HP 383 Powered: 1973 Dodge Charger SE
With the elimination of the Coronet for the ’73 lineup, buyers who wanted a mid-size 2-Door Dodge drove away in a Charger, which received a mild facelift from the previous year and some opera-style side windows on the SE models. Stepping up to the SE also got you a 318 as the standard engine instead of the slant-6 in the base models, but performance fans could equip a Charger SE with their choice of 2 big blocks, as the 400 and 440 were still optional. This 1973 Dodge Charger SE here on Craigslist came with a 400 from the factory, but there’s a surprise powerplant here that will probably appeal to some potential buyers. The B-Body is located in Kalispell, Montana, and comes with an asking price of $23,000.
Barn Finds reader PRA4SNW has been busy tracking down cool rides, and we’d like to thank him for the great tip on this one! Even though muscle car sales were in decline by 1973, the interest in personal luxury coupes was on the rise, and the Charger SE was sort of both if it had the right stuff. Sure, the big blocks’ horsepower was down, but they were still capable performers in times of rising insurance costs and the looming oil crisis. However, this one is unique in that a ’69 high-performance 383 is now residing in the engine bay, but the sale also includes the original numbers-matching 400 in case a future owner ever wants to go back to the original motor. The seller says the 383 runs great, so I’d probably let it be and just enjoy driving the car how it is now.
Apparently, that Eggshell White paint is the original finish, and to be at the five-decade mark it still appears to be in pretty good shape for a driver. The vinyl top has been replaced, but not with the same color, as according to the fender tag the original material was white, code V1W. Fortunately, rust doesn’t seem to be much of an issue here either, although we don’t get to view any photos of the undercarriage but as good as the body seems I’m guessing the car’s solid down below as well.
The inside areas we can see appear to be in decent condition, especially considering their age and the fact that the car has more than 100k miles on it. This one also came with a few nice options such as power windows, an AM/FM radio, 3-speed wipers, and air conditioning. I’m liking how well this Charger looks like it has been cared for through the years, and that it seems like a fun weekend cruiser without needing a whole bunch of repairs from the next owner right off the bat. I think the $23k price tag is reasonable for what we’re seeing here, how about you?
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Comments
Very nice. A Magnum grille (hideaway headlights) would add much IMHO. The ‘69 mill is a great addition especially if the original 318/340/400 needed work and this one was needing a home…
Sharp car! It would only be better if it had come w/ buckets and console. I’d source a set of OEM exhaust tips, do a little TLC, and cruise! GLWTS!! :-)
I think it’s priced very fair and if you’re a Mopar guy and like this body style it’s a great deal especially with the #’s engine included.glwts.
Nice car and deal.
I like this car’s condition and interior shows good care it has gotten.
Looks very sharp from the side, and front!
Fair price.
GLWTS!
Mopar magnificent
My first car was a ’73 Charger SE. Copper metallic paint with a white vinyl top and gold interior. Bucket seats and console with the Slap Stick shifter. Had a ’68 440 out of a police car in it. Very fast car, but I totaled it when I was 17… I miss that car.
My first car was a ’73 Charger SE copper, white vinyl and good interior, too! Crazy! I got mine in 1985. I had MAACO paint it Corvette yellow, and the vinyl roof black. I bought a ’71 rusted out Charger and took and rebuilt it’s 383 and drivetrain and transferred to my ’73. I swap shopped the interior to black.
I still have mine 😊
I had a 73 charger 383CI that I bought from original owner for $500. My biggest regret was getting rid of it. If I kept the cars that I owned, I would of had a good collection. The only car I kept was 67 Firebird previous owner installed a 454CI engine. Still own that. The 60’s and early 70’s were the golden age in my point of view.
It is well worth it all day long! Time Capsule. Fantomaxe 👍
The Coronet was NOT dropped in 1973… it did not disappear for another two years. The ’72-’75 Coronets were extremely popular models among taxicab companies, and were commonly used by police agencies and fire departments. On a personal note, I have been looking for a decent 1973 or 1974 Coronet wagon for years to use as a daily driver. The Coronet level was replaced by the downsized Monaco, which full-size version was supplanted by the plush Royal Monaco.
The two-door Coronet was dropped in ’71. The four-door soldiered on until ’75.