There is something undeniably attractive about a project candidate a new owner can drive and enjoy immediately. That is the opportunity provided by this 1973 Dodge Charger. Adding to its appeal, its drivetrain combination should provide performance that will pin occupants in their seats. The Charger is listed here on Craigslist in Hempstead, Texas. You could drive it home by handing the seller $28,500, and I must say a big thank you to eagle-eyed Barn Finder T.J. for spotting this promising project.
It is frustrating when a seller lists a car as desirable as this Charger and then shortchanges themselves and potential buyers with sub-standard photos. Such is the case here because we only get two exterior shots. They confirm that the car’s Dark Green Metallic paint is very tired, and a cosmetic refresh is the least it will require to present at its best. It looks like it may have initially featured a vinyl top, but this is long gone if that is the case. The photos reveal surface corrosion in various areas. However, determining whether there is any penetrating rust is impossible. The seller doesn’t mention problems in the listing text, making an in-person inspection advisable. The panels are pretty straight, with only minor bumps and bruises. The trim should respond well to thorough cleaning and polishing, and the tinted glass has no visible problems. However, the hood suggests this Charger has a hidden and welcome secret.
Lifting the hood unveils a 440ci V8. Dodge offered this motor in 1973, but my reference material suggests it could not be teamed with the four-speed manual transmission we find in this car. The engine’s power feeds to a 3.23 Sure Grip rear end, with power assistance for the steering and brakes rounding out the package. The motor should produce 280hp and 375 ft/lbs of torque, allowing the Charger to cover the ¼-mile in around 14.6 seconds. The best news for potential buyers is the seller’s claim the Charger is a turnkey proposition. They say it runs and drives exceptionally well, and the new owner won’t need a trailer to take this baby home. Flying in and driving home seems viable for those wishing to build a relationship with their new toy.
Although serviceable, this Charger’s interior is as sad as its exterior. A retrim is required to recapture its former glory, and the badly cracked pad shows the worst of the interior issues. A replacement will lighten the buyer’s wallet by around $400, while a set of seat covers will add approximately $900 to the tally. Some enthusiasts find the cost of a retrim overwhelming, but they should consider it a one-off expense. Plenty of fifty-year-old classics with unrestored interiors present well, and a retrimmed interior can achieve the same milestone if treated respectfully. High points include Rally gauges, air conditioning, and the ultra-cool pistol grip shifter.
This 1973 Dodge Charger shows promise, although the seller has done both themselves and the car a disservice by supplying limited shots. They make it virtually impossible to assess the car’s overall condition, which is frustrating for those who might be genuinely interested in this classic. I always advise an in-person inspection before handing over the cash for a luxury purchase, and doing so with this Charger seems essential. Do you agree?
The custom hood w/ cold air induction will make this one a real standout, as that was something not OEM on the ’73 models. Refresh and refurbish as noted earlier, and you’ll be bound to attract attention at the local Coffee & Chrome! I LIKE it! GLWTS!! :-)
Just imagine coming home with this on day one. Must have been a glorious car to show up in. All the right stuff and not many like it. The party was almost over and these were some of the last attendees. Great car to preserve.
I was 14 and my neighbor showed up with a brand new Silver metallic S/E. White top, white interior. I was in LOVE!
I worked at an ExxonMobil carwash partime while I was in high school in Houston tx sharpstown dodge would bring they’re used cars to wash for resale,wellone day in early 74 ,they brought in a 73 for a wash,when the guy left he punched it the rear end went down the front up,I said to my buddy’s I’m gonna buy that car,wellwith a little help from dad and a hundred n something bux a month,I had a triple black se 440 with sunroof,with slap stick would fry the tires as long as I wanted,parked it in the teachers parking lot at westbury high till I got caught,they thought it was a teachers car,that was one amazing car and memories,I traded it in 77 for a 75 vette convertible, big mistake,but owned the vette for 25 years,still miss that amazing 440 charger
Looks like a one of Joe Dirt custom.
The VIN shows the car left the factory with a 400 installed. Desirable car with a 4spd, the 71-74 Chargers don’t have the same following as the 68-70’s, the asking price is probably too aggressive.
Steve R
Agree…..this one’s a lot on the high side….
If by ” cosmetic refresh” you mean a new paint job, then yes, 100%
Asking price aggressive ?? Thats putting it mildly.
All these people think they are sitting on gold .
Selling project cars for massive money
My thoughts exactly. But the issue is with the buyers willing to fork over ridiculous amounts.
As someone pointed out, the largest engine available with the 4-speed in 1973 was the 400. The reason for that was the Dana-60 rear axle was discontinued after 1972. Still it is an interesting specimen, $28,500 interesting, that seems high for a vehicle that needs to be completely restored. It might be drivable as is, but does need a total restoration to be worth any real dollars. Knew a guy who had one of these with the 400/4-speed. Cool car, but he did drive it into the ground.
I’m a Mopar fan and I like the 1973 and 74 Charger SE, but this one needs a ton of work for the money. Truthfully I don’t like the hood either. Sometimes people really should leave the stock stuff alone. Perhaps if they had installed a 1971 or 72 Power Bulge and fresh air package on it then it would at least look OK.
If someone is foolish enough to pay that much money, then so be it.
Typical Craigslist ad. Shame you don’t get to see much of this c. Would be cool to build but it’s not a the right year to be asking that high of a price. Especially in that condition. Good luck with the sale.
looks like a lot of people are out of touch on the classic car market. a rotted out 69 charger sells all the time for 30 to 40 grand!! but 28 thousand is entirely to much for a 73 charger thats not all rusty! third generation chargers are rising in price because they are the next big thing if you don’t have 100 thousand for a clean 2nd generation! THIS IS THE REALITY!! if you don’t like it that’s to bad because it’s the reality of it!
Just like the 71-74 Chargers, the 66-67’s sell for significantly less than the 68-70’s. The same can be said for many makes and models, a certain years or body styles are much more sought after, that is reflected in the price. The 68-70 Charger will always command a higher price than either of those to generations. Look up the prices.
There were two other 400 4spd Chargers featured on this site over the last few weeks, one was much nicer 72 listed on eBay with a high bid of $21,600. The second was a 74 400 4spd with factory sunroof with an asking price of $22,000. Based on those two, it seems the market isn’t nearly as earlier cars.
Steve R
Barely surviving “survivors” prices at restored prices.
Do believe that is a Road Runner hood.
Typical swing for the fence tactic! It has the desirable 440 ( probably out of a truck or camper) the awsome 4 speed! And the charger name. Probably was pretty cool from the factory 400 4 speed car! But with all this car needs he will be luck to get 15000.
Nice hood, lol! That is heinously atrocious. Of equal stupidity are the emblems on the deck lid.
I believe it is a former SE model based on the good medallion.
I agree not a nice hood upgrade.
See link below for various models:
https://www.automobile-catalog.com/make/dodge/charger_3gen/charger_3gen_rallye_coupe/1973.html
The hurst logo appears to be riveted on .
That is a ’73 Road Runner hood. This beast needs so much. The price is simply too high to attract a buyer willing to take a chance on it. Unfortunately, this is a common story for many CL and Marketplace vehicles like it. Some sellers don’t realize that you can’t sell the car for $28k if it needs a total restoration or is a “roller”. If this were a ’71 R/T or Bee, or ’72 Rallye with minimal rust and decent interior, you might be able to make a case. The truth is this is a $6-8k car.
Sorry meant to say ‘hood medallion’
SP. check problems LOL 😂
28k is a steal everyone must be nuts only things this gem needs is some Cragers and a foot print gas pedal. So sweet 😉
As comments above pointed out wrong engine doesn’t have a good rear end gear most likely not posi traction a single spinner.
Wrong hood a run of the mill SE model with a 440 swap after blowing the original 400..
Interior is SHOT & Paint..I’ll betcha the chassis has plenty of Rot down inside cowl firewall area where Sub-Frame connectors are located & that is your Crush zone B-pillars will be rotted these cars had vinyl tops that allowed water to seep into the seams.
Its why these are crusher cars mostly to many vital areas that rot out making them hi powered death traps.
5k no.more & you’ll need lots of fabrication