Few challenger Qs

[ZQ8Dude]

Hello, new guy here looking for an opinion from some fellow challenger owners.

A buddy of mine owns a 73' and ive always liked challengers. Another friend happens to own a 74'. During high school the one with the 74' decided to pull out his 318 and build it up so it would be reliable. I ran into him a week ago and 3+ years later his challenger is still sitting in his driveway rotting away.

I asked if he wanted to sell it and he was curious how much i wanted to give him for it...so i think he is sorta open to selling it off.

The paint isnt perfect, but its in decent shape. It has a white cloth top that looks brand new and a nearly perfect interior. The suspension is well fubar for lack of a better word. He had it on jackstands for several months and when he took the jackstands off, the suspension stayed raised


How much do you think i should ask for it? Also how much should i expect to pay for a 72-74 challenger in running condition? How uncommon is this car?

Has anyone done any 5spd swaps? Also has one swapped in a newer motor. such as a 5.9 from a dakota R/T or whatever dodge had in their fullsize trucks in the mid-late 90s??

Any help is appreciated

[Cuda Cody]

Welcome!  You will find all the answers you need on this board. But most will say.......

So if you have them, please post um.  That will help everyone give you the right advice.

[ambitions2]

For the car, I would really go through and look at the body.  That is a huge part, especially if the car has been sitting around for a while (moisture from the ground could create some serious cancer).  I take it the setup is a 318 4 speed?  I picked up my 72 for $4000, however it is a rough to me, but I wanted to project.  For the 5 speed swap that really isn't that hard anymore.  I am looking to do it with mine and spoke to Keiser.  It is going to be expensive (since I have to go from an automatic to manual) but it is almost a drop in and go if I am not mistaken.  Good luck and welcome

[Carlwalski]

Sorry.....Cody influenced me.   

[ZQ8Dude]

wow, feelin like a retard. stared at this screen for like a minute strait before realizing i hadnt logged in again 

Anyways, no pictures I suppose i could cruise over and get a picture, but i havent a clue as to where my digital camera went.

Im Ca, and Generally rust isnt a huge issue here. Another friend has a 47' chevy thats all beat up with rust in many spots. Its been out in the elements for a good 5-6 years and it hasnt rusted over or developed any cancerous rust.

Im will to bet that this challenger is still in decent shape. especially since it was near perfect when he first brought it in..who knows why he decided to rip out the motor.

Ambitions- got pictures of your challenger when you first got it? im curious as to what i should expect to get if i spend 4k.


Also what should i offer to my friend for it? 1500-2k? 3k?

i know without a picture its hard to say, but best guess is good enough for now.

[Street_Challenged73]

First off, welcome to the site, ZQ8Dude!  As for your question, here's what you could get for $2,000.00 three years ago: (I ended up with it for $1,750.00 as the owner was lowering the price and I came up with that figure because the windshield needed to be replaced and several other problems were evident.)  Fast forward two years, about two hundred hours, quite a bit of money and this is where it's at...

Be sure to keep us updated with what you end up doing.

[ZQ8Dude]

not bad, thats about what im looking for. The 74' im looking at has a better body, but the motor and suspension are shot. I dont even plan to use the OEM engine if i dont have to. I know what that block has been through under my friends ownership and its not pretty.

[Killer_Mopar]

I have seen a couple of e-bodies with 5.9s in them, but I dont know how difficult the swap is. The 5.9 magnum is pretty much a LA 360 with different heads, so it shouldn't be a big deal. I would imagine that the biggest obstacle would be managing the fuel system.....would probably be easier to switch it to a carb. The only other problem might be the trans, but doubt it would be too serious. I think there is a member here that has a 5.9 in a 73 cuda, so hopefully he/she chimes in.

[A383Cuda]

Let's keep in mind that he paid $2000 three years ago. The mopar craze has really taken off and the cars even in this condition have appreciated substantially. I would take a look at Ebay and at the auto trader for cars in similar condition. You are sure to find others online. This will give you an idea of what people are asking for comparable cars.

[Street_Challenged73]

If your friend's ride has newer paint that's been done well, then it'd probably go for $4,000.00 on eBay.  If it's a project, I'd say it would max out at around $3,500.00. (though I wouldn't pay that much for a '73 project that needed any rust repairs or was missing substantial body parts or neccessary parts for operation. ) 

[torredcuda]

  $3-4,000 would be a start and probably a good deal in todays crazy market.If you have some skills and $$ the 5.9 swap shouldn`t be too tough but unless that 318`s block is cracked or something a good rebiuld will make it better than new.A 340 or older 360 will bolt right in place also.

[ZQ8Dude]

nots not newer paint, it looks like the original paint, its just in good shape for being there. He hasnt done anything but screw it up since he got it. Hopefully i can get it for like 2500.

As for the newer 5.9, The fuel injection is the big thing im after. with gas prices today i want this thing to get decent mpg....not great, but enough to where a full tank would last me a weekend of driving.

That original 318 is worthless as far as im concerned. He busted off so many bolts in the block and then spent so much time tapping them out...id just rather start fresh.

Today ive gotta try and get my jeep back together and running so that in a few days i can run over to my friends house and try to get it off of him

[Super Blue 72]

Definately keep us updated!  Sounds like a fun project!