Introduced for the 1970 model year, the Dodge Challenger was a bit late to the muscle car party. In 1971, Chrysler discontinued all high-compression big-block engines, ending the nameplate’s stint on the muscle car market after only two years. The Challenger remained in production through 1974 with inline-six and small-block V8 units.
Not surprisingly, the 1970 and 1971 Challengers are now the most desirable iterations of the first-generation model. The 426-cubic-inch (7.0-liter) HEMI and 440-cubic-inch (7.2-liter) RB cars get the most attention (and the highest prices at auctions). The 383-cubic-inch (6.3-liter) rigs are also sought-after nowadays.
The post-1971 Challenger, on the other hand, is a more common sight in junkyards rather than at classic car shows. Some examples, however, have survived in pristine condition for more than 50 years. This 1972 Challenger Rallye is the perfect proof.
Spotted at the 2024 Carlisle Mopar Show, this Challenger looks like it just rolled off the assembly line. And while you’d be tempted to believe it’s a rotisserie restoration, this hardtop is actually an unrestored survivor. Yup, the brown paint is original and still shines.
The vinyl top is also more than 50 years old and in great shape, as are the strobe stripes on the sides and all the chrome trim. Although we don’t get to see the interior up close, our host confirms it looks the part despite being all-original.
No survivor is a true time capsule without an original powertrain, and this Challenger delivers. The Mopar still relies on a numbers-matching 340-cubic-inch (5.6-liter) V8 and transmission. The 340 remained the range-topping Challenger engine in 1972 after Chrysler discontinued the big-block mills.
The four-barrel 340 V8, optional on both the base and Rallye versions, produced 240 net horsepower and 290 net pound-feet (393 Nm) of torque. The 318-cubic-inch (5.2-liter) V8 under it was notably less potent, producing 150 horses and 260 pound-feet (352 Nm).
The 340 V8 is also somewhat rare, as most of the 22,919 Challengers produced that year left the assembly line with the 318 engine. Records show 6,279 units were shipped to US dealers with the four-barrel 340. Of these, 1,267 were base models, which makes this Challenger one of 5,012 Rallye vehicles with the range-topping powerplant. The four-speed version is the rarest, at 1,243 units. Unfortunately, the video doesn’t provide information on this car’s gearbox.
So how does a classic car soldiered on for more than five decades in such fabulous condition? Well, this one spent a lot of time in proper storage. The odometer shows only 37,000 miles (59,546 km) and our host says the Challenger was driven just 4,000 miles (6,437 km) in the last 35 years. It’s pretty much a garage queen. While I also prefer the high-compression versions of 1970-1971, I’m happy that someone took such great care of a 1972 version. I wish we’d see more 1972-1974 Challengers in this condition.