318 V8 Project: 1974 Dodge Challenger Rallye
Dodge’s Challenger was the last mainstream pony car to be brought to market and one of the first to depart when demand for performance cars dropped after the 1970s OPEC oil embargo. The Challenger shared its new E-body platform with the Plymouth Barracuda from 1970-74, but no sheet metal was common between them. This 1974 Challenger Rallye is a two-owner car if you include the seller who likely bought it for resale purposes. Located somewhere in Nebraska (although the listing is in Denver, Colorado), this Dodge is available here on craigslist for $12,500 OBO. Thanks to Gunter Kramer for another Mopar tip.
The all-new Challenger got off to a great start, selling 77,000 copies in its first year (1970). But, demand plummeted the remaining four years, never crossing 27,000 units again. By 1974, production was down into the teens, as was Plymouth’s Barracuda, so Chrysler concluded the pony car market had run its course and canceled both cars before the model year was out.
For 1973-74, the Rallye was the sportier of the Challenger offerings. If you checked the box labeled A57, for $190 extra it got you a performance hood (with non-functioning scoops), blacked-out grille, and fake fender vents with strobe tape stripes, a Rallye instrument cluster, a beefier suspension, and F70-14 wide oval tires. Six-cylinder engines were now a thing of the past and you had your choice between the basic 318 cubic-inch V8 with 2-barrel carburetor or the 360 (“station wagon”) V8 that had replaced the 340. The last true days of Challenger performance with 383, 440, or Hemi engines were largely gone after 1971.
The seller’s car appears to have resided outside for some time. It was purchased new by a serviceman fresh out of the military in 1974 who managed to put 125,000 miles on the auto. The 318 is not running and a shifter at a minimum will be needed to correct that. The hood is off the car but included with the sale and the once Yellow-Blaze paint has seen better days. The Dodge was propped up on boards to keep the frame off the ground, but since all the tires have gone flat, that effort no longer bears fruit.
We’re told the floors are good, but the trunk and rear quarter panels are going to need to be reworked. And the interior has deteriorated badly with the seats wanting new upholstery and what’s left of the headliner is falling down. The seller says he’s willing to deliver the car, but there are likely distance limitations and extra charges. It’s a shame this isn’t a ’71 Challenger with a 383 and 4-speed. The decision to restore or not would come a lot easier.
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Comments
Who Ya Gonna Call …… Graveyard Carz
Rallye Junky.
i had a 73 challenger for a couple years till the front fenders were full of bondo and had to be replaced.the ballist resistor always went and in the rain or snow it was an auto on the column always wan’t to stall i had the rally dash and a moonroof too it was black with white interior and 318 motor and it had air shocks.at the end of its time the frame was cracked too .one winter the heater core went on me but i still love these cars
By 1974 people grasped that a Duster was 500 bucks cheaper (a lot of money in those days), plus it was 75-100 pounds lighter. Add in the fact that the insurance was much cheaper and you have your answer. The Challenger was a better looking car then the Duster, but both were pretty good looking. Plus the Duster was easier to get in and out of. You sat higher, many people preferred the driving position, I know I did. Chrysler hit a home one with the Duster, the Challenger was barely a base hit.
Resonant frequency in these cars was right around average cruising speed, not long after leaving the dealer one could expect the interior to implode. And the sound of the starters sure turns heads!
Mopar starters had their own distinct sound no matter what the model
$12.5k for a non runner mid-level car w/ a dubious undercarriage condition (IMO) is a bit on the high side, but the seller has advertised “OBO”. I own a ’74 Challenger and looking at all that’s going to be needed for restoration,(engine/interior/body & paint work) I’d offer no more than $7.5-8k. GLWTS!! :-)
A couple years ago, I went to look at a kitchen stove for sale. The man ran an appliance repair shop on his farm in NW Iowa. While there, I noticed a couple of old MOPAR’s, ’68 Road Runner and ’74 Challenger, both not currently running but stored inside on concrete. The Challenger really caught my eye. 318 had been replaced with a 340 that had developed a severe knock. Red, no visible rust, I didn’t look underneath though. Black interior in good shape with console automatic. The RR has a ton of rust, bench seat, auto on column and built 440. OEM 383 in the building. He said he needed more room for his business and wanted to sell the cars. He has zero idea as to value. Note: his father, grandfather and entire family have always owned MOPAR products. Rather odd as far as I can tell in my area of the world. The yellow Challenger in this BF list is in a billion times worse condition.
Nah, ’74 318 Challengers in this condition are not worth 12.5K – yet.
And hopefully never will be.