In just four short years, the third-generation Dodge Charger went from starting with a host of great engine choices to some less exciting options by the end of the run in 1974. The earliest buyers could equip their 1971 Charger with a 440 or even the coveted 426 Hemi, but by ’74 the best combo that could be had was a 400 and a 4-speed. Fortunately, this 1974 Dodge Charger Rallye here on Facebook Marketplace not only has both of the latter but they’re still the original numbers-matching components. This one’s up in Sherburne, New York, and comes at an asking price of $22,000. Alan Blose, thanks a lot for the great tip here!
The Mopar still has the fender tag attached, which confirms it’s a factory 400 car (P4G) and also came with a rare manual sunroof (M52), so this one really did leave the St. Louis plant with the right stuff by 1974 standards. The seller says the Charger had been sitting in a Queens garage since 1984, so it’s great to see this one finally coming out of a four-decade hibernation.
The seller doesn’t say whether or not the exterior has even gotten a respray, but with only 10 years on the road and the Lester Glenn dealer tag remaining on the trunk lid there’s a good chance at least some of the paint is original, although there are a few bright areas such as the hood and passenger quarter, so maybe there have been some touch-ups. This one’s also got some rust here and there but doesn’t seem nearly as plagued with corrosion as so many B-Bodies we’re seeing coming out of the woodwork as of late.
We don’t get to view a whole lot of the interior, but the front buckets are going to need fresh vinyl with the condition of the rear seat remaining a mystery. But the dash isn’t cracked and the steering wheel looks like it could clean up OK, so maybe with a new carpet plus a thorough console cleaning and woodgrain insert replacement the inside just might be satisfactory.
The 400 was rated at 250 net horsepower in ’74, not too shabby by mid-seventies standards, and the seller says the engine will start and run if fueled from an external source. This one’s for sure going to need at minimum quite a bit of work or perhaps an entire restoration, but I have to agree with the seller’s assessments that it checks all the right boxes and seems like a great candidate to invest in. What do you think?
Even with the best drivetrain available, seems like 22K for a 74 with who knows how much work needed is a bit much in the post-lockdown era. The sunroof is a positive on paper, but could bring a whole list of required repairs. However, fun potential can’t be overlooked.
I’m not sure that it was offered in 74 however, not that I wouldn’t mind having that great looking Mopar I would have liked to see the letter A style roof like one that Richard Petty used back in 71 and 72 for the super speedway for more aerodynamics. Anyway I still love the 3rd generation. Chargers even though the 2nd generation. Chargers are my favorite body style and always will be . Anyhow congrats on a beautiful Charger with the most desirable options for that year 4spd and at least a 400ci engine.
I like the factory hand crank sun roof!
$ amount is a bit steep based on lack of info on body and mechanical condition…BUT this engine & trans combo opens the door to MANY upgrades that would put the car into the Hi-Perf MOPAR realm that everyone dreams of…..and it would still be #’s matching. 400’s have the biggest bore of any mopar motor add a steel 383 crank if it does not already have one or a 440 crank for that matter with purple shaft cam n springs “street Hemi grind” steel head gaskets and 2.5 or 3″ exhaust
The typical approach to a 400 block is to stroke it to 450+ cubic inches, not destroke it. These are big, heavy cars, building torque is the easiest way to make them move.
Steve R
If it were 1977 your choice in modifications would be the hot ticket. Purple cams are antiquated technology as well as, the not so impressive “street hemi grind.”
While it’s true the 400 makes for a great platform for a stroker combination. The 21st century market offers rotating assemblies that will increase it to 500″.
This car will get restored simply for the fact it’s a factory sun roof car and a 4 speed. The 22k asking is by no means obnoxious for a car this complete optioned as it is.
Hard for me to decide if I want the Centerlines on the back all the way around or the Magnum 500’s on the front all the way around. Being an 80’s guy the back wheels are definitely appealing but the front ones always looked good with that paint design. Love the 4 speed but were there really only 115 made. I’m sure there weren’t many with the 4 speed and the mechanical sunroof. Either way it would be nice to add a bunch of horsepower and restore it enough for a good daily driver. Just my opinion.
If you’re into rare cars this the one. Big V8, 4-speed and a sunroof will ensure that yours is like nothing else at the show. Restore it and maybe add some mods to the engine so it scratches the itch to be quicker. This would be lots of fun.
A great unique, rather decent unit. Good color combo. If you like this body style, this is the one to have.
It’s in New York the capital of the rustbelt . Wouldn’t some pictures of the undercarriage be appropriate ?
Asking for, Calling for, Complete, Definitely, Restoration Totally all the way. Interior exterior right down to the frame restoration everything and I mean everything, leave no stone unturned, nothing, nada, none, nyet, nutting, nutting, nutin. If 3 Big Block 4 BBLS a 383,426,440 came with it on the side and that 400 that’s already there under the hood as it’s main
Power Plant I would have all overhauled, rebuilt and restored back to originality with all nothing but Chrysler, Dodge, Plymouth Motor Parts “MOPAR” for short. I’d make the for damn sure to keep everything original if i’m going to invest and spend the money and time besides if I had the proper funds to get it and own it. Yes can and may call me a Gluten for punishment yes I would buy it for that asking price.
Again I would find and locate a reputable auto restoration restorer and staff to the job and work that also not only stands behind, takes pride to the best of their ability in their effort, ethic, excellence, execution, intelligence, intellect and integrity in what they do. Oh yeah another add on to my Antique, Classic and Vintage Automobile Collection.
Nice car,but you would be broke and upside down after all that.You might have to subtract,instead of add.
Is English your first language Ivan? Asking for a friend.
Gluten is a grain protein.
“Glutton” is what you’re after..
lmao! 🤣
I had a ’73 like this one back in high school. It had that stripe (which is reflective at night), but it wasn’t a Rallye. I did my best to make it look like one, (PowerBulge hood, cutout lower rear valence panel, etc.) You could find those parts in the boneyards back then. This would be a good score, as original as it is. The sunroof is quite an added bonus-they are rare as hen’s teeth on these. However I agree with the other commenters that this could end up being a very deep money pit for the buyer. If my financial situation permitted, I’d be tempted to make a move, but alas & alack, that is not the case. GLWTS.
O M G !!! this was the car of my dreams 20 years ago!! Under different circumstances,,, I would be making an offer on this gem !
Very cool, unique car! Rather than spending thousands to make it a trailer queen, I would simply get it up and running, drive and enjoy it pretty much as is. Even as it sits, it will turn heads and get you lots of compliments from millennials to current snowflakes!😂👍
The seller is dreaming if he thinks this is worth $22k in this condition.
I still have the chrome badges off the one I had back in the 70s, however, if he has any missing. Never put them back on after doing some body work. Haha.
Most of my comments from it’s older 1972 brother for sale on Barn Finds also applies here, with the added proviso of the cost of rust repair and fixing the sunroof just adds to the potential spend to bring this Mopar back from the dead. The emissions controls in 1974 were even worse than 1972, in this, the last year for cars that could legally run leaded gasoline through their carburetors. See the following exchange between Elwood Blues (Dan Akroyd) and his older brother “Joliet Jake” Blues (John Belushi) in “The Blues Brothers” (1980):
Jake: [8:00] What’s this?
Elwood: What?
Jake: This car. This stupid car! Where’s the Cadillac?
[Elwood doesn’t answer]
Jake: The Caddy! Where’s the Caddy?
Elwood: The what?
Jake: The Cadillac we used to have. The Bluesmobile!
Elwood: I traded it.
Jake: You traded the Bluesmobile for this?
Elwood: No, for a microphone.
Jake: A microphone?
[pause]
Jake: Okay I can see that. What the hell is this?
Elwood: This was a bargain. I picked it up at the Mount Prospect city police auction last spring. It’s an old Mount Prospect police car. They were practically giving ’em away.
Jake: Well thank you, pal. The day I get outta prison, my own brother picks me up in a police car!
Elwood: You don’t like it?
Jake: No I don’t like it…
Jake: Car’s got a lot of pickup
Elwood: It’s got a cop motor, a 440 cubic inch plant, it’s got cop tires, cop suspensions, cop shocks. It’s a model made before catalytic converters so it’ll run good on regular gas. What do you say, is it the new Bluesmobile or what?
(Jake tosses the cigarette lighter element out of the window after trying to light his cigarette.)
Jake: Fix the cigarette lighter.
I’m gonna get that sucka! If. It’s. The. Last. Thing. I. Ever. Do!!
Had a black with white interior 72 400 4sd factory sunroof it was awesome I get the 74 sorted out new brakes tires suspension gas tank etc patch the rust holes buff out and blend in the paint an awesome driver