Times were changing in the muscle car market in 1972. Chrysler dropped the 426 Hemi and 440 6-Pack, and all their cars had hardened valve seats to accommodate the new unleaded fuels that were coming on the scene. The Special Edition or SE was the top-of-the-line Charger in 1972, wearing “fuselage” styling for the second year in a row. This example looks quite nice, and it sports a rebuilt 400 cubic inch V8. With no known issues, this Mopar is in Medford, New York, and is available here on eBay where $21,600 hasn’t put a dent in the seller’s reserve.
Gone from the Charger lineup in 1972 was the R/T edition, another sign that performance was being dialed back. The high-end SE model had its own formal roof treatment and hideaway headlights out front. Instead of a 383 V8, you’d now find a 400 lower-compression 4-barrel under the hood in many Chargers, like this one. Production grew to 75,000 from 58,000 copies the year before. Upwards of one out of every three Chargers to leave the factory did so with SE badging.
The seller bought this auto from a classic car dealer and detected a cracked piston after the fact. That may have led to the rebuild the seller mentions as the overall vehicle has less than 78,000 miles on the clock. Both the motor and 4-speed manual transmission are original to the Charger, definitely a plus to would-be buyers. The seller has detailed the engine compartment in such a way as to replicate 1972 as much as possible.
This Charger has changed hands a few times but looks no worse for multiple drivers. The orange paint and black vinyl top may or may not be original, but the white interior looks that way. The Dodge has the famous “Pistol Grip” shifter and power steering and brakes. No factory air conditioning is there to detract further from gas mileage which the seller says is about 14 mpg (highway). This was typical of the day, which explains why buyers flocked to fuel shippers after the 1973 OPEC oil embargo drove up prices.
this COULD have the highly sought after 400 COLD WEATHER block “3rd 1/4 casting date of 71″…2nd only to the HEMI for strength…I have one and the 727 out of one of these
Mike you’re loose on facts. The early ’72 #230 casting 400 block you’re attempting to reference was never referred to “cold weather block.” It’s coveted simply for the stout casting in the main webbing. Also true there were factory 413 blocks used in industrial equipment that had external casting ridges designed for severe duty cold weather applications.The later ’73-74 #630 blocks are also excellent choices for high performance stroker combinations.
This is a very nice car; and the pistol grip “stirrer” really sweetens it! I personally never cared for the look and the HUGE blind spot created by the Special Edition roofline. GLWTA!! :-)
I had a 73 SE. Just trying to learn as a relative kid (I was 20 when I got it) how to park a car with 2 acres of hood in front and a big blind spot in the rear was q real experience.
They always say buy the best one you can find and let others do the restoration. Well, here’s both. Plus it’s a rare powertrain on a high trim level. There’s not one thing not to like.
If this were a ’71 I’d be more interested; that one has a better engine and better window styling. Bidding on this one ended so it’s just as well.
Very nice Charger. I like that the motor and trans. are original to the car. The rest of the car presents very well too. I see the seller doing very well on this Charger for sure …..best of luck !
MOPAR OR NO CAR !!
A nice clean example that could really shine if modern electronic engine controls replaced the antediluvian emission controls from 1972. Between the low compression, EGR and carburetor issues forced by Uncle Sam’s EPA, both performance and fuel economy suffered mightily as Detroit struggled to cope with the then new realities of the Government as car designer. These already had electronic ignition, but a fresh set of modern aftermarket cylinder heads, or some significant machine work on the stock heads and an EFI system to improve fuel delivery would go a long way towards restoring the performance that Uncle Sam took away!
I had this same car with a black interior it was stunning
Hopefully the next owner will 86 the plastic Kmart mirrors.