The early 1970s were full of cars wearing distinctive paint colors. Case in point was Hemi Orange, one of the “Hi-Impact” colors offered by the Chrysler Corp. This 1972 Dodge Challenger wears Hemi Orange where it counts and below the grey primer on the exterior sheet metal. This edition has been in mothballs for the past decade, and runs and drives, but doesn’t look pretty. Located in Forest Grove, Oregon, this mostly rust-free project is available here on craigslist for $10,500. Thanks for the tip, “Curvette”.
When the Dodge Challenger arrived on the “pony car” scene in 1970, the market had become saturated, and the muscle car segment had peaked. The car delivered sales of nearly 77,000 Challengers in 1970 but dropped 54,000 units to 23,000 just two years later in 1972. The big block engines were history, so if you wanted a V8, your choices were two: the venerable 318 and hot 340. The seller’s Dodge has the former engine, which carries a fair amount of aftermarket bling at this stage.
The fender tag on this Challenger confirms there is Hemi Orange lurking on the car. The vehicle spent some time in a body shop back in the day, taking some of the rough spots off this mostly sound Mopar. There is unfinished business throughout this Dodge, including the interior, which is either rough, removed, or missing.
While this project is a driver, we have to assume there are some issues to be sorted out with the factory 318 cubic inch engine or automatic transmission. The car sports dual exhaust but won’t come with the aftermarket wheels seen in the photos. They will be replaced with stock rims before the car transfers from one party to the next. Superior Challengers can fetch big bucks these days – could this car be one of them in the near future?
Raccoon tested, raccoon approved. Not a superior Challenger with a SBD, unless it means ‘silent but…’
The racoons have safely been relocated to a 67 mustang at the shop…
It doesn’t look good but for that price, I don’t think they’re asking too much. I’m just curious about the seam on the C pillar. Did they have to replace the roof? The inside floors look solid, so I would hope that rust isn’t an issue. Overall I think it’s had some body work done and it can be restored for a fair amount. If that 318 isn’t #’s matching, I would have to upgrade it to a 383 at least
I wondered about the seams too. The ad says he had the original lead removed and replaced it with welds and it just hasn’t been reintegrated with the rest of the body post op.
Always learning something new on BF!
Decent early-1970’s Challengers are hard to find. Though this car isn’t inexpensive it’s worth a look for someone that lives within driving distance. I’m not a fan of listing a car with parts that aren’t included in the sale, the valve covers are trivial, if potential buyers don’t want the rims, so are they, even though a set of 15’s is probably worth $700+.
Steve R
Sad/funny how a lot of the classic cars were just throwaway cars… Now they’re getting dragged out of the woods/barns for decent money… Oh well, keeps us crazy guys busy bringing them back to life… I’m more of a Rat Rod guy, than a Concours guy…