Estate sales often prove to be a great source of desirable classics, and there are plenty of stories of enthusiasts striking automotive gold in such situations. This 1972 Dodge Charger SE is a perfect example. It spent decades in storage, but when its first owner passed away, it finally saw the light of day. The seller revived this muscular beast, returning it to active service so that a new owner can appreciate all that it offers. I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder numskal for spotting this fantastic Dodge.
This Charger is a dry-climate classic that the deceased original owner parked in his garage in 1992. It hibernated until the seller liberated it during an estate sale earlier this year. The storage environment must have been almost ideal because this SE hasn’t suffered from the experience. Its Bright Red paint holds an impressive depth of color and shine and is perfectly complimented by the Black vinyl top. It retains its original California blue plates, suggesting it hasn’t ventured far from its current location. The panels are as straight as an arrow, with tight and consistent gaps. The seller doesn’t indicate whether there is evidence of prior repairs or restoration. Therefore, if it is a genuine survivor, its overall condition is noteworthy for a car with 116,000 miles on the clock. The trim and glass are spotless, with the headlamp doors appearing to operate as they should. The seller added the Magnum 500 wheels and new tires, and it would be interesting to know whether they retained to original wheels for those preferring a more stock appearance.
The deceased owner wasn’t afraid to splash his cash when ordering this Charger, a fact that is confirmed when we lift the hood. The engine bay houses the numbers-matching 400ci V8 that churned out 255hp and 340 ft/lbs of torque in its prime. A three-speed TorqueFlite transmission handles shifting duties, with the driver benefitting from a Sure Grip rear end and power assistance for the steering and front disc brakes. Performance was all you might expect from this package, with the Charger capable of covering the ¼-mile in 15.2 seconds. Keeping the pedal to the metal rewarded the driver with a top speed of 124mph. The first owner parked this SE in his garage in 1992, and it didn’t see active service until the seller liberated it earlier this year. They worked through a revival process that included replacing the tires, hoses, timing chain, exhaust, brakes, and bolting on a Holley Street Demon carburetor. The effort was justified, because this classic runs and drives perfectly. It appears that flying in and driving this baby home is a viable option.
The original owner didn’t stop wielding their pen on the Order Form when they focused on this Charger’s interior. The buyer benefits from air conditioning, power windows, a Tuff wheel, a rear defogger, and a radio with a rear speaker fader. The seller confirms that the A/C doesn’t blow cold, but the remaining features work as they should. They shortchange themselves with the interior shots because they are pretty dark and grainy. However, the Black cloth and vinyl trim seem to be in good order, and the floors wear a new carpet set. There are no signs of dash cracks or splits, and no evidence of abuse. An in-person inspection might reveal minor flaws, but the overall condition looks impressive if this SE is a genuine survivor.
The seller listed this 1972 Dodge Charger SE here on Craigslist in Orange, California. They initially set their price at $33,995 OBO, which was optimistic compared to recent successful sales. However, the current price of $29,995, while at the top end of the market, is more realistic. Its mechanical specifications and factory options might attract interest, but the fact it has been on the market for seventeen days suggests they haven’t been inundated with people waving cash under their nose. It could be worth reaching out to see if they are willing to negotiate. A respectful offer may bear fruit. After all, what is the worst they can say?
Nice car with respectable torque under the hood. A very nice summer cruiser.
Hope it goes to someone not afraid to drive it!
How nice can you get? Beautiful car.
Pretty car, well optioned. On market for 18 days.
Steve R
Identical to mine that I had back in the mid 80’s but in better shape. Mine had the 400 2 barrel n 727…What surprised me is that it’s a 3rd 1/4 casting of 71 which makes it the cold weather or super block 400 2nd only to the HEMI in strength. I have it in my garage along with the #’s matching 727 …
This article reads like it was done by AI .
I always liked the 71-72 Chargers, even though they did get bigger than their predecessors
There’s also no mention in the Craigslist ad that it was a special ordered car, so why write it up as it was ? Although it certainly could have been , without looking at the build sheet we’d have no idea, and its actually more likely it was a dealer purchase for a lot sale. There were cars of all options available for purchase back then ; this one could even have been sitting on the showroom floor for all we know.
I know I’m in the minority here, but I’ve always like this gen Charger over the 68-70 models . the 68-70 Coronets and Satellites I like, but the Chargers never did anything for me for some reason . Sad to say I did have a b5 blue 318 SE Charger , but the paperwork was messed up and in CT. you had to have a title to register it , so we stripped it out and made an Enduro car out of it. Of course this was back in the late 1980s !
Agree. Those older Chargers remind me of Dukes of Hazard. This example has that Coke bottle shape and those creases. Much nicer design. Still, Chargers of all kinds are hot and the prices reflect that. Too rich for my blood.
I had a 73 SE. drove the beejesus out of it. every other weekend from Groton CT to my house in Buffalo. 55MPH speed limit got broken often!
Would comfortably do 120. Felt like you were in your living room.
Another IS on the wish list, but a 49 Packard sits higher.
Hank, you’re the only person I know of who even knows what a ’49 Packard looks like…reminds me of a now-deceased cousin of mine who always wanted a ’52 Packard…BTW, he had a cousin whose last name was the same as yours…small world…
Beauty. Nicely appointed driver. Lots of smiles ahead.
For as well optioned as this one is, I am surprised it does not have cruise. I wonder if it has a tach.
What a sweetheart! While not fire breathing Hemi or 440 the condition & options make the car a compelling buy. There is one fly that is a turn off that pesky A/C that doesn’t blow cold! Perhaps the ask is adjusted for this?
The price might seem high, but buying a nice one like this is only going to go up in value, as it will piggyback off of the previous model.
If the seller advertise the services performed to the engine. There’s questions that needs to be answered. Weather it’s had a rebuild and anything else and if everything checks out l believe he would’ve gotten the bin. This is a good looking Charger.