SOLD 1973 Dodge Rallye Challenger

[Moparforlife]

I am selling my 1973 Dodge Rallye Challenger with a 340 4 barrel. I purchased this car from a friend who inherited 10 cars from his Uncle who restored cars. Literally a barn find. After I purchased the car I replaced the following: Carter original carburetor with a rebuilt Holley 4 barrel, spark plugs, spark plug wires, distributor cap and rotor, oil, oil filter, transmission filter, transmission fluid, transmission pan gasket, rear differential fluid and gasket, antifreeze, upper and lower radiator hoses, power steering fluid and a new battery. The engine started right up and with the true duel exhausts it sounded like an NASCAR. I have not run the engine in ten years since . I have listed the engine numbers in which it appears to be original to the car however I cannot locate the engine serial numbers on passenger side that show part of vin. All other block number show it may be original. The air intake was replaced with an Edlebrock and different air cleaner but the car came with the original intake and the original 340 orange air cleaner and the original jack and spare tire. I began purchasing parts to restore the car. I restored the passenger seat and the rear seats and found the Production Build sheet under the rear bottom seat springs. I removed the old rugs, all seating (left the drivers seat), removed center console and backseat panels and some exterior items like the front parking lights. The drivers front fender dent was from a farm tractor that backed into it. The car was originally undercoated. In the pictures of the car please note the car is sitting on 4 jack stands. I have an inventory of all the new parts purchased with their part numbers. Most new parts were purchased from Year One. Also included in the parts list are: a driver floor steel patch panel, a driver side Challenger fender (used) and a passenger side fiberglass fender, 2 restored/ tested power seats mechanisms out of a Chrysler New Yorkers that fit the Challenger, an original very rare NOS black vapor emissions canister, a new Mopar powered trunk latch and switch and some manuals. The total cost of the parts totaled $7916. I am selling the 1973 Rallye Challenger and all the parts for $12,000. I will not separately sell the parts or car. The Challenger is sold as is and where is with no warranty and is located in Lebanon, CT.

Contact me by PM if you want a copy of the parts list, more pictures or have any questions.
Thank you,
Randy

Below as the Vin, fender tag decoded and engine numbers.

Vin tag
JH23H3B172347
J = Dodge
H = Challenger
23 = 2 door hardtop
H = 340 CID V8
3 = 1973
B = Hamtramck, Michigan
172347 serial number matching fender tag

Fender tag
TN2 = top or vinyl roof color code
FN2 = paint color code
B42 = Front Disc Brakes w/H.D. 11in RR Drum
N35 = Tuff Steering wheel (3- spoke smaller diameter sport steering wheel with simulated leather grip)
R11 = Radio Solid State AM (2 Watts)
V6X = Black Transverse Stripe
26 = 26 inch wide radiator
G37 = Dual chrome Mirrors
J7 Protection package or jack/spare tire option
N51 = Maximum Engine Cooling
J54 = Performance Hood
M08 = Hood/Fender simulated scoops or louvers
M21 = Roof drip rail moldings
N41 = Dual Exhaust
V1X= Black Vinyl Roofl
V6X = Black Sport/Rallye Strip (strobe stripe)
U = USA Specifications
A57 = Rallye Package
B41 = Front Disc Brakes w/Standard 10in RR Drum
C16 = Console w/Woodgrain Panel
C56 = Bucket Seats
JY3 = Top Color (Light Gold)
A6X9 = Vinyl Bucket Seats Black or A6 is interior color and X9 is exterior paint secondary/accent color
000 = no upper door frame paint
A10 = Built October 1972
126208 = vehicle order number or the Scheduled Production Number/ Serial Number
E55 = 340 cubic inch (5.6L) V8 240hp, 4 barrel carburetor
D34 =TorqueFlite automatic transmission
JH23 = J is Dodge Challenger, H is High Price Class, 23 is 2 door hardtop body style
H3B = H is 340 cubic inch V8 (240hp, 4 barrel carburetor) 3 is model year 1973 B is built at Hamtramck, Mich
172347 = matches VIN Tag

Engine block numbers
Left front of engine = JM 340 R 40787186
Engine left mid block = A 20780930-340-8 4
Engine right side = 6*16*71
Behind distributor = R 7

ChatGPT decode of 40787186:
Let me calculate day 4078 from July 29, 1961:

• 4078 days after July 29, 1961
• That works out to approximately late 1972 — which makes perfect sense for a 1973 model year Challenger!

More specifically it would be around September or October 1972 — which aligns perfectly with your fender tag build date of October 1972 (A10).

 

[Mopar Nut]

I think you’re asking too little for your 73.

 

[JDMopar]

It appears to have originally been a black car, so the paint code should be TX9. Also looks like it was an air conditioned car, so there should be an H51 code on the fender tag. I know CT is a state that doesn't issue titles. Do you have paperwork so that someone could get a title? Last registration in your name, or anything? If you will jack it up and look on the passenger side of the block, right along the bottom where the oil pan meets the block, there will be a machined pad right below the block drain plug. It should read 3B172347. While you're there, look on the side of the transmission for a raised pad with a machined surface. It should have the same 3B172347 if it is the original.

 

[Moparforlife]

I think you’re asking too little for your 73.

Yes you are correct. It is a low price for 1973 Rallye Challenger especially with the air conditioning option. There were ~27,930 1973 Challengers made and ~8435 Challengers that were equipped with a 340 engine with ~ 6500 being the Rallye version. With the this car being the Rallye version is most likely 1 of 2000 or possible 1 out of 1000 of Rallye Challengers produced with the air conditioning option.

 

[Moparforlife]

It appears to have originally been a black car, so the paint code should be TX9. Also looks like it was an air conditioned car, so there should be an H51 code on the fender tag. I know CT is a state that doesn't issue titles. Do you have paperwork so that someone could get a title? Last registration in your name, or anything? If you will jack it up and look on the passenger side of the block, right along the bottom where the oil pan meets the block, there will be a machined pad right below the block drain plug. It should read 3B172347. While you're there, look on the side of the transmission for a raised pad with a machined surface. It should have the same 3B172347 if it is the original.

Thank you for your thoughts and questions…..A little about my Mopar experience. I worked at a Dodge dealer from when I was 15 until 20 years old. I started out as a lot jockey cleaning up new and used cars for delivery, test rides by customers and doing some lighter mechanical work…water pumps, alternators, etc. My last 2 years there I worked in Parts Department doing phone and counter sales. No computers in those days.
As for this Challenger being black body color….I assume that the engine bay was painted black by one of the previous owners as a factory-correct 1973 Rallye Dodge Challenger, the engine compartment (firewall, inner fenders, radiator support, and aprons) were painted the same color as the exterior body. The fender tag on my Challenger shows JY3 = body color Light Golden. I believe that is the correct body color. I have yet to decode the Production Broadcast sheet. The N51 code I list may be the H51 code as the trim tag is painted over in black paint and the car definitely had air conditioning.
Yes Connecticut does not issue a title on a car this old. I have a Connecticut Registration Certificate in my name when I bought the car and a State of Connecticut Title from an owner who bought the Challenger in 1987. When I got the registration for the car and showed the CT DMV agent the old title he said that since the car was titled at one time in Connecticut then I could register the car anytime without any CT DMV inspections…but it must be “roadworthy”.
I know as you stated where the engine’s VIN should be located. I took pictures of all the engine marking and finally found the right front engine numbers after using paint remover and elbow grease to find it. I assume the engine numbers with the partial vin number would be painted over also. I have been hesitant to jack the car up to get underneath to search for the numbers because the car is sitting on gravel. I have been pondering how to support the jack for stability to do the search. I purchased this car without checking all the engine numbers as I really did not care if the engine was original or not as I was not sure if I was going to restore the car to original specs or restomod it with a brand new modern Mopar engine. I know it is important value wise if this car has the original matching engine. When I do find that this Challenger has the original number matching car then my selling price may change.
Thanks again for your insights.

 

[Moparforlife]

Thank you for your thoughts and questions…..A little about my Mopar experience. I worked at a Dodge dealer from when I was 15 until 20 years old. I started out as a lot jockey cleaning up new and used cars for delivery, test rides by customers and doing some lighter mechanical work…water pumps, alternators, etc. My last 2 years there I worked in Parts Department doing phone and counter sales. No computers in those days.
As for this Challenger being black body color….I assume that the engine bay was painted black by one of the previous owners as a factory-correct 1973 Rallye Dodge Challenger, the engine compartment (firewall, inner fenders, radiator support, and aprons) were painted the same color as the exterior body. The fender tag on my Challenger shows JY3 = body color Light Golden. I believe that is the correct body color. I have yet to decode the Production Broadcast sheet. The N51 code I list may be the H51 code as the trim tag is painted over in black paint and the car definitely had air conditioning.
Yes Connecticut does not issue a title on a car this old. I have a Connecticut Registration Certificate in my name when I bought the car and a State of Connecticut Title from an owner who bought the Challenger in 1987. When I got the registration for the car and showed the CT DMV agent the old title he said that since the car was titled at one time in Connecticut then I could register the car anytime without any CT DMV inspections…but it must be “roadworthy”.
I know as you stated where the engine’s VIN should be located. I took pictures of all the engine marking and finally found the right front engine numbers after using paint remover and elbow grease to find it. I assume the engine numbers with the partial vin number would be painted over also. I have been hesitant to jack the car up to get underneath to search for the numbers because the car is sitting on gravel. I have been pondering how to support the jack for stability to do the search. I purchased this car without checking all the engine numbers as I really did not care if the engine was original or not as I was not sure if I was going to restore the car to original specs or restomod it with a brand new modern Mopar engine. I know it is important value wise if this car has the original matching engine. When I do find that this Challenger has the original number matching car then my selling price may change.
Thanks again for your insights.

I am marking this ad as sold. I apologize to the forum as I do not know if the Challenger has the original engine. I will try to find the engine numbers showing the partial VIN and when I do I will relist on this site. If any questions about the car please PM me. Thanks