When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
I'm interested in buying this car (50/50 with my mother. I'm a mommy's boy) as my first project car to fix p and modernise a little. While I was considering going for something cheaper and easier it's hard to pass up a running dream car that family will go in with, especially since we live in the UK.
So my question is, for a beginner, how difficult would this car be to work on? I'm doing my research but are there any small pieces of advice y'all could give me or any resources you could point me to?
I'm interested in buying this car (50/50 with my mother. I'm a mommy's boy) as my first project car to fix p and modernise a little. While I was considering going for something cheaper and easier it's hard to pass up a running dream car that family will go in with, especially since we live in the UK.
So my question is, for a beginner, how difficult would this car be to work on? I'm doing my research but are there any small pieces of advice y'all could give me or any resources you could point me to?
Not much in the way of emissions equipment on a 72, LOTS of documentation available for it, drivetrains parts are easily sourced (in the US at least....) There are likely some parts that may be hard to find, but, all in all, if the condition is as good as the pics suggest, that actually seems like a reasonable price...... And you won't find a single computer anywhere on the car, which be default, makes it 'easy' to work on.
Wow, don't think I've ever seen a 318 stick (is it a 3sp?) in a '72 B body and I had two of them. Just from the pics I can see you're in for alot of work body and interior wise. I can't see the normal Mopar cancer spots (rockers, trunk floor, inside and outside quarter panels, near hood hinges, base of windshield, base of rear window and under a vinyl top). There are a helluva lot more reproduction parts available now than there was in the late 90's when I was trying to find them for 72 Charger SE (which is what that is, it has hideaway headlights) and my 72 Road Runner.
So my observations from the few pics:
1. Rust is very evident on the very leading edge of the hood.
2. Scoop is not original (that's an A body scoop).
3. Paint is obviously sh!te, like it is all over the rest of the car
4. Chrome issues on the front bumper
5. Looks like the hideaway headlights don't work. Could be wiring, but is more likely the electric motor needs to be replaced. The driver's side portion of the grille is broken. These setups are NOT reproduced and any part you find for them short of the electric motor is VERY expensive.
6. Someone installed much larger non-stock high beam lamps. Stock ones are the same size as the low beams. Makes me wonder why and if the wiring was overtaxed to do so (keep in mind, that entire wiring harness is AT LEAST 49yrs old).
7. Can't actually tell if the front valance pan is there or not; that can be a problem since the front indicators mount there. Regardless, if it is, it's most likely in sh!te shape unless recently replaced.
8. Driver view turn signal indicators have been relocated from the fenders (you can still see the holes on the passenger front fender) to a non-stock location on the hood. This means the wiring had to be rerouted to the hood.
9. Hood pins are in the wrong location
Many of the same things in this view
1. Some form of blemishes or dents on driver's door aft of emblem and near handle
2. Big fat rust spot on driver's door
3. From this view it looks like the vinyl top has been removed and the roof was painted. They didn't paint all the way down to where the trim is supposed to go, looks like they stopped halfway up the C pillar. Big running rust spot on the driver's side C pillar.
4. Rear window regulators tend to crap out on these years, may or may not be an issue since the rear glass is still up.
Christ....
1. Back of the trunk/decklid is supposed to be body color all the way across, not black. Several dents and crumple on the trunk.
2. You're actually lucky, the taillamp lenses appear to be intact. Mine weren't lol, and it was a bitch finding replacements in 1996.
3. The rear bumper is tweaked in several places.
4. If the taillamp bezel is intact, it can be refinished to its proper argent silver (or whatever color you desire). I don't know if these are being repro'd if it's cracked.
5. Those exhaust tips are awful, and it's really worse in the next pic (I'll explain there).
6. Looks like the black paint down the driver's C pillar was not matched down the passenger side.
7. Missing trunk lock cylinder.
1. So the obvious brand new petrol tank replacement. Not surprising, they don't last forever. Hope they got the right one, as early build 72 and later build 72 have different tanks, with different filler necks and vent tube locations.
2. Rear valence is in TERRIBLE shape, made worse by someone's half assed attempt at cut out holes for straight tips. 71-72 B bodies there were two exhaust options, turn down tips with a flat valance (like this one should be) and one with cutouts for the straight slotted tips.
3. Leaf springs look pretty rusty; likely the rest of the rear suspension and underbody match them. Should be a Chrysler 8¼ rear axle (adequate for a 318, but not anything more ambitious) under it that's probably quite rusty and I'd be willing to bet hasn't had the gear oil changed in forever (if ever).
4. Jesus...from this angle it looks like the exhaust tips are being held up by the gas tank
1. First red flag that pops up is the steering wheel; the column is installed either upside down or the steering shaft is 180° out. That center spoke should be down when the wheels are straight ahead. On top of that, the foam rim on that Tuff wheel has pretty much disintegrated.
2. Those aftermarket seat covers are probably covering up the worst nasty foam (or what's left of it) that you've ever seen.
3. It's a non-Rally dash
4. Jesus Christ those foot shaped pedals......
5. Dash pad looks to be cracked in several places
6. Carpet is absolute ****e, I think I see mold
7. Door sill looks like absolute ***
8. Looks like someone cut big holes in the door panel to try and put modern aftermarket speakers. If that's the case, then it's almost a guarantee they hacked up the cluster to try and mount a modern head unit. 71-74 B bodies have a VERY specific cutout ans set of holes for the factory head unit; it's to the right of the column so we can't really tell.
9, Just ripped up crap everywhere.
10. There appears to be some form of mounting point between the seats. Possible this car was built with a factory center console (which is long gone if so).
11. The actual vent panel in the dash itself (arrows pointing to it where the holes are) is missing. Good chance this is a factory Aircon car; also a good chance all it's pieces are gone.
12. Two holes to the very left of the dash that shouldn't be there (circled).
Just based on what I'm seeing, without seeing it in person, looking underneath and under the hood or seeing it operate, this looks like an ill maintained, poorly modified rustbucket that most likely has electrical issues. 60,000 miles my ***, if that's true they are the hardest miles a car has ever seen. DEFINITELY not worth the equivalent of almost $15,000. This isn't an R/T, Super Bee or hemi car. That guy is on crack. Unless you have amazing fab skills and a trust fund or very generous rich relative who likes to share money, I'd steer VERY clear of this one. In the states, fixed up original 318 cars go for about what he's asking, maybe a little more. In primo or good original condition. IF, and I mean IF this were an R/T, Super Bee or hemi car THEN it would be worth significantly more. This car will cost significantly more to restore (even more to restify/customize) than it will ever be worth, EVER. I would not only steer clear of this car but the guy selling it. Everything I've mentioned can be verified by a simple Google image search. Ultimately is your decision. Good luck!
Magnoom covered it! And this is the stuff we can see. Imagine what condition the things you cant see are in. I would like to see the engine bay and trunk. If you are seeing rust coming through the hood/fender guaranteed the floor pans, lower quarters etc are rusted out also. And you never seen a 3 speed because they where never produced, 4 speeds and autos only. If they would have given the vin i could tell you a lot more. IF it is an a original 4 speed car that someone hacked it could be rare because they where low production. But i doubt this is the case. If you are overseas i would look for a car here in the states and have it shipped to you. Personally i would look for a 68-70 Charger, One of the best looking vehicles ever produced!
My apologies, mate. Put the other up first until I realised it was supposed to be a forum for the modern chargers only. I thought I removed it but apparently not.
Magnoom covered it! And this is the stuff we can see. Imagine what condition the things you cant see are in. I would like to see the engine bay and trunk. If you are seeing rust coming through the hood/fender guaranteed the floor pans, lower quarters etc are rusted out also. And you never seen a 3 speed because they where never produced, 4 speeds and autos only. If they would have given the vin i could tell you a lot more. IF it is an a original 4 speed car that someone hacked it could be rare because they where low production. But i doubt this is the case. If you are overseas i would look for a car here in the states and have it shipped to you. Personally i would look for a 68-70 Charger, One of the best looking vehicles ever produced!
Thank you for the advice! Mind telling me what I'm looking for in the number?
Wow, don't think I've ever seen a 318 stick (is it a 3sp?) in a '72 B body and I had two of them. Just from the pics I can see you're in for alot of work body and interior wise. I can't see the normal Mopar cancer spots (rockers, trunk floor, inside and outside quarter panels, near hood hinges, base of windshield, base of rear window and under a vinyl top). There are a helluva lot more reproduction parts available now than there was in the late 90's when I was trying to find them for 72 Charger SE (which is what that is, it has hideaway headlights) and my 72 Road Runner.
So my observations from the few pics:
1. Rust is very evident on the very leading edge of the hood.
2. Scoop is not original (that's an A body scoop).
3. Paint is obviously sh!te, like it is all over the rest of the car
4. Chrome issues on the front bumper
5. Looks like the hideaway headlights don't work. Could be wiring, but is more likely the electric motor needs to be replaced. The driver's side portion of the grille is broken. These setups are NOT reproduced and any part you find for them short of the electric motor is VERY expensive.
6. Someone installed much larger non-stock high beam lamps. Stock ones are the same size as the low beams. Makes me wonder why and if the wiring was overtaxed to do so (keep in mind, that entire wiring harness is AT LEAST 49yrs old).
7. Can't actually tell if the front valance pan is there or not; that can be a problem since the front indicators mount there. Regardless, if it is, it's most likely in sh!te shape unless recently replaced.
8. Driver view turn signal indicators have been relocated from the fenders (you can still see the holes on the passenger front fender) to a non-stock location on the hood. This means the wiring had to be rerouted to the hood.
9. Hood pins are in the wrong location
Many of the same things in this view
1. Some form of blemishes or dents on driver's door aft of emblem and near handle
2. Big fat rust spot on driver's door
3. From this view it looks like the vinyl top has been removed and the roof was painted. They didn't paint all the way down to where the trim is supposed to go, looks like they stopped halfway up the C pillar. Big running rust spot on the driver's side C pillar.
4. Rear window regulators tend to crap out on these years, may or may not be an issue since the rear glass is still up.
Christ....
1. Back of the trunk/decklid is supposed to be body color all the way across, not black. Several dents and crumple on the trunk.
2. You're actually lucky, the taillamp lenses appear to be intact. Mine weren't lol, and it was a bitch finding replacements in 1996.
3. The rear bumper is tweaked in several places.
4. If the taillamp bezel is intact, it can be refinished to its proper argent silver (or whatever color you desire). I don't know if these are being repro'd if it's cracked.
5. Those exhaust tips are awful, and it's really worse in the next pic (I'll explain there).
6. Looks like the black paint down the driver's C pillar was not matched down the passenger side.
7. Missing trunk lock cylinder.
1. So the obvious brand new petrol tank replacement. Not surprising, they don't last forever. Hope they got the right one, as early build 72 and later build 72 have different tanks, with different filler necks and vent tube locations.
2. Rear valence is in TERRIBLE shape, made worse by someone's half assed attempt at cut out holes for straight tips. 71-72 B bodies there were two exhaust options, turn down tips with a flat valance (like this one should be) and one with cutouts for the straight slotted tips.
3. Leaf springs look pretty rusty; likely the rest of the rear suspension and underbody match them. Should be a Chrysler 8¼ rear axle (adequate for a 318, but not anything more ambitious) under it that's probably quite rusty and I'd be willing to bet hasn't had the gear oil changed in forever (if ever).
4. Jesus...from this angle it looks like the exhaust tips are being held up by the gas tank
1. First red flag that pops up is the steering wheel; the column is installed either upside down or the steering shaft is 180° out. That center spoke should be down when the wheels are straight ahead. On top of that, the foam rim on that Tuff wheel has pretty much disintegrated.
2. Those aftermarket seat covers are probably covering up the worst nasty foam (or what's left of it) that you've ever seen.
3. It's a non-Rally dash
4. Jesus Christ those foot shaped pedals......
5. Dash pad looks to be cracked in several places
6. Carpet is absolute ****e, I think I see mold
7. Door sill looks like absolute ***
8. Looks like someone cut big holes in the door panel to try and put modern aftermarket speakers. If that's the case, then it's almost a guarantee they hacked up the cluster to try and mount a modern head unit. 71-74 B bodies have a VERY specific cutout ans set of holes for the factory head unit; it's to the right of the column so we can't really tell.
9, Just ripped up crap everywhere.
10. There appears to be some form of mounting point between the seats. Possible this car was built with a factory center console (which is long gone if so).
11. The actual vent panel in the dash itself (arrows pointing to it where the holes are) is missing. Good chance this is a factory Aircon car; also a good chance all it's pieces are gone.
12. Two holes to the very left of the dash that shouldn't be there (circled).
Just based on what I'm seeing, without seeing it in person, looking underneath and under the hood or seeing it operate, this looks like an ill maintained, poorly modified rustbucket that most likely has electrical issues. 60,000 miles my ***, if that's true they are the hardest miles a car has ever seen. DEFINITELY not worth the equivalent of almost $15,000. This isn't an R/T, Super Bee or hemi car. That guy is on crack. Unless you have amazing fab skills and a trust fund or very generous rich relative who likes to share money, I'd steer VERY clear of this one. In the states, fixed up original 318 cars go for about what he's asking, maybe a little more. In primo or good original condition. IF, and I mean IF this were an R/T, Super Bee or hemi car THEN it would be worth significantly more. This car will cost significantly more to restore (even more to restify/customize) than it will ever be worth, EVER. I would not only steer clear of this car but the guy selling it. Everything I've mentioned can be verified by a simple Google image search. Ultimately is your decision. Good luck!
Firstly, you're a ****ing legend and my favorite person on earth right now. I should've mentioned, I'm not paying that price. Made the mistake of saying they need money. So would you stay clear completely or is there a price you think, remembering it's been imported, that is acceptable for this dump of a car?
'72 Manual 318 First Project Car
'72 Manual 318 Charger First Project Car
And you won't find a single computer anywhere on the car, which be default, makes it 'easy' to work on. 
Have cash in hand, and offer then 5K.