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Money Maker: 1974 Dodge Charger

Barn Finder Ikey H spotted this 1974 Dodge Charger for us to consider, so thank you so much for that Ikey. Located in Fort Oglethorpe, Georgia, it is being offered for sale with a clean title and is listed for sale here on Craigslist. The owner makes a few claims about the fact that someone could buy this Charger, repair the accident damage that it has suffered, and then on-sell it and make some money. So, let’s unpack this one and see if these claims stack up.

The car has been out of action since it received the accident damage that you can see in the above photo. Apparently, this was the result of an unplanned trip into a ditch. The owner does have a replacement fender for the damaged one. Frankly, I’m a bit surprised that the car has now been left to sit for the past 10 years if this is the extent of the damage inflicted in the accident. I would certainly be checking the steering and frame rails to ensure that there is no further damage, but assuming that what we can see is it, then it looks pretty easy to fix. However, the vinyl top is toast, so that will require replacement. In its current state it would be a great moisture trap, so the top itself will have to be checked. I’ve also spotted what I think is some rust in the lower fender on the passenger side, so this would also need to be addressed.

The Charger has certainly come nicely equipped. It has a 318ci engine, automatic transmission, power steering, power disc brakes, and factory air conditioning. The owner claims that the car has covered a genuine 70,000 miles, but doesn’t mention whether he has any documentation to verify this. Reading between the lines in the advertisement, it appears that the car currently doesn’t run, as he does say that the gas tank will require cleaning out, and it will need items such as plugs, and other consumable items. Personally, I’d be a whole lot happier if I knew that the car ran, even if it was off an external gas tank.

While the interior generally looks pretty reasonable, there are a few items that will need to be addressed if this car is to truly shine. The armrests on the doors look discolored and warped, so may need replacing. The dash and dash pad both look good. The seller does say that the round gauges look good. There looks like there could be some small tears and seam separation of the driver’s seat. The big thing for me is the fact that the car appears to have been the home of an aftermarket stereo at some point. The door trims have holes cut into them for speakers, and we can’t see whether the dash has also been cut if this is what has happened.

The owner of this Dodge Charger states that this is a car that would be worth $19,500 when it has been revived. He has set his asking price at a firm $6,500 and states that it will cost around $2,500 to revive it to the stage that it is worth the projected value. He then states that by doing this, the new owner has the opportunity to sell the car and pocket a profit of $10,500. What are your thoughts on this one, and would you be willing to do it?

Comments

  1. Avatar LAB3

    Seems like a no brainier, if you could pocket $10k that easily why would you be selling it?

    Like 12
  2. Avatar Andre

    Ugly ‘ol walrus shoulda been left in the ditch.

    Like 10
  3. Avatar Miguel

    Who would pay $19,500 for a 1974 318 car with no air?

    Like 12
    • Avatar MJF

      Looks like a $500 car on a good day…

      Like 4
    • Avatar Boatman Member

      How about one with air?

      Like 2
    • Avatar Troy

      These sell for that money to Europeans !!! They buy a large majority of 1970’s cars..Big fullsize and cars like this..

      Like 1
    • Avatar Craig M Bryda

      It does have A/C , compressor on the motor, belts still on, outlets on the dash board. Owner states that in his ad .

      Like 3
  4. Avatar Crazyhawk

    And that color….. .ugh. I know that’s a personal thing, but it’s not working for me.

    Like 4
  5. Avatar brianashe

    I don’t know how much crack someone was smoking to come up with a $19k valuation on this. For most cars, my rule of thumb is this: whatever a 1970 model is worth, cut the value in half for each year after 1970. Eg. a 1971 is worth 1/2 a 1970, a 1972 is worth 1/4, etc. This thing wouldn’t hit $19k unless it was covered in actual gold. Yes, I’m sure someone, somewhere would love this, but those people are few and far between. Supply, demand, etc. The current owner should be grateful if someone offers $1k.

    Like 7
    • Avatar BobbyLongshot

      I like your model year valuation rubric, brianashe.

      Even though that Charger body still is battlewagon cool, it would be practically impossible to turn that poor old turd into a $19k car.

      Like 4
  6. Avatar ChristianS.
    • Avatar brianashe

      Thanks for the link. Here in the states the numbers are a little lower.
      https://www.hagerty.com/apps/valuationtools/1974-Dodge-Charger-SE

      “#4 – $8,700
      “#4 vehicles are daily drivers, with flaws visible to the naked eye. The chrome might have pitting or scratches, the windshield might be chipped. Paintwork is imperfect, and perhaps the body has a minor dent. [emphasis mine] Split seams or a cracked dash, where applicable, might be present. No major parts are missing, but the wheels could differ from the originals, or other non- stock additions might be present. A #4 vehicle can also be a deteriorated restoration. “Fair” is the one word that describes a #4 vehicle.”

      So, a major dent, and (presumably) not running — we can quibble over the exact valuation, but I think we can all agree this is a few $thousand away from even being a #4.

      The thing is, there are a lot of little things in play on a car like this. People like big cars like Monte Carlos because they are what they are. A big, fat Charger, on the other hand, is a shadow of its former self. This is the “Fat Elvis” of Dodge Chargers.

      Like 3
      • Avatar Miguel

        brianashe, maybe it would be better if we called this, a two door Coronet.

        Like 2
  7. Avatar John Wilburn

    That’s a crazy price. A few thousand and that’s if you are a fan of the bloated 70’s Chargers or are just settling for one.

    Like 2
  8. Avatar Raymond Hurst Member

    I would love to hire the person who is going to repair and paint this car, put a new top on it, new gas tank, new tires, etc…. for $2,500.00. It would cost me more than that just for the parts.

    Like 5
  9. Avatar ROTAG999

    Now if it was a 68,69,70 !

    Like 4
  10. Avatar Drew V.

    Last year I watched a 1 owner, 72’charger that could be this ones identical twin(ie. same color,engine,interior etc)that had 38K documented miles,in excellent original sell for $7,200.These cars just don’thave the following the 68′ thru 70′ cars do,so the prices are drastically lower,unless you have a 71′ 440-6 or Hemi equipt car…

    Like 2
  11. Avatar Vance

    I think the owner could use a couple of beers along with a few shots of reality. Most folks don’t care for this year Charger, and the ones do would like a different motor. I have always liked these but the price is way off.

    Like 5
  12. Avatar TimS

    If you want one of these and you’re doing it yourself, you can make this one hell of a ride. If you’re planning on taking this past where the last flipper did and then getting on the auction show train, better get a new plan.

    Like 2
  13. Avatar Troy

    These cars dont have under 100,000 miles,its 170,000 as over 99,999 it doesnt register..Could be 270,000 by 1983 these cars had around 200,000 miles ,all did very few didnt !

    $19,000 on a great day for a 74 318 Charger…But to restore it even yourself you need to not pay more than $5,000,then drive it for a few years and enjoy it and sell it..

    Rebuilt the 318 to a 410 hp 390 stroker…Better to do a built 360 as 500 hp is basically the same amount of money anyways..

    Repaint the car black/black/black Magnum 500’s and a built 360 or better yet have a stoker 400 or 440 600 plus hp,then you would get $30,000 !!

    I know,I built a 73 triple black 400 P code Charger,496 cubic inches when all said and done..Engine was only $5,000,trans $250 for a rebuild kit and the car already had a 3.23 gear rear 8 3/4 diff..New duel exhaust and Dynomax mufflers (only mufflers a Mopar should have,best sound)..

    I bought it for $3200 but was rougher,not running body straight though,interior was half gone !

    $14,500 in parts including rebuild engine/trans,new front end,rear diff bearings..And complete new interior..

    I put 7,000 mile son it in 6 months ,drove it daily,car ran cool and didnt miss a beat..I ran 11.99 in the 1/4 with street tires and no traction !

    I sold it for $32,000 to a guy in New Mexico !

    Like 2
  14. Avatar Del

    Quote. These cars sell for 19 grand.

    No they do not. Especially if not running and accident victims. Not to mention the 318.

    Flipperville. Car worth maybe 4 grand ?

    Like 3
  15. Avatar DB Peters

    My old man had a 76. That sled left us stranded many times. The electric module went out every other week. My 74 Satellite however was an awesome ride. Should have kept it.

    Like 2
  16. Avatar David Hunt

    Bought a 71 body , some interior, bent up. For 300.00. Sold it same way with a new k member under it for roller ,for 3000.00 love them.$$$$$.

    Like 2
    • Avatar James

      Is that a 69 chevy rear bumper?

      Like 0
  17. Avatar Aaron Bayus

    1973 to 1974 Dodge Charger they did not repop the fender so you’ll have to get a used one or unless you want to go with fiberglass they suck big money for a nice fender. The engine is probably frozen up. Thats going to cost 700 to get it running. The radiators crack on these very easy from setting you could get a aluminum around 300. Now this is if you do the work yourself. As it sits now unaware of the engine I would give $800. Put a wrench on the engine to see if it spins over you can ask a extra 400 if she not lock up. I did a frame-up restoration in 2010 on one of these. I lost my ass off I only got 11000 and I was not happy took me 3 years to do it very nice car people just don’t like the small block engines.

    Like 0
  18. Avatar Tech Noman

    TOps out at 118mph with a 3speed tranny 2 barrel Carb , retard the timing to where it just barely starts, put a manual choke on it and it can get 22Mph on insterstate cruises for a hour or more. The Long body and wheelbase has you not feeling 70mph is very fast. I had this nearly exact car for $500 in 1985 I think for about 18months, wish I still had it. Good combo of power and mileage. Took the converter off of course had to replace the freeze plugs , lots of chunky deposits in the engine block. Don’t know what the previous owners did to cause that ? I doubt I would pay 3000 for one that is drivable the INTERIOR is what is great about his one. Mine had cloth seats.

    Like 0

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