You are looking at a truly unique 1973 Dodge Charger. This was a customer ordered car, which means it was made with the options / combinations the customer wanted. (to a point, more later). One of the things that makes this car unique is the Ralleye Package in combination with SE trim in TX9 Black. This combination could be a 1 of 1. With the 4-Speed manual it is certainly low number car. The Vin as assigned (WH23P3) indicates it is 1 of 396 4-speed cars made in 1973. Considering it has an SE appearance (WP29P3 SE Vin) it could be 1 of 271 4-speed cars made in SE configuration.
This car is a survivor and as I know it, I am the 3rd owner. It is mostly original. The second owner had the car re-painted in the early 2000s and at that time, no one was reproducing the rally stripes, so he had a pair custom made as close to the original as possible. This car looks good for 20 some years old paint. I have the broadcast sheet for this car and have meticulously decoded it and the fender tag. I have included the details below. This is a Lynch Road car, so from what I understand the broadcast sheets and fender tags varied by plant and Lynch Road did not list every item on the sheet/tag, just the exceptions to what a “standard” car would be.
This beautiful Dodge Charger rolled off the assembly line on 5/1/1973 at 6:47 in the morning. It began its life with a 400 high performance engine. I was told the original owner wanted a 440 manual with A/C and he could not order that combination, but he could get the 400 with that combination. As a condition of the sale, the selling dealer installed the 440 six-pack before the original owner took delivery. I have no way of verifying this, but everything else on the car has checked out according to the broadcast sheet and fender tag. The 440 block has a 1968 date code, so based on that date, the 440 engine was manufactured before 1973 and is one of the “high horsepower blocks”. The second owner installed the CD player/speakers and the headers/exhaust. Maintenance and after market items were installed over the years. This includes wheels/tires, shocks, coil / wires. I have replaced the clutch and front shocks. Other than the engine, paint and the items I have noted; this car is as it was ordered back in 1973. As far as I know, everything is original unless noted.
This car is not perfect, but what almost 50 year old car is? Under my ownership, I elected to keep it original. As you can see from the pics, the driver’s seat has a split seem. There is a small mouse hole in the headliner by the shoulder belt. This beautiful Charger has just over 55,000 miles on the odometer. I have owned it since 2007 and it has won many trophies over the years.
Asking $55,000 for this rare Dodge Charger
1973 Dodge Charger Details
WH23P3 is 1 of 396 WP29P3 is 1 of 271
Decoding of Fender Tag: Bottom to Top, Left to Right (Lynch Road Tag)
Code Description
E68 400-4 Barrel High Performance
D21 Heavy Duty 4-Speed Manual Transmission
WH23 W = Dodge Coronet / Charger H = High 23 = 2 Door Hardtop
P3A P = 400 260HP(net) 1-4BBL 8 CYL 3 = 1973 A = Lynch Road, MI, USA
242397 VIN Sequence Number '242397'
TX9 Paint Code: Black / Black Velvet
H6X9 Trim Grade/Style/Color H = High 6 = Vinyl Bucket Seats X9 = Black
TX9 Upper Door Frame: Black / Black Velvet
501 Date Built: 5 / 01 / 1973
121038 Order Number: 121038
TX9 Roof Type OR Color: Black / Black Velvet
U Built to Specifications for USA Order
V21 Performance Hood Treatment
H51 Single Air /w Heater
V6R Longitudinal Stripes, Red
26 26 in. Radiator
G11 Tinted Glass All
G37 Left Hand Remote, Right Hand Manual Chrome Racing Mirrors
09118 09 = Gate 9 118=18th body through the gate for production day (101 = 1st)
238045 Sequence number since beginning of production year. (100001 = 1st)
056 Last 3 digits of Engine Assembly
989807 989 = Last 3 Digits of Axle Assembly
807 = Last 3 Digits of Transmission Assembly
2 K Inspection Tag - Inspector 2, Inspector K
Broadcast Sheet Decoding
Line 1
Sequence Number B237623
Vehicle Order Number Unreadable
VIN
Car Line WH = Charger Hardtop
Body Type 23 = 2 Door Hardtop
Engine P = 400 4-Barrel
Year 3 = 1973
Plant A = Lynch Road, MI
Build Spec U = USA
Sold Car Y14 = Sold Car It was ordered by a customer
Finish Y97 = 3 Gallons of Gas
Line 2
Engine E68 = 400-4 Barrel High Performance
Trans D21 = Heavy Duty 4-Speed Manual Transmission
Axle D53 = 3.23 Gear Ratio
D8Size 3 = 8 ¾ inch Axle Size
D91 S/G 1 = Sure Grip Axle
Tires T93 = Raised White Letter G70 x 14
Trim Code H6X9 =
H = High Price Class
6 = Vinyl Bucket Seats
X9 = Black
UDF Color TX9 = Black Upper Door Frame
Paint Style V01 = Single Tone Paint Scheme
Body Paint TX9 = Formal Black
Roof Top Style TX9 = Black Vinal Top
K Stripe 1st V6R = Longitudinal Stripes, Red
Line 3
Steering Column 315 X9 7005 = B-Body, Power Steering, Floor Shift, Black, Non-TiltSteering Wheel
25 X9 25 = Unknown X9=Black
Horn Pad 80 X9
80 = 3 Button Horn X9=Black
Rad 47 = 3673947 26” Core
Hose Inlet 57 = 2863257 Max Cool
Alt 11 = 3656711 or 3755411 Dual Pully
Fan 49 = 3462149 7 Blade Fan
Fan Spacer 79 = 3462179 Thermal
Bat 62 = Unknown
V V21 = Performance Hood
Line 4
Vac Fit 11 = 3 Way .122 Diameter
Engine 056 = Last 3 Digits of Engine Assembly
Carb 32 = Unknown
Trans 807 = Last 3 Digits of Transmission Assembly
Pin 32 = 32 Teeth P/N 2538932
Shaft 101 = P/N 2996101 Type 7290 50.68 Length 3.25 Diameter
Axle 989 = Last 3 Digits of Axle Assembly
Wheels Road / Color / Spare
60 TX9 00
Also See Line 12 W Codes
Wheel Cover 54 = Standard Dodge Wheel Cover
Also See Line 12 W Codes
Frame 49 = Unknown
Front S/Bar 91 = P/N 3402891
Shock FT 01 = Standard Shock
See Line 12 S Codes
Shock RR 63 =Unknown
See Line 12 S Codes
Line 5
(All Last Digits of Part Numbers Unless Noted)
Torsion Bar 659 658
Rear Spring 752 752
Clutch/Brake 56 20
Exhaust 945 948
Tail Pipe 03 02
Car Height BP1 (BP5 is standard height, below is low and above is high.)
Mas Cyl 45
Line 6
Time 6:47 Rolled off the line on 5/1/1973 at 6:47 in the morning
Carpet FT = 34 Color = X8 (Black) RR = 00
Wiring ENG FRT=39 ENG RR=00 H/LP=26 (All last digits of P/N)
Pulley Drive=82 3614382 Fan=07 3698907 (All last digits of P/N)
Drive Belt Fan=00 P/Stg=85 AC=82 A/inj=00 (All last digits of P/N)
Line 7
Console C16 = Center Console
Rear
Arm Rests C23 = Arm Rest with Ash Tray
Seats C56 = Bucket Seats
Carpet C93 = Standard Carpet
Rear Size B25=Brake size 10.00 x 2.50
Disc B41=Front Disc Brakes
A Combo
Groups A57 = Rallye Package
Line 8
Heater H51 = Air Conditioning
Glass G11 = Tinted Glass
Mirror O/S G37 = Left Hand Remote, Right Hand Manual Chrome Racing Mirrors
Mirror Inside G41 = Prismatic Day/Night Mirror
Alter F11 = 70 Amp Hr Alternator
Battery F23 = 59 Amp Battery with Yellow Caps
Blank Box F92 = Unknown
Line 9
Glove Box J11 = Lockable Glove Box Lid
Cigar Lighter J15 = Cigar Lighter
Wipers J25 = 3 Speed Wipers
Horns J31 = Dual Horns
Hood Pin J45 = Chrome Hood Pins
Hood Rel. J52 = Inside Hood Release
Hood J54 = Sport Hood
Inst. Panel J97 = Rallye Instrument Panel
Map Light L5 = Map Light
Glove Box L11 = Glove Box Light
Ash Tray L15 = Ash Tray Light
Cargo/Trunk L25 = Trunk Compartment Light
Turn Signal L31 = Fender Mounted Turn Signal
Line 10
Drip Trough M21 = Drip Rail
Sill M25 = Wide Body Moulding
Wheel Lip M26 = Chrome Lip Moulding
Rear/Front Guards M85 = Front and Rear Bumper Guards
Ign Switch L65 = Time Delay Ignition Switch Light
H/L On Signal L72 = Headlight on Warning Signal
Line 11
Dual Exhaust N41 = Dual Exhaust
Exhaust Tips N42 = Exhaust Tips
Coolant N76 = Coolant Recovery Canister
Gov/Tack N85 = Tachometer
Line 12
Radio R11 = Music Master AM
Front Shock S01 = Standard Front Shock
Rear Shock S31 = Standard Rear Shock
