Photo: PJ’s Auto World/autoevolution
One of the most fascinating things about the first-generation Dodge Challenger, among others, is the fact that it was there both at the beginning of the muscle car era and during its final chapter, when, despite the changing market and all the regulatory changes, it still managed to capture the essence of what made muscle cars so popular.
For the 1973 model year, Dodge gave the Challenger some minor design updates, such as the legally required 5 mph bumpers on the front and rear. While they didn’t exactly add to the overall aesthetic of the vehicle, they didn’t ruin it either.
In terms of performance, the early 1970s were a major challenge. Increasingly stringent emissions regulations and rising insurance and fuel costs (due to the oil crisis) forced car manufacturers to downgrade their engines and rethink their entire strategy.
In 1972, the R/T series was replaced by the Rallye, which featured four simulated vents on the front fenders, matte black body stripes, and three engine options: the 225 ci six-cylinder, the 318 ci V8, and the 340 ci V8. The latter did feature a 4-barrel carburetor and dual exhaust, but power figures were less than impressive—just 240 hp and 289 lb-ft of torque. To be fair, torque was decent.
Starting in 1973, the entry-level model with a 225 cubic-inch six-cylinder engine was discontinued, leaving only two V8s. Everything else remained unchanged.
While this 340ci V8 was considered a good all-around engine, it was still a huge step down from the monstrous HEMI engines that once defined the Challenger. Still, people appreciate them to this day, and a clean, numbers-matching 1973 Challenger Rallye will still set you back a pretty penny.
Case in point is this car here, currently on offer for $54,900. Not only does it feature a genuine H-Code 340ci V8 engine with matching numbers, but it also features a matching numbers 727 automatic transmission, an Edelbrock quad carburetor, electronic ignition, dual exhaust with quad tips, power front disc brakes, 14-inch Magnum wheels with white-letter BFGoodrich tires, and a rather rare exterior color called “Parchment.”
Photo: PJ’s Auto World
You also get the Black Stripe package, a black rear end, a rally hood and chrome mirrors. It’s quite a nice thing, especially without the legally required bumpers.
Interior highlights include bucket seats, Rallye Gauge package (tachometer), center gear shifter, and a working factory-style AM/FM radio.
According to the ad, this Challenger has just 86,072 miles on the clock, which in this case would mean chassis mileage. That’s pretty good for a 51-year-old muscle car.
Frankly, I find it a little odd to call the 1973 Challenger Rallye a muscle car, as it is a shadow of its former self. Not only is it much slower than its predecessors, it doesn’t look quite as good either – and that’s not just because of the bumpers (in general), but the overall design of the front end.
