Newbie with a question

[Tackelbarry]

I am new to the forum because I found a 1974 Dodge Charger for sale that I am thinking about purchasing.  I have owned over 50 different vehicles but this would be my Chrysler. 
  The add reads;  This is an all original 1974 Dodge Charger Rallye package.  1 of 213 made with the Rallye Package, 440 engine, and auto transmission.  Good original condition.  White with black stripes, spoiler and air dam.  Black interior.  Motor and transmission have been rebuilt.  A beast of a car!!!!!  Poor health forces sale.  Very nice car for the price.  Very low actual mileage (Less than 19,000).  Numbers matching car.

Anyway,  the person is asking $13,500.00.  The pictures look good but I wanted to ask the experts if this was a fair price before I made the trip to look at it in person.  Thanks for all of your advice. 

[mikepmcs]

Post the pictures and the vin if possible for the 3rd gen experts to dissect said car.

[Tackelbarry]

I spoke with the owner.  He said that he has owned the car for 15 years.  The owner of his local Dodge dealership special ordered the car for his son when his son turned 16.  His son also had a motorcycle that he wrecked and was killed.  The current owner said he tried to buy the car for years but the father/dealership owner refused to sell it and it just sat.   Jump forward to 1992,  the current owner said he was riding his motorcycle and saw the top of a car among tall weeds in a field.  He stopped, saw what it was, inquired, and it turned out to be the same car.  He asked the person if they were interested in selling it and they said they would think about it, but also said that something was wrong with the engine.  The current owner bought the car and rebuilt the engine with all dodge hemi parts except he installed an aluminun intake and chrome valve covers.  It is a 440 magnum that he thought was, as far as the factory knew, supposed to have been exported out of the U.S.  He also said it had a 323 rearend and he put in a 323 limited-slip rearend.  He said he still has all of the original parts.  He also said that the floor pan has a rusted through spot right behind the drivers seat.  Apparently, the owner that left it in the field also left the drivers side window down a couple of inches.  He said there are also a couple of small spots on top fo the front fenders.  He told me that the car runs as new and has less than 19,000 miles on the chassis and 5000 miles since he rebuilt the engine.  It has power steering, power brakes(front disc), No AC, bucket seats, Center console automatic.  This gentleman is in his mid 60's, had four heart attacks and does not want to finish the car.  It sounds like I would need driver and passenger front fenders and driverside floor pan.  Does $13,500.00 sound reasonable?  What say the experts?  Thanks again.  Oh, I will post the vin # when he calls me back. 

[rav440]

I spoke with the owner.  He said that he has owned the car for 15 years.  The owner of his local Dodge dealership special ordered the car for his son when his son turned 16.  His son also had a motorcycle that he wrecked and was killed.  The current owner said he tried to buy the car for years but the father/dealership owner refused to sell it and it just sat.   Jump forward to 1992,  the current owner said he was riding his motorcycle and saw the top of a car among tall weeds in a field.  He stopped, saw what it was, inquired, and it turned out to be the same car.  He asked the person if they were interested in selling it and they said they would think about it, but also said that something was wrong with the engine.  The current owner bought the car and rebuilt the engine with all dodge hemi parts except he installed an aluminun intake and chrome valve covers.  It is a 440 magnum that he thought was, as far as the factory knew, supposed to have been exported out of the U.S.  He also said it had a 323 rearend and he put in a 323 limited-slip rearend.  He said he still has all of the original parts.  He also said that the floor pan has a rusted through spot right behind the drivers seat.  Apparently, the owner that left it in the field also left the drivers side window down a couple of inches.  He said there are also a couple of small spots on top fo the front fenders.  He told me that the car runs as new and has less than 19,000 miles on the chassis and 5000 miles since he rebuilt the engine.  It has power steering, power brakes(front disc), No AC, bucket seats, Center console automatic.  This gentleman is in his mid 60's, had four heart attacks and does not want to finish the car.  It sounds like I would need driver and passenger front fenders and driverside floor pan.  Does $13,500.00 sound reasonable?  What say the experts?  Thanks again.  Oh, I will post the vin # when he calls me back. 

sounds like $10K to high .  get photos if you can . is it # matching ?

[NHCharger]

Prices are all over the board right now with the soft economy. If that car was in showroom condition it would probably be worth 17-18k. Even tho it's low mileage the engine has been modded and sitting in a field with the window down for years doesn't help either. There's probably a lot more rust than meets the eye. 15 years ago all rust was fixed with bondo, bring a magnet.  With out picks I wouldn't go past 5k.

[Tackelbarry]

Yes it is a numbers matching car with less than 19,000 original miles.  The pictures look very good.  I think he is just making sure he does not mislead anyone.    As I mentioned, the car is all original including paint and interior. 

The VIN# is; WH23U4A256713 

What can all of you tell me about the car based on the VIN #?  Thanks again.  Scott aka Tackelbarry

[hemi-hampton]

I can tell you the VIN sez it's a 440 car. LEON.

[Foreman72]

yeah thats quite steep...

15 years ago all rust was fixed with bondo, bring a magnet.

...glad technology has evolved so...

the 1974 ralley is a sleek car...it isn't everywhere either

vin tag says:

Body Type:   W  =  Dodge Coronet / Charger
Price Class:   H  =  High
Body Type:   23  =  2 Door Hardtop
Engine:   U  =  440 385HP 3-2BBL 8 CYL
Year:   4  =  1974
Sequence Number: 256713  =  156713th Vehical Built

straight our of allpar.com...its an original 440-6 so i'd go for it...but like others hav said, make sure you check everything...

are you looking to do a restoration or are you buying it just as a driver?

[Drache]

yeah thats quite steep...

15 years ago all rust was fixed with bondo, bring a magnet.

...glad technology has evolved so...

the 1974 ralley is a sleek car...it isn't everywhere either

vin tag says:

Body Type:   W  =  Dodge Coronet / Charger
Price Class:   H  =  High
Body Type:   23  =  2 Door Hardtop
Engine:   U  =  440 385HP 3-2BBL 8 CYL
Year:   4  =  1974
Sequence Number: 256713  =  156713th Vehical Built

straight our of allpar.com...its an original 440-6 so i'd go for it...but like others hav said, make sure you check everything...

are you looking to do a restoration or are you buying it just as a driver?

It's not 440-6 it's a 440-4

*Edit* Ok I used an online decoder it read 440-6 yet the sheet I have says 440-4 

[BROCK]

440 6 is V code & not available in 74

440 4 is U code & prod number seems fair!

Actual condition of the car may not match or be close to pics.

Gotta do what seems right for you.

[Charger1973]

Dont let the mileage fool you.  The motor in my car came from a 40k mile car and that thing had MAJOR rust issues hiding under bondo and cheap paint.  It was one of the rustiest Chargers I have come across and it looked pretty nice (except it was totalled in the front end) until I started cutting on it.  Then it fell apart in chunks...

[Tackelbarry]

I guess I am looking to do what a lot of people do.  Fix it up, clean it up, enjoy it, and eventually sell it for a profit so I can try to move up the food chain.  I am not looking to do a rotisserie restoration.  I would like to keep it as original as possible, if the "Ralley Package" is rare for 1974.  Or.....is this one of those that might eventually bring more money as a resto-mod?  Is $13.500.00 fair?  If not, what is a fair offer for both parties?  Thanks again.  Scott

[Bob]

It's really really hard to form an opinion with out detailed pics my friend. I own a 74 SE, 81k miles and it's pretty squared away but would not get anywhere near 13K.
Bob

[Foreman72]

440 6 is V code & not available in 74

440 4 is U code & prod number seems fair!

Actual condition of the car may not match or be close to pics.

Gotta do what seems right for you.

my bad on the engine deal ...just reading what i found...better double check next time...allpar.com's fault!!

[Tackelbarry]

telling me the file is to big.  How do I reduce it?  Thanks

[Drache]

440 6 is V code & not available in 74

440 4 is U code & prod number seems fair!

Actual condition of the car may not match or be close to pics.

Gotta do what seems right for you.

my bad on the engine deal ...just reading what i found...better double check next time...allpar.com's fault!!

I've got a decoder actually on my computer (VIN and TAG) and I was right about the engine but I decided to double check and sure enough allpar said it was a 440-6. Should have went with my gut and the computer decoder!

[rav440]

440 6 is V code & not available in 74

440 4 is U code & prod number seems fair!

Actual condition of the car may not match or be close to pics.

Gotta do what seems right for you.

my bad on the engine deal ...just reading what i found...better double check next time...allpar.com's fault!!

I've got a decoder actually on my computer (VIN and TAG) and I was right about the engine but I decided to double check and sure enough allpar said it was a 440-6. Should have went with my gut and the computer decoder!

440 6 is the 73 74 cast #

back too the CHARGER as said before a 74 440 car in great condition is worth around $15-$18K  so why wouold you think this one would be worth $13.5K ? 
you say you want a car to enjoy and someday turn a profit . from the sounds of this CHARGER youll be way over market value for the next 5 + years or so if not more .

there are way better deals out there just look around . if your willing to spend 13.5K  you should be able to find a turn key beautiful CHARGER needing only minnor work and a little TLC

[mikepmcs]

telling me the file is to big.  How do I reduce it?  Thanks

send the pics to me at mikepmcs@yahoo.com   I'll resize and post for you.

v/r
Mike

[HKCharger]

www.photobucket.com

[NHCharger]

I guess I am looking to do what a lot of people do.  Fix it up, clean it up, enjoy it, and eventually sell it for a profit so I can try to move up the food chain. 

A 3rd gen Charger IS the top of the food chain Some say I'm a bit biased.

Rav440 is right. For 13.5k that Charger should need nothing but a driver.

[rav440]

pics ? 

[tan top]

 sounds like a intresting  3rd generation ..... any pictures   ................

[rav440]

sounds like a intresting  3rd generation ..... any pictures   ................

pics

[69charger2002]

i can't think of many 74's i've ever seen that went for $13,500. i sure hope it's nice, low mileage or not
trav