Photo: moparrevival/eBay
Introduced in 1970, the Dodge Challenger joined the muscle car market thanks to range-topping options like the 426-cubic-inch (7.0-liter) HEMI and the 440-cubic-inch (7.2-liter) RB. But that didn't last long. After only two years in showrooms, the Challenger lost its high-compression V8 options due to new emissions regulations.
With both the 426 and 440 gone for 1972, the Mopar went on sale with a choice of three units. The base 225-cubic-inch (3.7-liter) inline-six delivered 145 horsepower, while the 318-cubic-inch (5.2-liter) V8 came with 230 horses on tap. The new range-topping 340-cubic-inch (5.6-liter) V8 provided 240 horses.
Things got even thinner in 1973 when Dodge discontinued the slant-six. The 318 V8 became the entry-level mill but was detuned to just 112 horses (also due to Dodge shifting from gross to net figures). The 340 V8, however, retained its 240 horsepower rating and kept the Challenger afloat on the performance front.
1973 also brought a notable change in the appearance of the pony car. While the grille and taillight layouts were carried over, Dodge incorporated the mandatory five-mph bumpers. It was also the final year for the 340 V8, which was replaced by a 360-cubic-inch engine in 1974, and the last year for any High Impact color. The Challenger you see here is one of the last of its kind to wear such a hue.
A partial survivor, this 1973 hardtop proudly wears a Top Banana coating. One of 10 High Impact colors offered during the golden era of muscle cars, Top Banana (Lemon Twist on Plymouths) was the longest-running hue alongside HEMI Orange (Tor Red). Introduced in 1970, it remained on the options list through 1973. It was the sole High Impact color that year.
Granted, a 1973 Mopar in Top Banana/Lemon Twist isn't necessarily special, but this Challenger is because it's still wearing the factory paint. It's not 100% original; the passenger door and the trunk lid have been repainted. But the rest of the body is still wrapped in the original paint. Naturally, it has scratches and chips, the kind of patina you'd expect from a 50-year-old coating.
That's not to say this Challenger is a survivor. While most of the exterior is original, the vinyl top is fresh. The same goes for the seat covers, while the factory radio has been replaced with a CD player. The dashboard is cracked.
The good news/bad news combo extends into the drivetrain department. While the 340 V8 engine and the rear end are numbers-matching, the automatic transmission isn't. There's no word about whether it's period-correct either. However, this Challenger did leave the factory with a 340/automatic combo, which makes it one of 6,480 units built that year (total production was 32,596 examples).
The pony car runs and drives as it should, showcasing a long list of options. The latter includes power front disc brakes, fender scoops, bright exhaust tips, tach, black stripes, the Rally Package, and the Light Group.
Based on its current condition, this Challenger is a relatively light restoration project or a semi-survivor that could be improved and preserved. If it's the kind of Mopar you've been looking for, it's being auctioned off from Springfield, Oregon. And it's also been getting a lot of attention as 39 bids pushed the price to $25,501. The reserve is still in place with three more days to go. For reference, restored and highly original 1973 Challengers can cross the block for more than $35,000.
Things got even thinner in 1973 when Dodge discontinued the slant-six. The 318 V8 became the entry-level mill but was detuned to just 112 horses (also due to Dodge shifting from gross to net figures). The 340 V8, however, retained its 240 horsepower rating and kept the Challenger afloat on the performance front.
1973 also brought a notable change in the appearance of the pony car. While the grille and taillight layouts were carried over, Dodge incorporated the mandatory five-mph bumpers. It was also the final year for the 340 V8, which was replaced by a 360-cubic-inch engine in 1974, and the last year for any High Impact color. The Challenger you see here is one of the last of its kind to wear such a hue.
A partial survivor, this 1973 hardtop proudly wears a Top Banana coating. One of 10 High Impact colors offered during the golden era of muscle cars, Top Banana (Lemon Twist on Plymouths) was the longest-running hue alongside HEMI Orange (Tor Red). Introduced in 1970, it remained on the options list through 1973. It was the sole High Impact color that year.
Granted, a 1973 Mopar in Top Banana/Lemon Twist isn't necessarily special, but this Challenger is because it's still wearing the factory paint. It's not 100% original; the passenger door and the trunk lid have been repainted. But the rest of the body is still wrapped in the original paint. Naturally, it has scratches and chips, the kind of patina you'd expect from a 50-year-old coating.
That's not to say this Challenger is a survivor. While most of the exterior is original, the vinyl top is fresh. The same goes for the seat covers, while the factory radio has been replaced with a CD player. The dashboard is cracked.
The good news/bad news combo extends into the drivetrain department. While the 340 V8 engine and the rear end are numbers-matching, the automatic transmission isn't. There's no word about whether it's period-correct either. However, this Challenger did leave the factory with a 340/automatic combo, which makes it one of 6,480 units built that year (total production was 32,596 examples).
The pony car runs and drives as it should, showcasing a long list of options. The latter includes power front disc brakes, fender scoops, bright exhaust tips, tach, black stripes, the Rally Package, and the Light Group.
Based on its current condition, this Challenger is a relatively light restoration project or a semi-survivor that could be improved and preserved. If it's the kind of Mopar you've been looking for, it's being auctioned off from Springfield, Oregon. And it's also been getting a lot of attention as 39 bids pushed the price to $25,501. The reserve is still in place with three more days to go. For reference, restored and highly original 1973 Challengers can cross the block for more than $35,000.
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