Between 1968-73, Chrysler built nearly 217,000 cars with the venerable 340 small-block V8. And this 1973 Dodge Challenger is one and the car is numbers matching. The 340 would be replaced by a 360 the following model year. The seller here has owned the car for 10 years and has done quite a bit to it over time, describing it as a daily driver rather than a show car (but still nicely presentable). Located in Rockford, Minnesota, this Challenger is available without a reserve here on eBay, where the bidding has reached $17,299.99.
By the early 1970s, sales were off in the “pony car” segment started by Ford. Every carmaker had one or two models, so the market was saturated. And production was impacted by declining interest in muscle cars, which comprised a good bit of sales. So, Dodge saw the Challenger decline from a peak of nearly 77,000 in 1970 to just under 28,000 in 1973 (though up from 1972). The following year would be the Challenger’s swan song until the name was revived a few years later as a Japanese import.
For 1973, the Challenger was available with just two engines, a basic 318 or the 340, of which 8,435 units were built. The seller’s car has its original engine and TorqueFlite and he does not think they have been rebuilt, at least during his ownership period of the last decade. Some of the more notable improvements the seller has made, spread out over time, include:
- Paint (not show quality now, but the original B5 blue color looks nice overall)
- Interior a.k.a. seat covers and carpeting; but not the headliner which needs replacing
- Carburetor, gas tank, and fuel sending unit
- Brakes, tires, shocks, seals, and bearings
- Radiator and hoses
There are a few issues that need to be addressed. The car has a new gauge set, but some are not working. A crack is present in the transmission case that should be welded. Though the car runs well, there is an exhaust leak at the passenger side manifold. The body is rust-free except for a small place below the windshield wiper motor. The trunk had some patches welded in a few years ago and they’re fine. Rather than repainting the inside of the trunk in the car’s color, that speckled stuff they advertise on TV for garage floors looks to be there instead. Nothing wrong with that, just looks a bit odd.
So, if you’re looking for a driver quality Challenger rather than a garage queen, this car could fit the bill. The seller offers a video clip of the car running, but you’ll have to contact him to get it via email. Online price guides estimate the resale value of a ’73 Challenger 340 to be in the mid-$20,000s in Good Condition. If this one doesn’t get bid up in the 11th hour, it might be a good buy.
It’s nice to see a honest seller from time to time. I notice Bondo on the back corner of the hood. The Challenger looks good but I wonder about the lower quarters.. maybe some filler? It’s a fair price starting and should go up. I think today price for this condition and work to be done about $25,000 is tops. 🇺🇸🐻🇺🇸
That’s not Bondo on the rear of the hood, its had a respray and the paint has lifted and blistered from the orig. 40 years in the paint trade.
Nice looking car but wish there were pics without the dust. One minus with the model year (I think) is the bumperettes on the front and rear bumpers. Prefer the look of the slim chrome bumpers better. Darn Safety messes everything up. Looks like if you put a good weekend in detailing, it could be a looker.
I could never understand why a seller won’t even spend a couple hundred bucks on a professional detail. Makes no sense.
I ,d rather have this one. Then a new one. It looks better. The tires look better. The big tries on the new one look like flat tires and the cost of them are not worth it. Plus no relays and all that junk. You can work on this one. Try fixing one of the new ones is costly and a head ache. Taking it to a dealership and they rip people off. I,d drive it and work on it and fix the small things as time went on. Insurance would be alot cheaper to and if you got a loan to buy it.Payment would be a whole let less
The front bumper is correct for the 1973 model. If you want to lose the bumper guards get a 1972 Challenger front bumper. Trunk floor repair is unacceptable with “Splatter Paint” As mentioned previously clean up the car door jams and hinge pillars are FILTHY!!
The bumperettes are removable.
Having owned a ’73 Barracuda with them, I think both the front and back bumpers look odd without them.
Auction just ended and SOLD to the highest bidder at $22,100.
There were several bids in the last minute and the winner snagged it in the last second.