Backdated Challenger Questions

[ToddMcF2002]

I found a backdated 73 Challenger with what appears to be a perfect body & chassis 440, 4 speed. Literally zero rust, detailed undercarriage. 70 front fenders and front fascia. Rear is still 73. It’s an original Rallye but I’ve yet to see the fender tag.

Regular gas cap - does this have a 4 screw provision for a flip cap?
Roof is painted - will need a vinyl top & trim
Missing chrome - emblems and hood / trunk trim. Mounting holes intact
Radical cam - it’s loud no two ways about it. May have to pull cam

I do wish the car was not backdated in the front but the condition is pretty difficult to ignore. What would you offer on such a beastly mutt?

I’d upload a pic or two but if the owner is here I don’t want to expose pic he sent me. It’s a very nice B5 blue.

 

[340challconvert]

A 1973 Rallye Challenger original 318 car in good original condition would sell at about 19-22K-
Original 340 Rallye may be a little more.
In excellent condition; 33K and intact and in fair condition sells for about 15K
The car you are describing is a hybrid/restomod.

In my opinion; the 70 front end and non stock motor hurts the value.
It is a FrankenChallenger
I would guess 10-12K would be a fair price. Not much more!

 

[ToddMcF2002]

Yeah he will never part with it for that. I honestly don’t mind the drivetrain swap but the backdating bothers me. I’ll probably pass on it.

 

[DrEamer]

As someone who is doing a backdated restomod, I understand part of the reasoning behind it. 1970 and 1971's command a higher price then the 72 on models. So, the price to get into the newer models is less. The aftermarket is geared towards the 1970 in particular. The grill assembly is available in repop, where no other year is. Try to find a good used front header panel for a 72-74 that the fiberglass is not all broken down. Half the reason for the car you are looking at being backdated could be parts accessibility alone. That said, I would never backdate a original 72-74 Rallye. They are a neat car worthy of the effort to be kept original. In my case, I started with a 1973 318 base car. There is no collector value to it, so I feel free to make it into something I can enjoy driving with out fear of wreaking a numbers matching machine.

 

[quapman]

Not sure where you guys shop for cars, but the 70 front clip will always add value to a 72-4. How many times have you heard "I don't mind the taillights, but that sad mouth grille..."

Sounds like a $20k car if it's rust free with a nice 440.

 

[ToddMcF2002]

If this were any other brand I'd probably leap on it. I'm not a brand loyalist after all. But Mopar is a different world. I find myself hesitating because of the code fetish. I get it though. Its easy to get sucked into the fetish because of the damn fender tags. If a car isn't a numbers car then I don't mind a car with a motor / trans transplant. It can always be made "correct" if not number matching. But a backdate is pretty serious because the front clips as mentioned aren't really available and the fenders are specific. Which means unless the paint is fresh you are looking at an overall to boot. Its a pretty serious decision to "invest" in a car this far departed from its roots.

 

[ToddMcF2002]

Also I had the pleasure this weekend of taking some great pics of a 70 440 6 Pack Shaker and a 72 R/T tribute. Both were damn nice cars and while the 70 is a stunner the 72 was no slouch. I don’t “hate the frown” like many do. And I love the tail on the 72-74.