1974 Dodge Challenger

Introduced in fall 1969 for the 1970 model year, the Challenger was one of two Chrysler E-body cars, the other being the slightly smaller Plymouth Barracuda. Positioned to compete against the Mercury Cougar and the Pontiac Firebird in the upper end of the pony car market segment. Chrysler intended the new Challenger as the most potent pony car ever, and like the less expensive Barracuda, it was available in a staggering number of trim and option levels, and with virtually every engine in Chrysler's inventory. The Challenger was canceled partway through the 1974 season as Chrysler was convinced there was no longer any market for noisy ground-pounding performance cars. Dodge tried to up the ante with a 245hp performance version of the 360ci V-8. The 1974 Challengers were essentially identical to the 1973 models but with beefier rear bumpers and big rubber bumperettes, as both ends were required to absorb 5mph impacts without damage.

For consignment, the final year for the E-Body Dodge Challenger but hopped up to true muscle car status. White with black stripes, a powerful fuel injected 383ci V8, a Tremec 5-speed manual transmission for cruising efficiency, an updated stereo and gauge cluster and we have ourselves a day 2 muscle car with some modern convenience for whooping ass and maintaining driveability. Read on and get that sporty feeling of Dodge performance!

Exterior
Showing off in bright white draping solid surfaces with well minded gaps, good chrome that has been painted black and the menacing looking dual headlight black egg crate grille and Challenger badge up front, it's just sporty all around. The dual scooped hood has a gloss black painted stripe running from front to back of it and is now pinned. On the sides just above the belt line is a dual stripe in shiny black that follows the coke bottle contour of the car and ends just behind the rear door. On the back is a black tail stripe along with a blacked out rear panel that holds the canted taillight lenses and shiny D O D G E badging. 15 inch American Racing Torque Thrust wheels with shiny black centers are all around and these are wrapped with raised white letter BF Goodrich rubber. Noted are the chrome exhaust tips which do a splendid job of breaking up the black and white motif.

Interior
Large wide molded door panels in pristine white are shown sporting some black in the center and house the handles and cranks. This is the Fratzog logo era, and these are on the door panels. The dash shows the original design with padded black top but now Autometer Sport Comp gauges replace the originals and are of the black face, white lettering variety. The original black rimmed 2 spoke steering wheel is fronting this dash. The white vinyl seats are dripping with 1970's styling high thin backs, tuck and roll inserts, and smooth bolsters front and back, although the back is a bench style with lower backs. A shout out to the seats as they present very nicely. Black carpet covers the floors, and a Hurst pistol grip shifter emanates from the center hump, a tight white headliner hangs proudly above.

Drivetrain
Now playing for your viewing enjoyment under the hood in a totally restored engine bay is a rebuilt 383ci V8 circa 1959 through 1971 with a snappy purple painted block and fitted with a Comp Cam sporting a mere 2,800 miles on the rebuild. Up top is a satin black Edelbrock air filter topper, ribbed Mopar Performance aluminum valve covers and supple like new hoses and bolt ons. FiTech fuel injection is present and feeding copious amounts of air and fuel…meanwhile an MSD distributor lights the fire. On the back is a Tremec TKO 5-speed manual, also not original to this car. Out back is an 8.75 rear axle filled with a Sure Grip carrier and 3.55 gears. Muscle Car performance in a 1974 package!

Undercarriage
A nice overall patina with only minor surface rust to be seen on the frame and floor pans, rockers, and suspension due to the undercarriage being gone over. Torsion bar suspension is upfront, and leaf springs on the back. Power disc brakes are on the front and power drums bring up the rear, power steering is also noted. A new fuel tank was installed recently, and we also spy a new driveshaft. Hooker stainless steel headers feed into V-Force chambered mufflers for exhaling duties.

DriveAbility
With the twist of the key the big 383ci powerhouse came to life. Almost no warmup time was required, thanks in part to the fuel injection, and off to the test track we went. Here it handled nicely, and the interior was very roomy, even for this slightly portly writer and his decoder cohort. Bias free panic stopping is noted, and steering is solid. The thump of the big block and Comp cam was music to our ears, and it was hard to bring our drive to an end.

A fabulous car from the Malaise era of American performance. Beautiful black and white paint, snappy wheels and all the charm that was the last year for the E-body Mopars. A long way away from the way this car was born, but it's right baby bear, this Challenger will rock your world and leave you wondering why you didn't jump on this ride sooner!

VIN DECODE
JH23L4B257976
J-Challenger
H-High Price Class
23-2 Door Hardtop
L-360ci V8 4bbl
4-1974
B-Hamtramck, MI Assy Plant
257976-Sequential Unit Number

Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special interest automobile showroom, featuring over 600 vehicles for sale with showroom space for up to 1,000 vehicles. Also, a 400 vehicle barn find collection is on display.
This vehicle is located in our showroom in Morgantown, Pennsylvania, conveniently located just 1-hour west of Philadelphia on the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. The website is www.classicautomall.com and our phone number is (888) 227-0914. Please contact us anytime for more information or to come see the vehicle in person.