It seems that this 1972 Dodge Charger SE Brougham holds a special place in its owner’s heart. That is demonstrated by his decision to recently spend more than $20,000 on its panels and paint to achieve a better than factory appearance and then choosing to part with it. That must have been a difficult decision because he has been the car’s sole custodian since it rolled off the showroom floor. It presents superbly, with an interior that is just as impressive as its exterior. If you find yourself attracted to this Charger, it is located in Beverly Hills, California, and listed for sale here on Craigslist. The owner has set a sale price of $34,500, and its overall condition means it’s worth a closer look. I have to say a big thank you to Barn Finder MattR for spotting this fantastic classic for us.

The Third Generation Charger marked a significant shift by Dodge in styling, although some hints of its predecessor can still be detected. The SE version brought a couple of individual styling cues to the table, with this being the only version that Dodge offered in 1972 with concealed headlamps. Our feature car wears Brite Blue paint with a Black vinyl top. Its presentation is all that you might expect from a car that its owner recently treated to a panel and paint refresh that lightened his wallet by a cool $20,000. He aimed to achieve a level of finish better than that provided by Dodge, and I believe he succeeded in his quest. The paint holds a glass-like finish, with a depth of color and shine that will command attention. It graces panels that are as straight as an arrow. There is no evidence of imperfections, while the gaps are consistent across the entire car. The vinyl top is flawless, and if the vehicle has spent most of its life in California, its lack of rust comes as no great surprise. The chrome and glass are as spotless as the rest of the exterior, and the narrow whitewall tires add a perfect finishing touch.

Powering this Charger is its numbers-matching 318ci V8 that produces 150hp. The mechanical configuration includes a three-speed TorqueFlite transmission, power steering, and power brakes. If the owner pointed the 3,439lb Dodge at a ¼ mile, it would cover the distance in 17.9 seconds. I accept that the figure is not lightning-fast, but it is worth remembering that the company focused on comfort with the Charger SE. If I am to be critical of any aspect of this classic, it would be the owner’s decision to go ballistic in the engine bay with detailing spray. I’ve never found this a good look and would have preferred to see everything in its “raw” state. Looking beyond that minor criticism, it does appear to be in the sort of condition that you might expect from a survivor with five decades under its belt. As well as the cosmetic refresh, the seller has recently added new brakes and tires. It appears that it is a turnkey proposition begging for a new owner. He claims that the car has a genuine 41,000 miles on the clock. Considering its ownership history and the included documentation, I suspect he probably has supporting evidence. The buyer will receive the original Owner’s Manual, Warranty Card, Window Sticker, Build Sheet, and sales contract.

The spotless presentation continues when we open the door and slip behind the wheel of this Dodge. It seems that the Blue cloth and vinyl upholstery is original, although the owner recently installed a new carpet set. Its fit is a bit skewed near the transmission tunnel, but the new owner could push this into place fairly easily. There is no appreciable wear visible, and no evidence of abuse. The outer cover on the driver’s side is wrinkled, but the buyer will probably be able to stretch it into shape without much effort. The dash is as clean as you are likely to find in a vehicle of this age, while the pad is crack-free. We can’t see what radio the owner ordered with this classic, but his decision to specify ice-cold factory air conditioning would seem a wise one. Overall, it appears that this interior needs little beyond some minor tweaking to present in a factory-fresh state.

No matter what the vehicle, I will always find myself drawn to any classic with a history of long-term ownership. This 1972 Charger SE Brougham is one such car because it has been in the care of its original owner for an amazing half-century. Its overall presentation is hard to fault, but it needs to be when you consider the owner’s asking price. That figure is significantly above the current market value, but when you add the odometer reading, ownership history, and documentation to the mix, the price begins to make sense. I don’t think they will find themselves with buyers bashing down their door, but I’m sure that someone out there will see the Charger as a “must-have” that needs to find its way into their driveway. It has survived for five decades beautifully preserved, and I hope that the buyer continues that trend.