some of my thought has been already posted by some other members... I will just post some of my thoughts mostly based on Chargers
71/72 vs 73/74 value and desirable deal is just about performance look equipment options. Stuff like louvered doors, agressive hood, stripes, in some cases tail lights, hideaways and wings. Some of these weren't even on 72s
72 rallye can be with 318 and will be desirable for the looks not for the engine
Engine performance ? actually who cares nowdays, if you can build anything on any car ? just makes a diff if is a matching numbers, but a 71 wth 318 more valuable than a 74 with 360 ? there is not a logic reason, just fetichism about getting a 71 "BECAUSE IS A MUSCLE CAR AGE", or if you likes more the body lines from a 71
Now, I have driven both groups of cars and my conclusions.
73/74 is MORE COMFY than 71/72. Isolated suspension THATS NICE GOD... WHAT DO I CARE TO FEEL EVERY SMALL STONE ON THE ROAD ? Comfortability and performance can live together... if not, take a look to modern sporty performance cars.
Damn I have driven a 70 R/T and I likes more how I feel on my 74!, beside just the fetichism on get a 2nd gen and the WOW factor what I like ( 69 is one of my dreamed cars ), I wouldn't trade my 74 for driver. Interior is more friendly on 3d gens
I love BIGGER quarter glass. I like my ppl enjoining the view on rear bench allmost like a do driving it. The 71/72 rear seat is a cage with smaller windows
and just on a personal taste, I like more 73/74 tail lights look than any of the earliers. Just jelous of the metalic housing build instead plastic like 73/74 are. I likes more also the 73/74 grilles, but 71s are my second best choice. Don't like 72s on any way. Hideaways... 71 likes more than 72s
NOTE APPART... THE REAR TAIL LIGHT PICS LOOKS FAMILIAR TO ME LOL... even it has a little mistake I took care years later I made it, and actually wasn't my idea. I edited one what looks the same but with some other mistakes
NOW, talking about Plymouths... THOSE REALLY GOT A CHANGE ON AGRESSIVE LOOK on the 72 and 73 year change... definitelly 71/72s are waaaaay better than 73/74. They look nice but not such as nice like 71/72s. They have same 73/74 Charger quarter glass openings, thats NICE... Then the diff grilles between RR/Standards or GTXs... RRs are the best, but the rest doesn't look bad either
I can't give more opinions on Plymouths though, they never got same "performance" look options on any year like 71/72 Charger did, beside stripes and Hood