Cheap Garage Find: 1974 Dodge Charger SE

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This 1974 Dodge Charger certainly gives off the vibe that it’s been sitting in the same place for quite some time, with the seller’s confirmation that this one’s been idle since 1983.  However, several positives can be found here, as it’s been stored inside a garage and the car seems to be mostly complete.  It’s also the more upscale SE model, so if you’re a fan of the third-generation styling it might be worth considering for a project.

Stepping up to the SE in ‘74 got buyers several niceties including a V8 as standard equipment, although unless one of the optional larger offerings was chosen it was the 318, which is what can be found under the hood here.  Unfortunately, no photos of the small block are provided, but the seller does say the engine turns freely, although no attempt has been made to get it started.  Other SE features included a landau top with six opera windows, plus a full set of gauges and an electric clock inside.

The mileage here is listed as 170,000, so if that’s accurate this one traveled extensively before it was put away, and plenty of distance for some rust to develop.  The specific corrosion areas the seller points out are the quarters and driver’s side front fender, but despite all of the metal flaws, I’m curious after a thorough washing if that Deep Sherwood paint might not look quite a bit better.  Nowhere near perfect, of course, but perhaps good enough to just turn this one into a cheap driver until you’re ready to perform a full restoration.

Without being cleaned up first, it’s hard to speculate what most of the interior components look like under all of that dirt, but I’m not spotting very many actual fabric rips on the seats.  A 1974 Charger with a 318 may not be the most exciting prospect in the marketplace, but with the completeness, SE package, and asking price of $4,000, this one might find an optimistic buyer fairly quickly.  Though there’s a Missouri plate, the car is now resting in Olathe, Kansas, and can be found here on Facebook Marketplace.  All things considered, is this one decent Mopar project material?

Comments

  1. Nevadahalfrack NevadahalfrackMember

    Sold.

    Like 1
  2. 8banger 8bangerMember

    Rodentis Infestis.

    Like 4
  3. Pat

    why why does it say satellite on the dashboard?

    Like 10
  4. Dave

    These make for a nice resto-mod and can be flipped or kept a while.

    Like 0
  5. RMac

    Pat Good catch that is Odd.

    Like 2
  6. Nelson C

    Looks good for the claimed miles. These were good looking cars and will maybe be a good resto project if you can get the “rodent” out of it.

    Like 1
  7. Rw

    Maybe the rats chipped in and bought the satellite emblem…

    Like 1
  8. Nelson C

    Could you get that quarter glass without the vinyl top? I don’t recall seeing the segmented window with a bare roof. Unlike the leMans that could be had six or seven different ways depending on the level of trim.

    Like 0
  9. Michael Freeman Michael FreemanMember

    A 74 Satellite had the same dash pad and I’m betting this one’s been replaced by a good junkyard pad sometime before it retired. It looks better than the interior for a 170,000 mile car.

    Like 0

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