The 1972 Challenger gained new front end styling which included a new eggcrate grille which had downturned ends. Critics noted that it was showing a sad face to its own emasculation. The R/T performance version was dropped and convertibles were eliminated. The 440 and Hemi were also dropped. A new Rallye edition replaced the R/T model, but sported only a 318 with just 150 bhp (net). The largest engine available was a 340 with just 240 bhp (net), a far cry from just the year before.
The Dodge Challenger continued its downward slide for 1973. The Rallye edition was dropped, although buyers could still build their own on the option sheet. Sales were still up for the year, even though most of these cars had the 318 with 150 bhp, hardly a performance machine. Still available was the 340 with 240 bhp but it was replaced at mid-season with a new 360 V8 debuted with 245 bhp. The increased capacity was the only way that Dodge could keep power up in the face of tightening emissions control regulations.
1974 would be the last year for the Dodge Challenger, still available with the 360 for those that wanted any real performance. The Dodge Challenger lived just five short years, but it made its mark on the muscle car era.
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04.5.2007 @ 10:53