It isn’t clear how long this 1973 Dodge Charger SE had been sitting in a Californian bar, but it was long enough for this one-owner classic to accumulate a heavy coating of dust. It has now been cleaned and revived and is looking for a new home. With 36,000 miles on the clock and its original V8 occupying the spotless engine bay, someone is about to become the owner of a car of which they will have every right to be proud. Located in Stockton, California, you will find the Charger listed for sale here on eBay. I’m not surprised that it has already received 25 bids, which has pushed the price to $18,100 in this No Reserve auction.
The Charger still wears its original Dark Gold paint, and a White vinyl top perfectly contrasts this. The paint has a few marks and scratches, but it still presents exceptionally well for an original survivor. There is no evidence of checking or fading, and the shine that it holds is deep and rich. The vinyl top is also in excellent order and looks as good as it would have when the Dodge was new. The chrome and trim wear a shine on par with the paint’s, and there is no apparent dings or corrosion. The wire wheel covers are original, and they have been spared from any curb strike or other damage. Rounding out the exterior is factory tinted glass that appears to be flawless.
When it comes to the question of rust, I think that this photo answers that question perfectly. The combination of a dry climate and factory undercoating leave the Dodge completely rust-free. There is a light dusting of surface corrosion on some of the mechanical components, but nothing else. I rate this as one of the cleanest undercarriages that I have seen on an original and unrestored vehicle of this age for a long time. Reassuringly, there is also no evidence of any fluid leaks from the Charger’s drivetrain.
Powering the Dodge is its numbers-matching 318ci V8, which should be producing 150hp. The car also includes a 3-speed TorqueFlite transmission, power steering, and power front disc brakes. The Charger SE was a vehicle with a focus more on luxury than outright performance. Even so, a ¼ mile ET of 18.1 seconds is reasonable for a car that tips the scales at 3,626lbs. The engine bay presents exceptionally well, and it doesn’t flatter to deceive. The seller has revived the Charger, and it is now said to run and drive perfectly. It has a genuine 36,000 miles on the clock, which means that it is barely broken in. We aren’t told whether the seller has evidence to back the mileage claim, but plenty of other documentation is included in the sale. This consists of the original Window Sticker, Broadcast Sheet, Warranty Card, and original Registration Cards from the 1970s to the present day.
It is hard to believe that the Charger’s interior could be better than the exterior, but that seems to be the case. There is nothing here that can be faulted because all of the upholstery, plastic, and carpet look factory fresh. The dash and pad are perfect, and there are no signs of wear issues with the wheel. If I’m going to be critical of anything, it’s the fact that someone has cut the door trims recently to fit a set of aftermarket speakers. This is made more disappointing because the original stereo AM/FM radio remains in situ, and this one featured the option of the rear speaker. We also find ice-cold-air conditioning, power windows, a rear defogger, and a remote exterior mirror.
I had to include this photo because it shows that all of the upholstery is spotless, and it doesn’t look like anyone has ever sat on that back seat. I can see a couple of tiny marks on the side trims, but otherwise, it does look amazing.
I am hesitant to use the term “time capsule” when describing this ’73 Charger SE because I believe that it is a term that has been overused in the classic scene. What this vehicle represents is a remarkably well-preserved survivor that has been rescued from oblivion by an enthusiast. The buyer will have the opportunity to own a car that cannot help but receive admiring glances and comments wherever it goes, and if I’m honest, I will envy them that experience.
This looks like a really nice buy! Personally, I’d source a set of OEM factory exhaust tips and rear valence, and since I don’t really care for wheel covers, a set of Magnums w/ trim rings. GLWTA!! :-)
We had a living room chair with same upholstery in the “70’s. My dad was in the Army and we were stationed at Fort Leavenworth where the convicts in the federal penitentiary would reupholster furniture for free. Ugly as sin but the price was right.
Nice Charger.
If you look closely at the pics in the eBay listing you will find a couple of things that may be of concern. The passenger side looks pretty rough in one shot, and the other shots seem to be selected to hide that deficiency. Additionally, many of the panels in the interior are way off color.
Just suggesting that a closer look is definitely warranted.
Friends of mine had a 73 Plymouth Gran Fury in nearly this same color combination, in their case the interior was an oyster color.
Anyway, what I will always remember about that car was that for being nearly brand new the many trim panels were not very well matched. That is, one this nearly new car, the parts making up the door panel, for instance, were 3 or 4 shades of oyster.
I wouldn’t rule out the same thing here.
Love the interior!! To bad someone had to cut holes in the door panels for speakers.
Not a fan of radio speakers installed in front door panels that are not factory installation,
All love aside, a ’68 R/T is light years away from this barcalounger on wheels.
This was a buddies dream car in 86 or so- he bought it and was restoring it, sadly he passed in 91 at 29 and the car had to be sold, seeing it brings back memories, some good some bad
I love the wire wheel covers, they were a high cost option back in the 70s.
Remarkable condition for a survivor. These are the type of cars I like to see; a classic unmolested survivor that is as it left the factory. Pretty fancy compared to the earlier Chargers but with performance way down, the Dodge Boys had to do something so they went the personal luxury route with the later editions. Fairly well optioned, too. I’m sure more performance can be achieved with some speed parts but otherwise, I wouldn’t change a thing.
Everyone always complains about speaker holes or faceplate damaged cars. Stock radios in the day were horrible and the speakers were worse. If you weren’t mechanically inclined or short on dough, a good system was the great equalizer. Tunes were a big part of our lives, and there wasn’t any satellite or computer driven stereos. Aftermarket stereos, 6×9’s power boosters, were a cheap way to improve the experience. Crusin for chicks, cranking the music, life was good.
And I may not be remembering correctly, but didn’t Chrysler products in the 70s have “oddball” factory radios? I remember Valiants with wheels instead of knobs for tuning and volume and other models with their volume and tuning knobs next to each other.
1968 and 1969 Chrysler used roller knobs for tuning and volume in radios, B Body Cars.. 1971 saw lot of radios with volume and tuning round knobs on the left side of center on radio. 1968/69 also saw on B Body cars using Rocker Switches for headlights , Hazard warning, and windshield wiper function.
C’mon guys. Can’t we just say what a sweet ride. The nit picking is amazing and kinda ruins barn finds. It’s almost 50 yrs old , my comment : wow what a super nice survivor looks great underneath from living its life in CA. If the underneath looks that good then it’s all in new owners favor. I wouldn’t change anything. Just enjoy. 😄
What a sweet ride.
not a manual transmission as stated in ad
That may be, Stan….but….what a sweet ride.
Its a really clean car for sure. but im wondering why the driver side stripe is barley visibly to completely gone almost looks like it was painted over. I can see it in the LT rear Qt photo as barley visible and the photo with the drivers door open I dont see it at all. If it was a decal you would remove it to paint. If it was a painted pinstripe. Ive seen where they will paint over the top and then re-stripe. still a nice ride very clean.
The door panels can be repaired easily using vinyl/material from another panel. Cut out and piece it in with epoxy. There are many simple ways to match the grain texture with fillers. Spray in matching color and you’ll be amazed how “original” it looks. This is a day’s project. Restoration means you have to restore items that are damaged, not replace them necessarily. I’ve done a boat load of them with great results.
Except the door panel isn’t vinyl on the bottom. The entire lower half of the door panels are one piece vac formed plastic, not vinyl covered.
Yes it’s a hard plastic that can be repaired. I call it vinyl but it’s polybutylene.
A high school buddy of mine had a green 73 Charger SE. I think he put a set of mag wheels on it. His had buckets and a console with the slap stick shifter.
HAd a 74 Charger Se , same color combo with bucket seats and the slap stick on the console.
This is a sweet car and brings back sweet memories.
If it was not clear across the country It would end up in my garage.
Nice find!
The 2bbl was a smog carb,they also offered another 2bbl that the vans/trucks used and they had 20 plus more hp..
Then these cars wake right up to high 15’s low 16’s in the 1/4 mile,albeit with 2.76 gearing that most came with thus the 18 sec 1/4 mile with the 2bbl that made the car not even rev up and sounded like it was being chocked,it was..
I know,I had a 74 Charger with a 318 2bbl 2.76 and my buddy the same car except with the more powerful 2bbl carb and the same 2.76 gears..By 70 mph he was over 4 car lengths ahead of me!
These cars were 14 years old at the time and both were solid originals like the one above..Mine had 110,000 miles compression was perfect,his had 131,000 miles and compression was perfect..Both cars were pristine in/out and 1 owner cars..
We swapped carburetors one day and mine was the exact 4-5 car lengths ahead by 70 mph! I searched the junkyard and bought a $15 2bbl from a wrecked 77 Dodge Van..Then we ran side by side!
He ran 15.98 in the 1/4 mile..I ran 16 flat I was about 35 lbs heavier than him and 3/4 tank of gas..Both has stock single exhaust..
We both later added a 4bbl,duel exhaust but didnt have the time to take it to the track as I sold mine for a 68 Charger 383 hp Magnum and oved away from tracks that were close..He sold his for a 72 Charger Rallye 340 4 speed that ran low 12’s..Yes rebuilt,purple cam,heads done,3.91 axle!
We both have those cars today!
I had one of these—I loved it. Had a bigger engine than this one, but only got 9MPG the way I drove it. Always have wanted another one, but when they never come up I never have the money available.
Load of fun to drive.
If the new owner needs an extra chrome “Dodge Charger” logo for the trunk, I still have the one from the rusted out hulk of a Charger I owned in 1978! LOL! Car had more bondo than steel and it was only 5 years old.
SOLD for $21,302.
If you wanted one of these, this was probably the one to get.