Some sellers patch up a classic before placing it on the market, hiding its history under fresh paint. That isn’t the case with this 1974 Dodge Challenger. It isn’t perfect, but that is part of its attraction. It wears the marks and scars of almost fifty years of active service in the hands of two owners. The buyer could refresh the vehicle to return it to its former glory, although some may find preservation irresistible. The Challenger is listed here on eBay in Crozier, Virginia. There have been no bids on an auction that opened at $29,990, but there is a BIN option of $39,990 for those who simply must own this classic.

A known ownership history is a desirable attribute with any classic, and this Challenger delivers courtesy of the fact that only two people have been its custodian. It must have been a stunning car when it landed in the first owner’s driveway, resplendent in Code G2 Frosty Green with a Black vinyl top. The latter looks surprisingly good, but the paint shows typical aging for a vehicle of this vintage. The body is generally straight, although the dent on the driver’s side door and rear quarter panel will probably be a flaw the new owner will address. The process should be straightforward, and no steel replacement will be required. That brings us to the subject of rust, which is often a major issue with these classics. The seller doesn’t mention problems in the listing, and the typically prone areas, like the lower extremities and the rear window frame, look clean. An in-person inspection is always advisable, but first impressions are promising. The chrome, trim, and glass look acceptable for a driver-grade vehicle, with this Challenger rolling on a set of Rallye wheels.

The shots of the faded exterior paint made me wonder what we would find when we opened this Challenger’s doors, but the news is better than I expected. The carpet is faded, and someone mounted a CD player and a SunPro tach in the dash, but the overall presentation is surprisingly good. It is unfortunate they cracked the fascia installing that last item because the rest of the dash presents exceptionally well. The pad is free from significant deterioration, as is the console. The upholstered surfaces show minimal wear, and preserving the interior essentially untouched would be viable if the buyer’s focus is on a driver-grade vehicle. The seller indicates that although many of the factory air conditioning components have been removed, they are included in the sale.

The VIN confirms that the original owner ordered this numbers-matching Dodge equipped with a 318ci V8 producing 150hp and 255 ft/lbs of torque. The other boxes ticked on the Order Form were for the three-speed TorqueFlite transmission and power assistance for the steering and brakes. The Challenger was like so many vehicles from this era that lost significant amounts of performance in the face of stricter emission regulations, but it was still considered respectable compared to the competition. The V8 wears some cosmetic upgrades, and the original radiator has made way for a newer aluminum unit. This classic has a few mysteries, making me wonder whether it might have a few extra ponies on tap. A visible sticker in the engine bay confirms the V8 now features Comp Cams Magnum roller rockers. Someone may have matched these with an upgraded camshaft, but nothing is mentioned in the listing. There is also an “MSD” sticker, but I cannot read that. I expect that we will have readers who have seen such stickers previously and will be able to enlighten us on its meaning. The seller indicates that potential buyers should consider this Dodge a turnkey classic. It runs and drives well, and the TorqueFlite shifts smoothly.

This 1974 Dodge Challenger shows promise, and the indications are that any restoration work should be straightforward. However, the lack of bidding interest is unsurprising, and that isn’t because it is a bad or undesirable car. The seller set their auction to open at the top end of the market for a vehicle of this caliber. Values are climbing, but I feel they may have to lower their expectations slightly if they wish to start a bidding war. Do you agree?