1973 Challenger

[Srobinson4]

Hello.  I recently purchased a 1973 challenger H code car.  I know this car is not as desireable as the Hemi and 440 cars but  I really enjoy this car and am considering restoring the vehicle.  I know from the collectors perspective that if you like the car then the amount dosn't matter.  But from another practical perspective, I may wish to up grade to a 440 car in the years to come.  does anyone other than me see a future for the 1973 Challenger.  Thanks in advance for your response.

Seth

[Carlwalski]

First of all welcome aboard. 

If the car has it's original 340-4bbl engine there is nothing wrong with that!! 
As you can see by our "Favorite Engine" thread, the 340 is very popular.
http://www.cuda-challenger.com/cc/index.php?topic=18287.0

I would stick with the 340 but if your keen on some big torque throw the 440 in and keep the #'s 340 in storage.

 

[moparnut]

Yes Welcome,dont let the Ney-sayers discourage you on this chally,they are nice and no matter what anyone says they will always be highly collectable and it is a chally!!!.In fact in my humble opinon the 72-74 E bodies most of the time had many more options than the older ones,except for the BB's and higher horsepower engines,which to me is Moot if the numbers engine is gone.I would rather have a loaded 73 numbers matching than a BB R/T with the original gone,but thats just me,I'm a numbers guy.You can swap anything you like in that 73 but keep the original 340.

[360 'CUDA]

Dittos all,, Those cars are exploding in value on the market as are the're Barracuda brothers.  (It's not like the're Irock Zees)   

[mopower]

I also have a 73 rallye  340 #s matching challenger and i wouldnt trade it for any other car.i dont understand why the earlier challys are worth so much more?? the later years had more options. not to metion the 73 challenger rallye is the lightest of ALL challys. an ebody is an ebody. Steve

[Pistol Gripper]

Srobinson4,

Of all the Cudas, I think the 72 - 74  are the best looking.  You can option them any way you like, billboards, stripes, whatever.  The grill on the 71 is a close 2nd in my book, but the 72-4 looks mean.

My 2 cents,

P.G.

[Bullitt-]

   
      ditto to all the above, my motto is just don't do anything that can't easily be undone. If a big block floats yer boat go for it, but hold on to ALL the original parts as this will make the car more valuable for resale to a retorer. As for value time will tell. Depending on what you paid you should come out,BUT a true resto. will be very expensive and might be dollars better spent on an earlier model. This from an owner of a '73 340.                                                                                                                           Man post us some Pictures

[moparnut]

While I love my numbers 73 chally i do have to admit i would rather have a 70-71 but i would also love to have a hemi cuda vert,but we know that aint happening.I will never sell it even if i buy another as i am always looking for another deal.My car is highly optioned and will get to the resto someday after my 70 GC,even though the car in in good condition now.The doesnt take away from the desirability/value of these cars,they are getting harder and harder to find,especially a numbers car.

[Follicly Challenged]

I like the later 72-74 Challengers !

 Often categorized as "also rans" in the mopar musclecar genre, I'm completely satisfied with the option pkg's, appearance, and general characteristics of the later "Rallye pkg." cars, especially the 340 deals.

FAR under-rated for now, a good thing when purchasing.

Why are so many people convinced that the 440 is an "upgrade", when compared with building a SB based stroker with the 4" crank ?

Numbers matching issues aside, I'm of the opinion that it is "more than viable" to consider, when rebuilding, to simple build a sb stroker @ 450 hp/435 Torque, for pump fuel, and run that in the E-bodies, considering the lesser front end weight loading and handling characteristics. NO SNOW PLOWING EFFECT !

Also; NO farting with SB to BB "changes for installation", rad, torsion bars,trans, etc., etc,. and the COSTS of said changes !

"NO BRAINER" these days for me. I'll build a 360 based stroker for "bolt in" ease in my 72 340 challenger, and will be sticking the original 340 in a crate in the corner.

I've built and dyno'd a few a sb 360 based strokers, on pump fuel, aluminum headed, and solid flat-tappet camshafts, @ 540 hp/535 torque on the stock blocks. Much Higher numbers with Rollers, compression, and aftermarket blocks.

"Those", are a "bit much" for what I'd consider for a daily driver/touring deal, but, that said, I'll repeat the 450 hp/435 torque "target", SMALL BLOCK, with a hydraulic stick and ported iron heads, as a FAR BETTER option than switching to a BB.

And FAR CHEAPER overall to boot !

I ran BB Mopars for years, street and competetively, no dis-respect intended for whoever goes to the BB. "Whatever floats yer boat".

I could "whip-up" a "451" or "440" at those power levels, or higher, in LITERALLY in a "few days".

The question I can't answer "these days", is "WHY", when I can "pretty much", "just as easily", and overall cheaper, do a SB that will bolt right in and compliment the existing Rallye Cars support systems perfectly with minor tweaks ?

Just my opinions, no wars wanted.

FC out.

[nakita7]

I love the 72-74. It is too bad about the grille, but the tailights are the best IMHO. Everybody, even non-Dodge people, love those years of Challenger.

[MEK-Dangerfield]

I love the 72-74. It is too bad about the grille, but the tailights are the best IMHO. Everybody, even non-Dodge people, love those years of Challenger.

If you could somehow put the 72-74 Challenger rear end on a 72-74 Cuda front clip, you would have an awesome car!!!   

  Mike

[common 27]

To me is isn't that the engines are low compression and the BB wasn't available,ITS THAT GRILL that make me dislike them 

[Bullitt-]

To me is isn't that the engines are low compression and the BB wasn't available,ITS THAT GRILL that make me dislike them 

Man I don't know what your lookin at but I haven't seen too many grilles I'd rather be lookin at than my '73s. Maybe youve got some issues you haven't resolved?   I KID...I KID

[daves70]

I still think the 70 challey grill is best followed by the 71. All the challey rearends suck with their oblong tailights except the 70 (best) followed by the 71.

[hotrod98]

In fact in my humble opinon the 72-74 E bodies most of the time had many more options than the older ones,except for the BB's and higher horsepower engines,which to me is Moot if the numbers engine is gone. I would rather have a loaded 73 numbers matching than a BB R/T with the original gone,but thats just me,I'm a numbers guy.You can swap anything you like in that 73 but keep the original 340.

What are the options that 72-74 cars have that the 70-71 cars didn't? Other than the obvious high horsepower engines, I know that in 70 and 71 you could get convertible tops, power windows, optional steering wheels, leather interior, overhead console, rear window louvers, rear spoilers, front spoilers, dana 60 rear ends, delay headlamps, 3 speaker dashes, radio faders, high impact colors and several others that I can't think of right now. These all ended at the end of 71 and I don't remember what new options came in after that.