Looking at a 72 Charger

[Pghstarsky]

Hey all, I'm thinking of buying this 1972 Charger with a 440 and auto tranny...but before I buy it I just need to ask you guys a few questions since you seem like the right people to ask. First, did the 72 charger come with a automatic transmission cooler in front of the radiator? Because this one looks like it should have one buts it's not there. Secondly, did it come stock with a coolant overflow/recovery tank? And last for right now, does 10 thousand original miles sound right for a 72, and is there any way to find out the actual mileage? Thanks so much,
Sam


And here is a picture of the car and an engine shot

[TruckDriver]

There is no way that car has only 10,000 original miles on it. All '72 SEs came with vinyl tops, it has a '73 hood, and something isn't right where the front bumper meets the fender. Yes, they should have a coolent overflow tank, no on the tranny cooler. The car has air conditioning as well, and the condensor would of been mounted up front. Just from the pictures, I'd only pay about $3 to 4,000 for it. I paid $1,500 for mine, and it was all numbers matching when I got it (minus the air conditioning stuff). Plus it was a Arizona car.

[Pghstarsky]

Vinyl tops? I dont understand. Yeah. the guy said he put that hood on but he has the original hood too. And should there be more of a gap between the fender and the bumper? There is no overflow tank or fan shrowd. And yeah, it has ac, so I guess the hose that is cut is an AC line and it's missing the condensor. Thanks you for the info, should I put more engine pics up? how about some pics from the back and in the trunk?

[TruckDriver]

No fan shroud,    I'd like to see the fender tag. I am curious to see if it even came with a 440. And if you look at my car, you can see where the vinyl top was because the trim is still there. All '72 SE cars came from the factory with them.

[Nacho-RT74]

all SEs since 72 have a body plug filler on quarter window opening to give a different look or treatment from the rest, so to hide the meeting areas between body and filler, used AS PART OF PACKAGE the vinyl top

[Pghstarsky]

Well, I know that the intire interior has been redone and it's pretty much all non-original now. So, that could explain the no vinyl top. And here's a picture of the tag, but it's hard to see. So, I have the vin number if that helps.

[TruckDriver]

Not having the vinyl top is no big deal. Some people don't like them. But if that car was a original low milage car, it most likely would still have it.

Here's one with the vinyl top yet.

[Pghstarsky]

Oh okay, well. A lot of the car has been done over. And since the interior was done maybe they took off that vinyl top. I think it looks better without it anyway.

[TruckDriver]

Thought so, you car originally came with a 400 2bbl like mine. I had a feeling when you said no fan shroud.

Code Description
WP29 W = Dodge Coronet / Charger
P = Premium
29 = 2 Door Sports Hardtop
M28 M = 400 190HP(net) 1-2BBL 8 CYL
2 = 1972
8 = Export
199037 Sequence Number '199037'

[Pghstarsky]

Seriously? Cause the vin that it has I could swear says it has the 440, here's the vin WP29M2G199037. And how would I tell if that's actually a 440 in there now?

[TruckDriver]

I ran your whole tag but 4 codes I can't make out. This is what came back

Decoding of Fender Tag: Botttom to Top, Left to Right

Code Description 
D34 TorqueFlite Automatic Transmission
WP29 W = Dodge Coronet / Charger
P = Premium
29 = 2 Door Sports Hardtop
M28 M = 400 190HP(net) 1-2BBL 8 CYL
2 = 1972
8 = Export
199037 Sequence Number '199037'
V3X9 Trim Grade/Style/Color
V = V Class
3 = Cloth and Vinyl Split Bench w/ Center Armrest
X9 = Black
TX9 Upper Door Frame: Black / Black Velvet
510 Date Built: 5 / 10 / 1972
134802 Order Number: 134802
V1X Roof Type OR Color:  Full Vinyl Top - Black
U Built to Specifications for USA Order
A76 Monaco Brougm
B41 Front Disc Brakes Some Yrs. Power
B51 Power Assisted Brakes
B11 Standard Duty Front Disc Brakes
H51 Single Air /w Heater
J25 3 Speed Variable Wipers
J52 Inside Hood Release
L31 Hood / Fender Mount Turn Signal
M21 Roof Drip Rail Moldings
M31 Belt & Hood Molding
R11 Music Master Radio AM
V5X Black - Mouldings - Protective Insert Body Side
V78 Accent Stripes - Delete
26 26 in. Radiator
END End of Codes

[Pghstarsky]

So how can I tell if it has the 440 in it now?

[terrible one]

Usually when a car is painted black along the bottom like that, it's because they bondo'd up some rust and needed to hide it/repaint without doing the entire car.

[TruckDriver]

Would have to find the code stamp on the block itself.

[Pghstarsky]

It's Plum on the bottom, I took a magnet along the bottom and it stuck the whole way. So, where is the tag on the engine? Screw this dealer. He wants $6000 for the car, but I'm dont think I'm going to pay that now that the engine might not be a 440.

[TruckDriver]

So, where is the tag on the engine? Screw this dealer. He wants $6000 for the car, but I'm dont think I'm going to pay that now that the engine might not be a 440.

Would be stamped into the engine block on the head (forget which side) $6,000 is to high for that car anyway. Like I said, $3,000 to $4,000 considering it isn't correct and it does need work yet. "72 S.E.s are the least desireable of Chargers in '72. Gotta have a aquired taste for them.

[Bob]

If your standing in front of the car looking at the engine, just to the right of the distributor, about 3 to 4 inches, is the location of the engine ID pad. You may have to look close since it may be painted over. Just write down whats there and post it.
Bob

[Pghstarsky]

Alright thanks guys, I'll go out today and look for it. I appreciate your help so much.

[jackel440]

I noticed the engine bay has the bars that run from the fenders to the cowl.my 72 didn't have those.is that a big block thing.since mine is a 318 car?

[TruckDriver]

I noticed the engine bay has the bars that run from the fenders to the cowl.my 72 didn't have those.is that a big block thing.since mine is a 318 car?

It should have them. Every car had them.

[Nacho-RT74]

I noticed the engine bay has the bars that run from the fenders to the cowl.my 72 didn't have those.is that a big block thing.since mine is a 318 car?

It should have them. Every car had them.

don't think so... Well at least down here 71/72s didn't have them

[ramit]

I think in 72 the big block cars had them.

[ramit]

I think if the guy is asking $6,000 he isn't too far off.   I think for $5,000 it would be an ok deal.  You have to remember that you don't get much for $5,000 nowadays and it looks to be a decent driver at least.

[charger490]

if you buy the car take off the plastic fuel filter and throw it away and get a metal one. the plastic cracks and you have a fire in engine bay

[CDN72SE]

I think in 72 the big block cars had them.

The two 318 '72 SE's I own both have the bars.