Cheap Garage Find: 1974 Dodge Charger SE

This 1974 Dodge Charger certainly gives off the vibe that it’s been sitting in the same place for quite some time, with the seller’s confirmation that this one’s been idle since 1983.  However, several positives can be found here, as it’s been stored inside a garage and the car seems to be mostly complete.  It’s also the more upscale SE model, so if you’re a fan of the third-generation styling it might be worth considering for a project.

Stepping up to the SE in ‘74 got buyers several niceties including a V8 as standard equipment, although unless one of the optional larger offerings was chosen it was the 318, which is what can be found under the hood here.  Unfortunately, no photos of the small block are provided, but the seller does say the engine turns freely, although no attempt has been made to get it started.  Other SE features included a landau top with six opera windows, plus a full set of gauges and an electric clock inside.

The mileage here is listed as 170,000, so if that’s accurate this one traveled extensively before it was put away, and plenty of distance for some rust to develop.  The specific corrosion areas the seller points out are the quarters and driver’s side front fender, but despite all of the metal flaws, I’m curious after a thorough washing if that Deep Sherwood paint might not look quite a bit better.  Nowhere near perfect, of course, but perhaps good enough to just turn this one into a cheap driver until you’re ready to perform a full restoration.

Without being cleaned up first, it’s hard to speculate what most of the interior components look like under all of that dirt, but I’m not spotting very many actual fabric rips on the seats.  A 1974 Charger with a 318 may not be the most exciting prospect in the marketplace, but with the completeness, SE package, and asking price of $4,000, this one might find an optimistic buyer fairly quickly.  Though there’s a Missouri plate, the car is now resting in Olathe, Kansas, and can be found here on Facebook Marketplace.  All things considered, is this one decent Mopar project material?