Over the past several years, we have seen a number of resto-mod 1970 to 1974 Dodge Challenger E-Body cars on the interwebs. Some of those builds can cost up to six figures to produce and a lot of them are simply too beautiful and expensive to really enjoy on a weekend road trip. Well, one particular 1973 Dodge Challenger caught our eye on the popular automotive auction site “Bring A Trailer” this week.
Although the 1973 to 1974 Dodge Challengers are less desirable to collectors due to their restricted powertrain choices, they still have that classic E-Body shape that everyone loves. So those models have started to become popular for those looking to build a budget-based resto-mod and this car proves so.
This Plum Crazy-painted beauty dumped its original 318 cubic-inch V8 in favor of some GEN III HEMI power. A 2014 5.7-liter HEMI V8 is now under the hood and was modified to displace 392 cubic inches (6.4-liters) using a Manley Performance stroker kit with the work performed by Fowler Performance of Columbus, Ohio, in 2017. A powder-coated aluminum intake from a 6.1-liter HEMI was installed, as was a Holley Dominator EFI system, MSD electronic ignition components, and a COMP Cams VVT phase limiter kit.
The HEMI was then mated to a pistol-grip 5-speed Tremec TKO manual transmission and a limited-slip 3.55.1 differential. Along with a billet steel flywheel, an SST Advanced Friction GRP clutch set, a Hotchkis suspension kit, a Wilwood braking system, a set of Braum front racing seats with harnesses, and a JBL audio system have all been added to the car during the build process.
As for its exterior styling, the replacement of multiple body panels including the floor pans, bumpers, quarter panels, valances, kick panels, and fenders make sure that this isn’t just some Bondo-filled build. It also allowed for the owner to modify the car to adopt a 1970 Dodge Challenger-styled grille and front fenders, a black-accented R/T-style hood, side marker lights, and tail lights from a 2016 Dodge Challenger, as well as painted to match bumpers. The door handle has also been shaved and replaced with aftermarket door-opening solenoids are controlled by the key fob. Even the fog lamps have been removed to allow the HEMI to breathe better thanks to dual cold air intakes.
While they are some scratches in the paint, it proves that this car was in fact built to drive and not just to look at.
Inside, their is Grant leather-wrapped steering wheel, AutoMater Ultra-Lite II gauges consisting of a 160 mph speedometer, a 10,000 rpm tach, and fuel, fuel pressure, oil pressure, water temp, and voltage, as well as a digital odometer which reads 1,400 miles (actual mileage is unknown).
According to the listing, the seller said that the dash pad was removed and recovered, the rear seat was reupholstered, and the headliner and carpets were replaced under current ownership. The Challenger’s trunk, which opens via a dash-mounted switch, features an Optima Redtop battery with a cutout switch and charging terminals. There is also an aftermarket air-conditioning system installed, but has is inoperable.
As of the bidding of this article, the bidding has reached $21,000 USD with three days left. To see more of this 1973 Dodge Challenger or to bid on it, you can visit its Bring A Trailer page.
1973 Dodge Challenger Resto-Mod Image Gallery:
Source: Bring A Trailer
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