Vehicle Description
1973 Dodge Challenger
Introduced in fall 1969 for the 1970 model year, the Challenger was
one of two Chrysler E-body cars, the other being the slightly
smaller Plymouth Barracuda. Positioned to compete against the
Mercury Cougar and the Pontiac Firebird in the upper end of the
pony car market segment. Chrysler intended the new Challenger as
the most potent pony car ever, and like the less expensive
Barracuda, it was available in a staggering number of trim and
option levels, and with virtually every engine in Chrysler's
inventory. The Challenger was canceled partway through the 1974
season as Chrysler was convinced there was no longer any market for
noisy ground-pounding performance cars. Dodge tried to up the ante
with a 245hp performance version of the 360ci V-8. The 1974
Challengers were essentially identical to the 1973 models but with
beefier rear bumpers and big rubber bumperettes, as both ends were
required to absorb 5mph impacts without damage.
For consignment, the second to last year for the E-Body Dodge
Challenger but hopped up to true muscle car status. 2018 B5 blue
with black stripes, a powerful later model Magnum 360ci V8, a
3-speed automatic transmission for cruising efficiency, an updated
stereo and gauge cluster and we have ourselves a day 2 muscle car
with some modern convenience for whooping ass and maintaining
driveability. And for the numbers aficionados out there, there is a
fender tag present but it is not for this car. Read on and get that
sporty feeling of Dodge performance!
Exterior
Showing off in the 2018 rendition of B5 Blue Metallic draping solid
surfaces with well minded gaps, good chrome and the menacing
looking dual headlight black egg crate grille and Challenger badge
up front, it's just sporty all around. AMD has provided the
replacement front fenders and a blingy rear bumper. The dual
scooped hood has a satin black decal stripe running from front to
back of it and is flanked by chrome fender mounted turn signals. On
the sides starting at the rear of the fenders and sweeping rearward
are faux fender vents with diminishing black strobe stripes and a
thin beltline trim spear that follows the coke bottle contour of
the car and ends just behind the rear door. Body colored sport
mirrors grace the tops of the doors and covering the roof is a near
flawless black vinyl top. On the back is a black Go Wing along with
a blacked out rear panel that holds the canted tail light lenses
and shiny D O D G E badging just below. 15-inch Magnum 500 wheels
with shiny black and chrome centers are all around and these are
wrapped with raised white letter BF Goodrich rubber. Noted are the
chrome exhaust tips which do a splendid job of breaking up the
black and blue motif.
Interior
Large wide molded door panels in pristine white are shown sporting
some wood applique in the center and house the handles and cranks.
This is the Fratzog logo era, and these are on the door panels.
These panels appear to have been dyed and have a rough non factory
finish to them. The dash shows the original design with a heavily
cracked padded black top but now sports rallye gauges courtesy of a
1971 Challenger R/T. The original black rimmed 2 spoke steering
wheel is fronting this dash. The white vinyl seats, with new covers
from Legendary Interiors, are dripping with 1970's styling high
thin backs, tuck and roll inserts, and smooth bolsters front and
back, although the back is a bench style with lower backs. A shout
out to the seats as they present very nicely. Black carpet covers
the floors, and a black T-handle slap stick shifter emanates from
the black plastic console on the center hump, a tight white
headliner hangs proudly above. A shout out to the reworked AM/FM
radio by Antique Radios Of Florida as the unit is now Bluetooth
capable.
Drivetrain
Now playing for your viewing enjoyment under the hood in a restored
but patina riddled engine bay is a 360ci Magnum V8 circa 2000 with
EQ cylinder heads and Keith Black 10.5-1 pistons. A roller cam and
roller lifters have been fitted into the block and it now makes a
consignor stated 400hp. Up top is a satin black Mopar Performance
air filter topper, ribbed Mopar Performance black valve covers and
supple like new hoses and bolt ons. A 4bbl carburetor feeds the air
and fossils, meanwhile electronic ignition lights the fire. On the
back is a rebuilt A727 Torqueflite 3-speed automatic with a
2800-3200rpm stall converter, also not original to this car. Out
back is an 8.75 rear axle. Muscle car performance in a 1973
package!
Undercarriage
A nice overall patina with only minor surface rust to be seen on
some of the suspension components, otherwise the rockers, and
flooring and unibody are covered in an application of Rhino Liner
rustproofing. Independent torsion bar suspension is upfront, and
leaf springs on the back. These rear leafs are from Espo and
provide a 1" lower ride to the rear. Power disc brakes are on the
front and power drums bring up the rear, power steering is also
noted. A new fuel tank was installed recently, and dual exhaust
with Magnaflow muffler is on for exhaling duties.
DriveAbility
With the twist of the key the 360ci Magnum powerhouse came to life.
Almost no warmup time was required and off to the test track we
went. Here it handled nicely, and the interior was very roomy, even
for this slightly portly writer and his even portilier decoder
cohort. Bias free panic stopping is noted, and steering is solid,
however the heater blower did not function so our attempt to test
the A/C was futile. The thump of the worked small block was music
to our ears, and it was hard to bring our drive to an end.
A fabulous car from the Malaise era of American performance.
Beautiful late model B5 Blue paint, snappy wheels and all the charm
that was the 2nd to last year for the E-body Mopars. A long way
away from the way this car was born, but it's right baby bear, this
Challenger will rock your world and leave you wondering why you
didn't jump on this ride sooner!
VIN DECODE
JH23G3B170695
J-Challenger
H-High Price Class
23-2 Door Hardtop
G-318ci V8 2bbl
3-1973
B-Hamtramck, MI Assy Plant
170695-Sequential Unit Number
Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special
interest automobile showroom, featuring over 650 vehicles for sale
with showroom space for up to 1,000 vehicles. Also, a 400 vehicle
barn find collection is on display.
This vehicle is located in our showroom in Morgantown,
Pennsylvania, conveniently located just 1-hour west of Philadelphia
on the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. The website is
www.classicautomall.com and our phone number is (888) 227-0914.
Please contact us anytime for more information or to come see the
vehicle in person.
