1974 Dodge Charger Back Home 32 1/2 Years Later!!

[74moparmaniac]

Bought my 1974 Charger SE in Nov of 1976 from the local Chrysler/Plymouth/Dodge dealership. Ran it my last year in high school. My girfriend now my wife ran it some her senior year. Sold it in Nov of 1981 to a fellow 12 miles from me. He ran it a couple of years and put it away in a old garage, along side some other old mopars. Was talking to a friend of mine about 15 years ago and told him I'd like to get it back if possible. Fast forward to March of 2014, he calls me an tells me it's going up for sale. Then I start tracking down phone#'s and what not. Got in touch with him(owner) and went to see it. It was like going back in time to 1981. It still had my old school foglights on it and the toggle switch inside. The same long fur on the speaker deck was still there(remember those days) and the same spare tire in the trunk.What really caught my attention was that nothing was modified as far as aftermarket radios, or speakers being cut into door panels. Last inspection on it was 1985. He only put 5-6,000 miles on it in that time, still only showing 54,000 miles, and the last it was started was 2007. We took a jump box along and it turned over with ease. I was telling the guy that owned it, all the history me and my girlfriend/wife had running around in this car(well not everything), he and his wife both said "that car belongs with them". So on April 6 2014 I went with my trailer and hauled it home. You can bet that we will be taking this car to our high school reunions.
Had the seats and carpet out and the floor is perfect Just needs some TLC. We both feel so fortunate to have gotten it back after all this time.
Also have some A-bodies in the fleet. 1973 Duster 440, 1973 Dart Sport stroked 360(418). They are practically twins in color.The wheels/tires hood scoops, exhaust, steering wheels, and so on are pretty much identical. Needless to say, were a Mopar family. ~~~~~Thanks B-Bodies for the space~~~~~

 

[Car Nut]

Bought my 1974 Charger SE in Nov of 1976 from the local Chrysler/Plymouth/Dodge dealership. Ran it my last year in high school. My girfriend now my wife ran it some her senior year. Sold it in Nov of 1981 to a fellow 12 miles from me. He ran it a couple of years and put it away in a old garage, along side some other old mopars. Was talking to a friend of mine about 15 years ago and told him I'd like to get it back if possible. Fast forward to March of 2014, he calls me an tells me it's going up...

:woohoo:

aboard!

 

[eric383]

Great story, any pics?

 

[snakeyes]

wow what a great story ,welcome to the site ,lets see some photos :headbang:

 

[74moparmaniac]

I have pictures from 1977/78 with the car, and with me and my dude style fishing hat lol. My wife keeps one with the four of us(her best friend and boyfriend now her husband) going to the senior prom. Were all standing along side of it at her parents home. Also have pictures when it was packed inside the old garage, and step by step as we pushed out to be loaded.
I'll see what I can do. ~~~~Thanks for the interest~~~~

 

[Budnicks]

welcome to FBBO

cool story, there's a few of my old cars I'd like to get back too...

unfortunately no extra room, but it's a nice thought anyway

 

[roadrunnerh]

I love stories like this! Welcome to FBBO.

 

[HawkRod]

Welcome to FBBO - great story!

 

[ODZKing]

That is awesome, welcome.
I wish I could find my original 73 but I'm sure that is dust by now, it was fairly rotten when I sold it in 81.
Oh well ... let's see some pics!

 

[74moparmaniac]

74 Charger Back Home

welcome to FBBO

cool story, there's a few of my old cars I'd like to get back too...

unfortunately no extra room, but it's a nice thought anyway

Yes this story is one for the books. It still hasn't sunk it yet, that I have it back. What are the odds of getting your ol' car back and being in practically the same condition as it was when it left? And best part too, it never had another owner in between 1981- 2014.

Thanks for interest! Glad to be a member of FBBO.

 

[74moparmaniac]

That is awesome, welcome.
I wish I could find my original 73 but I'm sure that is dust by now, it was fairly rotten when I sold it in 81.
Oh well ... let's see some pics![/QUOTE
Don't give up...it may be closer than you realize...stranger things can happen!

 

[super-bee_ski]

Great story with a "Happy ending"!

Welcome aboard and thanks for joining the forum!

 

[Nclouser37]

Great story! I know the feeling of getting your car back and finding those old treasures that no one touched while it was away!

 

[patrick66]

That is terrific! There are a couple of cars I owned in high school (same time period) that I'd love to show up at a reunion at. Good luck on your build.

 

[Coyoteduster]

Stories like this are few and far between, congratulations!

 

[kiwigtx]

I have pictures from 1977/78 with the car, and with me and my dude style fishing hat lol. My wife keeps one with the four of us(her best friend and boyfriend now her husband) going to the senior prom. Were all standing along side of it at her parents home. Also have pictures when it was packed inside the old garage, and step by step as we pushed out to be loaded.
I'll see what I can do. ~~~~Thanks for the interest~~~~

That is a very cool story. You should start your own Restoration Thread, and keep us updated with the pics - starting with your old pics. :headbang: This is the sort of story a lot of guys dream of with cars. Make sure that one day when the car is finished, that you have a picture taken with both of you AND the friends you went to the Prom with, next to the car. :icon_thumright:

 

[Avantguy]

Fantastic. Welcome.

 

[Bobo]

You are lucky ! Do not let it get away again !

 

[74moparmaniac]

You are lucky ! Do not let it get away again !

I'll see to it, that it stays this time. As you said..I'm lucky, this type of situation doesen't happen everyday. Thanks Bobo for the post. Take care friend!>>>74Maniac.