There’s something about seeing a classic like this 1973 Dodge Challenger Rallye in such a dilapidated state that it makes my heart ache. These are stunning-looking cars, but this one has fallen upon hard times. The price looks tempting, but potential buyers need to search their souls and decide whether they are willing to commit the time and funds required to return it to its former glory. The Challenger is listed here on Craigslist in Grants Pass, Oregon. The seller’s price is $9,250 OBO.

This Challenger would have looked stunning the day the original owner took delivery in its combination of Dark Silver Metallic with a Black vinyl top. Those days are a dim memory, and the new owner faces a “Mt Everest” of work to return it to that state. The photos suggest a rotisserie approach would be the best, although this will be time-consuming. It is a question of what the buyer wishes to achieve, but this process would offer the best chance of eliminating every square inch of rust and achieving a high-end finish. There is plenty of rust requiring attention, and it has impacted the typical exterior surfaces. The underside is a mystery, meaning the new owner will need to inspect the car thoroughly to assemble a shopping list of new steel required to ensure the body is structurally sound. Some trim pieces require replacement or restoration, but I think the tinted glass is okay.

The big unknown with this Challenger is what resides under the hood. The listing text is frustratingly vague, and there are no engine photos. We know it rolled off the line sporting a 340ci V8 that sent 240hp to the road via a three-speed TorqueFlite transmission. Emission regulations were felt by 1973, but this car would have covered the ¼-mile in 15.3 seconds. From there, we’re flying blind. I can’t decide whether the vehicle has enough of a “nose-up” attitude that might suggest an empty engine bay, and the listing’s description as an “Original 340 motor car” doesn’t clarify things. I’m willing to stick out my neck and say the V8 is in residence, although what it needs to roar into life is a wild guess. It could take a few hours of tinkering, or the buyer might need to factor the cost of a rebuild into their budget.

The mysteries of this Challenger continue when we examine its interior. The dash appears complete, and I think the door trims are present, but I see no signs of the seats or console. They don’t rate a mention in the listing, meaning the buyer probably faces a search for replacements. There are many Challenger owner’s clubs that could assist, or the buyer could patiently scour the regular online auction sites. Since it will be many months before the project reaches the point where reassembling the interior will be the next task on the list, time is on their side. The car retains its Rallye gauge cluster with the factory tach, but the original radio is gone. The seller doesn’t mention the Fender Tag, but if that is intact, it will provide the required information to return the interior trim to the correct color and material combination.

Time has not treated this 1973 Challenger Rallye well, and returning it to its former glory will not be for the faint-hearted. If it retains its original motor, that makes a faithful restoration possible. However, the process will be expensive, although the new owner could reduce the cost by performing some of the tasks themselves. Even if they don’t possess welding or painting skills, disassembly and reassembly can add significantly to build costs, and these are the tasks they could undertake. It may prove essential if the build is to remain financially viable because even if they achieve perfection, a value of $50,000 is probably just out of reach for this car once the work is complete. That leaves room to move with the asking price, but is it enough for you to consider pursuing it further?