The Dodge Challenger was the last new entry into the “pony car” movement. It was in production from 1970 to 1974 on the E-body platform shared with the Plymouth Barracuda. The performance model was dubbed “Rallye” beginning in 1972, but the big-block and Hemi V8s were gone. This ’72 Challenger Rallye has a numbers-matching 340 cubic inch V8 which appears to be well-documented. Lots of work has been done to preserve this beauty, which is in Salem, Oregon, and is available here on craigslist for $34,950.
Sales of the new Challenger started off strong at 77,000 units in 1970. But two years later, less than 27,000 copies were produced. Both the Challenger and Barracuda were hit hard by the decline in demand for muscle cars that was started by rising insurance premiums. Both Chrysler products soldiered on through 1974 and then were retired. The Challenger nameplate would be revived later in the decade on a Japanese import and then again three decades later. 30% of 1972 sales were for the Rallye, which could be ordered with a 318 if you didn’t want what the 340 delivered.
Besides documentation like the car’s broadcast sheet, the seller provides a long list of repairs and/or upgrades that have been performed on this Challenger. So, mechanically, this Dodge may be better now than when it was nearly 55 years ago. This Mopar has never been a garage queen, as its mileage is 122,000. The body, paint, and vinyl top look great, and the interior is okay, though showing some of its age.
The seller describes this machine as a “very nice driver,” and that seems to be an honest description. These E-body cars became more popular after they left production, and a nice 1970-74 Challenger or Barracuda can fetch some nice coin today, especially the 1970/71s because the 383, 440, and Hemi were still on the order sheet. The seller may consider a partial trade for another Mopar, either a B or E-body from 1968 to 1972. Who but “Curvette” could find us a cool tip like this!
Keep it looking nice and people will love it!!
Throw on a set of nice seat covers and cruise. 😎
Nice ’72. For what looks like very little to repair, I don’t think the asking price is too high.
Wow, what a beauty! Love the entire vibe of the car.
Curveteis putting in some overtime.
Price seems a tiny bit high considering the less than stellar interior and mileage.
Although my 2018 has 10K more miles. The exterior is sure to gather attention.
I mean this in the nicest way possible… Curvette should seriously be on Barnfinds payroll at this point for all the great finds he digs up!!! That being said, Stan’s idea sounds great, seat covers and cruise. Maybe I’d redo the seats at some point, but it’s nothing horrible. 340 is a sweet engine thay always punched above its weight class.
I second that emotion!
340s were perfect for these, anything else was overkill.
I agree, but you know a lot of those out there just live for Overkill !
Nice car…price? Chop off 6k & it’s a buy.
If you can find it 1 company did make a Grape ape turbo kit for these engines back in early 70s – 340 heads respond to forced air like nothing else.
They did not get nicer than this in 72. No a/c no big deal. I’d love to own this car and work on it here and there. As long as mopars are in demand , you can’t go wrong here.
I’m not a mopar guy but this challenger appeals to me. Just maintain it and improve the small cosmetic things and drive it.
I always MUCH preferred the lines of the Plymouth Barracuda to Dodge’s version of the MoPar ponycar…
Curvette,
You are supposed to be out there beating the bushes for new Barn Finds, not idly reading the internet.
Now get out there and find a few Cheap El Caminos near me in Maine
Sorry John, Maine is out of my jurisdiction unless it’s on eBay!
I guess I should have chosen to retire in Portland, Oregon near my other daughter.
She is a chef, and very good, so I might have had trouble fitting in an El Camino.
She sends photos of Barn Finds out there. Last week two 75 Pacers, one a wagon. Also a nice 60 Apache pick up.
nice challenger. love the colors but for 35k the driver seat should be wearing a fresh cover and not a bunch of duct tape. how cheap can you get?
These last model E bodies in decent shape have hovered in the 35K territory for several years now. Too much $$ for me to ever get one again, but this is one is not overpriced. Tell the seller that you will knock off a couple of hundred for a new seat cover and he/she will probably toss you the keys.
I took my driver’s license in our 70 Cuda 340, than I bought it from my parents for $1,500 in 71.
It was such a well balanced car, so much fun to work on and it was a quick stop light to stop light hot rod. The light weight 340 made the car out handle the big motor cars. I sold it while I was in the service and picked up a new 72 340 4sp duster.