Considering what a strong start the first generation Dodge Challenger had in 1970, the timing seems to have been its worst enemy. Just two years later, muscle car desirability was fading quickly, and big blocks in the E-Bodies were already a thing of the past. Still, the Challenger tried to make lemonade out of all the lemons being thrown at it and did a pretty decent job, if you take into account how quickly the times were changing in the automotive world. This 1972 Dodge Challenger has plenty of the right stuff, with the seller confident it’s ready to drive from Albuquerque, New Mexico, to wherever the next owner may call home. This Mopar can be spotted here on Craigslist and comes with an asking price of $26,000.
Tony Primo, thanks for your great tip here! With insurance premiums and emissions standards both on the rise, a 340 with a 4-barrel wasn’t sounding all that bad by the time 1972 rolled around, and that’s how this one came equipped from the factory. More good news is the numbers-matching engine and TorqueFlite are still present, both of which received a rebuild roughly 100 miles ago, with the seller offering to provide receipts for all the work. The car has also gotten new brakes, tires, shocks, and a new fuel tank, resulting in a Challenger that’s now claimed to be running and driving great.
The owner says the car is about 95% original, and while it’s not perfect, this one’s still looking fairly decent to be over 50 years old. Most of the Dark Gold Metallic paint is the original factory finish, with the roof area showing the most patina. Some rust can be found in the quarters, but no more than most unrestored examples typically show, and overall the body appears to be reasonably solid. However, there’s no explanation as to why the trunk has been primed.
Not a whole lot of details are provided about the interior, other than it’s original and has a few flaws, such as some dash cracks and the seats need to be reupholstered. All of the gauges are stated as working along with the factory AM radio, plus the floors and trunk pan are also stated as rust-free. Considering the fresh drivetrain overhauls combined with the amount of originality that remains here, the asking price of $26k sounds in the ballpark to me, but the seller ends with the letters “obo”, aka or best offer, so maybe there’s room for negotiation. How much would you be willing to spend on this 1972 Dodge Challenger?
Offer $24.5K. Make the body/interior repairs; fix the rust, paint, lose the dorky wheel covers (Magnums would look good w/ this color) and cruise!
GLWTS!! :-)
I would pop off those hubcaps and through in the trunk before I would test drive it….
This car was featured in December of last year, however, he was asking only $25,000. I’m not sure if I understand the strategy of raising the price of something that you are having a hard time selling. I think at this point, I’d rather re-examine my ad and maybe adjust the price if I really wanted it to go away. It looks a lot better than some of the other Mopars featured here.
Steve R
I would take off the spoiler and lose those ugly hub caps.
Spoiler alert!!! 😂
I agree. This car, if as rust free as stated isn’t priced obnoxiously. It’s not the most desirable ’70-’71 design but these are still good looking cars IMO. If you’re really wanting an E body Mopar that isn’t totally rotted out for a reasonable buy in this is the ticket. A fresh 340 with receipts is a huge incentive.
Very cool to see a car so original and in good shape! It’s not perfect, but definitely is a cool cruiser but I agree, get rid of the hubcaps and throw on a decent set of wheels and tires. My 72 challenger came with hubcaps as well, but it was an My ‘72 Challenger came with hubcaps as well, but it was a Rallye model.
Although it’s not something that people like, that looks like the original body side molding. Often it is removed and thrown away because it makes a car look kind of stodgy looking. The factory molding is squared off on the ends. I didn’t get a chance to check the fender tag but it’s probably on there. Looks like the rear valance was painted as well but looks like the correct part given it has the 340 engine. I would have to check the factory brochure but not sure if the hood is factory or not? I’m not sure if the 340 engine automatically got you the Rallye hood or if the Rallye hood only came with the rally model? I would keep the Go-Wing but not sure it’s in the right spot. Looks like it’s a little too far up? Cool car and original Challengers are getting harder and harder to find. Sure, it’s not a 1970 or 1971 model but it still looks generally the same and the 340 engine is a great little engine.
Price seems acceptable if I was in the market for one.
72 was the first year that Chrysler Corp used the Carter Thermoquad as the standard equipment carburetor and the 340 engine was the first one to get them in the Challenger and Cuda! They were a huge spread bore and had a growl all their own. These were designed to prevent fuel from overheating in the bowls and did just that with the carb center made of some type of material that looked like plastic but was actually not plastic. This new material kept the fuel up to 35 degrees cooler than the base plate and intake manifold and worked best in Vans & Motorhomes that had Doghouses that held more heat in the engine bay. If you buy any Mopar 72 or newer that was a “4 Barrel” model and it is missing the Thermoquad, the carb is not original.