The swan song for the Challenger came too soon for many and even though the name didn’t completely die out like the Barracuda’s did, first-generation cars were coming to a close. These years wouldn’t kill off the Challenger’s spirit, however, the production numbers still told the tale of transitioning to gas-saving, daily-driving cars vs the tirade of gas-guzzling, violent cars indicative of the muscle-car era.
| Model | 1973 & 1974 Dodge Challenger |
| Type | 2-door |
| Names & Trims | Coupe, Rallye |
| Engines | 318ci V8, 340ci V8 |
| Price range | 1973: $3,011 // 1974: $3,143 |
*Consumer Guide: Encyclopedia of American Cars
1973/1974 Challengers were very much unchanged from their 1972 counterparts. The bodies were shaped the same and came with most of the same options. Again, these cars were built to look fast while adhering to changing government guidelines. You could still get these cars in a plethora of fantastic colors (ex. top banana, and bright red) and with sport rims and stripes.
Whether Dodge’s sculptors decided to take a vacation during the fuel crisis or they decided to keep the “if-not-broke-don’t-fix” attitude, the Challenger DID remain virtually untouched. You still had the generously svelte looking car with a somewhat long curvaceous hood, smaller deck, and potential vinyl top. Top engines were long gone, but the style and comfort remained. Unfortunately, the sales did not.
Available 1973 & 1974 Challenger Models
Challenger
With only two models available, the base Challenger was reasonably full of options. The 225ci engine now disappeared from the Challenger’s line-up, so the base engine was the forever-present 318ci V8. You could still get Rallye wheels, comfortable vinyl interior, 3-speed automatic with console, and a blinding array of colors. Still a looker in anyone’s book.
Challenger Rallye
Anything with an R/T badge, a 440ci, or a shaker hood at this point would be considered “tribute” or fraud, as they didn’t exist from the factory. The high mark of the ‘73-74 years would still be the Rallye. White-letter tires, sport rims, color-matching mirrors, sport hood and more were there for the taking. You could also opt for the high-performance V8s and really get the car moving… not 440 “moving”, but moving still.
1973 & 1974 Dodge Challenger Specifications, Options, and Performance
Physical Dimensions
The 1973 & 1974 Dodge Challenger’s physical dimensions:
- Length: 191.3 inches
- Width: 76.3 inches
- Height: 50.9 inches
Interior
Interiors were also very much unchanged from the previous year, and that was a good thing. The dash still included either the base or sport gauges; the 4-speed could still be optioned; you could still get wood grain inserts, and the seats were still vinyl-covered buckets. Besides the lack of thunder coming from the front of the car, this was still very much the same animal as when it all began. Classic, and sporty to be sure.
Hoods
1973/1974 hood options were unchanged from 1972 model year. You could either get the stock hood (pictured in red in the above “Challenger Models” section), or the Rallye hood pictured here. Black stripe kits were available even though the R/T line was dropped and the fake vents were still present. Aggressive yet simplistic, the Rallye hood did give the Challenger more of a speedy look.
1973 & 1974 Dodge Challenger Engines
For 1973, the only real change was the loss of the 6-cyl engine option. The base engine was now the 150 net horsepower 318ci V8. Not a drag engine, but one that easily moved the mid-sized car. Only “sporty” engine was the 340ci V8 in single 4-barrel fashion. At 240 horsepower, the Challenger would manage to get the car under the 16 second times through the quarter-mile, but this was not the rocket-car of yore.
1974 saw the introduction of a new engine for the Challenger. The 340ci was replaced with the larger and slightly more powerful 360ci V8. Rated at 245 horsepower, the 360 became THE mopar performance option for the remainder of the ‘70s and though it would never be as powerful as anything from the muscle car era, it was as muscular as you could get – from any American manufacturer.
| Option code | Size (cu. in.) | Size (c.c.) | Type | Carb. | Net Power (B.H.P.) |
| G | 318ci | 5212 | V8 | 2 bbl. | 150 |
| H | 340ci | 5573 | V8 | 4 bbl. | 240 |
| K* | 360ci | 5898 | V8 | 4 bbl. | 245 |
*1974
1973 & 1974 Dodge Challenger Transmissions
There were three available transmissions available for the ‘73 & ‘74 models:
- Three-speed synchronized manual (floor shift).
- Four-speed synchronized manual (floor shift) optional with 340ci V8 only.
- Torqueflight three-speed auto (selector lever is column-mounted except on optional console equipped models). Optional with all engines.
1973 & 1974 Dodge Challenger Wheels & Tires
| Engine | Standard | With Disc Brakes | Optional | Recommended Brand |
| 225 | 7.35×14 | F78x14 | F78x14 F70x14* | Goodyear(F70)/Firestone(7.35) |
| 318 | F78x14 | F78x14 | F70x14* | Goodyear |
| 340 | F70x14 | F70x14 | E60x15** | Goodyear Polyglas GT |
* Only with heavy-duty suspension.
** Only with power front disc brakes, dealer installed.
1973 & 1974 Dodge Challenger Production Numbers
1973 saw a slight increase from 1972, but a giant drop in sales in 1974 showed the coming extinction of the sporty coupe. With the Dart selling over 100,000 units and the Charger still keeping pace, the Challenger’s days were truly “numbered”.
1973 Dodge Challenger Production Numbers
| Challenger Hardtop Coupe V8 |
32,596 |
*Consumer Guide Encyclopedia of American Cars
1974 Dodge Challenger Production Numbers
| Challenger Hardtop Coupe V8 |
16,437 |
*Consumer Guide Encyclopedia of American Cars
Check out the 2nd generation Dodge Challenger here!
