With nearly 77,000 examples produced during its first year, it’s almost hard to believe that in a handful of short years, Dodge Challenger production would dwindle down to less than 15% of the original number by the first-generation’s swan song in 1974. By this time, only two engine options were available, of which the 318 was standard and the 360 replaced the beloved 340. And with just 11,364 units produced in ’74, it’s by far the rarest year of the first-gen herd, and if you’ve been looking for an E-Body under the $5k mark this 1974 Dodge Challenger Rallye here on eBay may be among the few you’ll have to choose from. Resaca, Georgia is where you’ll have to travel to find this one, and with a buy-it-now price of $4,300, it’s probably going to get snatched up fairly quickly.
We’d like to say thank you to Barn Finds reader Jonny for the tip on this one! A couple of things right off the bat probably need to be addressed, but some good news is the fender tag is present. For some reason, the seller refers to the Challenger as a Rallye clone, but the tag shows code A57, indicating that it’s actually a factory Rallye car, which got you body louvers and taped stripes, along with a performance hood and a cooler instrument panel. Another thing the seller mentions is that “the car is listed on the salvage list because of high volume seller fees, but this is not a parts car”. There’s no title, either. For the most part, the body seems complete, with the rear bumper present and currently located in the driver’s seat, but at minimum, it looks like those quarters are going to need replacements or some seriously skilled labor applied to them.
We only get a couple of photos from inside, and although the dash is cracked and the console is MIA, the cluster and steering wheel both look pretty good. The seller says the trunk floor needs repair but also mentions the interior floors are in good condition for their age. There’s at least one hole in the driver’s side floor pan, and it’s really hard to tell on the passenger side if that’s just crust or if the metal is compromised. Maybe they can be salvaged, but it’s one of those situations where I’d thoroughly inspect and test to make absolutely sure they’re structurally OK before I began making repairs.
Only one photo is provided of the 318, which is not currently running but is said to be turning freely. Several pictures are shown of the underside from different positions, such as this one, and while there’s quite a bit of surface rust down below the frame is claimed to be in very good condition. Overall this one seems like a pretty challenging Challenger, but if you’ve always wanted an E-Body and have the resources maybe it’s a viable project. What do you think?
This one’s going to need a LOT of work and $$$ to restore. Amazingly, the dashpad seems to have only one crack in it, and it has the rare rear window defogger. The driver’s door handle is broken and is a pricey replacement item, and there are a lot of missing items that difficult and costly to replace. As the owner of a base 74, 69k actual mile car, when I purchased it from the original owner, I sat out to acquire every OEM rallye part to put on my car (except the front fender gills). I still can recall the thrill of acquiring the dash cluster for $15!! With the price spikes for E bodies, I’m starting to consider selling…..Maybe! LOL!! GLWTA!! :-)
Moparman: I agree on the rarity of the Rear Defogger. My ’73 Barracuda, 318, auto on the column, felt stripped because it didn’t have a console or A/C. But it had fender-mounted turn indicators, map light, and rear defogger.
Car was probably originally purchased in the state where I bought it in ’78 – Massachusetts, so the defogger would have been a good idea. I pulled it out and scrapped it when throwing in the required 6x9s that ever high school kid needs. Imagine that.
Well at least one person isn’t insane with their asking price. Yep, lots of work and money but the price won’t kill your project money.
The 73’s and 74’s dropped in sales because of reduced engine options and HP, and in my opinion got uglier with the 5 mile bumpers.
I don’t agree. Even in 1970 and 1971, the standard slant six and 318 engines were the huge majority of the sales. I think the added cost over a Duster/Dart had a lot to do with it. They went on into 1976, and if Chrysler had been smart, kept them going even longer. I also wonder if insurance premiums were greater, even with a standard engine. No matter what, they were truly beautiful looking cars.
We were in High School and good friend had a Challenger not sure the year, but it was Brown convertible and we road all over with that car not realizing it was going to be THE CAR. We graduated in 1979. We are the old timers. Love that car still today.
Hi Jacqueline, Now don’t get mad at me because I’m only teasing you and considering we always hear women are smarter than men…”road” or “rode?”
I hope you appreciate my sense of humor. :)
as a 1980 grad. i agree with other comment