The Dodge Charger was one of the hottest cars from 1968 to 1970. The B-body intermediates got a redesign in 1971 that carried the car through 1974, after which it moved in the same direction as the new Chrysler Cordoba. The cars were bigger than ever (check out all the extra real estate between the front bumper and the engine fan). This ’74 Charger is an SE model with a NOM 318 cubic inch V8 that doesn’t run, and the overall package is rusty. Located in Rockford, Minnesota, this mid-1970s Mopar is available here on eBay for $4,000 OBO.
Charger sales were rejuvenated in 1971 with the new “fuselage” styling, but much of that may be because the mid-size Coronet was no longer offered as a 2-door hardtop. 1973 was a high-water year, but the ’74 models saw a drop in demand by more than one-third, probably as a result of the first OPEC oil embargo and consumers starting to shift to smaller, more fuel-efficient modes of transportation.
This Dodge is a Charger SE, which comprised half of 1974 Charger sales because of a higher level of trim. Though the odometer reads just 46,000 miles, the rest of the car looks more widely used. The car’s original engine is gone, with the space now occupied by a 318 V8 from 1971 that doesn’t run, paired with a 904 automatic transmission that may not work either. Though the Dodge currently calls Minnesota home, we’re told it came out of the Dakotas originally.
Rust is a problem, and you’ll find plenty of it in the photos the seller provides. Some new floor pans are provided for the seller to weld into place. Someone added a pop-up sunroof that may or may not leak, and the bucket seats are from another Chrysler product, with no seat tracks (I guess that means they don’t move). The seller is willing to help with transport if you’re less than 250 miles away. And no trades will be entertained. Would you take on restoring this Mopar?
Snow tire on the back wheels is a good indicator, this car has seen it’s fair share of salted roads. There’s nothing special about the car, that anyone would invest the time and money, to bring this car back from the dead. Even at $4k, this is a rather expensive parts car.
Those seats look like they came from a Cordoba. I agree, the rot must be very bad. Look it over very well underneath before buying.
If someone really like a 1974 Charger and believes he or she can get it moving down the road, it might just make a good classic daily driver.
The seller specializes in Charger parts, he has 928 listings currently on eBay, nothing will go to waste when he parts it out.
Steve R
I don’t think it’s a bad price. It’s rusty, but the floor pans look like the worst spot, and it comes with replacements. At the worst, one might have to do an engine swap to get it running again, but I would try to revive the current engine first. I would definitely save it. Doesn’t seem like it would take too much effort.
A prospective buyer could look at this and think “I could buy this for $2000-$2500 and spend $22k plus to get it back to 100% or I could buy the one Adam covered on the 26th that’s a year older and in mint condition for $20,000 more then drive it home..”.
To each their own.
There is definitely some satisfaction is bringing a car back to life, as well; 25%, 50% or 100%. Sometimes, money is not an issue..
true, but 90% of people on this forum cant do any work,they just farm it out and will never know pleasure of restoring something
I would definitely not consider myself, a mechanic, but I’ve thought about the possibility of try to restore a car; reconditioning each part until complete. My dream is to build a Ford Model T or it’s equivalent. The older, the better!
only cool thing are the snow tires.
It’s Charger week!
They’re really coming out of the woodwork here lately, aren’t they?
its worth saving; putting hidden headlights, a 440 six pack, and black paint job ,it will stand the test of time
You would have to retrofit to a ’71 – ’72 front bumper & headlight mounts. It all sits further forward on the ’73 – ’74’s, & hideaway headlights were discontinued after ’72. It’s certainly doable, but unless you just really like the ’73 – ’74’s, you’d be better off finding a ’71 or ’72 that already has ’em. Probably be cheaper in the long run. But, should you choose to do so, good luck to ya. And, we’ll wanna see pictures of the finished project! 😜
I owned a 1974 Dodge Charger SE and have always thought that the SEs in 1973 and 74 all had louvered rear side windows. I’m surprised seeing this car listed as an SE.
It did once, they’ve been removed.
Along with the vinyl half-top that they used to cover up all the patchwork they had to do to install ’em.