What a difference a year can make. In 1971, you could order a Dodge Challenger convertible as an R/T with a 383, 440, or 426 Hemi V8 engine. But in 1972, you couldn’t get any of that, with the selection scaled down to a coupe with a 340 cubic inch V8 (the Rallye edition). That’s what the seller has here, it’s a documented survivor that seems to be mostly original and numbers matching. As such, it wears a few minor battle scars that a restoration wouldn’t have. Located in Billings, Montana, this Rallye Red Mopar is available here on craigslist for $44,950 (reduced by $5,000). Hats off to T.J. for another great Chrysler tip!
Dodge was the last to join the “pony car” frenzy of the 1960s. The Challenger debuted in 1970 sharing the new E-body platform with the redesigned Plymouth Barracuda. Both sold well that year, but sales slid dramatically from 1971 to 1974 until Chrysler elected to exit that market. After a sales showing of 77,000 units in 1970, the Challenger only mustered 26,000 copies after the performance side of the line-up had been significantly neutered. Less than five percent of all Dodges built in 1972 wore a Challenger badge. And just 30% of those were the Rallye, which had replaced the R/T.
This Dodge is a one-owner vehicle (if you exclude the seller). The 340 V8 and TorqueFlite automatic transmission are from the factory. And we’re told it’s only seen 52,000 miles, barely 1,000 for every year since it was built. The seller says this was a specially ordered car, but the options combination doesn’t hit me as being all that unique. It has a console, cruise control, power accessories, the Rallye instrument cluster, and Rallye road wheels. It also has FE5 paint and a nice interior, with no mention made if either has been redone.
Since the seller says the Challenger starts, runs, and drives like it did when new, we assume this would be a turn-key purchase. The tires are fresh, and the documented Dodge comes with its build sheet and license plates from Day 1. A recent service has been performed, but we don’t know if that goes beyond new fluids. If you’re looking for an original Challenger that’s nice and unrestored, could this Challenger be sharing space in your garage soon?
Original owner dialed up a really nice Challenger.
There was no Challenger R/T convertible for 1971. The decision to discontinue it must have been last-minute, because the back cover of the brochure shows a convertible with R/T stripes, but minus the “R/T” as shown on the coupe below it.
Great color! “Sneak up on someone at the stoplight red” as opposed to over-the-top red or orange. Nice find and writeup.
Russ, actually the cruise control option was extremely rare back in 1972 so this would most likely be a very rare Challenger.
Needs a 4sp
Asking too much. Estate sale? Makes sense. Wonder what the paid the widow?
Hard to believe paint is original based on condition of engine compartment.
Two owners here at least. The seller counts as an owner.
Price – Way To Much!
Has the ultra rare tow package as well!
The 72 340 received a cast crank and 1.88 intake valve heads thermoquad 4 bbl. 240hp. It would take some cash to bring it up to 70 specs.
Not 100% sure on this but I heard rumor up to halfway in 1972 the 340s had forged cranks, but again not 100% on that. The Thermoquad wasn’t a bad carb if the phenolic body didn’t warp and just used for the street but in my experience with mine the body never warped. 240hp would light up the tire(s) no problem with a one legger rear end.
Aren’t the cast crank motors externally balanced?
Nice Challenger on the tail end of performance. Some here will need air and a stick. I think this is just about right.
My 72 Rallye 318, yes I said 318 has about 38,000 miles documented with one repaint. Many folks question the hood, but you had a slant 6 Challenger, 318 Challenger, a 340 Rallye and a 318 Rallye which had the hood with scoops, 3.23 8 3/4 sure grip, rear sway bar, side strobe stripes coming out of the side scoops, tic tok tach full rallye dash, oddly column shift auto no console with a white interior
Damn the Insurance industry and EPA, This car with the Hemi would have been a Masterpiece for any owner, But as usual Government busy bodies had to ruin everyone’s fun !
You probably weren’t alive before serious efforts were made to cut auto emissions. The smog was not only ugly but seriously bad for health. If the auto industry had been proactive regarding pollution and safety and used their tremendous resources to “stay ahead of the curve” instead of resisting change at every turn stringent legislation would not have seemed like such an imposition by government. The government did exactly what the citizens demanded because the auto industry proved incapable of regulating itself.
Insurance is another thing altogether.