3rd gen Chargers going up in value?

[Silver R/T]

Is it just me or 3rd gen Chargers seem to be going up in value? Used to be able to buy 73-74 for $500-$1500 for ones in decent driver shape now one that "used to run when parked" goes up for $4-5K.

[1974dodgecharger]

my opinion only the price max is probably 10k well done up with restoration thats what the 'Market' can bear, but NICE runners run max 5k from 1500 or its been that way for year and half.

some will ask for 30k or you might see a super rare 426, 4 speed, with dana 60 rear end etc...they ask for 30k to 90k.

[Nacho-RT74]

NadaGuides sets mine on 22K max value

[Paul G]

Prices are rising on all gens. It goes up and down with the rest of the economy. A lot has to do with where you are at in the country too. It.seems like prices out west are much higher than in the midwest, that is my own experience. My general observation has them higher now than two years ago. I see A body prices going up too.

[Cooter]

For some reason, I see 3rd Gens bringing more and more money.

[ACUDANUT]

Only the 71/72 Chargers with the R/T or Rallye option. 

[Chargerguy74]

Only the 71/72 Chargers with the R/T or Rallye option. 

What about 72 SEs done up with bulge hoods and Rallye or R/T doors?

[Mike DC]

IMHO a lot of mid-70s muscle has been chronically undervalued.

[Paul G]

Only the 71/72 Chargers with the R/T or Rallye option. 

What about 72 topper specials with hopped up 360's and overdrives? 

[1974dodgecharger]

IMHO a lot of mid-70s muscle has been chronically undervalued.

They always have it has to do with popularity if a movie made muscles cars from the 70s more often like the 60s the values would jump.

[brigond]

I have been looking  and yes I believe they are going up . I think that  the rise in the 2nd generation chargers have caused people like myself  to look into the 3rd generation chargers .the higher the demand the higher the price . of course ,time will bring the value of all of the charges  up.

[polywideblock]

paid 27000 for "done" 71 rt 4speed  thought i got a steal of a deal

[ACUDANUT]

I do not doubt it. As far as a 72 se...IMO it's nothing special.

[Chargerguy74]

I was under the impression that a Special Edition was infact special.

[1974dodgecharger]

I was under the impression that a Special Edition was infact special.

All 3rd gens are 'special'

[polywideblock]

I was under the impression that a Special Edition was infact special.

All 3rd gens are 'special'

is that a complement or are you talking yellow bus "special"

[Steve P.]

I have not seen $1500 for a good driver since the late 70's when everything Big Block was dirt cheap... They are still getting $1500 for K-cars down here!!! 

[1974dodgecharger]

I have not seen $1500 for a good driver since the late 70's when everything Big Block was dirt cheap... They are still getting $1500 for K-cars down here!!! 

There around they are runners.  I dont post the craigs ads since folks probably wont be interested. 

No all the chargers from 66 to 74 are special.

[Cooter]

It's funny, Back in the day we used to call these Chargers "Chicken Chargers". Mainly because of the long looking nose. Of course, as with today, we didn't think too much of them when there were $2000.00 running R/T's to be had. Now, as the supply of 2nd gen Chargers seems to be drying up, I see these being a better option that a brand X, or K car for mopar fans between 15-30 Y/O.

[Mike DC]

     
The mid-70s cars have been undervalued partly because they were performance slouches from the factory.  But they often had better looking styling than the hi-po cars from the early/mid-60s.  And all the hi-po stuff still bolts right on.  IMHO they are prime for value increases as matching numbers & factory originality becomes less important to the average hobbyist. 

When you don't have any familiarity with mid-70s stuff in its original form, and you just see those cars as the sum of their parts & potential today . . . they seem nearly as cool as the '68-72 stuff. 
 

[polywideblock]

It's funny, Back in the day we used to call these Chargers "Chicken Chargers". Mainly because of the long looking nose. Of course, as with today, we didn't think too much of them when there were $2000.00 running R/T's to be had. Now, as the supply of 2nd gen Chargers seems to be drying up, I see these being a better option that a brand X, or K car for mopar fans between 15-30 Y/O.

way outside your demographics, always preferred  3 gen. like 71 mustangs too  "3rd times a charm" as they say

[Steve P.]

A few years back I looked at a 3rd gen, 71' I think, and had been sent to it. Owner wanted 8K for it. It wasn't far away and I wondered why I had not seen this car before, until I got to the car. It was at a repair shop only a mile or so from me and I even knew the owner of the shop. That should have been the first sign for me as I never got a call from him on this CHARGER FOR SALE at his shop....  Well,,,, this poor child that bought the car through EBAY and paid a ton and waited for months for it's delivery, would up with a car I would not give him 8 LETTER "K"s...  I cannot even imagine that pictured lied enough to make this bondo buggy look good...

So my buddy that owns the shop tells me the story and shows me a copy of the EBAY ad.  The car was from somewhere in the N.W.  I can't remember now. It said FAIRLY NEW PAINT with a few runs and a missed ding.....  People, it had a BULGE HOOD. Only problem was the BULGE was made on a stocker hood into a BULGE HOOD with BONDO!!!!!!!!! It was cracked and lifted in the back and painted with a drippy rattle can!!!!!  I asked my buddy if the kid was still in the hospital from the heart attack.  The ad did say it needed a new interior and that part was true. I would say that completely stripped this body would NOT have made a good demolition car. Topping everything else off it had a 318 automatic and the tranny slipped....

I cannot immmmmagine how this poor kid felt when he finally received his car and that was what he saw!! His father had it towed to me friends shop where it sat for months and finally was sold to a guy local for him and his son to rip apart and practice on.. No info. past that.

3rd gens are really rare around me and when they do come up they are usually high dollar and in need of too much for the bucks....

[71green go]

On my quest to find a 68/69 charger I found an add that simply stated Charger R/T for sale...$6900.....i emailed the guy and drove 3 hours right away to buy it...if it was solid
when I got there I found a car I had no idea existed...a 1971 Charger R/T very solid and way different and cooler then I thought...I loved it!
$5500 later I owned this project car....that was 7 years ago
In my area of Ontario the only 3rd gen cars I see are at mopar fest.......yet I see my fair share of 68-70 chargers........there is no way I could buy a driver car for less than $7000 for a 73 or 74....anything less is rusted out junk
however I wouldn't buy anything but a 71 R/T or a 72 rallye car......the rest of the 3rd gen model years to me are not Muscle cars....even though my Very first car I ever owned was a 1974 charger SE 360.....rusty piece of junk lol, but i liked it at the time

[1973rallye]

On my quest to find a 68/69 charger I found an add that simply stated Charger R/T for sale...$6900.....i emailed the guy and drove 3 hours right away to buy it...if it was solid
when I got there I found a car I had no idea existed...a 1971 Charger R/T very solid and way different and cooler then I thought...I loved it!
$5500 later I owned this project car....that was 7 years ago
In my area of Ontario the only 3rd gen cars I see are at mopar fest.......yet I see my fair share of 68-70 chargers........there is no way I could buy a driver car for less than $7000 for a 73 or 74....anything less is rusted out junk
however I wouldn't buy anything but a 71 R/T or a 72 rallye car......the rest of the 3rd gen model years to me are not Muscle cars....even though my Very first car I ever owned was a 1974 charger SE 360.....rusty piece of junk lol, but i liked it at the time

OUCH!!!

[ACUDANUT]

Yea me too 71/72 Chargers are the end on the line.

[polywideblock]

to 71green go top looking ride  Phil

[JB400]

Seen a 3rd gen on a trailer on my way home tonight.  Obviously, they're starting to become more appreciated.  It was either a 73 or 74 dunno which.

[Cooter]

My brother hadda '71 R/T. No engine/trans when he got and there was a 3.91 chunk in the trunk. "Rebuilt" an old 361 and dumped it in it with an old NON rebuilt 727 outta a 1974 Dodge Monaco. Car ran, but hadda knock. I soon figured out that my brother used parts from four different engines to "Rebuild" that engine.
Yep, used cam and all. Anyway, he sold it around 1998, and I think the '71-'72 were bout the best looking of the 3rd Gens.

I just gotta lead ona '74 Factory BB car too. I think MY bro's old car might be still around too.

[ACUDANUT]

"I think the '71-'72 were bout the best looking of the 3rd Gens. "

Same here

[Chargerguy74]

Yeah, the 72 Rallye would be my personal favorite

[elanmars]

I like the 73-74 bodies better, but I like the 71-72 tail-lights and hideaways better...

so yeah, if I get my hands on another 3rd gen, those are some the things I'd have done to it...

[Nacho-RT74]

to me

I like the 73-74 bodies better,

I can live with the discontinued body lines, however I like better the 73/74 sharper upper body line than 71/72s ( at least to me that one looks more sharp on 73/74 ), but I can't live with the small quarter window opening

but I like the 71-72 tail-lights and hideaways better...

no on tail lights, yes on hideaways somehow, but just 71s


THEEEN WE CAN TALK ABOUT PERFORMANCE OPTIONS AND BLAH BLAH BLAH... I talk just on look, because I already added earlier perfromance on my stroked engine. Is something can be added anytime with just a correct engine build or engine change.

[71green go]

to me

I like the 73-74 bodies better,

I can live with the discontinued body lines, however I like better the 73/74 sharper upper body line than 71/72s ( at least to me that one looks more sharp on 73/74 ), but I can't live with the small quarter window opening

but I like the 71-72 tail-lights and hideaways better...

no on tail lights, yes on hideaways somehow, but just 71s


THEEEN WE CAN TALK ABOUT PERFORMANCE OPTIONS AND BLAH BLAH BLAH... I talk just on look, because I already added earlier perfromance on my stroked engine. Is something can be added anytime with just a correct engine build or engine change.

The debate will always go on as to which body style is preferred....and you are always welcome to be wrong 

[69 OUR/TEA]

What about 73,74 RR's and RR GTX's ? Do they fall into the same category???

[polywideblock]

What about 73,74 RR's and RR GTX's ? Do they fall into the same category???

71-72's do

[69 OUR/TEA]

I meant ,is there no love for the 73,74's ?

[ralley72]

What about 73,74 RR's and RR GTX's ? Do they fall into the same category???

Yes unfortunately, but these are great cars. I do think some folks are starting to appreciate them. I'm rebuilding one now.

Mike

[polywideblock]

quit like 73-74 roadrunners  "daisy's car" but a few people I've talked to don't like the quarter window treatment on 73-74 chargers

[ACUDANUT]

I'm one of those 71/72 Chargers ended the legacy there..Same for Road chickens.

[Nacho-RT74]

I'm one of those 71/72 Chargers ended the legacy there..Same for Road chickens.

but 71/72 RRs/GTXs use the same 73/74 quarter glass shape

[Nacho-RT74]

to me

I like the 73-74 bodies better,

I can live with the discontinued body lines, however I like better the 73/74 sharper upper body line than 71/72s ( at least to me that one looks more sharp on 73/74 ), but I can't live with the small quarter window opening

but I like the 71-72 tail-lights and hideaways better...

no on tail lights, yes on hideaways somehow, but just 71s


THEEEN WE CAN TALK ABOUT PERFORMANCE OPTIONS AND BLAH BLAH BLAH... I talk just on look, because I already added earlier perfromance on my stroked engine. Is something can be added anytime with just a correct engine build or engine change.

The debate will always go on as to which body style is preferred....and you are always welcome to be wrong 

[JB400]

Part of the reason the 71/72 cars are more popular is because of smog rules.  In some states, cars after a certain year still have to maintain factory smog equipment.  Pain in the rear when the gov. sticks a probe up it.

[73rallye]

Seriously, this thread is getting almost as sickening as another DOH discussion. I like all Chargers, PERIOD. I just happen to have 73's. I joined to share the love, get pointers, offer help where I can, not get into a I like mine better than yours waste of time. I maybe new her but this is getting real old, real fast. Can we not just get along???

[polywideblock]

Seriously, this thread is getting almost as sickening as another DOH discussion. I like all Chargers, PERIOD. I just happen to have 73's. I joined to share the love, get pointers, offer help where I can, not get into a I like mine better than yours waste of time. I maybe new her but this is getting real old, real fast. Can we not just get along???

I'd have to agree I've got a 71 but like all chargers  hell i love  ALL MOPARS I've got a71 RR as well as a 1960 dodge phoenix (you should read what people say about it) has been called the fugliest car made!  not in my opinion that's the 61 but that's just it, everyone is entitled to their opinion (likes /dislikes)  that's what makes us human  " viva lee difference" as they say.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            as to the quarter windows i was talking about those weird "opera" windows that some 73-74 chargers have                                                

[brigond]

I like them all myself . When I was looking for a 3rd gen I would have taken any year that was the better car but I aimed at the 71 only for potential resale value. To me it doesn't make sense that there is a value difference from 71 to 74.  This is what the books say ,so I may as well go for the 71. I think in the near future  when these cars become even more scarce and sought after ,the playing field will start to level off. The premise will be to just get your hands on one .

[71green go]

Seriously, this thread is getting almost as sickening as another DOH discussion. I like all Chargers, PERIOD. I just happen to have 73's. I joined to share the love, get pointers, offer help where I can, not get into a I like mine better than yours waste of time. I maybe new her but this is getting real old, real fast. Can we not just get along???

I think this thread is going along quite calmly.....no one is bashing the other years its simply preference, like the DOH threads I choose to read what I want to read and skip the threads that bug me 
Everyone is entitled to an opinion, as long as it isnt directed towards a person...The cars are just cars, they have no feelings

[JB400]

Seriously, this thread is getting almost as sickening as another DOH discussion. I like all Chargers, PERIOD. I just happen to have 73's. I joined to share the love, get pointers, offer help where I can, not get into a I like mine better than yours waste of time. I maybe new her but this is getting real old, real fast. Can we not just get along???

I think this thread is going along quite calmly.....no one is bashing the other years its simply preference, like the DOH threads I choose to read what I want to read and skip the threads that bug me 
Everyone is entitled to an opinion, as long as it isnt directed towards a person...The cars are just cars, they have no feelings

I agree.  This thread is pretty docile.  If it was getting ugly, we'd be up to 5 or 6 pages already.

[Nacho-RT74]

I like them all myself . When I was looking for a 3rd gen I would have taken any year that was the better car but I aimed at the 71 only for potential resale value. To me it doesn't make sense that there is a value difference from 71 to 74.  This is what the books say ,so I may as well go for the 71. I think in the near future  when these cars become even more scarce and sought after ,the playing field will start to level off. The premise will be to just get your hands on one .

just because the real performance years

[Paul G]

Since we have taken this thread to "what do you like better", my personal preference really is for the 73/74 body lines. I think they just look cool. So back when I had the 73, this guy comes up next to me at a stop light and tells me the car looks sexy.  Now I never considered my 73 to be sexy. But I did love the car.

I bought a 72 this time just to get the flip up head lights. Some say 72 was the last of the muscle car years. Even some shows limit the models to 72 and prior only. The flip up headlights for 71 and 72 just make the car. But the louvered rear quarter windows of 73 and 74 SE look great as well. 

[Hard Charger]

3rd gen have been overlooked. they never stared in a TV show.

for a while people have been buying them as entry level cars because they were reasonable and available.

they were looked at more as luxury cars and not hot rods for a long time. the Mopar craze passed them by.

we all gravitated to the second gen cars and then started to appreciate the more sophisticated looking 3rd gen.

i have been watching the 3rd gen for years looking for a reasonable one to pickup. i still don;t have one in my garage.

[F8-4life]

I like the 73-74s better, and around me there seems to be more of those cheaper and in better shape. 73 sold a lot

[polywideblock]

compare numbers made between 71-72 and 73-74 seems nobody told mopar that muscle car era was over

[Nacho-RT74]

Seriously, this thread is getting almost as sickening as another DOH discussion. I like all Chargers, PERIOD. I just happen to have 73's. I joined to share the love, get pointers, offer help where I can, not get into a I like mine better than yours waste of time. I maybe new her but this is getting real old, real fast. Can we not just get along???

If I WANT to discuss peacefully with the rest of FRIENDS which one likes more just right at the side of why they are getting value I'LL DO because I WANT. If you think is getting sick you, why are you reading the thread ? take an aspiring reading another thread.

I don't think thats the best way to make the FIRST POST when some of the ppl talking at this moment here are old timers which considers friends, everyone able even to talk IRONICALLY, WITHOUT OFFENSE TAKEN. Even worst if you have been member since 2007 and your fingers only were able to type THAT right now... and I can't see the OFFER HELP statement on your first post. Not saying you are not, but this shows just right the opposite.

Sorry just an opinion. I didn't want to be rude, but sometimes...

( damn, this situation looks sooo familiar with an ooooold member not anymore around posting but I know lurking quite often )

[polywideblock]

 why does everybody get so worked up when someone else doesn't like his/her ride ?over here in OZ we have a saying "water off a duck back" think its something to do with convict heritage but you just let the sh*t slid off like water off a duck back makes it hard to take offence!everyone got an opinion

[Chargerguy74]

What year is the best Charger, or what year was the cutoff for muscle cars etc, is all personal opinion....although most of them are wrong 

[Nacho-RT74]

LOL, nobody here was really taking offense or getting a hard discussion between which one is or got the best models or year, just some of us have discussed this sometime in the past maybe twice or three times on same therms. We know each other enough to talk ironically and posting jokes between us

But the reply I quoted really pissed me off... sorry

[JB400]

We have that saying over here as well.  I believe a lot of the problem over is ego.  As  Americans, we stand up for what we believe in.  Unfortunately, some of us don't allow some things to slide, and take someone else's contradicting opinion as a personal offense.  We just need to learn that not everything is in black and white.

[Paul G]

You know, 1st gens are great cars, but I never really wanted one. 2nd gens are great cars, but I never really wanted one. 3rd gens are great cars, and I have always wanted one.

[1973rallye]

LOL, nobody here was really taking offense or getting a hard discussion between which one is or got the best models or year, just some of us have discussed this sometime in the past maybe twice or three times on same therms. We know each other enough to talk ironically and posting jokes between us

But the reply I quoted really pissed me off... sorry

I wasn't when I posted, but now that you made it personal!!

[Nacho-RT74]

Who mentioned you? LOL... no, I'm taking about 73rallye!... it seems is member ( by what is says his profile )  since 2007 and the ONLY AND FIRST POST he has made was right now just to say was to getting sick and critic because we were talking whatever we talk, instead make some introduction or some usefull. Damn! LOL

[1974dodgecharger]

hey guys I was wondering what is a 'CHARGER CAR'? 

I was looking for the 2012 dodge charger and stumbled onto this website and see you guys are calling these old cars 'CHARGERS' also?  Or is that a nickname?

[JB400]

hey guys I was wondering what is a 'CHARGER CAR'? 

I was looking for the 2012 dodge charger and stumbled onto this website and see you guys are calling these old cars 'CHARGERS' also?  Or is that a nickname?

Let the fun begin

[Drache]

I have yet to see a decent 3rd Gen here in Canada for under $10,000 

Closest I've seen is a nice Big Block 3rd gen in pretty decent shape for $12,000

[1974dodgecharger]

I have yet to see a decent 3rd Gen here in Canada for under $10,000 

Closest I've seen is a nice Big Block 3rd gen in pretty decent shape for $12,000

you need to come down to the states drache man you can find some nice runners with rebuilt 440s, sheet metal done, rebuilt trannys, with air, etc, for 5k!!!!  I mean really nice runners for that price!  Go over that price and it wont sell or rarely sell.  When I was looking for a 3rd gen I had so many choices to choose from and they were not junk at all.

[Drache]

I have yet to see a decent 3rd Gen here in Canada for under $10,000 

Closest I've seen is a nice Big Block 3rd gen in pretty decent shape for $12,000

you need to come down to the states drache man you can find some nice runners with rebuilt 440s, sheet metal done, rebuilt trannys, with air, etc, for 5k!!!!  I mean really nice runners for that price!  Go over that price and it wont sell or rarely sell.  When I was looking for a 3rd gen I had so many choices to choose from and they were not junk at all.

Yeah I can save about $3,000 in the long run getting the same car from the US. The annoyances can be a little higher. Either fly down and drive car home and trailer it from the Border or drive down and trailer it all the way back. Getting the car delivered by a company would eat up almost all the savings. I then have to pay the taxes on the car. Then I also have to get the car inspected here in my Province before I'm allowed to insure it.

But yeah I've been trying to look at some 3rd Gen in the US that are close to the BC border to save on travel time. Not having the greatest of luck. Washington would be the best option, Oregon, or Idaho would be accepted.

Unless I found a VERY nice deal and could find out how to just have it shipped up here 

[Chargerguy74]

Or just drive it all the way home. I had no issues with importing my 73 Rallye or with driving it the whole way.

[1973rallye]

Or just drive it all the way home. I had no issues with importing my 73 Rallye or with driving it the whole way.

Likewise. Flew to Chicago with my daughter and we drove it home with a one night pit stop and Mall of America. her. All the paperwork was at the border prior so after 30 minutes at US and then Canada customs we headed for home. There is nothing for sale in Canada worth looking at. At least back in November 2012.

[flyinlow]

I've had a red '68 Rt , a green '69  , currently have a Triple black "73 SE and now my son has a bumble bee '70 .  Like 'em all    Can't beat the interiors on the first gens.