Numbers Matching: 1972 Dodge Challenger 340

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!