Non 70 or 71 e bodies, is having one that bad?

[Super Blue 72]

Is having a '72-'72 E-body that bad?  Heck no!  It's not like cruising around in a Pinto or Yugo or something.  It's still an E-body and that makes it cool. 

IMO, I really like the tail lights on the Challengers, with the 4 recessed lights.  Couldn't be all that bad as they used that design on the Dodge Diamante show car.  The black tail panel really shows up well.  The '72-'74 Cudas to the untrained eye has a similar layout to the '70 and I really like them when they are made into AAR clones.

These year cars help get you into a Challenger/Cuda without the pricetag.  Yes, they aren't worth as much, but then again they don't cost as much.  I got my driver condition car complete, very stock for $4k. 

I can drive it around and not worry too much if I get into a big accident with a '70 R/T SE 440 6 pack, pistol gripped 4 speed, Dana, 8-track microphoned, triple black, bumble bee striped Challenger.  (Of course wouldn't mind one of those cars, but I can't afford it!!!)

[brads70]

It's all about the look to me. I just prefer the look of the 71... but obviously I preferred some of the styling of the AAR too. hah

Some cars with the right combo can make a "bad" year look really good.

As far as Cuda's go I think you got it right with yours.... the best of both worlds IMO. Love your car!

[willhaven]

Thanks! I spent a couple of years weighing all of the design choices for the car.

Now I've waited 4 years on the build and it's nearly done. So close.

[ntstlgl1970]

I like seeing any model on the road!

[dodj]

I like seeing any model on the road!

They're all kick-a$$ cars!

[femtnmax]

My 74 Challenger was the right price, and the right location when I bought it.  Plus very little rust (an Idaho car) and no frame damage.  It feels great to have brought the car back to life with my own two hands.   Every time I take the 74 out, heads turn, and all positive comments from everyone.   In my neck of the woods people tell me they haven't seen one on the road in years. 

[Challenger III]

My 74 Challenger was the right price, and the right location when I bought it.  Plus very little rust (an Idaho car) and no frame damage.  It feels great to have brought the car back to life with my own two hands.   Every time I take the 74 out, heads turn, and all positive comments from everyone.   In my neck of the woods people tell me they haven't seen one on the road in years. 

There you go. That's why we all do what we do. 

[74ralley]

  i cant wait to get my 74 done, alot of time spent working on it to get to the point its in now. I started out with a 71 with a /6  at 15 yrs old and bought the 74 at 18. drove it my senior year and have been working on it on and off every year since. I love all e bodies and love to see them on the street does'nt matter what year! 

[ragtopdodge]

I'm starting to like '72-'74 'Cudas as much as 1970s.  I'd just weld in '70/'71 side marker holes and make sure the '73/'74 has the tucked in bumpers of the '70-'72s.  I would also get rid of the parking lights/valance insert and put in a 1970 and use headlights w/indicators in them.

I just think the '72-'74 grilles are cooler than 1970s.  And the taillights are badass if you remove the gran coupe trim and paint the panel black.


'72'-'74 Challengers...They're cool, but only completely blacked out.  Black bumpers, blacked out chrome grille and rear trunk trim.


However, if you were to restore an e-body, you'll pour the same amount of $$$ into any model year, so might as well get the one that is the most valuable and which one you prefer.

[Road_Runner]

Already having a big block Roadrunner, I wasn't looking for the exact same thing in an E Body.  I wanted PS, PB, factory air, a small block that I could at least get mid to high teens MPG wise on the highway vs. single digits with the RR, I wanted something that could handle a modest corner without swapping ends, I wanted the 73 Barracuda I ended up with.  That said, when I'm done I expect my small block will keep up with most 'stock' big block cars at least as much as I want it to.  Anybody starts picking on it and I'll bring out its older Plymouth brother to play...

Later, Jim

[AARCUDADEN]

I could care less what year the e-body is . . they are all cool as hell!   

I am very fortunate to own my AAR but i'd be just as happy with any year e body.

[joelson6]

oh geese, here comes all the '70-'71 snobs    

i had my '72 Challenger back when all the '70-'71 people treated you like you were the red headed step child.
"that's not a real muscle car" - "maybe one day you can upgrade" - "that's a good starter car"

but is said eff them all. i like my car. it was the right place (and price) at the right time. all original,
numbers 340 4 speed with air.

don't get me wrong, i still like the '70-'71  e body's, but none happened my way when i was looking.

plus '72-'74 ebody's have more interchangeable parts. 70 challengers, too much year specific stuff for
those cars. can make costs higher on restos. especially for that NOS or near perfect part.

untill the repops got here, ever notice the '70-'71 e body fenders were 3 to 10 times the price of
'72-'74 ebody fenders.

[KellysCuda aircard]

Well....if you have to cut one up to make stuff fit, it might as well be a lesser desired model as they would be cheaper, like mine

[72rtchallenger]

only made these cars for 4 yrs,,any year is desirable ,,72 to 74 e body is still better than a chevy or ford of the same year,,I love the 70 model challenger but the 72 to 74 still is better than a 71 ,,as far as the bb engines yea that was the last year they came out, which is more desirable to some but just dont care,,I could put a 383 or  440 or hemi in mine but to tell ya the truth the 340 is great,,in another 10yrs wait an see the 72 to 74 go up in collectablely  and scorch the rivals ,,the fenders , doors an quarters all interchange,,grills an tails differ,,thats like saying a blond has a better smile untill bent over an becomes a readhead ,,truthfully it all  feels the same when you stick it in high gear

[dutch]

I always liked the 70 models best, both cuda and challenger.  I bought this 70 cuda....since there was nothing else available here lol.... had it been a 74 chally, I`d probably own that now...     I guess I was just lucky to find the one I liked best in the first place.   The only   e-body I ever saw on the road here, was a challenger with 70 taillights and a 72 + front...     it still looked great between all Jap-crap     
just sayin...