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1974 Dodge Challenger

The Dodge Challenger was designed by Carl Cameron on the same platform as the Plymouth Barracuda. It was a late arrival to the muscle car parade but it more than made up for it with abundant performance in its R/T package. Dodge introduced its Challenger in the fall of 1969 for the 1970 model year and was one of two Chrysler E-body cars, the other being the slightly smaller and less expensive Plymouth Barracuda. Both were offered with a staggering number of options and trim levels, and with nearly every engine within Chrysler's arsenal.

By the time Challenger production ceased midway through the 1974 model year, Dodge built a combined 165,437 examples of its first-generation Challenger.

Body styles initially included a convertible and hardtop, but by 1972, only the hardtop remained. The Challenger T/A, intended to legalize the model for Sports Car Club of America (SCCA) Trans-Am racing, was a one-year-only option. The high-performance R/T version equipped with the 383 CID V8 with four-barrel carburetion was offered in 1970 and 1971. 1972 saw the introduction of the high-performance Rallye option which came standard with the 318 CID V8, full-length body side tape stripes, and a side scoop behind the front wheels. Minor styling changes were applied to the 1973 Challenger and minimal updates followed for 1974.

The Challenger's most popular year was 1970 with 76,935 examples built, followed by 26,299 in 1971, before dipping to 22,919 the following year. Sales increased slightly to 32,596 units for 1973, and 16,437 units for 1974. Sales rose steadily throughout its lifespan, beginning at $2,725 in 1970 and before reaching $3,000 in its penultimate year, and $3,145 for 1974.

The standard engine powering the Challenger was the 318 cubic-inch V8 with a two-barrel carburetor, four main bearings, hydraulic valve lifters, and offering 150 horsepower at 4,000 RPM. Standard equipment included a heavy-duty suspension, a three-speed manual transmission with a floor-mounted shifter, vinyl bucket seats, comfortable foam set cushions in the front, carpeting, a cigar lighter, and ventless windows. It had a day and night inside mirror, electronic ignition, a three-spoke steering wheel, bumper guards, and concealed wipers. Exterior trim included wheel lip moldings and roof drip rails.

The Rallye option was essentially a styling upgrade that added two hood scoops, a side scoop behind the front wheels, F70-15 raised white letter tires with special cast wheels, and full-length bodyside strobe-type tape stripes.

The 360 cubic-inch V8 had overhead valves, hydraulic valve lifters, and five main bearings. With two-barrel carburetion, the engine delivered 200 horsepower while the four-barrel version produced 245 horsepower. The 440 cubic-inch V8 with four-barrel carbs produced 230 horsepower and the 440 Magnum V8 produced 275 hp.

The Dodge Challenger name was retired following the 1974 model year, revived in 1978 as a rebadged variant of the Mitsubishi Galant Lambda coupe.


By Daniel Vaughan | Feb 2021

Related Reading : Dodge Challenger History

In 1968 Dodge began creating prototypes for the Challenger. Designs had been created since 1965 and by the middle of 1969 Dodge was producing the Challenger, complete with nine engines to select. The base engine was the slant six with the top of the line engine being the 426 Hemi. Along with the engine choices, there were various body styles, optional equipment, and interiorexterior colors. Dodge....
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Performance and Specification Comparison

Price Comparison

1974 Challenger
$3,145-$33,950
1974 Dodge Challenger Base Price : $3,145

Compare: Lower | Higher | Similar

Other 1974 Dodge Models
$3,210 - $3,740

Challenger

Specification Comparison by Year

Year
Production
Wheelbase
Engine
Prices
84,037
110.00 in.
8 cyl., 318.00 CID., 230.00hp
8 cyl., 340.00 CID., 290.00hp
8 cyl., 383.00 CID., 335.00hp
8 cyl., 440.00 CID., 350.00hp
8 cyl., 440.00 CID., 375.00hp
8 cyl., 440.00 CID., 390.00hp
8 cyl., 426.01 CID., 425.00hp
8 cyl., 426.00 CID., 425.00hp
$2,720 - $4,055
26,658
110.00 in.
6 cyl., 225.00 CID., 110.00hp
8 cyl., 318.00 CID., 150.00hp
8 cyl., 360.00 CID., 240.00hp
8 cyl., 340.00 CID., 240.00hp
$2,785 - $3,080
32,596
110.00 in.
8 cyl., 318.00 CID., 150.00hp
8 cyl., 340.00 CID., 240.00hp
$3,010 - $3,010
16,437
110.00 in.
6 cyl., 198.00 CID., 95.00hp
6 cyl., 225.00 CID., 105.00hp
8 cyl., 318.00 CID., 150.00hp
8 cyl., 360.00 CID., 200.00hp
8 cyl., 400.00 CID., 205.00hp
8 cyl., 440.00 CID., 230.00hp
8 cyl., 360.00 CID., 245.00hp
8 cyl., 400.00 CID., 250.00hp
8 cyl., 440.00 CID., 275.00hp
$3,145 - $3,145

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