1973 or 1974 Dodge Charger

[oldrock]

I agree with everything the earlier poster said about bb vs 318. I think the part he might not be factoring in is craigs list shoppers are pretty savvy these days. THere is very little chance a 440 charger in decent condition is going to sell that cheap. I didn't say impossible because I know people do find deals like that on occasion but when a really good deal comes along I can assure you it is going to sell super fast.

So although a big block charger would be cool, from the sound of the OP, it is not going to be in his price range in the near term. If he is like most 15/16 year old guys, he is going to want to get a car asap rather than save up to get a better one to start with. I'd suggest look for a running 71-74 charger with a 318 as the most bang for your limited funds. My son got his 72 with a 318 for around 2k in running condition with a good frame and just some minor body work and rusty roof to deal with. We spend about $1000 on paint, body, engine parts plus getting it tagged and inspected so it would be street legal over the summer. He started driving it to school in the fall while saving up money. Now that he has the money saved up, he wanted to put it in the shop to get the motor rebuilt for better performance and reliability.

Total cost for the rebuild including a used 4 barrel intake and holley 650 double pumper we rebuilt ourselves  is under $1000 so for about $4000 total, he will have a 72 charger with original 318 that has been totally rebuilt and puts out around 300hp/ft lbs torque. Of course it won't hold a candle to a big block but should be a fun and reliable ride for a 16 year old kid who didn't have unlimited money to spend. And for those that say 318 motors are not really hotrods, I say  IMHO, a good running charger with a 318 is a fun hotrod

[oldrock]

oh and should add I do totally get the big block is better mentality. I am not a charger guy but am a mustang guy and we have the same deal going on. Guys with big blocks love to heap praises on the benefits of all those cubes and I can not lie it is fun having a big block in my mustang.


390 S code upgraded to over 400hp. Burns some serious rubber but only gets 8mpg!

[Axels73Charger]

Ok so I had a talk with my parents a while ago and I forgot about it. But after reading both of your guys post. (71383bee and oldrock) I remebered it and started to think about it ALOT more seriously then I did when they said it, The both (at different times) said that the first charger I buy doesnt have to be the "one" if I have to get more then one then I can. So lets say I get a 318 and it ends up being more then I can do. say something a pro would have a hard time with. Not saying im trying to get one like that but it happens. So I buy it, its crap I sell it or whatever. Then maybe 2 3 months down the road I find a better one, maybe a BB. All I'm saying is I got some support behind me in well some areas.

As for waiting. I would really really like to get one as fast as I can but... Because lifes kinda been hard in some areas and we were really busy I didnt get into drivers Ed right away. Ok so I still have to wait until june. So Im not going to be able to get my licens until December or so. Im just sayin.

[71383bee]

Good points all around.  I suppose it is important to point out that I am looking at these things with several years of hindsight.  I started the hobby with a beat up 318 charger as a matter of fact.  I can honestly say that I look at cars much differently then when I was a teenager.  Now I look at the potential for any car I look at...I'll be honest a 318 common option mopar is not something that I consider for a full blown resto unless I am going to turn it into something it never was...an R/T or rallye.  BUT, I have had and enjoyed several 318 cars that I actually drove daily for awhile  (125 mi round trip a day too).  They can be made into great drivers.  

Don;t regret getting a 318 car.  It just seemed from your choices all things being equal which had the most bag for the buck I always think big picture.  

Old rock I have followed you and your sons resto and I hold it in a very high regard.  Its comforting to see young guns get into mopars.  Please know that I mean no disrespect to your endeavors.  I do respect small blocks too.  A couple rides in a 340 dart  is enough to convert anyone!  And I built a lean mean 318 with 340 parts a while ago for a satellite I used to have...lots of fun and outstanding mileage!  

This is what I cruised around in for a couple years before I sold it to my buddy.  Nice 318 I built for it!




And the tired old 318...BEFORE


And after...340 intake, rebuilt TQ, bigger cam, rebuilt heads...a nice running motor

[Axels73Charger]

So umm for some of you that may remeber helping me out about my  dodge charger SE questions I put this link up to this Rallye. That was about a month and a half ago. Its still there. This is Charger is in my state. And its is alot easier for me to get to. The ones I showed you guys before. The 74's and the one 73 where pretty close. But this ones still here (been on craigslist since january) and He has new pics again... Tell me what you think

1973 Dodge Charger Rallye  400 BB $2,200
http://milwaukee.craigslist.org/cto/1674640534.html

He explains that hes the 3rd owner and the owners before took out the 340 and put a 400 BB in. Well just tell me what you think AND if this one stays here until at least july I think Im gunna try and get it.

[71383bee]

Not bad...I have looked at that one too.  His price is very fair IMHO for a legit 340 rallye.  It's too bad he doesn't still have the engine.  I would have preferred to keep the 340 actually.   

Get the fender tag info and we can decode it for you.  Food for thought if ANY seller is not willing or able to provide the fender tag I would be VERY wary...in fact I would lose ALL interest, but that's just me. 

Now looking at this car with my older eyes I see a car in need of a full blow resto.  I would take it completely apart and restore it from bottom to top.  BUT, it does have some potential if your looking at it as a driver...plus if you do get her running and cruise and keep it it will have a much better value than a more plain regular charger. 

[Axels73Charger]

I would love to call the guy up but my only problem is I dont have all the cash yet. I should have it in 3 months hopefully. but thats along time. I could go off the fact its been there for 4 months already but I still feel like I should wait until I got the money. I am doing my best its just taking a really long time. IF I do call him I'll ask him for the fender tag. Im just going off my gut and it says I may got a good chance with this rallye. But then again Im young so anything can happen!

[PocketThunder]

I would love to call the guy up but my only problem is I dont have all the cash yet. I should have it in 3 months hopefully. but thats along time. I could go off the fact its been there for 4 months already but I still feel like I should wait until I got the money. I am doing my best its just taking a really long time. IF I do call him I'll ask him for the fender tag. Im just going off my gut and it says I may got a good chance with this rallye. But then again Im young so anything can happen!

I used to be just like you Axel, in fact most of us started out just like you and i would say to wait till you have close to the purchase price saved up before you make the call.  Otherwise you're wasting his time and yours.  For example if the car for sale is $2,200 and you have $1,800 saved up, then thats the time to call and offer $1,800 and explain to him that is all you have saved up so far and you dont want to miss out on the deal.  maybe the seller will bite.  If not keep saving young grasshopper.    

[Axels73Charger]

Well today I proved I was a kid by accidentally cutting the back sidee of my fingures open. Good thing my dads a docter or that couldve cost alot. I got stitches... I had so much fun today. ( sarcasm )

that aside. Thanks for the advise I think Its pretty sound. I asked basicly the same question on the 1971-1974 dodge charger site. Not because I dont think you guys dont know what your talking about but I like getting as much advise about something as I can. Plus I love reading posts by people that own chargers and know what Im talking about. Any way one guy said something about the 74 charger that I didnt understand. I'll put a link in because i dont remeber what he said. If you guys can tell me what he ment that'd be great

The post is by hippyjed.
http://wichargerguy.proboards.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=general&thread=7382&page=1

[rudyjrusa]

The only differences between the 73 and 74 is the truck pan and the gas tank. In 74 they changed the gas tank and that put a "hump" in the trunk pan.

Good hunting!

DJMIII

the rear lower panels for a 74 charger are different - they have the seat belt covers.

[Axels73Charger]

What about the roof line for the SE? I've seen many a 74 SE without vynil. So im wondering if in 74 the vynil was removed? Almost every  74 se i've seen doesnt have the Vynil roof SO im just checking. 73 93% of the SE's i've seen all have vinyl roofs. I think If I buy a SE I would like to not have a vynil roof because if would most likely get destroyed really quick. And I like how the opera windows look without the vynil roof.

[Axels73Charger]

Heres what I mean on the 74 without vynil.

Moparmuscle mag 74 dodge charger 318 SE:
http://www.moparmusclemagazine.com/featuredvehicles/b_body/mopp_0901_1974_dodge_charger_se/index.html

[Nacho-RT74]

The only differences between the 73 and 74 is the truck pan and the gas tank. In 74 they changed the gas tank and that put a "hump" in the trunk pan.

Good hunting!

DJMIII

the rear lower panels for a 74 charger are different - they have the seat belt covers.

there are lot more diff... some just miscelaneous, some  more important... check the link I posted earlier

[Nacho-RT74]

Heres what I mean on the 74 without vynil.

Moparmuscle mag 74 dodge charger 318 SE:
http://www.moparmusclemagazine.com/featuredvehicles/b_body/mopp_0901_1974_dodge_charger_se/index.html

the two stripes on top allong the car makes the chebby influence

[Axels73Charger]

I just showed that because I was having a hard time with youtube earlier so I couldnt show the videos of the 74 SE's. They all didnt have vynil. So i'm asking DID 74 not have the vynil roof like in 73? Or did the vynil in 74 not last as long as the 73's vynil top and is that why 74 SE's dont have it any more?

I'm just wondering as I said I really like the way it looks without vynil. Plus I dont want the trouble of having the vynil be the wrong color. I plan on painting my Charger black. So I dont think white vynil will work... Yet I really dont know alot about vynil. Oh and the other post didnt say anything about vynil. At least from what I read.

[Nacho-RT74]

as I stated somewhere, all SEs are made to get Vinyl no matter the year ( even 2nd gens ) by package default, but 72/74s are practically mandatory to hide at the same time the body plug filler on quarter glass area giving the diff shape/look there.

Of course as you have discovered can it be removed and gap filled with bondo. But talking about factory setup, all SEs got it for one or another reason.

[71383bee]

yep...all SE's got a vinyl roof.  It was like the superbird...they needed to hide bodywork.   Any SE without vinyl was pulled off by someone at some point. 

Most of the SE's had body mods of some sort that needed to be hid by a vinyl top.  70 Challenger SE had a smaller rear window, as mentioned the 72 Charger SE had a different 1/4 window, and the 73/74 Charger SE's had the opera's...etc.

[TylerCharger69]

I have to applaud you, that...for a 15 year old...You ask the right questions, seem to be interested in key details, and seem to have a game plan for the finances planned out carefully.  Everyone pretty much covered all bases. But overall...don't expect to find a Charger without needing some serious work for the kind of budget.  I'm saying you wont find a decent one, but expect to get up close and personal with it.  There is an answer for every question possible in this forum. (Pertaing to Chargers that is...) Lots of knowledge here.  The three cars you posted earlier....I, myself, would choose the first one.  It "appears"  to be in the best shape.  You can always install a 440 later on down the road. When that time comes, you can always sell the 318 to help fund the 440 build!!  And....welcome home....lol      Ace

[Axels73Charger]

Well ace after learning about the after market parts I can use to put a 440 in a SB Charger I'm all for getting a 440! I've seen some 440's sell for 500 to 600 bucks! But I still think that getting the car is the biggest thing! I do want something to work on and I am kinda glad most of you think that I will get a real project car with body work and other work for my budget! But thats just me.

I will keep on working and plaing and of course looking for a Charger. Thanks for the help and advise.

[TylerCharger69]

Yeah....I agree....I'd say buy the one in the best condition for your budget....even if it is a 318 car....or even a slant 6 for that matter, because you can always put in the 440 later!!!

[Axels73Charger]

Yeah I agree. It has been said it may be hard but I think I'll learn something while doing it.

[Axels73Charger]

Hey have any one seen a fully converted SE from opera windows to 1/4 windows? Also have you seen one that was successfully and also made looking good??? Im kinda wondering if its been done and or if its possible so that it doesnt look like crap. I am still curious about it even though I dont know if I'll ever do it...

[Grim Jhaixus]

like this?

[Grim Jhaixus]

sorry about size, shoulda cropped it down

[Axels73Charger]

Yea!!! or like the one in your profile pic. (is that one yours?) im having a hard time finding a standard roof line 73 or 74 charger!!!! so im wondering if it possible to do it and make it look good! that ones on the internet do you know if that was converted? do you know of any others? if not thanks because it gives me some hope!!!