There’s a lot to like about this 1973 Dodge Charger Rallye, from its healthy list of options to its largely sound cosmetic condition. The Charger is technically still a one-owner example as the seller has never registered it following his purchase of the car, but it’s begging for a mild restoration to get it back on the road after being parked in 1982. Supposedly, the one previous owner ran afoul of the local police and the seller even found a bail receipt in the car that supports the rumor that the Charger was proving to be too much temptation for the original owner. Find it here on eBay with a Buy-It-Now of $9,950 and located in Hollywood, Florida.
The Charger is said to wear original paint and doesn’t show any indications of major rust or rot. Yes, there’s some paint burned off in places, but that’s hardly an issue. The big story is that the seller has started the restoration and already addressed several big-dollar aspects of the project, including a full rebuild of the matching engine and transmission. The seller notes that budget was not an issue and the rebuild included converting the engine to the Magnum head arrangement, while retaining all of the original parts. Numerous upgrades are noted and the seller is confident the brand-new internals are better than what came in the Charger stock. The 340 / 727 automatic are not installed yet but sound to be pretty much ready to drop in. A large aluminum radiator with two fans is also included.
The seller notes the options list is quite healthy, leaving the factory with the following features: Rallye package; 340 engine; 727 automatic; power steering and power brakes; rear sway bar; Tuff wheel; bulge hood with hood pins and blackout; side stripes; half vinyl roof; bench seat; wheel moldings; and more. The Charger has been in Florida for a while (hence why the seller went with dual cooling fans) but now resides in North Carolina; regardless, the sun has had its way with the dash and that will need to be replaced, most likely. Also worth noting is that while this isn’t the most flattering picture, the door panels appear to be in near-mint condition and the back seat looks like it’s seen very little use.
This picture is from pre-removal, before the engine was rebuilt and dolled up. Even when the project had barely begun, the Charger came across as a very honest car that had never been extensively modified; in fact, it sounds like the stock 340 was more than enough for the original owner. The seller notes that numerous other spare parts have already been sourced for the Charger’s eventual restoration, including a suspension rebuild kit, new gas tank and sending unit, 2500 stall converter, and more. The rear suspension and brakes have been refreshed, but the seller notes the front brakes are probably in need of attention. No major rust is noted in the floors, and the troublesome battery tray has already been repaired. An unmolested muscle car with loads of hard work done? Sign me up.
Cool car and nice options. Would be a good project.
These were great looking cars but I would ditch the vinyl and forgo the silly blacked out stripes. A good solid single color, white, red, blue, or BLACK would rock. Some magnums, call it good. The interior is crying out for some buckets, but hard to find good ones, maybe just recover whats there. Do they make new dashes for 73s? In the 70s you could buy aftermarket electronics for the brake lights. Turn left or right and you got a nice moving sequence in the proper direction, pretty cool stuff.
It would have been a pretty car when new. Hopefully someone will restore it to the way it looked when new.
I think his asking price it too much. I don’t like how none of the pictures represent how the car presently sits, disassembled. It sounds like he purchased the car several years ago and never registered the car in his name. The add reads as if there are no receipts for the engine either. If that’s the case I be wary since there is no way to know what exactly was done to the engine, or when. Lots of things can go wrong with this deal, that means the car should sell at a discount, instead of its current premium.
Excellent assessment Steve. In addition this particular design it’s really valued in the collector market so curb your enthusiasm with jumping into a full restoration. Despite that, I like the car and the way it’s optioned. Provided the undercarriage proves sound buying it for a few thousand less than the current list puts the potential buyer in a good position.
The ebay ad gives more information on the car, but no pictures as to its current state of disassembly. Also, the info given states that it is in North Carolina, NOT Hollywood, Florida, as per the ebay listing…I’m confused?!? :-)
I have always liked this platform of Charger, and don’t need to hear how they are not as appealing as the previous model. I think that 10 large for this is high, but 5-6k sounds better. Not being a Mopar fanatic, I really liked the years that had the hideaway front headlamps and a console floor shifter would be perfect. These cars are sweet cruisers in the right color and upgraded rims and tires. I’ll get off my soapbox.
73 not that desireable year for Chargers.
If its a 73 340 it does not have the stainless steel crankshaft that earlier 340s have.
Plus seller has further dismantled the car according to the advert.
Nope. This car is not worth the asking price. In fact its not worth the 5 or 6 grand someone else mentioned.
Earlier 340’s had steel crank, not stainless steel.
Steve R
I stand corrected
The difference in a forged vs. a cast crankshaft is a non issue in a street build. The Mopar cast cranks are quite stout and have been used in 500 h.p. builds.
What advantage would a Stainless steel crankshaft have if it ever existed? Maybe Stainless steel cylinder sleeve, connecting and pushrods, stainless oil pump, pan, cam, block, intake manifold, valves, water pump, carburetor, air filter, radiator, starter, windshield wiper blades, power brake booster, pulleys, transmission housing, body and wheels could have kept this car almost indestructible. Haha. Just a joke
IF the motor and trans have indeed been gone through, and all the parts listed are included, and the body is straight and free of rot, you would be a fool not to buy this car at 5k. Granted, that’s a lot of ifs and the car is listed at 10k, but if it all is true, then it’s a bargain.
Looks better than most project cars I see on BF
What I’m trying to figure out is why a column shift 727 car has a 4-speed reverse indicator light on the dashboard. I don’t even think that’s the correct placement for it between the ashtray and glovebox. Just odd…
Nice car, great color, even though it’s a little scary considering the rust. Whoever buys this one should just fix the rot, restore it and love it. They aren’t going to make any money on it, but who cares.
Cool car. They were pretty emasculated by ’73 though. 0-60 came in 7.8 seconds and the quarter in over 16 seconds. Sprightly, but not fast. So it’s pretty interesting the original owner had to park it to stay out of trouble. Today’s rough equivelant would be one parking a 2019 Camry with the 2.5 4-cylinder because they couldn’t stay out of trouble. I suppose it could happen, though not likely!
Relisted and Buy It Now price lowered to $7999.