For 1972, there was a shift in thinking at Chrysler Corporation. Muscle was out and that was a known fact…the Hemi was dead, the 440-6 was dead, and big blocks were toned down for more sedate roles in trucks, police cruisers, and heavier luxo-boats. The Dodge Charger, a performance benchmark for Dodge, was starting to develop some interesting new personality traits, ones that comforted the occupants while showing off styling traits that just didn’t quite gel with the imposing menace the Charger name was supposed to imply. Sure, Richard Petty was running down anyone and everything in a Charger in NASCAR, but on the streets it was a kindler, slightly gentler, certainly more fluffy Dodge running around.

Here’s the thing: between 1972 and 1974, the Charger actually did bridge the gap between performance and luxury pretty well. Big blocks were available and the look really didn’t deviate too much from the Coke bottle-meets-fuselage styling that the B-bodies had taken on in 1971. They were certainly heads and shoulders above what would appear for 1975, that’s for sure. But I’m not gushing over this 1973 Charger for what it is…I like this body style alright enough, but it’s the way it’s presented that has me panting. Slot mags and dual quads poking through the hood on a 440 mill on a car that could otherwise pass for stock…be still, my heart. I’m a day two build fan, and this car has it going on in my book. The only shame I can find: if you’re going to stick something through the hood, shouldn’t it be a blower case?

Craigslist Link: 1973 Dodge Charger SE