Dodge’s popular Charger would enjoy a 58% sales increase in 1973, making it the best year yet for the mid-size luxury/muscle car. We’re not sure that any one reason accounted for that success other than the fuselage styling adopted in 1971 had been refreshed. This ’73 Charger is the SE (Special Edition) model, which accounted for about every other B-bodied Dodge hardtop built that year. It’s said to be in really nice condition for a mostly original, 50-year-old automobile. Located in Kirksville, Missouri, this matching-numbers Mopar is available here on craigslist for $21,500. Our thanks to Rocco B. for his continued sleuthing for more tips!
When Chrysler redesigned its intermediates in 1971, they gave different styling treatments to sedans vs. hardtops. So, demand for the Charger did see an increase then as there was no longer a corresponding body style for the Dodge Coronet. The update for 1973 provided new sheet metal that further increased the size of the Charger in terms of length, width, and height. The SE models now had opera windows with triple panes. That, combined with the fastback body, made it difficult for the driver to look around without mirrors. But style is more important than function, right?
Although the 440 V8 was still available, this ’73 Charger was ordered with the 400 cubic-incher and a 727 automatic transmission. And the units that came with the car when new are still present at 101,000 miles. We’re told the Mopar runs and drives great, thanks to a recent tune-up and some other items like a new gas tank which suggests it was idle for more than a short time. But did they paint the top of the coolant overflow container to match the body?
The body and paint (Top Banana) aren’t perfect, but very much presentable and there’s no mention of any rust. The vinyl top was recently replaced, as were the tires, so the seller says you can “buy it and drive it home”. The condition of the interior looks nicer than the mileage would indicate, hinting this car was well looked after over the past 50 years. If this era of the Dodge Charger appeals to you, it might be hard to find a nicer one that isn’t restored.
AC work?
Probably not
but I’d give her a good wash!
A great looking CHARGER
A nice detailing in the engine bay and a new overflow tank and its worth it
the overflow tank becomes yellow with age. regards, redneck channel
You’re exactly right, I don’t believe I have ever seen one that wasn’t all yellowed from age. That and the washer reservoir gets brittle as well.
I do believe the surge tank is passenger side front. What is yellow is the washer fluid reservoir, no?
Yes, the yellow topped container is the washer fluid reservoir, but the top of the tank was black from the factory. This looks like overspray from a repaint where the painter failed to mask off or remove the fluid tank before a respray!
Had a friend who owned a brown one with the 318.
My brother -in- law bought one new in 1973, Black with white top, 400 cu in, auto, loaded.
WOW an entire car that’s drivable AND isn’t jut a rusted VIN. At a sensible price. How did this slip into here?
You must be referring to the ’68 GTX that popped up a day or two ago. What a basket case. From the pics, I don’t think it would make a good donor car! 😁
Referring to 90% of everything on here. The people selling must know it’s a sucker site.
The front lip & rear decklid spoilers are aftermarket add-ons. ’71 was the last year they were born with ’em. Also, the rear valence panel w/exhaust cutouts & ‘machine gun’ exhaust tips is another mod. Only the Rallye models had those in ’73. I wonder why the owner didn’t put a PowerBulge hood on it when he/she did all that. It looks good, though. Wouldn’t change a thing if I were the new owner…except adding the aforementioned hood! 😁
I never liked this body style Charger and after all these years I still don’t
The 68, 69 70 were a hard act to follow IMO