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Parked For 15 Years: 1974 Dodge Challenger Rallye

After fifteen years hidden in a barn, this 1974 Challenger Rallye has emerged blinking into the light of day. This Dodge may be dusty, but it’s not particularly rusty. Any problems would appear superficial, allowing the buyer to commence the restoration process on a classic with strong bones. The owner would like to pass the Challenger on to someone willing to return it to its former glory. It is located in Fort Worth, Texas, and has been listed for sale here on eBay. An impressive twenty-one bids have pushed the price to $5,500 in this No Reserve auction.

With the dust sloshed away, we can get a closer look at this Challenger. Its Bright Red paint shows its age, and there’s evidence suggesting that a previous owner has treated the classic to at least a partial repaint. The buyer will need to repeat this process, but they will face some rust repairs first. However, it isn’t as bad as we have often seen with Chrysler E-Body vehicles. There is some present in the lower rear quarter panels and the bottom corner of the passenger door. Beyond that, areas like the rockers and lower fenders appear remarkably clean. The good news continues when we delve below the surface because the owner claims that the floors, trunk pan, and frame rails are all rock-solid. If this is accurate, that makes this Challenger a prime candidate for an easy project build. The buyer will probably decide to replace or restore some of the trim pieces, but the glass and wheels look surprisingly good. The first impressions that this Dodge makes seem to be nothing but positive.

The news isn’t quite as favorable when we turn our attention to this Challenger’s interior. It looks pretty trashed, and there’s evidence that there has been rodent infestation. If Stuart Little and his family have called this interior their home for an extended period, we probably should be glad that we can’t smell what we see. The interior already needs new upholstery, but every soft item like carpet and foam will need to go if the buyer wishes to eliminate the alluring aroma of mouse. Unfortunately, trim and upholstery for Mopars tend to be more expensive than for many other classics, but at least it should represent a one-off expense. The owner describes the interior as complete, but items like the radio are missing. However, the Rallye gauges, factory tach, and air conditioning systems seem to be intact.

Buyers faced a wide variety of drivetrain choices for their 1974 Challenger Rally, and the original owner of this car plumped for the 318ci V8, a three-speed TorqueFlite transmission, and power steering. The 318 would have produced 150hp, allowing the Challenger to cover the ¼ mile in 17.5 seconds. That makes it well short of the fastest Challenger on the planet, but considering how the American car industry was being hamstrung by tightening emission regulations, it was reasonably respectable when this car was shiny and new. This Dodge offers one of those classic “ran when parked” scenarios, although it is worth noting that fifteen years have come and gone since it last fired a shot in anger. The seller says that he hasn’t tried to fire up the motor and doesn’t intend to. I think that he is probably leaving that task for the buyer in case there are any deeper issues.

We’re pretty used to seeing Challenger project cars appear on our desks here at Barn Finds, and these are often vehicles riddled with rust. This 1974 Rallye makes a refreshing change, and the buyer won’t face the prospect of spending thousands on rust repairs. I’ve always liked the styling of these cars, and I can see why their popularity has grown enormously in recent years. It was dusty but not very rusty, and is that enough to make you consider pursuing this one further?

Comments

  1. Avatar Moparman Member

    And the ebay ad has ended, stating that the item is no longer available.

    Like 5
  2. Avatar Gary

    A pretty car in its day. Like the color. I see it was also an air conditioned car. A great practical car with some sportiness in 1974. A wise buyer indeed. Wouldn’t mind something like this restored in my last days here on Earth, but I bet I couldn’t get in and out of it anymore.

    Like 7
  3. Avatar Sam Shive

    Another RUSTY Mopar with a BAD RE SPRAY

    Like 5
  4. Avatar Gary

    Hey, I just noticed. Are those leaves on the floor behind the front seats? That is not a good sign for how this was stored.

    Like 3
    • Avatar Don Eladio

      No, it is a mouse nest…and it’s sold, anyway. Some people can see right through the dirt. There are perfect examples out there. They are a little more expensive.

      Like 4
  5. Avatar Jim

    Not a bad car I notice when Barnfindes shows someone sees and likes Emails the seller a offer to take it off ebay and buy for themselves Seems to happen quite often for flippers to make a nice profit. Nice business to be in these times for easy money but not everyone it takes timing

    Like 0
  6. Avatar Scooter

    Looks like it sold!

    Like 1
  7. Avatar Graham Shortreed

    I guess I should have held onto my 74 Challenger Rallye longer. I bought it in 2002 from the original owner, it had just over 32000 miles on it. He parked it in his garage around 1980/1981 and other than starting it on a regular basis, never drove the car again. Taking it home, I wondered about the wisdom of my purchase, but upon close examination it’s condition was what would expect of a low mileage car. NO RUST other than a bit of surface rust anywhere. All original interior, exterior, no issues with the viynal top or the drive train. Yes it did require tires, hoses, belts, tuneup and the like, but the numbers matching drive train was all there. An added bonus was the build sheet located under the back seat. I had it for 13 years and when I sold it, I actually made a small amount profit over all costs for those 13 years. The guy that eventually ended up with it, thanks to his wife buying it for his 60th birthday, couldn’t understand why she paid $27000.00 for it. She got it, he didn’t.

    Like 5
  8. Avatar Jerry

    Looks like the seller may have pulled the plug on the no reserve auction when he realized he could make a lot more by selling it.

    I recently found a similar vehicle. A 1974 Challenger Ralley that had been sitting in a guy’s heated garage for 30 years. All original matching 360 with pistol grip 4-speed and a little over 100k miles. Absolutely no rust at all and everything works like new. Owner kept it clean and covered and there wasn’t even any dust on it. He only put 500 miles on the car in those 30 years. Only took it out for a ride once every year on a nice summer day to get it inspected. It’s now my pride and joy.

    Like 1
  9. Avatar Pugsy

    It did not sell. Pulled because they didn’t like the bids.
    eBay is a one way contract, only for the buyers. Sellers can pull items any time they wish without recourse.

    Like 2

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