The Dodge Charger and Chrysler Cordoba were parallel mid-size offerings from 1975 to 1977. This enabled Dodge to avoid reusing the now-dated styling from 1971-74. The Charger SE was all about luxury, and if you specified the Daytona trim option, you got a custom two-tone paint job that set itself quite apart from the Cordoba. This 1975 Daytona is a one-owner car secured through an estate sale and has less than 30,000 miles. It might be the nicest example of one of these Dodges still around. Located in Albany, Georgia, this Mopar is available here on eBay for $19,500, though you can submit an offer. An interesting tip from PRA4SNW!
Mid-1970s Chargers were a departure from the “turbine” look of 1966-67 and the “Dukes of Hazzard” appearance of 1968-70. The fuselage-shaped Chargers of 1971-74 would reach the Charger’s sales pinnacle, with 1973 being its best year ever. As Chrysler was not in great shape financially by 1975, they chose to reinvent the Charger SE as a near copy of the new Chrysler Cordoba. It didn’t work so well for whatever reason as the Cordoba would outsell the Charger by several multiples. That may be because the Charger was priced nearly the same and the Chrysler nameplate was more prestigious.
So, the Dodge Boys decided to one-up the Cordoba by coming out with the Charger SE Daytona (not like the hot car used in NASCAR a few years earlier). An extra charge of $132 got you a snappy paint job with stripes and decals galore. Under the hood, things were the same with a somewhat anemic 180 hp, 360 cubic inch V8. The new Chargers didn’t work aerodynamically for NASCAR and stuck with running the 1974 Chargers in 1975. Since it was an option and not a model, production numbers are vague for the Daytona. But Dodge only sold 30,800 Charger SEs in 1975 vs. 150,000 Chrysler Cordobas.
The mid-1970s ushered in what would become known later as the “malaise” era of U.S. car production. They would be mostly non-descript, underpowered cars with indifferent build quality. Say what you will about the Daytona, it certainly wasn’t nondescript. This ’75 edition is likely as sharp-looking a Daytona as you’ll find. Its single owner no doubt babied the car for years before passing away. We’re told it runs great and looks even better. The upholstery has to be the shiniest material I’ve ever seen in a passenger car. This Dodge even has a retractable sunroof which was not a common option in 1975. Parked next to a 2023 Dodge Charger, you can easily see how tastes have changed in 40+ years.
Since the performance era was at an end, and although I understand the reasons why, (IMO) Chrysler might as well have did a quickie freshen up of the 71-74 body. This version of the Charger sold poorly, compared to the Cordoba. As the owner of a 70 Charger 500, there was NO WAY I would have wanted to buy one of these! :-)
Since they had to put the Govt mandated 5mph Bumpers on it , and it was an aging body style, it didnt make sense to that. They would have to redesign the entire front and rear end , body and inner structure .Its one of the reasons the Barracuda/Challenger was discontinued , as well as the AMC Javelin .
I agree, I think a freshen up of the 3rd gen would have sold more. King Richard Petty kept using his 3rd gen for several years after 1974 model ended…..as he has proclaimed this body style(the 3rd gen Charger, 1971-1974) as his favorite car that he ran during his career because it was “balanced.”
That two-tone,& those seats – what were they thinking?
Have you seen the Camaros from that era ? Lots of two toned cars back then
You sound like the guy in ‘Airplane’….who was critiquing the one woman’s dress who came to the Tower. lol
The interior belongs in a 70’s doctor’s office with 4 wooden legs under it.
Remember the charger was a gentleman’s sports car a performance family car I liked the soft seats back then as apposed to the uncomfortable hard one’s today and stiff ride
Stunning presentation, I’d take this any day. Wouldn’t take much to get some more horsepower out of the 360.
Extractors, new intake and carb, updated ignition.
Absolutely love those mid 70s interiors! Previous years were so bland. Cool car that you don’t see often.
Not that I’m a Mopar fan, but how are the mighty fallen here in this Disco Dud. At least GM had some dog left in the fight with the TA.
The E86 440HP in the ’77-’78 Plymouth Furys and Dodge Monacos would eat a ’77 or ’78 T/A for lunch and shoot it out the (actual, true dual) tailpipes.
Yea but what GM did to the Chevelle Malibu was pretty disco duddish as well.
And some of their other gems….to many to list. lol
I owned one of these in the mid to late 80s, though it was the ’76 model in the 2-tone red and maroon colors available in that year. Mine had the same interior, though in maroon, but in place of the buddy seat it had a console automatic. It was a great car, rode very nice, and the 360 delivered 19 mpg on the highway. Still to this day one of my favorite cars I’ve ever owned. Would love to have this one, just wish the auto was on the floor…and not priced so high.
I was a new engineer at the plant making this and the Cordoba. This was by far my favorite car.
I had a 76 in two tone silver. As silver did in those days it peeled. Mechanically the car was rock solid. It was still going fine when it left with wife number 1 in 1980.
I’ve owned 2 69 383 Chargers and now a 70 Charger R/T. These mid-70s Chargers may not be as desirable as the 2nd Gen, but they were appropriate for their time. Albeit using the name “Daytona” was a stretch!
Did the Charger also come with the “fine Corinthian leather”.
No. Just Non Corinthian vinyl
I had a 76 SE with the 360. Mine was stock, and I had no problem with power! Got pulled over, doing over 140 mph! Still had some pedal but was pulling back in my lane. Lol. Loved that car. If I win the lottery, my wife knows I will have one again.
Mark, I’m sorry but this is an absolutely complete and utter lie. No, your car was not capable of that kind of top speed. I’m sorry but that’s the truth. The 440HP Fury and Coronet police cars in 1976 would bearely make it to 130 mph. Your car wouldn’t have broken the 120 mph mark…and that would’ve been downhill with a good tailwind.
*barely
I have a 1976 Charger SE and love the car ot had a 400 big block and the motor was blown, I put 383 in now I have car that rocks
Poor Chrysler. Offering up these bricks to their NASCAR teams. I remember, in the early 80’s, one die hard MOPAR guy built a Chrysler Imperial to go racing. As I recall, it was denied.
The Imperial was not denied. The 81-83 Imperial was campaigned in Nascar (by Buddy Arington, for one) but not by Chrysler Corp, who had stopped sponsoring teams after the 78/79 Dodge Magnum.
My bad. My recall of the early ’80’s is hazy, at best! But, Arrington was the guy I was thinking of.
Petty & Neil Bonnett(and several other teams) kept running their 3rd gen Chargers well after 1974.
Bonnett won the 500 race in Los Angeles in almost 1978 in a 3rd gen.
No more a brick than a 1976 Monte Carlo , There was just something in its design that wasn’t working aerodynamically , as the square Montes were legendary. There was an Imperial that raced in Nascar too, it was the #67 of Buddy Arrington – he was an independent and the last driver to field a Mopar until dodge re entered Nascar with the the Avenger bodies years later
I wish my ex-wife talked to me! I would get her to verify this. All I know is I had speedo wrapped around coming back up around the 20 mark. And of course what the cop and ticket said!
It’s funny. Ten years ago I wouldn’t have given this a second look. But now I find myself strangely attracted to this. Call me weird or maybe nostalgic but I’d rather drive this than many of the current offerings available in the new car market. But not at the $19,500.00. Maybe half that.
I’ve always liked these, far better than the Cordoba. Not the greatest Charger ever made, of course, but a great point-in-time car.
Here I am standing next to one that caught my attention at the Owl’s Head auction a few years ago. Wish I was there when they were bidding on it – I might have been tempted.
Auction ended with no Buy It Now takers at the $19.500.
I found it again, this time i’s listed as an auction. Starting amount is $12,000, with a Reserve.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/275702545605