Third generation Chargers would prove quite popular and 1973 models will sell mor than ever. The car’s sheet metal was new and – while the rear roof “C-Pillars” looked different – they were longer, wider and taller than in 1971-72. Also new were the vertically slatted taillights and grilles, which no longer housed hidden headlights. This ’73 Charger is only a roller, but what’s there looks solid enough to build upon, but it will need a lot of work. Located in Rockford, Minnesota, the car is available here on eBay for the Buy It Now price of $3,950, although offers will be considered. Hats off to Larry D for this tip!
The Dodge Charger was based on a concept car from 1965 that turned into reality a year later. The resemblance between it and the production version was quite close. It would be built on several platforms over five generations before taking a 20-year cycle off. Dodge would resurrect the nameplate in 2006 as a performance 4-door sedan based on the Chrysler 300.
This 1973 Charger was originally equipped with the basic 318 cubic inch V8 and a TorqueFlite automatic. But those two items have parted company with the car. It’s said to have come with power assisted steering and brakes as well as factory air conditioning, but we don’t know if any that hardware comes with the deal. The body is reasonably sound with a few rust holes and multiple flavors of paint and primer. It was once a vinyl top car and it leaves behind some holes in the roof. The floor pans will also need some attention, but everything that needs help looks to be readily visible.
The Charger is said to wear heavy-duty rear leaf springs in the rear, but the car looks to be sitting awfully high in the air. The glass and chrome seem to be in good shape. The interior is going to need a full makeover and it may be complete except for the missing carpeting. This car is one of some 45,400 hardtop coupes built for 1973 or just under 40% of total Charger production that year. If your goal would be to restore this car to perfection, keep in mind that Hagerty pegs the nicest examples around at less than $24,000. The seller offers to bring the car to you at $2 per loaded mile.
Almost looks like someone installed an aftermarket shackle kit on the rear ALA Western Auto or Pep Boys.
Might be a good project for someone to clean up and install a new Hemi/ drivetrain with all the required braking and suspension therein If you really like these (I do) with the required bankroll (I don’t)!
It’s the worth taking a few minutes to compare all of the small parts missing from this car to what the seller currently has listed and what recently sold in his eBay store.
Steve R
Reminds me of some folks who pushed a shopping cart full of “Hard Parts” Like Alt/Starter, Dist. and the like into my Western Auto Store.
Asked them which didn’t work—“Oh, they all work—we were selling the car and took these off to get our money back”.
Ummmmm NO. Have a nice day.
“…vertically slated taillights and grille that no longer sported hidden headlights. ”
Umm, not quite accurate, as 3rd generation Chargers did indeed sport hidden headlights on the upper trim/more expensive models. This particular example looks like a lower trim, maybe a Charger 500, as typified by the horizontal strip instrument cluster (upper trims had full instrumentation in circular gauges).
If you were going to tackle this project you might want to restore the inside and outside with few updates and put most of the money under the hood. A 340 with suitable automatic transmission would be where I would go.
I believe he is referring to the 1973-1974 Chargers , which didn’t have the option of hidden headlamps like the 1971-1972 Chargers .
The color paint was a very popular choice for Chrysler , from the lowly A bodies all the way to the Town and Country wagons !
I had a 73 SE—No Hideaway headlamps.
Russ Dixon wrote: “This ’73 Charger is only a roller, but what’s there looks solid enough to build upon, but it will need a lot of work.”
That has me thinking that this Charger might make a good recipient for a Hellcrate Redeye conversion project.