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1972 Dodge Charger

The Charger, originally a fastback-styled show car, was based on the new Coronet and appeared part-way through the 1966 model year with a footprint larger than its similarly styled rivals, the Ford Mustang 2+2 and Plymouth Barracuda. Chrysler had been slow to enter the specialty car market compared to other manufacturers who had spent the early sixties exploring new ideas in the personal luxury and various niche segments. Chrysler selected the Dodge Division to explore an untapped market, the one between the 'pony car' Ford Mustang and the 'personal luxury' Ford Thunderbird. The B-Body platform was chosen and clothed with a fastback profile, and equipped with many of the company's existing hardware.

1972 Dodge Charger photo
Hardtop
Chassis #: WH23G2A193208
View info and history
Auction entries : 1
The versatility and appeal were enhanced by its selection of engine options, from the standard 318 CID V8 up to the 440 'Magnum' and the 426 'Hemi.' Although a new vehicle, the Charger was completely revamped for 1968, gaining a semi-fastback body style, hidden headlights, round taillights, an undivided grille, and a 225 cubic-inch slant-6 engine. Another major overhaul occurred a few years later, in 1971, its third major redesign since its 1966 introduction. it continued to rest on the Chrysler B-body platform and styling highlights included a semi-fastback rear window, rounded 'fuselage' styling, a ducktail spoiler, and a split front grille. The hidden headlights were now optional equipment, and a 'Ramcharger' hood and a rear spoiler were new additions to the list. The 'Ramcharger' hood had a pop-up scoop positioned above the air cleaner and operated by a vacuum switch under the dashboard.

The Coronet and Charger lines were merged for 1971, with the four-door B-bodies wearing Coronet badges while the two-door B-bodies were Chargers. The 500, R/T, and SE options were carried over from 1970, with sales of the R/T declining due to increasing fuel prices and higher insurance premiums. This was the final year for the Hemi R/T and just 63 examples were built, plus an additional 2,659 with other engines. Additionally, it was the final year for the 'Hi-Impact' colors, including the 1971-only 'citron Yella,' and the 440 Six-Pack engine, offered with either a Hurst 4-speed transmission or the automatic. This was the Super Bee's final year and the only year it was part of the Charger line.

For 1972, the former R/T and 500 versions were replaced by a new 'Rallye' option, and the SE was differentiated from other 1972 Chargers by a unique formal roof treatment and hidden headlights. Buyers could still purchase the 440 engines but now used net horsepower ratings instead of the gross horsepower output. Due to this new rating system, horsepower ratings were down substantially across the board, although the net horsepower rating was actually more realistic. Another new feature of the 1972 engines was lowered compression ratios to permit the use of regular leaded or unleaded gasoline rather than leaded premium fuel as in past years due to increasingly tighter emissions regulations.

1972 Dodge Charger photo
Hardtop
Chassis #: WH23G2A193208
View info and history
Auction entries : 1
The top engine for 1972 was the low-compression 440 CID V8 with a four-barrel carburetor and 280 (net) horsepower. It had overhead valves, five main bearings, hydraulic valve lifters, and a compression ratio of 8.2:1. The use of the Pistol-Grip 4-speed Hurst manual shifter was limited to 340, and 400 Magnum engines. The standard engine was the '225' Slant Six or the '318' V8 engine. The 225 cubic-inch six used a one-barrel carburetor, solid valve lifters, four main bearings, 8.4:1 compression, and offered 110 horsepower at 4,000 RPM. The 318 CID V8 had overhead valves, a cast-iron block, a two-barrel carburetor, four main bearings, hydraulic valve lifters, and 150 horsepower at 4,000 RPM.

The list of standard equipment included roof drip rail and wheel well moldings, two-speed windshield wipers, day/night mirror, a cigarette lighter, color-keyed carpeting, and dual horns. It had a 115-inch wheelbase, a length of 206-inches, and E78-14 belted blackwall sidewall tires. The standard transmission was a three-speed manual with the TorqueFlite automatic or four-speed manual transmissions being optional.

In the spring of 1972, Dodge introduced a promotional order package called the 'Spring Green Topper X' which added exclusive bright green paint with a green gator half vinyl top and a special white/green plaid interior. The rare, special promotional order Topper Package also added front and rear bumper guards, hideaway headlights, an interior Rally instrument cluster, front and rear body moldings, interior hood release, sill, and an upper body paint pinstripe.

1972 Dodge Charger photo
Hardtop
Chassis #: WH23G2A193208
View info and history
Auction entries : 1
The Charger Rallye came with the equipment fitted to the 'base' Charger plus F70-14 white sidewall tires with raised white letters, louvered taillights, front and rear sway bars, and special instrumentation.

The top trim level continued to be the Charger SE, offered with all the standard Charger amenities plus hidden headlights and a landau vinyl top.

The two-door coupe had a base price of $2,650 with the six-cylinder engine and $2,760 with the base V8. The hardtop listed for $2,915 for the six and $3,020 for the eight. The SE hardtop, offered solely with the eight, was priced at $3,250. The most popular 1972 Charger body style was the hardtop with 45,361 units produced, followed by 22,430 of the SE hardtop and 7,803 of the coupe.

1972 Dodge Charger photo
Coupe
Chassis #: WH23G2G170370
Auction entries : 1
The styling introduced in 1971 would continue through 1974. The 1975 model year would bring a complete redesign, with features that brought it closer to the growing personal luxury car market segment. The Charger SE (Special Edition) was the only model offered and the standard engine was the 360 cubic-inch small-block V8 with a two-barrel carburetor, along with the code E58 four-barrel with dual exhaust.


by Daniel Vaughan | Mar 2021

Related Reading : Dodge Charger History

The Dodge Charger was produced from 1966 through 1978, 1983 through 1987, and again beginning in 2006. Since its inception, the impressive performance and stylish bodies made the Charger an instant success. During its introductory year, 37,344 examples were produced. The Dodge Charger was based on the Dodge Coronet platform, but with a fastback roofline. The headlights were retractable which resulted....
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1972 Dodge Charger Vehicle Profiles

Recent Vehicle Additions

Performance and Specification Comparison

Price Comparison

1972 Charger
$3,245-$37,935
1972 Dodge Charger Price Range: $2,650 - $3,245

Compare: Lower | Higher | Similar

Other 1972 Dodge Models
$2,315 - $2,758
$2,370 - $2,572
$2,785 - $3,080
$3,340 - $4,370

Charger Third Generation

Specification Comparison by Year

Year
Production
Wheelbase
Engine
Prices
82,114
115.00 in.
6 cyl., 225.00 CID., 145.00hp
8 cyl., 318.00 CID., 230.00hp
8 cyl., 383.00 CID., 275.00hp
8 cyl., 440.00 CID., 370.00hp
8 cyl., 426.00 CID., 425.00hp
$2,710 - $3,775
75,594
115.00 in.
6 cyl., 225.00 CID., 110.00hp
8 cyl., 360.00 CID., 240.00hp
8 cyl., 340.00 CID., 240.00hp
8 cyl., 440.00 CID., 330.00hp
$2,650 - $3,245
119,318
115.00 in.
6 cyl., 225.00 CID., 105.00hp
8 cyl., 440.00 CID., 280.00hp
$2,810 - $3,375
115.00 in.
6 cyl., 225.00 CID., 105.00hp
8 cyl., 318.00 CID., 150.00hp
8 cyl., 360.00 CID., 200.00hp
$3,210 - $3,740

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