The mid-seventies weren’t typically a celebrated period for most old-school muscle cars, since many buyers were shifting their focus from high performance as the top priority to comfort and luxury playing a bigger role in meeting their driving needs. Fortunately, a few cars still delivered both, and this 1974 Charger SE here on Hemmings is about as good as it got in both categories for the beloved Dodge B-Body at the time. This was the final year a Charger could be equipped with the optional 440 engine, and thankfully, this one still has that original big block under the hood. Priced at $32,000, this beautiful Mopar is in Northford, Connecticut, and we’d like to thank reader Curvette for finding it and sending in the tip!
1974 was also the swan song for the third-generation Charger, as it was restyled in ’75 and shared a similar body with the Chrysler Cordoba, in a move to appeal to the growing personal luxury car market. Sadly, the transition eliminated 440 availability, with the 400 now becoming the top-size V8. Very few 1974 examples came with the largest engine, but thankfully, this one left the factory with code E86 on the fender tag, indicating a 275 net horsepower 440 Magnum. The letter “U” in the VIN also confirms this one’s the real deal. Mechanically, this Charger is reported to be numbers-matching, with the original engine, automatic transmission, and 8 3/4 rear end all still present.
The exterior is described as rust-free and laser straight, and the photos seem to show a body that matches the high expectations a proclamation like this sets. The sheet metal is said to be all original, although the seller mentions the previous owner had it resprayed in 1997 because the paint was faded. Nearly 30 years later, the outside still presents beautifully, and it’s also a plus that black was the factory color (code TX9). The SE model also came with opera-style rear quarter windows and extra chrome trim, adding to the luxurious vibe that the Charger nameplate was quickly evolving into.
The interior appears mostly stock and in excellent condition, with the trio of gauges under the dash being an obvious but useful aftermarket addition. On the downside, many purists will frown that the suspension has been lowered 2 inches, so it might be time to consider raising it back to the proper stance. What are your thoughts on this 1974 Dodge Charger? With the 440 being detuned by this time, is it too late in the game, or just perfect for the period?
If you are looking for a 3rd Gen Charger, I would look no further. The price is right, all original and from the photos, it looks very clean. It has the 440, p/s and p/b, if I was into 3Gen’s, I would be a pocket full of dead presidents and check it out.
Beautiful car for sure! One of my all-time favorites, in an excellent color combination. U code makes it rare for sure, and means it has the boxed frame sections in front of the leaf springs, for additional unit body strength. Here in Florida though, the missing air conditioner is a big factor! Just so happens, I have all the missing ac components on hand, unfortunately, my toy fund is also missing a few components this year :(
(Sharp car!:)
Great looking Charger, but, those front bumper guards have to go.
Exactly
Are the bumper guards original to the car?
Yes. Safety/insurance geeks in their prime.
No
Yes they are sadly
I kinda like em.
Until you crack your knee or shin on one. Had a ’73, speaking from experience
I have always like this body style if I was looking for one I would make beeline to look at this one like KHayes said with a pocket full of dead presidents. When I was 17 a good Friend back in 1977 bought a 1971 Charger I had a 1969 Mach One. We would trade cars for the day I really liked that Charger wanted one but never did get one. The only change I would charge on this would be the rims the Dodge 5 star rims would look a lot better at least for me.
Believe it or not, the front guards were factory.
😳 Really?
They were how they met the 5 mph bumper requirement. A kind of workaround.
The back bumper had a set of them too, although not quite as big. They’ve been removed from this one. I had a ’73 Charger back in my high school days that had ’em. Me & a HS bud were cruising Cooper in Arlington (back when you could do that) & some guy in a Nissan 200 SX rear-ended us at a stoplight (Hint: he was a little tipsy). I got out & surveyed the damage. He rolled down his window and asked if he’d f’d up my car. His front end was somewhat underneath it. I had him back up to get a better look. No damage at all to mine, but those bumper guards did quite a number on his hood. I told him that he needed a new hood & then I got back behind the wheel & resumed the festivities. That was a fun night & we made it home safely. The things that stay with you…
Even though those rims look good on the car, they aren’t the original ’70’s Rallye style that would have come with the Charger. They’re actually an aftermarket rim made to look like the originals. They let you put low profile tires on them, to give them a modern look.
Much more to it than a look. Lower profile tires offer better handling, braking, and overall control than taller sidewalls. The rims are larger diameter so that the rollout is maintained. Large diameter tires runner cooler and last longer given the same compound.
I personally like the 1973 and 74 Dodge Charger SE. And this one seems extremely nice. With the 440, it’s an extremely desirable setup. A friend of mine had a 73 with the 400 4-speed setup. Those also seem to be very rare. Most of these cars had automatic, many had 318s. In good shape and for the right price, I would take any combination.
Beautiful Car.
Could a 440 be paired with a manual in ‘74?
Yes, but not many buyers checked that particular box. Personal luxury & all that jazz.
Yes I had one .
Absolutely not. The last year for a 440/4-speed was 1972. These replies stating otherwise are absolutely, 100% incorrect.
I have one, a 1973 440 time capsule!
I bought this exact year and model Charger in 1986 . It was root beer brown with a black vinyl top . I tore the vinyl top off and sent it to a body shop to do detail sanding and body work and repaint it candy apple red . I had the entire interior gutted and redone . It had the 318 2 bbl carb and an automatic transmission . It was sporty AND comfortable . I bought custom rims and Goodyear T/A radial high rise white lettered tires and air shocks for the back . I was 26 and thought I was in Hollywood as I had never owned anything so cool as that in my life . Was going through personal drama in my marriage and went to a tote the note lot and said would you give me $1,000.00 please ? Sad .
I had a 1971 charger SE with a 383 2 barrel. It was built for luxury not high performance. The color was plum crazy with a black vinyl roof, it was a nice comfortable car.
Every time I see a 1974 Charger SE, I long for the one I had in my youth. This one is pretty nice… though I could do without all the decals stuck to the trunk lid. And I sure hope they saved the original valve covers, air cleaner, etc. If it’s managed to avoid the long term effects of salt, it could well be worth the ask. At least I would know where to look for rust, as mine (even back in 1978) had it in numerous places.
Doubt they have any of those parts since the AC unit has obviously been removed.SE model should have AC.My friend ragged the crap out of his 318ci yellow 73′.Fun times never broke down.Donuts and dust Russ where ever you are
One of the best for 74′
Looks like the compressor has been removed. The correct A/C vents are on the dashboard and haven’t seen but a few SE models without factory air conditioning.
I had this identical car but a 73 model with the hi po 400,,,was on here several years ago (think the title read Triple Black Treat)…too bad on this beauty after the repaint they put the Charger emblems in the wrong places…on the sides they go on the doors next to that red crest…trunk emblem went on the right side of trunk lid, and too bad the original “machine gun” exhaust tips were removed…I’d put the original rallye wheels and rear bumper guards back on and you got an original. gorgeous, black 1974 muscle car to show!
Building a 71 SE. installed a 440.
The heater core AC box was a chore. Now I see why so many don’t repair the AC
A good friend of mine bought a used ’74 SE just like this, only hers was triple white. It had the 318, but everything else matched. She got it in 1979, and it was immaculate, with only a few stone chips. Her dad was a rural mail carrier and he found it on his route. The owner had just pulled it out of the garage and was washing it before putting it up for sale.
She be a chicken roaster without A/C , being black on black. Is beautiful !
Nice car rims are hideous get rid of them ASAP
I had one of these it was a brute on the highway! No 440 4spd chargers after 72 you could still get 400,340,and 318’s with a standard transmission 440’s strictly automatic
I had a 73 charger SE Brougham with the 440 It was total luxury full cloth bench seat with a fold down armrest Auto on the column Old school power An absolute brute on the highway The only giveaway to the power was the machine gun exhaust tips, light gold ,Total sleeper! There were no 440 4 spd chargers after 72 you could still get manual transmissions with the 400,340,and 318 engines There may have been some really rare 440 4spd cars built for the Canadian market! These would have a C in the vin!
Wrong. Zero 440/4-speeds were built after 1972, period.
Also, wrong about the VIN…there was no “C” in the VIN if it was built for Canada, lol.
I had a 1974 SE U code back around 1978 or so, same engine black interior buckets auto in floor, low miles only difference is the one I had was a light silver metallic..an extra sharp charger for back then!
Perfection!!
Possibly the most comfortable muscle car ever,I have had the pleasure to log many a road trip in one of these….an amazing car for sure.
Perfect stance with those rims, looks sinister.
There’s a piece of garbage in another post that the seller is saying “worth every penny”… They need to look at this.
This car is worth every single penny. What a gorgeous car.
There was a red one featured here on BF in April, also brought to you by Curvette.
That one ended at $20,200 Reserve Not Met.
Seller then set it to a BIN of $27K and it still did not sell.
Maybe the lower mileage and the color will help to sell this one?
I remember that one. It was what we used to call: All show and no go!