Despite its muscular appearance, the early 1970s Dodge Challenger wasn’t exactly a beast on four wheels, but that doesn’t mean it didn’t earn its place in history. This 1974 Dodge Challenger Rallye, which was apparently left to rot in a yard for years, would make the perfect restoration project.

1974 Dodge Challenger Rallye Project Car

The Dodge Challenger Rallye looked a lot sportier and even more muscular than the standard Challenger in the early 1970s. The Rallye Hardtop package included new body side louvers, tape strips, a new performance hood, and the obligatory Rallye instrument cluster. Oddly enough, the 318ci V-8 was the standard offering here while the 360ci replaced the 340ci available in previous years. Both engines came from the factory with a two-barrel carburetor, but the difference in displacement meant for some big numbers. While the base engine was good for 150 horsepower and 265 pound-feet of torque, the 360 – the one you really wanted – has 245 horsepower and 320 pound-feet of torque.

This specific example has the base 318, though, so it wasn’t as beastly as it probably looked back in the day with all the fancy Rallye add-ons. The seller claims that the 318 in the engine bay is the original engine, so it has that going for it. Whether or not it runs or if the automatic transmission is still usable is a mystery, but these things should be added to your rebuild list anyway.

As for overall condition, this Challenger clearly needs some love. It’s not rusted t extremes as one would expect for a car that’s clearly sat in the elements for way too long, but there is a lot of rust on the lower rear quarters and under the trunk lid. All of it appears to be repairable, though. The seller claims that the floorboards and frame are still solid, which is nothing short of a miracle considering this is usually the first area to succumb to the elements, but I’d be sure to check underneath the car before taking delivery just to be safe.

As for the interior, well, that’s going to need – arguably – a little more work than the body. At the very least, the seats need to be reupholstered all trim needs to be cleaned up, and the entire center stack needs to be replaced. The carpeting and headliner need to go too, so it’s probably safer to assume that you’ll need to gut the interior, keep whatever is worth saving, and replace the rest.

It will certainly take a lot of effort and work, but this old Challenger Rallye could make for one hell of a restoration project if you have the time, money, and desire to bring it back to its once glorified self. Ditching the old 318 for a 440 might not be a bad idea either, but I’d certainly hang onto that numbers-matching 318 as swaps were quite common in this and that original engine could increase the car’s total value down the road.

If you want to get your hands on this one, though, you need to be quick. The auction ends within a couple of days and bidding is currently at $7,500 with the reserve yet to be met.