Dodge Challenger 340 V8

About this Collectable

Dodge Challenger 340 V8 Extremely rare ‘I-code European model’

Dodge Challengers were mainly produced for the US and Canadian markets. Interestingly, Chrysler officially sold Challengers to Switzerland through AMAG (Automobil- und Motoren AG in Schinznach-Bad), near Zurich. Only a handful of cars a year were shipped to AMAG. They did the final assembly of the Challengers and rebuilt them to Swiss specifications. Few AMAG cars remain; it seems there are only about five Swiss Challengers in North America. 

This 1972 Dodge Challenger 340 Four Barrel is automotive heritage from the ‘muscle car era’ with only 3 previous owners and is in excellent and serviceable condition. It is one of the few International Export models of the 1970-1974 Challengers produced and remaining. Although the ‘70-’71 models have long been more popular, this Swiss-assembled car is very rare, even more special and perhaps unique! This 2-year younger brother of the famous ‘Vanishing Point’ movie car is in exceptionally good condition for a car over 50 years old. Not an over-restored car but with the right patina. Everything works as it should and the Challenger is simply a car that can keep up smoothly in daily traffic. With that crazy Mopar V8 sound... This example is one of the very last cars that ever left the AMAG assembly plant in Switzerland. Body, engine and transmission are matching numbers and the Challenger is very well documented. As far as can be ascertained, the Challenger has had only 3 owners. The Swiss, who bought it new in 1972 and the previous owner who has cherished it since 2009.  From production, this Challenger has been European-specified and has the ‘I’ marking in its option codes on the wing, including the ‘Dodge Made in the USA’ and AMAG wing badges. The powerful 340 (5.6L) V8 engine with quad carburettor, the optional TorqueFlite A727 automatic transmission coupled to the SureGrip limited slip differential ensure effortless performance and, thanks to the Rallye suspension, 15-inch wheels, power brakes (front disc brakes) and power steering, solid handling. The 5.6 litre was the strongest engine available at the time! Furthermore, the Challenger features a performance bonnet with air vents, dual exhaust with four end pipes, vinyl roof, chrome trim strips, silver grille and silver tail light panel. The interior has the deluxe Rallye dashboard with four large counters, bucket seats, centre console, dual mirrors, a period-correct radio, rear window heater with an air blower - but no air conditioning, electric windows, central locking or radio, as sober Europeans had little interest in those at the time.

The Challenger has been mildly but thoroughly restored and period-correctly upgraded, making it visually and technically close to the original driving experience - only better. The bodywork is straight and rust-free (including the cavities) and there are no signs of (accident) damage. As far as we know, the car was repainted in its original colour at some point in 1998. 
Technically, the car is very good, has always been inside and has been maintained by specialists. Tyres, brakes, pipes, hoses and fuel system are in good condition and upgraded where necessary. The suspension has been upgraded with polyurethane bushings and KYB shock absorbers. The exhaust has been upgraded to 2.5-inch stainless steel, including electrically operated valves and header exhaust manifolds which, combined with the modernised carburettor and ignition, makes the engine a lot livelier.

Our opinion

The Dodge Challenger offered here is, in this condition and execution, something you never come across. No wild retrofitted engines, fat wheels or flashy colours, just a Challenger as it should be with some subtle period-correct upgrades. A unique car that rarely comes on the market and especially as an EU-built example is very special.

About the seller

The previous owner was a true enthusiast. He owned several (sports) cars and discovered the Challenger in 2009 at a dealer who had had the car next to a Pontiac Firebird for about 5 years. He bought the Challenger and took extremely good care of it. Slight modifications were made and the (already very good) Challenger was further brought to even better condition. In the past 15 years, the car was driven only about 12,000 km. The previous owner made a very comprehensive description of the Challenger including history and upgrades that is included with the car. The current owner, encouraged by his car friends, bought the Dodge in the auction. On reflection (and just a few hundred kilometres down the road), he finds that this car does not quite suit him after all and would like to sell the car to a true enthusiast through The Collectables.

Recent service history 

The Challenger has always been under the care of specialists. As the previous owner was technically savvy, he has either carried out or supervised all work himself. The last service/APK was carried out at 19,000 km

Equipment

This Dodge Challenger is equipped with:

- 240 hp (SAE) 340 ci V8 engine (0-100 km/h in 8.5 seconds)
- 8.75-inch SureGrip rear axle with limited slip
- TorqueFlite A727 SlapStick 3-speed automatic gearbox
- 14 x 5.5 Rallye rims (spare wheel present)
- Black vinyl roof (original)
- Performance bonnet with double scoops
- Chrome 5-mile bumpers with small bumper guards
- Black front spoiler
- Rear light panel in correct Argent/Astrotone silver
- Chromed twin side mirrors
- Dark green interior with bucket seats
- Rallye dashboard (km/h counter) with centre console and wood veneer
- Flip-top petrol cap

Modifications 

Main technical improvements and renewals:

- Custom stainless steel exhaust including electrically operated valves
- Doug's Headers D453 1-5/8’ 4-to-1 fully coated exhaust manifolds
- Street Demon 625 carburettor
- Rev-n-ator ignition control unit
- Passion4Mopars Premium restored 3-speed wiper motor (period correct numbers)
- Replacement door, window and boot rubbers
- High-torque starter motor
- Distribution chain and sprockets
- Water pump
- Fuel sending unit and fuel filter
- Solid-state voltage regulator on instrument panel
- Concealed electronic aerial
- KYB shock absorbers front and rear; polyurethane suspension bushings; brake pads and pipes
- Remanufactured gearbox, balanced driveshaft and new rear wheel bearings

Key exterior and interior upgrades:

- Cragar Keystone wheels (7 x 15-inch and 8 x 15-inch, offset 0 mm, 5 x 4.5-inch) with BF Goodrich Radial T/A tyres
- Legendary vinyl seat covers front and rear in correct colour and year pattern
- 3-point seat belts front and rear
- Restored clock and small gauges; additional panel with 3 gauges; trip computer
- Period correct Tuff sports steering wheel
- RestoRick Pistol Grip gear lever
- AAR Vintage Mopar E-Body radio with modern electronics, European FM settings, AUX input and 4 stereo speakers

Notes

Optically and technically in very good condition for its age. A small age spot here and there. This is a car with no accident history that was repainted in its original colour for cosmetic reasons in the late 90s.

Included in the sale  

- 3 keys 
- Various spare parts
- Extensive description and documentation of the car

Summary

Seller type - Private
Location - Gorinchem
Registration number - 12-YB-86
Chassis number - JH23 H2B 132175 
Year of construction/date - 1972
Mileage - 20,300
Demonstrated - Yes, through history 
Warranty - No
Margin/VAT - Margin 
Bodywork - 2-door Coupé
Engine - 5.6 litre V8 with 240 hp (265 hp modified)
Drive system - Rear-wheel drive 
Transmission - Automatic
Exterior - White 
Interior - Green
Upholstery - Synthetic leather
Owned - In possession since 2009

The description of this Collectable was created with the utmost care, based on information provided by and validated by the seller. The Collectables performs a (pre)selection based on the information provided and consults public sources for any irregularities. However, bidders should ascertain for themselves the accuracy of the description and can, if they wish, conduct (or have conducted) personal research. All Collectables on our platform can be subjected to any possible inspection, examination or valuation in advance by buyers, in consultation with the seller, of course. Consult our General Terms and Conditions for more details.

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