This all original 1973 Dodge Challenger Rallye is ready to go to a new home. It is for sale for the fair sum of $9,500 and is located in Plymouth, Massachusetts. While the VIN is not posted in the listing, a photo shows faded paperwork that you can faintly detect the VIN in if you look closely. No miles are listed but the title is said to be clear. Thank you, FordGuy1972, for the tip. You can view more on Craigslist.
This car is a daily driver for the current owner. They note that it does smoke when starting, but not after running. It has a 318 cubic inch V8 connected to an automatic transmission. Being a Rallye trim, the car comes with sway bars in the front and rear. Dual Cherry Bomb exhaust exit the rear of the car. The seller has put a lot of work into including an alternator, fuel tank, brake lines, air shocks, cap, rotor, and a battery.
Inside, the seats are covered and might not even be original. There is a fold-down center console that appears to be out of another vehicle. The floors are slightly rusted and there are holes on the driver-side footwell. However, the seller says the frame rails themselves are structurally solid and the holes in the floor are the only ones on the inside. Other rust around the fenders and other areas account for exterior blemishes.
Considering this car is a daily driver, it really might be a worthwhile vehicle to pick up as a winter project. This would be a great vehicle to purchase and road trip home. If you are in a warmer climate, you can still bring it out while working on it over the winter. If not, you can tuck it into a garage and tinker with it until spring rolls around. Or, you can just continue to do as this owner did and make it your daily driver as well.
The 318 was a nice choice for a car like this, hope it stays that way.
Hot looking machine, won’t go like one but it’s got the look. Cool wheels.
This is just begging for a pistol grip shifter and an extra pedal
My 73 had those things along with the 340.
B5 blue, blk vinyl top and interior.
The oil smoke when cold is common and caused by worn valve seals.
For once, a decent car for a decent price. My plan would be to garage it and do a little at a time. Year One has everything you need.
It doesn’t need a different engine, or cut up for a stick shift. And for those of you who don’t have ankle, knee, or hip problems, enjoy it while it lasts.
Time comes for us all, and it’s coming for you!
Bought a 1970, orange with white vinyl roof, in roughly this same condition with the same engine/trans combo for 700 bucks in 1987. Eventually sold it for about the same price. What little I knew.
If it were a ‘Cuda, it would be just the ‘E’ body for me!
I would be scared of rust here.
73 not that desireable year
Okay. Here’s my story, and I’m sticking’ to it. sometime in the early 80s here in LA, I had been driving a ’58 speedster that looked like Harper’s, except the red door was on the opposite side. I paid $350 with a non original Normal engine and a BBAB transmission. No serious rust. It was a blast to drive on Mulholland Drive or Sunset Blvd, but I needed a convertible with a bigger trunk to haul my camera gear around, so I sold it for $1200 and for $2400 bought a ’70 Challenger R/T convertible, 383, in outstanding condition, with very low miles. It was red with a black top. It had full length black side stripes and Rallye wheels, red interior, but guess what? The auto shifter was on the column!!?? I Know, I know you’re thinking, ah, a “tribute car”, a built up fake. well, I never thought anything about it, until one day when I was getting into it in a Sav-on parking lot at Laurel Canyon and Ventura Blvd., and who walks up to me but Glen Cambell. He said, “Nice car. That was used on Mod Squad. Did you know that? He pointed at the column shift and said “Julie sat in the middle.” I had no Idea, but I guess it was special order.
The had some rattles and clunks, and I had to have the trans. rebuilt (too many burnouts and donuts on the show, I guess). I drove that beauty for two years not being concerned about it’s history, going back and forth to Palm Springs with the top down and Sam Cooke blaring on the 8-track. Although the license plate matched stills from the show, I gave no credence to its provenance, and sold it to a dealer in Huntington Beach for what I had paid for it and walked away happy.
Ah, the old days.
Young and dunb and full of cum…. ah, the old days…
Great story. Any pics ?
@Del- Thank you. No pics. Unfortunately, in those days I was more interested in photographing other peoples’ cars than my own. This is the closest thing: https://www.imcdb.org/v470008.html
Put some fatties on the back, spend a weekend souping up that 318 with some performance goodies, and you have a mean-looking, affordable, rude and crude muscle car that will put a smile on your face every day! This is what the hobby is all about to me.
Lots of potential to make this car what it really wants to be!!