Chrysler created a new “E-body pony car platform in 1970 for the Plymouth Barracuda and the all-new Dodge Challenger. Things started out with great promise, but the market for performance-oriented cars shifted and demand for the Challenger fell almost overnight. Just 11,354 copies of the Challenger were produced in 1974 when Dodge decided to exit that market (along with the Barracuda and the Javelin over at AMC). This ’74 Challenger is a one-owner auto that’s been sitting for years but an attempt to get it running created problems. From a dealer’s Quonset hut in Allen, Texas, this Dodge is available here on eBay where $20,100 still leaves the reserve in question.

Dodge was the last major player to field a pony car and one of the first to leave the market. It was only in production for five years, though the name would be reused later in the decade on a captive import (and also in the 21^st Century). 77,000 copies were built during the first year (1970), but with big engines like the 440 V8 and the 426 Hemi available, the car caught the attention of insurance companies who started raising rates. By the time gas prices began to soar after the OPEC oil embargo, Chrysler decided to get out of the pony car market. The last original Challenger was built in April 1974 (the seller’s car was assembled in 12/73).

This white-over-Burgundy Metallic ’74 Challenger has an interesting story. It’s a one-owner car that still carries all the original purchaser’s information in its documentation. A collector car dealer bought it to resell after it had been sitting for years. It was a daily driver for its first 15 years and was then parked, perhaps due to the age of the owner. The registration was kept current until 2012. After the dealer got it back to the shop, they tried to get the Dodge running, but “the timing cover corroded and filled the front of the motor with junk” so they stopped. The seller is recommending that the 318 V8 engine be gone through by the buyer (rebuilt?).

That’s a shame but explains why the dealer didn’t take it outside for some better photos. The paint is said to look good for its age and daylight might help show it off. The finish is original as is the vinyl top, but the bucket seats have been recovered and don’t exactly match the original back seat upholstery. Whatever wheels were on the car new were swapped for Keystones in 1976 and they may be wearing tires manufactured the same year. We’re told there is one small bit of rust, but that could be dealt with once the engine is sorted out.