In Mopar world, the years ’70 and ’71 seem to be the collector’s apex with ’70 out gunning ’71, ostensibly due to power decreases that were federally finding their way into everyone’s model lineups. If you examine Dodge’s Challenger, such as this 1973 example, they and the concluding 1974 model, seem to get short-shrift from muscle car fans. I started looking around and was surprised, however, at how many ’73 Challengers we have covered on Barn Finds. Well, I’m going to add another to the mix and this example will definitely be placed in the project category. T.J. found the listing for this Dodge, here on craigslist. It lives in Brentwood, California and is available for $15,000.
Here’s what I know about this subject car, “The guy building this car past (sic) away so unfortunately, she needs somebody to finish and enjoy her, lots of parts come with“. That’s it, nothing else is provided so the images will have to do the talking. Challenger came in two flavors in ’73, a standard model, such as this example, and a “Rallye” version which was the sportier of the two. The body looks rough, but not rotted. It’s finished in primer and surface rust so the images are distracting but I don’t see evidence of rust-through – California living I guess. The fender tag claims a finish known as code JA5, which translates into Dark Silver Metallic and vestiges of it are still observable. Looks like it’s wearing some new kicks!
The interior is not photographed all that well but the driver’s white vinyl high-back bucket seat looks pretty good, right along with the rear perch; I can’t say the same about the passenger seat, however. The carpet has been yanked but the center console is still in place. I have no report regarding the dash and instrument panel.
Under the hood is an incomplete 383 CI V8 engine of unknown provenance. Dodge offered two V8 engines for the ’73 Challenger, a 150 net HP 318 CI job, and a more powerful 240 net HP 340 CI “LA” small block. Decoding the fender tag tells us that this car left the Hamtramck (Detroit) assembly plant with the former. The 383 “B-Block” was discontinued at the end of the ’71 model year so this engine could have come out of the engine room of a myriad of different ChryCo models. It’s missing a bunch of parts but it appears to have a pair of four-barrel carburetors – there’s a good start! Perhaps the missing items are in that referenced “lots of parts” claim. There is an automatic transmission in place but it’s not said if the unit is the stronger A-727 as opposed to the original A-904 gearbox that would have served the 318 CI motor.
There are a lot more unknowns than knowns with this project. And $15 large is a tidy sum for a car that will inspire so many questions. I’d say this one is not for the faint of heart but I’m certain that there is a Mopar motorhead out there that will see some real potential here and snap this Challenger up. What do you think, am I being too risk-averse in my outlook?
Looks like the dead guy is in the box in the passenger seat. A new twist on “you can’t take it with you”…. something like “can you take ME with you?”.
Not funny ,this guy must have been into old muscle cars like us,, and now he’s is gone . That not something I’m going to make jokes about.
Tops would be 8K for me. Lot of money and time ahead to put this one back together.
Bob ,do you think this one has a six pack ?
I wrote it as a pair of fours, but you may be right as it does look like three fuel lines coming off of a central rail.
JO
it’s not an original six pack set up by any means, but it is a 3X2. I ran a set of those mechanical carbs on a 440 for a while. Thats a lot of carb for a 383 or 400, which is what we have here.
It’s a California car is the reason for the high asking price! Any vehicle in California is insanely priced. Maybe worth 10 thousand with a lot more information than is provided and we do d out what parts he has for it. That block looks like a 440 not a 383. Also looks like a 6 pack setup not 2 four barrels. Sure would be nice to have some quality Information!! Ask 15 thousand for something, you ought to know what your selling and research it before you try to sell.
Why? There are foolish buyers lining up to buy this crap, no questions asked. The 318 at the base was really the best engine for these, esp with a 3.23 rear end and a four speed. I drove a few like that, they lacked nothing. If I had a time machine and could go back and special order a brand new one at those prices, that is what I would order. Even if could buy a new 70 or 71 and had the 440.6 or Hemi available for around five grand, I still think it would be a simple 318 and a four speed. Okay, maybe buy a new Hemi with rare options and sell it to some non God fearing trillionaire, but then again, I would have lost my chance to buy the car I want. The car with ample power and practicality to boot. The big blocks handled poorly and were unreliable gas guzzlers. Cars should be for driving, not for profit. This seller might have figured that out and is trying to cash out while the getting is good.
Big block Chryslers are very unreliable. That’s why they were used in industrial and marine applications, motor homes, and Jensen automobiles, as well as some of the most brutish offerings of the original musclecar era.
Melty, they were unreliable because of how people drove them. You didn’t mention the handling or low MPG, is that because you agree with me there?
Big block anything is poor on gas ,and at the time would have been poor handling as well ; as for unreliability due to poor driving habits ,you could blow up a six cylinder Maverick if you abused it to much- Stop hating on the Mopars
If it’s a Solid California car it’s well worth the asking price, I had several of these cars and rust repair can cost more than that lol, pretty high optioned car with factory A/C but no Rallye dash cluster, its defiantly a 383 or steel crank 400, Numbers pad is right above the driver’s side water pump jacket, aftermarket Edelbrock six pack set up is a nice touch, Factory B5 blue Wich was the same color my 73 Rallye came with except I had the Pistol grip 4 speed and Rallye Dash with tach, it’s going to have the 727 because big blocks don’t bolt up to a 904 unless they have an adapter plate and 340s only came with 727s
, with the exception of the Hemi which was a detuned race engine Mopar big blocks are just as reliable as the small blocks, and I had a 440 in mine which I was able to lighten up just as much as the factory small block by putting in Manual steering, an aluminum intake, aluminum water pump housing, headers and an aluminum Hemi box, car is priced accordingly..
No rust is one thing we CAN brag about in California!
On a side note, my late aunt and uncle bought a new house in Brentwood, (not OJ Brentwood) for 10 grand LESS than this asking price!!!!!! 1962
A “TRUE” 1973 Challenger would have the big rubber bumper guards that were mandated for 1973 bumper standard 5.0 MPH for front end and 2.5 for rear. Where is the original engine? Paint work, rear end tail lights, and a lot of other parts will be required to make this ride correct.
Let’s start with the car: it’s a little rough for that price. But the E-Body is a derivative of the B-Body. And torsion bars should be available.
But, there are a lot of ways to lighten up a big block:
Aluminum Water Pump Housing
Aluminum Water Pump
Aluminum Cylinder Heads
Aluminum Intake Manifold
Aluminum Radiator
All of these remove a decent chunk of weight: Combine them and you’re well into small-block weight territory.
As far as unreliable, that’s the difference between the cast and forged pieces (Truck, Six-Pak, Max Wedge pieces)
But if it were me and it were a small block car, I‘d just replace the standard LA heads with the high flow Engine Quest cast iron CH318-B heads (that bolt up to a LA series intake, while keeping the AMC valve train).
Like anything in life, “You pays your money and takes your chances.”
amc ???
That same air cleaner top was used on 4 barrel, 6 packs and 2 four set ups. Just by looking at the top will not tell you what is under that air cleaner.
I am not a Mopar man but I do respect chrysler motors and have been around my share of rb blocks and the word unreliable was never used to describe these motors.
As a kid I beat on a few 383 and 440’s and they are very reliable.
The seller might live in Brentwood but none of these photos are from Brentwood.
Ooops i thought this was OJ Brentwood, but no up north. Thanks 59Poncho.
Yup California Delta. I love guessing the location but am seldom correct!!!!!
Hey, that’s an excellent looking driver’s seat.
Who needs a passenger ?
The cat and the dog can ride in the back seat.
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