it just hit me that that style of rear end kinda favor the eleanor shelby mustang gt
I’ve owned two 69 383 Magnum Chargers and now a 70 Charger R/T and was ready to be critical about the malaise years that led toward the Charger-doba. BUT, this is a time capsule, and the 340 4bbl and 3:23 gears make this a great pkg! I bet the reserve is around $25,000.
LOVE this car!!! Childhood memories~~!!
This guy is apparently really proud of it. As of this reading, bidding is above $19K, and still below reserve. If it were a 1969 or 1970, maybe I could see it.
If this were a 69 or 70, the price would be a minimum of $50k in this condition, even if it were a 318. Regular people cannot hardly pick one of those up unless they have been in the hobby for a long time and traded around and kept their money up. So, now the 71-up cars are still somewhat affordable, but this too will pass provided the economy doesn’t tank in the next couple of years.
I agree, 25K Reserve seems about right for this car in this condition.
I wouldn’t change a thing. 73 was a good year Watergate was over Richard petty was kicking you know what. And the longest baddest charger was, THE best of the muscle car in looks. With the 440 could run with anything. 340 would be my choice in the age of someone got a burr up their butt and gas goes 5.50/gal. In a week. Beautiful car no matter who you are.