1973 or 1974 Dodge Charger

[Nacho-RT74]

Grim Jhaixus, thats not an SE converted, thats an SE with roll down windows option from factory. Only available for 73

[Grim Jhaixus]

No, the pretty one is not mine. The profile pic is though, a very abused 1973 318 SE car that has had it's vinyl removed by a previous owner, and I was apparently mistaken about it being converted from operas to quarters. The nice one is what I'm aspiring for. Sorry Nacho, I was unaware the vinyl top came with the normal quarter windows on 3rd gens, I'll keep it in mind in the future, especially since it means I may find a reproduction vinyl instead of a customized one.

[Nacho-RT74]

you don't have to apologize LOL... lot of ppl doesn't know and that why we are here and around.

More info:

[Axels73Charger]

HAHA So now its on both my threads! HAHA well its pretty hard to find a se without it opera windows so i can see where people might have gone wrong! As for beat up from what i can see it looks very nice!

[Nacho-RT74]

and posted by the same guy LOL

[Axels73Charger]

Have you ever thought you found the right one and then out of the blue the owner takes it off of craigslist and puts it on ebay? I think that rallye thats near me is gunna sell now that it is on ebay! And now Im kind pissed I dont have a chance to buy it....

[Axels73Charger]

Oh the other thing I want to know is how you make the opera windows fit with the car without the vynil and trim? Like the videos with the vynil less se's with the different looking opera windows

[Nacho-RT74]

sorry I don't get what you said.

If you say about how they look without the vinyl and still the louvers on the window, is pretty much straight like the pics and videos shows around... Body plug insert visible and noticeable ( quite often in a diff color to make it more noticeable ) or with body filler to hide the gap, and louvers also noticeable from the rest of C pillar.

there were another models with M07 roof option what it was FULL vinyl roof and opera window FRAME instead LOUVERS... just 74 option. ( first pic )

these were coded WH23, not WP29 on VIN. They are very tipical on Spring Special Package ( A77 on fender tag ) although not really part of the package... second pic... these Spring Specials got mid body side rallye stripe and special and unique interior treatment. Some other option details too.

[Axels73Charger]

What I meant was like in the videos where there wasnt any vinyl roof but the opera windows were changed some how to fit the car without the vinyl top... I think Iit was in the 3rd and 1st vid. I dont really remeber but there in the post where I had a question about the SE and I put vids in it. It in the second page.

[alcusswhen]

Ok here are some 73 and 74 318 chargers I found and have been looking at. Tell my what you think.

73 Dodge Charger 318 "Aztec" (What the hell is an Aztec?)
http://williamsport.craigslist.org/cto/1641456089.html
74 Dodge Charger 318
http://indianapolis.craigslist.org/cto/1659282737.html
73 Dodge Charger 440
http://fayetteville.craigslist.org/cto/1641081839.html

Hopefully I put the links in right. Tell me what you guys think.

Of the 3 i like the last BB SE the best, the 1st 318 standard charger 2nd, and wouldn't touch the middle charger with a 10' pole. 

The SE will have the rallye dash and trim and a huge bonus is the 440 drivetrain.  Honestly both will need body and probably mechanical work.  The 318 not as much, but you can't deny the cool and fun factor of building the 440 car vs. the 318 car. 

If it were me...I would get the 440 car from NC.
Sorry but there is no more fun facter with a 440 than a 318. My little 318/391 stroker makes 450 horse, with a 2500 stall converter and 390 gear it has no problem hanging with a 440. 

[71383bee]

Ok here are some 73 and 74 318 chargers I found and have been looking at. Tell my what you think.

73 Dodge Charger 318 "Aztec" (What the hell is an Aztec?)
http://williamsport.craigslist.org/cto/1641456089.html
74 Dodge Charger 318
http://indianapolis.craigslist.org/cto/1659282737.html
73 Dodge Charger 440
http://fayetteville.craigslist.org/cto/1641081839.html

Hopefully I put the links in right. Tell me what you guys think.

Of the 3 i like the last BB SE the best, the 1st 318 standard charger 2nd, and wouldn't touch the middle charger with a 10' pole. 

The SE will have the rallye dash and trim and a huge bonus is the 440 drivetrain.  Honestly both will need body and probably mechanical work.  The 318 not as much, but you can't deny the cool and fun factor of building the 440 car vs. the 318 car. 

If it were me...I would get the 440 car from NC.
Sorry but there is no more fun facter with a 440 than a 318. My little 318/391 stroker makes 450 horse, with a 2500 stall converter and 390 gear it has no problem hanging with a 440. 

Yep and no matter what you do it will always be worth less than a true #'s 440 car...don't matter home much you stroke your self or your ego a 318 charger will NEVER touch a BB car or true 340 rallye car in value assuming all things are equal.  Once again folks are reading things into my statements that are NOT what i meant to say.  I never said a 318 is too slow or not worth restoring...it simply is a matter of between the three which would yield the best value. 

[Grim Jhaixus]

71383Bee:

Sir, you are mistaken. A 318 will never sound like big block, it will never feel like a 440. If the Charger were only about power than I would put a FORD drivetrain in it. The car is about the look, sound, and feel. First and foremost, the Charger is COOL. The power it can make is merely a happy bonus.
The only reason anyone should want to drive a Charger is for love of the car. Not matching numbers, because all the numbers in the world won't alter the fact that you are driving a Charger.

[Grim Jhaixus]

 

[Axels73Charger]

Haha well that makes perfect sense! So umm I'll go for looks and feel the power speed and NOISE later. Did I get that all right? Edit there is some sarcasm behind this post because the only drive train that has really power with it being crate is a HEMI which in the future is what i want!  Theres other part with sarcasm behind them because though i agree with the looks (we own um) theres a big diff in whats under the hood and its looks. under first complete mopar second! (looks)

[71383bee]

71383Bee:

Sir, you are mistaken. A 318 will never sound like big block, it will never feel like a 440. If the Charger were only about power than I would put a FORD drivetrain in it. The car is about the look, sound, and feel. First and foremost, the Charger is COOL. The power it can make is merely a happy bonus.
The only reason anyone should want to drive a Charger is for love of the car. Not matching numbers, because all the numbers in the world won't alter the fact that you are driving a Charger.

Wow 39 posts and your seriously gonna throw down with me...

I see so by your idiotic logic a charger with a slant 6 is = to or in fact better than a big block SE, or R/T, or REAL rallye, or even a REAL super bee for that matter...I am mistaken huh?  really?   

Maybe by your logic I somehow am NOT enjoying true life because I have a super bee?  and I suppose your khrylon touched slot rims black parts car you got there somehow equals or exceeds a REAL car that has VALUE...and that really is the point you nimrods...Go back and READ ALL OF THE POST YOU IDIOT...IF all 3 cars are sitting next to each other and they ALL are in equal condition and they ALL are the same $$$ the question was which has the best VALUE and potential...so moron they are ALL  chargers so they pass your stupid ass coolness quest so you mean to tell me YOU would not pick the true numbers matching big block SE because what?  A charger makes you feel good?  WTF are you smoking...

And a FORD is all about power?  Okay where did that come from...so Chrysler's never had any power?  IS that why Henry Ford originally was buying motors from Dodge in the beginning?  Wow thanks for the history lesson there brainiac.  I guess engines like the 340, the 413, the 426 wedge, the 383 HP, the 440+6, and a little thing called the HEMI  really just did not do so hot against the FORD powerhouse.  I think you need to crack open an NHRA or even NASCAR record book and see who was running the streets back then.  It may surprise you...or it may not since you seem to not want to bring praise to a mopar board of all places.   

Either way, whatever, you 318 jihadists are right a 318 is equal to or better than any other charger out there...keep smokin the good stuff there...in fact I can't wait for you all to see what my buddy and I are going to do to the 318 72 charger we picked up a week ago for parts...I'll post pictures!  It's gonna get the proper treatment a rusted out parts car deserves...its gonna be parted out to be used to resurrect a REAL charger (72 GY8 400 Rallye...ahh yeah that comes with the rallye dash and the cool rear lights and the power bulge hood and a BB...ohh never mind not as cool as a 74 hardtop I guess).  That's still allright now isn't it...I mean it is a charger and any charger no matter what its got is all about the feel and coolness of the charger man....cool.  I'm out...   

[gschmidt211]

I have to agree with 71383Bee.  The question asked towards the beginning of this post was between three cars that are relatively equal in cost and effort to restore, which would we choose.  There were two 318 cars and a 440 car.  All things being equal, the 440 SE car is the better choice.  The better dash, most likely, better options and the big block drive train and all the extras that come with that.  And in 1973 and 1974, that BB drive train was a big deal.  The different K-frame and the whole bit is nothing to shrugged off.  Good luck upgrading your 318 later down the road.  It can be done, but I'll take the car that started life as a big block car, rather than converting a 318.

Last year, I was at a crossroads myself.  I had a 1972, 318 Satellite. I really enjoyed that car.  However, I had done a lot of things to try and make a Sebring Plus clone.  I put in the Rallye Dash, put on a set of Magnum 500's.  I had done quite a bit more than that, but at some point the investment in the car was going to stop having any potential of a decent return if I ever decided to sell the car. 

The next step was to change out the drive train and do the two tone paint.  I really wanted to put a 400 in the car.  Well, that meant upgrading the 904 and removing the 8-1/4" for an 8-3/4".  That would have meant new suspension in the rear as well as other upgrades.

With all of that work and expense, I would still have a "G" code, 318 car in the end.  It would have been a nice car, but still an original 318.

I had been struggling with that decision on how far to proceed with the upgrades on the Satellite for sometime. Well, along comes an opportunity at a REAL big block, REAL 1972 Rallye car. After an 8 hour car ride, while towing the Rallye back home, I came to the realization that I would be a fool to put money into the 318 Satellite when I could use that same money and end up with a REAL big block car, and a Rallye car at that. 

After looking at the cost to upgrade the Satellite and resto the body work, the cost would be about the same to restore the 1972 Rallye, M code car. The paint guy does not care if he is shooting a G code car or a U code car.  When it is stripped down to the chassis, they are the same.  However, when it is back together and at the shows, my real M code, car is going to receive more respect than a G code car with a 440 in it's place.  More importantly, it will command more money come sale time.  As much as I will enjoy this car when it is done, there will always be another opportunity to move up.  Anyone who has been around for sometime is well aware that there is always something out there to tempt us down the road and your beloved car today may be on the auction block tomorrow.  I have had a 1969, 383 RR, N96, Hemi Orange convertible playing with my emotions for sometime. The car has not quite disappeared from my radar, and if given the chance, I will make a move up to it.

You can substitute my 318 Satellite with a 318 Charger and you still have the same story.  A 318 Charger will still only be a 318 Charger, no matter what is done to it.  However, years down the road, after all the money is stuck into a 318 Charger, and you look back and think, I had a choice between a real 440 car or this 318 car I took, you will kick yourself. 

I have learned in this hobby, that you start off small and work your way up.  Unless you are loaded, then all bets are off there.  You will always want something bigger and better down the road.  If you have the chance at the bigger and better now, take it.

Had I been given a choice of two 318 cars and one 440 SE car, all things such as price and restorability being equal, the 440 is my choice.

P.S.  Not all Chargers are equal.  The car I just opened up this weekend is proof of that.  This car will never be on the road again when we are done with it.  Yes, it is a 318 Charger and it is going to make a really good sacrificial lamb to my real big block Rallye car.  If anyone does not really like to hear that, put your money where your typing is and I will take $2500 cash and she is yours to restore.

[TK73]

I read just enough to get good and half-assed on a response:

My POS 318 low-option '73 is getting a 440 and I'm gonna F-IN ENJOY DRIVING THE HELL OUT OF IT
 
DON'T GIVE A RIPSCRATCH ABOUT "value".  It's gonna get DRIVEN

Buy what you can afford and LOVE IT 

[gschmidt211]

I read just enough to get good and half-assed on a response:

My POS 318 low-option '73 is getting a 440 and I'm gonna F-IN ENJOY DRIVING THE HELL OUT OF IT
 
DON'T GIVE A RIPSCRATCH ABOUT "value".  It's gonna get DRIVEN

Buy what you can afford and LOVE IT  

Again, the point is missed.  You said buy what you can afford.  I agree.  The three cars were the same for affordability, so why would give advise to someone new to the hobby, to buy a 318 car and put the money into converting to a 440, when he has the option to start with a 440 car?  That seems to make no sense.  Especially for 73 and 74 cars.  The change over is not just drop a 440 in it and go.

[Axels73Charger]

After reading the posts and editing my post im not going to call myself a jack ass for changing my post and looking like a fool. But i dont feel so bad and trust me if i can get a BB im gunna get a BB! But i gotta get the money first...

[gschmidt211]

I read just enough to get good and half-assed on a response:

My POS 318 low-option '73 is getting a 440 and I'm gonna F-IN ENJOY DRIVING THE HELL OUT OF IT
 
DON'T GIVE A RIPSCRATCH ABOUT "value".  It's gonna get DRIVEN

Buy what you can afford and LOVE IT 

Also, are you bolting that 440 up to the 904 that came with the 318, or are you upgrading that as well?  I am pretty sure I know the correct answer, so let's hear it from you.  The correct answer requires more expense that would already be covered by going to route of finding a big block car to start with, since the big block car probably already has the 727 behind it.  And the rear end, do you plan on putting that power up against the 8-1/4" that most likely came with (your words) "POS 318 low-option '73", or are you putting in a rear end that can handle the driving you plan on doing?  If you are upgrading to a better rear, that is most likely another expense avoided by choosing the BB car.  The guy who did a bit a research, spent his money wisely and took the 440 out of the 3 choices given was a much smarter person as he would be well ahead of you with a much smaller investment.  He would have the 440 out of the gates, while you are there upgrading your 318 and all the other components.  To choose the 318 over the 440 just makes no sense to me.

[gschmidt211]

I read just enough to get good and half-assed on a response:

My POS 318 low-option '73 is getting a 440 and I'm gonna F-IN ENJOY DRIVING THE HELL OUT OF IT
 
DON'T GIVE A RIPSCRATCH ABOUT "value".  It's gonna get DRIVEN

Buy what you can afford and LOVE IT 

Why would you give advise to pass up a car like this to buy a 318 car so that down the road you can convert your 318 car to make it just like this car?  Foolishness.

[ACUDANUT]

Get a 71 or 72. they look better. PEROID. 

[TK73]

I didn't read the entire mess of rambling... actually not worth my time...

Mine is getting a spare 440 out of a race car, having a 727 rebuilt and came with a 8 3/4 3.55 (former owner upgrade)

The 318/904 was replaced 2 years ago with a 360/727.  Time to go UP again!!  

Had my rat-trap for 9 years and has only been down for one weekend for the engine swap.  No  point in buying a project that is gonna sit for years... I bought to drive 

Again, buy something and start driving!!  If you care too much about "value", start a 401(k)

[TK73]

I read just enough to get good and half-assed on a response:

My POS 318 low-option '73 is getting a 440 and I'm gonna F-IN ENJOY DRIVING THE HELL OUT OF IT
 
DON'T GIVE A RIPSCRATCH ABOUT "value".  It's gonna get DRIVEN

Buy what you can afford and LOVE IT  

Again, the point is missed.  You said buy what you can afford.  I agree.  The three cars were the same for affordability, so why would give advise to someone new to the hobby, to buy a 318 car and put the money into converting to a 440, when he has the option to start with a 440 car?  That seems to make no sense.  Especially for 73 and 74 cars.  The change over is not just drop a 440 in it and go.

Hmmm, reread my "advice" and tell me where I advised to get a 318 over a 440...

[Grim Jhaixus]