Available, here on eBay is a 1973 Dodge Challenger. It’s just an ordinary old Challenger, not an R/T, or a T/A, or a Rallye, just a commonplace Dodge pony car. And that’s a good thing as not enough of these have been saved, or in many instances even considered worthy. Fortunately, this example has not undergone a backyard hatchet job and it still shows well. Moreno, California is home and this Dodge can be yours if you’re up for an auction. It’s available, for a current bid of $19,600 with the reserve not yet met.
Dodge’s original Challenger was short-lived having been introduced for the ’70 model year and then disappearing at the end of ’74. Unfortunately, by the time this car was made, tastes were changing and government regulations were becoming more onerous. Pony cars, in particular, bore the brunt as the Mustang shrunk into what amounted to an economy car then known as the Mustang II (’74). The Challenger, Plymouth Barracuda/’Cuda, Z28 Camaro, and even Pontiac’s vaunted GTO all got the bum’s rush for ’75. As for the Challenger, it was down to two models in ’73, a standard model and a sportier Rallye edition. Sales were fair that year with 32K rolling off of ChryCo assembly lines.
Our featured car appears to be wearing code GK6, Metallic Bronze, a shade of basic brown that was all the rage in the ’70s. I’ll admit it, I don’t like brown. There, I said it, I’m sure I’m not alone but, I’m also sure many like it. What’s important, at least in this case, is that this car shows well. The seller states, “SMALL COSMETIC BLEMISHES HERE AND THERE DUE TO SITTING IN GARAGE)…Completly Rust Free California Car, besides Some small Surface rust on top“. I’m not certain what “surface rust on top” means – the images give no indication. The only thing that I see on top is a vinyl covering and it looks pretty good.
Old reliable, a 150 net HP, 318 CI V8 engine, combined with a TorqueFlite three-speed automatic transmission, powers this steed. The seller mentions, “GAS TANK WAS DROPPED CLEANED OUT ALL LINES REPLACED FUEL PUMP AND SENDING UNIT REPLACED AND SHE STARTED RIGHT UP!“. The mileage is recorded as 23K miles but there’s no claim to that reading which makes one think that the odometer has been once around. And if that’s the case, hopefully, this car has been well maintained though there is no reason to assume that it hasn’t.
At first blush the interior looks good, unfortunately, the driver’s seat and the dash cap are suffering from splits. The carpet, however, looks great. The listing does mention some oxidization that is adversely affecting the seats and door panels. While bucket seats were the order of the day, this Challenger is minus a center console so the shift selector is on the column.
Confusion often abounds with auto listings, the seller mentions that he’s owned this car for five+ years but also states that it’s a one-owner car that has been garaged for twenty years. I’m calling horse hockey on that – this is at least a two-owner car but it is, as the seller suggests, “an original“. I guess my remaining question is who would be the likely buyer for this clean, original, but sedate and non-performance-oriented Challenger?
I bought my 74 Challenger in 78 from the original owner w/ 29k miles. I did not, however, leave it visually original. Removed vinyl top, color change from Honey beige to B-5 blue, Rallye hood/instrument cluster/spoiler/gas cap cover/Magnums. Forty-five years later, it has only acquired 40k more miles! And yes, I would buy this one in a heartbeat! GLWTA!! :-)
318? A beautiful car!
A 1973 Challenger with the base 318. I like it, to an extent. I really never cared for the 1972-74 gaping mouth grill, the rest of the car I didn’t mind. Wasn’t a fan of the 1971 either. Sometimes change just to make a change isn’t a good thing.
Personally I like the color. My brother had a 1970 340 Challenger in a similar color. I thought it was a pretty color, and it didn’t attract attention.
@ Grant: Thanks! and yes, it is a 318/auto car. :-)
Wow, no comments on the big block Ford though ?
I like this car I really do but if I think of that sport fury 3 with 440 & day dream about making it a six pack car with less money invested than this car with a 318 it’s a no Brainer! I confess to having a weak spot for a sports fury especially 1969 to 1971 with 440
Rats, I was hoping for a 225 slant 6! Very nice find.
There were no 6-cylinder Challengers or Barracudas in ’73 and ’74.
I wish someone would transplant a slant 6 in a 440 or hemi car. Reverse evolution!!!!
You and Grant both!
The Brock Yates Cannonball Challenger was a sad faced 72. I personally like the look. This one is a decent example, just for the rarity of a grocery getter, and not a street freak.
Love the “no rust whatsoever, except for the rust.” It will still sell and present well. Nice car, and thanks to the owner for keeping it original.
Some old cooter kicked the bucket and the flipper got her for a song from a grieving widow who didn’t know any better. She just thought it was that old car Harvey kept for 40 years in the shed and wiped it down with a baby diaper. Now some rich dude is going to rip that poor little 318 out of her, and put a 426 in it instead. A shame, because someone truly loved this car, and for a great long time. Wish I had the cash to acquire it, and love it like he did for so many years. The car deserves that, not be made up like a harlot and put our on the street.
Gary, you can bask in the glory of this 318!! This is all you man! Step up and stop the horror of the potential wealthy person who will commit the sin of dropping in a big block 4 speed! Live your words! 🤣😂
But, do harlots really enjoy being all gussied up and made to perform on the street? Don’t they all wish they could go back home and be who they once were? Like an ABC after school movie. Poor little lonely lost car.
I remember the early 70s Challengers. My best friend’s dad had a 72. It also was a 318. I loved the sound of the exhaust. His was gold metallic, with a white vinyl top and “Banana Yellow ” interior. It certainly was not my taste but it was a great car. I liked the styling, and the dashboard was very cool. It had Chrysler’s great blue floodlights that lit the dash, and the entire front seats. I would recommend this Challenger for anyone that would appreciate a great American car.
I would buy this in heartbeat and keep it just as it is. An original survivor if far preferable to a modified original. There is nothing wrong with a 318. Not every pony car has to be a muscle car.
Looks like a great find for someone. We’d doll it up a bit, perhaps some optional road wheels. But nothing that would take away from that sporty, but non-musuclar look.
Very Nice! Other than Rally Wheels (maybe) I wouldn’t touch it.
A Dodge Challenger with Plymouth Valiant wheel covers… hmm… that seems wrong somehow.
SOLD for $23,200. That’s a great deal in my book, as long as pricing tracks the same as same year Barracudas. I don’t follow the Challengers as closely as I do the Barracudas.