A friend of mine has the chance to pick up a fully restored 73 challenger with a 318. What's a good price for one in mint condition?
Thanks, Derek

The NADA classic car value ranges from $15,235 (avg. retail) to $24,970 (high retail).

You can also get a good idea from:

http://www.hagerty.com/ValuationTools/Portfolio/Overview

For me, it would depend on how well the restoration was done. It's easy to short-cut which may result in a lower valued car. And the 318 isn't one of the "desirable" engines.

For me, it would depend on how well the restoration was done. It's easy to short-cut which may result in a lower valued car. And the 318 isn't one of the "desirable" engines.

Agree with you about the 318. This was a frame off restoration I sent a link for this thread to my friend who may buy the car. He's going to sign up and post pictures. Thanks for your help!

Here it is. looks like it's a 360 not a 318

here are a few more

It looks nice!! It cost huge coin to resto a car. Buying a car already done is cheaper hands down.

The 360 engine will add about $5,000 to the price of a 318-equipped Challenger.

NADA Classic states the following values: $19,250 (low retail) and $30,625 (high retail). By the looks of your photos, I think that it would fall into the high retail range.

Thanks for the responses, Much appreciated!

Looks like a very nice Challenger and great color too.

Find out what the car had for an engine originally. if it was a 340 car .... worth more that a 318 car. It does look nice .... but I dont agree on the $30k price. $25k would be tops for me.

My budget on an old Challenger would be $20k, but if it is worth more, then I guess I'll have to let someone else buy those old beauts.

Find out what the car had for an engine originally. if it was a 340 car .... worth more that a 318 car. It does look nice .... but I dont agree on the $30k price. $25k would be tops for me.

The high compression 340 was not offered in 1973- only a detuned 360 smog motor. That's one of the reasons a 1973 model is not worth as much as a 1970 or 1971.

The high compression 340 was not offered in 1973- only a detuned 360 smog motor. That's one of the reasons a 1973 model is not worth as much as a 1970 or 1971.

ummm 340 was available through 1973. 74 was the only year for the 360. The 70-71 340's were better ... but there was still a 340 available in 72 and 73.

looks nice.

The 318 came with a light duty 904 automatic transmission and a weak 8.25" rear differential. If the car is all numbers matching (original engine, transmission & rear end) then having the original light duty 904 & 8.25" would be desirable. If they are thinking about upgrading for performance, the 727 automatic and 8.75" with Sure-Grip would be far more valuable and desirable.

Upgrading to a 340/360/408 small block or a big block engine is popular. To handle the extra power, they will need the 727 and a 8.75" (or even better Dana 60) to handle the extra power. Much cheaper to only swap the engine rather than the entire drive train, so that will also influence the value of the car. Again, unless it is all numbers matching, the 727 & 8.75 will be worth more than the 904 & 8.25.

if you can post the VIN and especially the fender tag numbers we can better help you. The color is not correct for a 73.

HP from 72 on was measured as net, not gross, and that's why so many post 71 engines seem much weaker than they actually are - even with lowered compression ratios.

The term restoration gets over used, what many do is a cosmetic fix up ignoring the guts of things like wiring, bushings, etc. In the end it can cause more frustration and expense because it wasn't done right to begin with.

A clean 73 or 74 Rallye is a nice car. The Rallye package was an option for 318 equipped cars. At the end of the day it depends on what your friend is looking for: a nice clean classic or something with nice lines but that he wants to build up and beat on. There is little return on investment in the latter but you may have more fun.

Choose wisely.

The seller seems to think it's worth closer to $40,000 so the sale is off unless the price drops significantly. He has had some long term health problems and the car was only driven from the mechanic to his house after the motor rebuild which was 10 miles. I'm sure the frame off resto cost him alot but unfortunately like buckwheat said it's cheaper to buy one restored than to restore one yourself. It would be a bummer to finish a project like that and not be able to enjoy it.

ummm 340 was available through 1973. 74 was the only year for the 360. The 70-71 340's were better ... but there was still a 340 available in 72 and 73.


You're right. I forgot that the 340 was continued for two years as a detuned motor before it became the 360 in 1974.

The VIN decoding

JH (Challenger) -
23 (2-door hardtop)
Engine:
G- 318 2bbl
H - 340 4bbl ('72-'73)
L - 360 4bbl ('74)
Model year:
3 - 1973
Plant:
B- Hamtramck, MI
E- Los Angeles, CA

Remaining 6 digits are sequential production #.

Fender tag (bottom row - right 1/2) should match dash VIN tag & door sticker VIN (if not missing)

The fender tag 2nd /3rd row from bottom will have the body and trim color codes that specs what colors the car was built with.
The green interior and woven vinyl inserts are appropriate for the '73/'74 run.

FJ5 Sublime Green wasn't offered in that year.

JF1 - Pale Green
JFI - Dark Green Met.
GF3 - Light Green Met.
KG2 - Frosty Green Met. ('74)
were the only green colors in '73/'74 on the E-body models.

The VIN decoding

JH (Challenger) -
23 (2-door hardtop)
Engine:
G- 318 2bbl
H - 340 4bbl ('72-'73)
L - 360 4bbl ('74)
Model year:
3 - 1973
Plant:
B- Hamtramck, MI
E- Los Angeles, CA

Remaining 6 digits are sequential production #.

Fender tag (bottom row - right 1/2) should match dash VIN tag & door sticker VIN (if not missing)

The fender tag 2nd /3rd row from bottom will have the body and trim color codes that specs what colors the car was built with.
The green interior and woven vinyl inserts are appropriate for the '73/'74 run.

FJ5 Sublime Green wasn't offered in that year.

JF1 - Pale Green
JFI - Dark Green Met.
GF3 - Light Green Met.
KG2 - Frosty Green Met. ('74)
were the only green colors in '73/'74 on the E-body models.

A57 = Rallye trim package

Overall, nice looking car, has power brakes as well.

A friend of mine has the chance to pick up a fully restored 73 challenger with a 318. What's a good price for one in mint condition?
Thanks, Derek

A 1973 Challenger would not come Factory with a 360. They either had a standrad 318 or optional 340-4bbl.

If your friend is on the fence, I have a 1973 original 340 Challenger for sale in "Cars for Sale" section on CT, if he is still looking. Good Luck!

here are a few more
Great looking car

The seller seems to think it's worth closer to $40,000 so the sale is off unless the price drops significantly. He has had some long term health problems and the car was only driven from the mechanic to his house after the motor rebuild which was 10 miles. I'm sure the frame off resto cost him alot but unfortunately like buckwheat said it's cheaper to buy one restored than to restore one yourself. It would be a bummer to finish a project like that and not be able to enjoy it.
Believe me, a good restoration will cost from 35,000 to 50,000$.
If the car is excellent (should be inspected in person) the 40K$ should be fine.

Love the car and love the color. Go for it!