Appealing mostly original car with one lady owner since 1974. Great-running 318, nice original interior, very clean and solid throughout. A well-preserved Challenger that’s affordable and ready to enjoy.

In 1974, this Challenger was sitting on a dealer’s used car lot when its next owner, a teenager who had recently earned her driver’s license, showed up and took it home. For the next 48 years, the two were inseparable, going on countless adventures and creating that sentimental relationship we often get with our cars. After the first few years, she stopped driving it year-round, so it was spared the worst of winter weather. As a result, it’s quite straight and thanks to fresh quarters and a repaint a few years ago in the original color, it looks great. The brochures called the finish Fiesta Green Metallic, and it’s a pure 1970s color, particularly with a matching green vinyl top. It’s funky today but we like the retro look and the honest old Challenger wears it well. No spoilers or stripes, just the side moldings to add some contrast. It has never been wrecked, so panel alignment is pretty much as the factory did it in 1972—decent but not perfect. The chrome bumpers, emblems, grille, and other details remain in very good condition and if this were our car to keep, we wouldn’t change a thing.

The matching green interior is unquestionably original, with a few minor signs of age like a pair of splits in the driver’s seat back. Overall, however, it’s in really good condition with correct carpets, door panels that aren’t cracked or falling apart, and nice woodgrain appliques for a slightly upscale look. The two-spoke wheel frames gauges that cover all the important functions and they all work properly. For entertainment, the original Music Master AM radio is gone, replaced by a 1980s Clarion AM/FM/cassette head unit and a graphic equalizer under the dash that seems entirely appropriate. A center console and T-handle shifter help with the Challenger’s sporty demeanor and you’ll note that the back seat looks almost new. The headliner is just beautifully preserved and even the trunk still carries its original mat. There’s also a full-sized spare and jack assembly, just in case.

The engine is a 318 cubic inch V8 with a 2-barrel carburetor, just as when it was new. The engine stamping matches the VIN, so we believe it is the original engine. It has never been apart, although it has been properly serviced and always got what it needed thanks to its status as a favorite travelling companion. It starts easily, idles nicely, and has a nice, smooth torque curve that makes this Challenger enjoyable to drive. Corporate blue engine enamel gives it the right look underhood and there are no notable modifications—it’s stock from the air cleaner to the exhaust manifolds. Recent work includes a carburetor rebuild, tune up, and fresh belts and hoses. It’s equipped with power steering and power front disc brakes, making it easy to handle and the engine bay shows that it hasn’t been subjected to a lot of harsh weather. The 3-speed automatic transmission also carries a matching VIN stamp and feeds an 8.75-inch rear end with what feel like 2.73 gears, because this car is quite comfortable at modern highway speeds. Also note the original floors, visible spot welds on the rocker seam, and solid torque boxes with no issues (a lady owner and a 318 mean it was never raced or abused). Newer shocks work with Chrysler’s torsion bar suspension to give the Challenger above-average ride quality and it sits on factory Rallye wheels and 225/70/14 white-letter radials.

Extras include the original owner’s manuals, some spare parts, and the original AM radio in a box.

Not all E-bodies need big blocks and High Impact colors. Instead, you can get a nice, clean Challenger with a great story and pleasing road manners for a lot less cash. There’s an honesty to this coupe that many of them lack and if you’re a fan of original cars this one should have plenty of appeal. Call today!

Harwood Motors always recommends and welcomes personal or professional inspections of any vehicle in our inventory prior to purchase.