This 1972 Dodge Charger has many great points, including being an unmolested survivor with just 43,000 miles on the ticker. With so many positives here, I can only spot one potential negative that might cause some would-be buyers to think twice, and it has to do with what’s under the hood. However, this is one beautiful Mopar all the way around, so if you’ve been in the market for a third-generation B-Body, this one’s probably worth checking out. This 1972 Dodge Charger can be spotted here on Craigslist in Billings, Montana, with the seller stating that the posted price of $34,950 is not negotiable. We’d like to thank T.J. for his excellent tip here, and also express our gratitude to reader R. Veenstra for pointing out that this one’s not an SE model, as the seller has it listed.
Let’s go ahead and get the one potential bad news item out of the way. Of the three-size V8 engines available for the Charger in ’72, this one’s got the smallest, and that’s a 318. Even with muscle car desirability falling, Dodge still offered both a 400 and 440 cubic-inch for the 1972 model, although the previous year was the nail in the coffin for the 426 Hemi. The good news is that if you’re OK with a small block, the 318 and automatic transmission only have 43,000 miles on the combo, with the seller telling us the car has been thoroughly gone through to assure there’s plenty of good life left here.
Another positive to consider is that this one’s said to have extensive documents, plus there have only been three owners since the Charger was new. The original buyer kept the car for nearly five decades, with the second owner assuming caretaking duties for two years. The seller is owner number three, with the chin spoiler and rear wing added under his tenure. Hemi Orange looks great on just about any B-Body, with the sheet metal stated to be in 100% rust-free condition, and the paint claimed to still be the original factory finish.
There’s little inside to find fault with either, and while buckets and a console are always fun, it’s nice sometimes to find a bench seat with a column shifter. Some more good news is that this one’s a factory A/C car, and the only obvious interior mod I’m seeing is the installation of an FM converter to complement the factory AM radio. Anywhere you look, this one seems to have been lovingly cared for, and I believe owner number four is in for a well-preserved Mopar that’s sure to turn heads. What are your thoughts on this 1972 Dodge Charger?
Stephens, good write up, wish the current owner left well enough alone, and didn’t add the spoilers front and rear to this SE model Dodge. Hey to each his own. 💁♂️
Bench, column shift and 318 add up to a cheerful cruiser.
Priced very aggressively for a 72 with uninspiring drivetrain. The added rear wing does nothing but hurt is value. Does the documentation verify mileage?
Steve R
Agree on the wing, but not your opinion of the engine. 318 was one of the best standard engines produced during that era. Plenty of power, much reliability, great MPG, easy on insurance premiums, not to mention lighter up front which makes for superior balance. What’s not to like? The 318 made for a good looking comfortable car for the responsible law abiding person.
The ‘teener was a great engine. With all the attributes you mention. But if one were after a bit more performance then the options were provided without automatically causing a disruption in said laws. Opinions will always vary as do the level of responsibility adopted by individuals. One size does not fit all.
Agree with Stan and Steve about the spoiler. Especially egregious if it truly is original paint. I’ll never understand why people add these goofy towel racks in the first place. If the car came with one, fine, but personally, I think that most of the time it only disrupts the body lines of these cars. And times two to that sentiment on convertibles.
I agree on the rear spoiler as the trunk lid is built with one already molded in.I’d keep the front one, painting it car color, because they really do help keep the nose down at high speeds.
Haven’t any Mopar B-body aficionados noticed that this is not an SE model? It is a “Topper”, which included hideaway headlights, rallye gauges and the canopy vinyl top. SE models had chrome trim on the taillights but more noticible was the smaller glass back side window (instead of triangular shaped glass, it was smaller; more rectangular). Also, this bench seat came only in a Charger hardtop, ALL 72 SE’s had a high back split bench seat w/center folding armrest or bucket seats and full vinyl tops with “Special Edition” lettering and a red, white and blue medallion right next to it located behind the back side glass. Also the vin on SE models were WH23 and WL23 for hardtops. Not trying to put this car down, its beautiful but it is not an SE.
My 73 SE is the car I truly wish I hadn’t gotten rid of when gas went from 50 cents to 1.10 a gallon.
IDK what the seller thinks. A non SE with a 318 doesn’t command the price he’s asking.
Not necessarily being a Mopar fan, I’m ok with the front spoiler & at first I liked the back one until a second look showed me it’s too high off the trunk.
Reminds me of the factory spoiler that came with the Hurst Olds & 442. A Monte SS one looks much more subtle & better.
Other than that, I’ve no problem with the 318 under the hood.
Curious for all of you Mopar experts. Could a slant 6 & 3 on the tree be ordered with one of these? With that bench seat, that’d be kinda cool.