1974 Dodge Challenger

Description

1974 was the fifth and final year of the first generation Challengers which began production in 1970.

The base 318 cubic inch engine remained the same and was rated at 150 horsepower and 265 ft-lbs of torque. The 340 was now gone and was replaced with the optional 360 cubic inch engine which was rated at 245 horsepower and 320 ft-lbs of torque. It was only 5 horsepower more than the 340 it replaced, but it had 25 ft-lbs more torque.

There were no significant changes to the 1974 Challenger other than the availability of the new 360 engine. Inside, the seatbelts now had an inertia reel take-up and an ignition safety switch would not let the car be started unless the seatbelt was fastened.

No High Impact Paint colors were offered this year.

Total production of 1974 Challengers: 11,354 or 16,437 depending on the source.

1974 Challenger Key Differences

1974 Dodge Challengers had the protruding bumpers along with the larger bumper guards with rubber pads. Since ‘73 Challengers also had the same bumpers and bumper guards, they're difficult to tell apart. Also, many owners have removed the large bumper guards, and have also moved the bumpers in closer to the car.

A Dodge Challenger with the extended bumpers and the 318 engine is hard to identify as a 1973 or 1974. If the car has a 340 engine it's a ‘73, and if it has a 360 it should be a ‘74. Some sources say the 360 engine was also used in late 1973.

Similar Years

Dodge Challengers from the first generation (1970 - 1974) all shared the same body. Minor year to year changes included the grill, bumper, and tail lights. Most years can be identified by those changes, however the 1973 and 1974 Challengers have nothing to distinguish them externally other than the optional 360 engine which was only used in 1974.

How to Identify a 1974 Dodge Challenger

Overview

• 1974 was the final year of the first generation Challenger (1970 - 1974)
• Challenger hardtop with a vinyl roof shown
• The large bumper guards have been removed, which many owners have done to 1973-74 Challengers

1974 Challenger Grill

• The grill remained the same (1972 - 1974)
• The grill was black for Rallye Challengers, and silver for regular Challengers (1972 - 1974)
• The bumper guards have been removed

1974 Challenger Grill Badge

• The Challenger name was mounted on the left side of the grill (1970 - 1974)

1974 Challenger Front Bumper

• The front bumper stuck out from the front of the car (1973 - 1974)
• A gray or black plastic filler piece was added between the bumper and the car body (1973 - 1974)

1974 Challenger Front Bumper Guard

• Large chromed bumper guards with large rubber pads were standard (1973 - 1974) (1973 shown)
• The front bumper protruded a few inches from the front of the car (1973 - 1974)

1974 Challenger Rear Bumper

• The rear bumper was mounted a couple of inches away from the body (1973 - 1974)
• A gray or black plastic filler piece was used to cover the gap between the bumper and the car body (1973 - 1974)

1974 Challenger Rear Bumper Guard

• Large chrome bumper guards with large rubber pads were mounted on the rear bumber (1973 - 1974) (1973 shown)

1974 Challenger Bumper Slots

• Both front and rear bumpers had two small vertical slots, one on each side, for the bumper jack (1973 - 1974) (1973 shown)

1974 Challenger Side Vents

• Non-functional fender vents mounted behind the front wheels were standard on the Challenger Rallye (1972 - 1974)

1974 Challenger Front Side Marker Light

• Front side marker lights were rectangular and protruded from the fender (1972 - 1974)

1974 Challenger Rear Side Marker Light

• Rear side marker lights also were rectangular and protruded from the fender (1972 - 1974)

1974 Challenger Badge

• The "Challenger" badge was mounted on the upper rear fenders above the side marker light (1972 - 1974)

1974 Challenger Tail Lights

• The tail lights continued unchanged (1972 - 1974)
• Back-up lights were located in the center of the inboard lights (1972 - 1974)
• Rear bumper guards have been removed

1974 Challenger Gas Cap

• The body-colored flush gas cap was the only style from the factory (1972 - 1974), but many owners have replaced it with the earlier pop-open style chrome gas cap

1974 Challenger Hood

• The power-bulge hood was still standard on the Rallye Challenger (1972 - 1974)
• It also came with the optional 360 cubic inch engine (1974)

1974 Challenger 360 Four Barrel Badge

• The badge on the hood indicated the size of the optional engine (1970 - 1974)
• The 360 cubic inch Four Barrel replaced the 340 this year (1974)
• The 360 was rated at 245 horsepower and 320 ft-lbs of torque

1974 Challenger Rear Panel

• The Dodge name was mounted in the center of the rear panel (1972 - 1974)
• The rear panel surrounding the tail lights could be silver or black (1972 - 1974)

1974 Challenger Vinyl Roof

• The vinyl roof remained optional on Challengers (1970 - 1974)

1974 Challenger Door Mirror

• The "Racing Mirror" was available in chrome or body color, and could be on one side or both sides (1970 - 1974)

1974 Challenger Door Handle

• The flush-style door handles were the same for all Challengers (1970 - 1974)

1974 Challenger Wheel

• The optional Raylle wheel in satin finish with a brushed aluminum trim ring

More 1974 Challenger Pictures

For more photos of vintage 1974 Challengers, visit the Dodge Challenger Gallery at the Muscle Car Jungle.

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