Dodge introduced the Charger in 1966 as something of an upscale, upsized pony car. Like its smaller brethren, it could be had from mild to wild in terms of performance and handling. By 1972, the car was in its third generation, and it would continue to share the B-body platform that both Dodge and Plymouth used for their mid-size cars. This edition has received some mechanical updates and has a 440 cubic inch V8 but needs some cosmetic attention. The car is in Graham, North Carolina, and has been listed here on eBay where the bids have touched $8,200.
The muscle car market would change after 1971, with rising insurance costs and de-tuned engines to have lower emissions. The famous 426 Hemi V8 had been discontinued and the 440 4-barrel engine was now rated at just 280 hp SAE net. The R/T (Road/Track) edition was also gone yet Dodge still managed to build more than 75,000 copies of the Charger. They were now going after buyers of the Pontiac Grand Prix and Chevy Monte Carlo in the personal luxury segment of the market.
This ’72 Charger was built with a 440 according to the VIN, but that’s not the 440 currently in the car. And the seller has a spare engine he says that is more potent and came out of a ’78 Charger. We’re told it runs and drives great and that has been enabled by some updates, including:
- Larger camshaft
- New tires, brakes, and shocks
- New gas tank and fuel sending unit
- New belts and hoses
Buyers will want to focus on working on the body and interior. The blue paint is faded and there is some rust in both front fenders by the doors. There were some holes in the trunk that the seller has recently repaired. The car used to have a matching blue interior, but that has since been switched out for black. The seller has a new carpet set and headliner that the buyer can install after taking possession. There are some covers over the front bucket seats which probably means they will need work as will the dash pad.
We’re told that the Dodge has made a couple of 100-mile trips and there were no issues. So, this sounds like a car you could drive while you restore it. If you decide to turn this into a sterling example of a ’72 Charger, you’ll have a car that is worth in the mid-$20,000, according to Hagerty. As to not get in over your head, you might want to shoot for just a decent, 50-year-old car that can still haul butt and impress your friends at Cars & Coffee.
“Some cosmetic attention”…..now THERE’S an understatement. You can see the rust bubbling through the paint and bondo in many places (not just the front fenders and doors). The interior will need a major overhaul. In addition to the upholstery and the dash pad, the dash itself would require replacement, as a hole had to be cut when they put that cheap aftermarket stereo in (Charger radios of this time-frame had both dials on the left side).
And then you have to swap out the engine.
You’d be in over your head if you pay much for it.
Great car for somebody who wants to own, drive & work on a fuselage-body Mopar. Probably not a good car for somebody looking to get auction-show rich.
Thank you Tim I loved the term auction show rich. Way too much of that going on in the car business. I like watching the auction shows but tire of the prices real fast.
You guys must be watching highlights of the marquee cars being sold on Friday and Saturday nights. Sometimes I’ll stream the Mecum auction while I’m doing other things, many of the cars sold during the late mornings and early afternoon are relative bargains, when compared to many of the cars featured on this site. Complaining about auctions is scapegoat, they have cars that will fit a wide range of pocketbooks.
There are and always have been plenty of good deals for those that are patient and willing to put in the effort to find them. They don’t and never have come to those waiting for the “right” car to be advertised on popular forums.
Steve R
Steve R:
I said nothing about the shows overall. I very much enjoy the “cheaper” sales and would often rather have those cars. My comment was aimed at those who think they will make a massive payday from a project.
Came out of a 78 charger?
I don’t believe there was such a thing unless it was a smogged out Dodge version of Chrysler’s Cordoba
400 was largest engine you could get in a Charger after 74.
Yep, they made a Charger in ’78 and yep, it was the same as the Cordoba.
I wouldn’t think the 400 from ’78 would be a suitable replacement for the 440, but maybe with the modifications the seller has done.
Here I am with a ’77 Charger at an auction.
Not a bad looking design, but this car needs a lot of body work.
There was no 440 in ’78.
There was, but it was only available in 4-door B-bodies. You had to be savvy enough to order the A38 option, though. Not many people knew the general public could order it. A friend did, and still owns it (’78 Monaco). There was no secret to getting one in a truck or C-body, though. Plenty were built in that last year.
This is the same seller who has the red Cougar for sale from a few days ago.
The quarter-panel plug for the “formal” window ruins the whole car. I had one of these, and removing that Torino-esque monstrosity is harder than you’d expect.