After a redesign in 1971, the Dodge Charger was treated to a styling refresh in 1973 that helped to bolster sales by more than half. This ’73 was ordered with the Spring Special Package, which added Aztec Gold paint with a “matching” interior. This car is described as a survivor – original paint, interior, drivetrain – the works. The Mopar can be found with its third owner in Coffey, Missouri, and is available here on craigslist for $23,950. Kudos to Tony Primo for another great tip!
In 1971, Dodge differentiated hardtops from sedans by giving them contrasting sheet metal. And some product consolidation took place, so the Coronet 2-door hardtop was gone and the Charger took over as the sole Dodge B-body coupe for that generation (1971-74). The biggest change from 1972 to 1973 was in the roofline, which was a huge improvement (IMO). Dodge sold nearly 120,000 Chargers in ’73 instead of 75,000 as in ’72. It would be the car’s best sales year since its launch in 1966 in the personal luxury/performance segment of the market.
Though how many were built is unknown, this car left the factory with the A77 Spring Special Package, which was an appearance thing. The white vinyl roof, stripes, and interior layout make quite a statement with the special exterior color. The Dodge is wearing a set of Magnum 500 wheels, but will also come with its factory steel wheels and “turbine” wheel covers. The Charger has been babied as the odometer has yet to reach 60,000 miles after 53 years.
There’s nothing unusual mechanically here with a 318 cubic inch V8, TorqueFlite automatic, and an 8 ¾ rear end. Everything runs well, and the model year was before these cars were detuned to death. The first owner had it until 1981, and the second until 2021. One of them had the foresight to have the Dodge Ziebart protected four decades ago, which has likely helped keep rust and corrosion completely away from the machine.
Newer parts include belts and hoses, tires, and even a gas tank (why?). Two broadcast sheets were found under the back seat, and they have been retained to help document the classic automobile. This could be the nicest 3rd generation Charger out there, though the 2nd gen editions are the ones still commanding the big bucks.
Nice Example of a 3rd Gen ’73 Charger!
The “Spring Special” option package here, is the equivalent of The Plymouth’s Satellite’s “Sundance” version of a similar offered package. Of course, the Plymouth had flashier Graphics but the basic color scheme and interior cloth seating inserts (also differing between Plymouth and Dodge) are “similar” too.
Good Condition Original Examples of these ’73-’74 B-bodies are getting harder to find! Price is close to where it should be. Shouldn’t be too hard to find a new home for it. Best of Luck to the Seller! -TV
Usually ziebart plugged the drain holes and made them rust faster.
I had a 74 back in 78, and it was already rusted through the front fenders and the trunk lid. They were beautiful looking cars, but oh were they rust prone.
As an aside, I still have the Dodge and the Charger nameplates from the trunk of that car. Never put them back on after patching the rust!
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My 74 was rustproofed by the dealer and I drove it for 14 years then sold it. It was rust free.
My wife had one like this. Maybe I will surprise her with another one someday.
Foreshadowing of 75 , when the Charger became a luxury car .
Nice car !
This is just like the one I had in high school. Same dash & drivetrain. Mine had the Rallye laser stripe & Rallye wheels, but it wasn’t a Rallye model. I did what I could afford to make it into one, though. Didn’t come close, but I learned a lot in the process. I wouldn’t turn this one down if it came my way. GLWTS.
Still beautiful in all its mid 70s glory. Loop bumpers, half roof, plaid interior with white trim and lots of bright moldings. I like it all.
Like RoadDog, I had a 73 Charger in High School. I had owned other cars, but this was the first one that was my “daily driver” and I put a lot of miles on it. It was a bit on the big side, compared to other muscle / performance cars at the time, but it held its own and had lots of room for friends.
Hat tip to you, Mark! I agree with everything you said there, especially the ‘big side’ part. It was quite a step up from my first car, a ’74 Valiant sedan, which I sold for more than the Charger cost.Such good times & good memories!
Always leery when the pictures posted of a car show them with two different sets of wheels. Just how old are some of these pictures???
good looking charger. neat interior. price seems fair for what is being offered
Alot going on with the interior with the Rattle Snake seat coverings. Gives that Southwest desert vibe . Nice car .
This IMHO, is the most attractive rendition of that body style. The C pillars of the ’71 and ’72 model Chargers completely destroyed the aesthetics of those cars. Plymouth got it right when these cars first came out.
Beautiful machine. The 318 was a tad bit under powered though.
Great looking car. It would look even better with bucket seats and auto on the floor with console.
Not a difficult project if you can source the parts. That’s one thing I did to my high school ’73 mentioned above.