Claiming that any classic car is “all original” can be a slippery slope, especially when the photos and listing text reveal changes to that vehicle. That is the case with this 1974 Dodge Charger SE. There is no disputing the fact that it presents well, but there are modifications and restoration work that undermine the seller’s contention. These must be taken at face value, with potential buyers considering whether they are significant enough to remove the car from their shopping list. The Charger is listed here on eBay in Midland, Texas. Bidding currently sits below the reserve at $14,600.
Dodge offered Charger buyers a broad selection of paint colors in 1974, and the Avocado Gold gracing this car’s panels is interesting. It changes significantly according to the prevailing light, transitioning between Dark Green and an almost Olive appearance. The paint is consistent across the car, with no signs of patchiness or other problems. It has an impressive depth of shine, although some shots reveal more “orange peel” than I would expect from a factory finish. The Black vinyl top looks classy, and there are no issues there. The seller admits the trunk pan has been patched, but the rest of the car remains rust-free. The glass and chrome look excellent for a vehicle of this vintage, but the alloy wheels are a later addition that could stay or go, depending on the buyer’s desire for originality.
We receive no engine photos in the seller’s listing, but we know this car features a numbers-matching 318ci V8 and a three-speed TorqueFlite transmission. The V8 should produce 150hp and 255 ft/lbs of torque. Those figures should make the Charger a competent performer, and the seller has recently splashed some cash to ensure the car is mechanically healthy. They fitted a new master cylinder, alternator, regulator, and tires. They indicate other parts were replaced, but potential buyers must approach them personally to obtain a complete list. However, it is a turnkey proposition that runs and drives extremely well. It is ready to hit the road with a new owner behind the wheel.
The Charger’s interior presentation is very tidy, courtesy of new seatcovers and carpet. The remaining trim items are per the factory, with a modern CD player replacing the original radio. The dash has been cut to accommodate the change, meaning the new owner faces some obstacles if they plan on returning this car to its showroom specifications. There is little worth criticizing, and potential buyers should consider it a tidy driver. The seller says everything works as it should, including the gauges, lights, and power windows.
The seller describes this 1974 Charger SE as all original, but it has received rust repairs, some new interior trim items, an updated stereo, and aftermarket wheels. Those changes may undermine the originality claims in some eyes but not others. Swapping out the wheels and CD player would return the vehicle to its factory specifications and appearance, which may be enough for potential buyers to consider the claim valid. It has attracted twenty bids, suggesting people like what they see and that the changes are not a significant factor. Do you agree?
Nice car. I have these wheels on my box trailer but I don’t think they support the appearance of this car. Lot of good ones out here that do. Not the biggest green fan on the planet but that’s a great color for this car.
A late additional detail has been added to the auction. The engine is reported to be the original 350 4V.
Humor? No such thing in the Chrysler brand.
It says 360!
All original, to me, means all original. Trunk patches, make it not original. Cutting the dash, again, isn’t original. It shows as a nice car, but, I’d have to question any other claims the seller makes on this one.
To me, this is a case of “buyer beware”.
Nice example. After-market radio and rust repair is common in a nearly 50 yo car. Missing SE emblems on sail panel. Otherwise very “original” Charger.
Well, this car leaves many doubts about many things. For instance, the dash pad is Black, yet the bottom of the dashboard is still the original gold color. I had a new 73 Roadrunner that had gold interior, I’ll bet money that he changed everything to black somewhere long the line. Chopping up the dash to put in a cd player?? Also the steering wheel and the fake black leather cover?? The cars “originality” is questionable, no engine pics as well.
Nice driver but that’s about it. I certainly wouldn’t kick it out of my
parking spot, but I think the word original gets waaay overused in our
hobby today. And pair the words
original with survivor and you have
more red flags than you can count.
I’ll just say that the seller made some
tasteful mods and leave it at that.
It’s not for me but it’s a clean looking car
Gotta agree with Ken about the over usage of the term all original. I’d be OK with the moniker being used if we’re talking about replacement of wear and maintenance parts. But once you modify or change components it’s not “all original”. It’s probably nit picking but when the seller wants above market value because they claim all original then it really needs to be just that. Don’t get me wrong; this is a nice car but with the wheels and cut dash for modern audio it ain’t all original anymore. I’ll go with survivor because essentially almost all old cars are survivors when you stop and think about it. BTW, don’t even get me started on the term patina.
Indeed .. I like when they say “original with upgraded” this and that … Sorry upgraded isn’t original. Sometimes people “upgrade” but devalued the car. Is a 1940s car upgraded with front disc brakes original… NOPE and in my eves devalued the car
True, the car is original only up to first nonOS upgrade/swap. The only exception might be when the original part(s) are stored and swapped back before sell.
It’s a Texas car so it should be relatively solid. I have a soft spot for the 318 V8. It’s fairly bullet proof. It better not have a 350 anything in it, not even the Plymouth Golden Commando 350.
Some under the hood shots would have been nice. I agree, the all original term is being tossed around far too often for vehicles that aren’t. A real stickler for the term would want even the hoses, belts and tires to be original, not me. Those are maintenance items that a person should expect to have been replaced.
The car isn’t all original, the aftermarket wheels look nice, but not original, and chopping up the dash to install a CD player, that’s not original. The wrapping on the steering wheel, no biggie except that it might be covering up a cracked rim.
Chargers of even this Era are bringing some ridiculous prices but for a 318 powered non-original example, it’s already near it’s realistic value. If you were talking a 1968-1970 318 powered version, then there is room for more dollar value as those are the most desirable years. Don’t get me wrong, I like the 3rd generation Chargers, especially the 1973-1974 Charger SE, I also recognize that something was lost in the mystique by the 3rd generation, especially after 1971.
Watched an episode of Roadkill Garage last night. Steve Dulcich had one of these he pulled out of the boneyard. Of course, his was not this nice LOL.
Nice exterior pictures, but the seller’s camera must have run out of “film” and couldn’t supply any better interior photos or pics of the engine bay.
Lousy camera work will not get you your price.
Non-originality abounds with this car. Its grill is a standard Charger fare, not an SE item.
to many non original parts including paint to this all original car, pass!
Actually chrysler did make a 350 Cid engine. It was only for 1 year and the next year the 350 ,which was a low deck big block, it was replaced by the 361 engine. This was produced right after the original hemi engines were pulled in favor of the wedge engines, late 50s, way before the Chargers were produced. Needless to say, they were not a very well known engine, say such as the 383 b engine. Which was a very common chrysler engine.
As they say, “A car is only original once.” I worked for a dealer who sold a Model T as being “Restored to original.” The buyer got cold feet, took the dealer to court, and they decided a vehicle can’t be restored to original.
Not all original. I see several things wrong right off the bat. The grille has been painted black. The body badges are missing. The SE badges are missing from the C pillars. The light gray plastic filler pieces have been painted green. The filler piece is missing along the hood. That’s just at a quick glance. I have owned 4 Chargers: 2 ’74 hardtops (one with a factory sunroof), and 2 ’73 SEs. I sold my truly original “73 SE survivor last year for $23k. A collector such as I will likely not be interested in this.
I had one ,I bought it brand new off the show room floor it was black with black white interior the bucket seats and rear seat in white with floor shifter and a 440 cid it also had positive track rear ,cruise, am/fm radio factory cassette player it was a nice ride seeing this brings back memories
Me too Bob. 1974 440 Magnum, slap stick shifter. Same color. Loved that car.
Are those wheels the AR62 Outlaw II?
Am I expected to bid without knowing where the car is? Certainly the shipping would factor in.
Hendrik, it says in both the EBay ad and in the Barn Finds text that it is located in Midland, TX.
Not sure how you could miss that in both places.
Had a 74 Se with a 400 4 barrel. Nice car. But some knucklehead pulled out in front of me one night and that was the end of it. Always wanted another onec
It’s not for me but it’s a clean looking car