1973 Dodge Challenger Rallye

Pony car powered by 1973 Challenger Rallye LA V8 range.

1973 Dodge Challenger in a stock-appearing front three-quarter view

Engines Standard 318 two-barrel or optional 340 four-barrel V8

Transmissions Three-speed manual, 340-only four-speed, or TorqueFlite

Wheelbase 110 inches

Factory price $3,011 reported base hardtop price

Identity JH23 hardtop with A57 Rallye Package documentation

Story

1973 Dodge Challenger Rallye

For 1973, Rallye changed from a separate Challenger series to the A57 package on the JH23 two-door hardtop. The standard engine was a 150-net-horsepower 318 two-barrel V8, while the optional 340 four-barrel made 240 net horsepower. Both belong on this one model-year page because they were powertrain choices within the same factory package.

A57 added the sport hood, black grille, simulated fender scoops, body-side strobe stripe, heavy-duty suspension, Rallye instruments, and F70x14 whitewall tires. Front disc brakes were standard for 1973; power assist was required with the 340 and optional with the 318. The 340 also brought dual exhaust, a rear sway bar, access to the four-speed manual, and the optional A36 3.55 Sure-Grip axle package.

Appearance does not authenticate the package. A real 1973 Rallye remains a JH23 Challenger, with A57 documented on its fender tag or broadcast sheet. The fifth VIN digit identifies the original engine family: G for the 318 and H for the 340. Hoods, stripes, scoops, wheels, or a later engine swap can reproduce the look without proving how the car was built.

**Rear view of the restored red 1973 Challenger; spoiler and trim are visible context only**dave_7 from Lethbridge, Canada via Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 2.0

Price history

Values

Nominal dollars from original price sheets, auction archives, and approved value references.

Original Price

Base MSRP $3,011

JH23 Challenger two-door hardtop (1973)
Reported base hardtop price. A reviewed accessible factory schedule did not establish the A57 or powertrain option prices.
1973 Dodge Challenger Specifications and Production

Market Observations

High bid $28,500

Dec 2, 2025 · Bring a Trailer
Documented A57 340 four-speed with disclosed ignition, carburetor, camshaft, wheel, air-conditioning, and gauge changes. · modified · good High bid did not produce a sale and is not treated as transaction value.
1973 Dodge Challenger Rallye 340 Four-Speed - December 2025
Auction sale $28,600

Oct 6, 2023 · Mecum Las Vegas
JH23H3B519331 with rebuilt 340, Tremec five-speed, Vintage Air, and 18-inch wheels. · restomod · excellent Completed sale for a materially modified car; not a stock-Rallye benchmark.
1973 Dodge Challenger Rallye - Las Vegas 2023
Auction sale $34,500

Oct 28, 2020 · Bring a Trailer
JH23H3B462634, 340 automatic with broadcast sheet, repaint, restoration, and disclosed changes. · restored · excellent Completed sale; retained as an exact-car observation rather than a stock-condition price guide.
1973 Dodge Challenger 340 - October 2020
Auction sale $26,400

Jun 8, 2018 · Mecum Denver
JH23H3B544146, reported 340 automatic Rallye. · restored · excellent Completed sale retained with the auction's restoration and configuration context.
1973 Dodge Challenger Rallye - Denver 2018

Values move with paperwork, originality, options, condition, venue, and body style. High bids and guide values are labeled separately from completed sales.

Reference records

Options, Colors & Components

Source-backed details for trim, chassis, production, and authenticity.

Engine Details

318 two-barrel LA V8 150 SAE net hp at 3,600 rpm; 265 lb-ft at 2,000 rpm; 8.6:1 compression; single exhaust · standard Challenger engine with or without A57 · engine assembly / specification
340 four-barrel LA V8 240 SAE net hp at 4,800 rpm; 295 lb-ft at 3,600 rpm; 8.5:1 compression; dual exhaust · optional Challenger engine with or without A57 · engine assembly / specification
318 block geometry Cast-iron 90-degree OHV V8 block and heads with 3.91-inch bore, 3.31-inch stroke, 4.46-inch bore spacing, and 1-8-4-3-6-5-7-2 firing order · 1973 Challenger 318-cu.-in. V8 · block / specification
340 block geometry Cast-iron 90-degree OHV V8 block and heads with 4.04-inch bore, 3.31-inch stroke, 4.46-inch bore spacing, and 1-8-4-3-6-5-7-2 firing order · 1973 Challenger 340-cu.-in. V8 · block / specification
318 and 340 piston construction Aluminum-alloy pistons; the 318 uses a closed slipper, steel-strut, elliptically turned, tin-plated design, while the 340 uses an open slipper design · 1973 Challenger 318 and 340 V8 specifications · piston / specification
Connecting rods and bearings Drop-forged steel 6.123-inch rods; 318 rods weigh 25.6 ounces with bi-metal-grid bearings, while 340 rods weigh 26.7 ounces with tri-metal bearings · 1973 Challenger 318 and 340 V8 specifications · connecting rod / specification
Crankshaft and vibration damper Cast-ductile-iron crankshaft with five main bearings, 2.125-inch crankpins, 0.002-0.010-inch end play, and a non-adhesive rubber-tuned dynamic damper · 1973 Challenger 318 and 340 V8 specifications · crankshaft / specification
Camshaft drive Hardenable cast-iron camshaft with integral oil-pump and distributor drive gear; the 318 uses a chain with sintered-iron crank gear and nylon-coated cam sprocket, while the 340 uses a double-roller chain with steel crank gear and cast-iron cam sprocket · 1973 Challenger 318 and 340 V8 specifications · camshaft / specification
Hydraulic valvetrain and lift Standard hydraulic lifters and 1.5:1 rocker ratio; zero-lash lift is 0.373-inch intake and 0.400-inch exhaust for the 318, and 0.429-inch intake and 0.444-inch exhaust for the 340 · 1973 Challenger 318 and 340 V8 specifications · valve train / specification
Lubrication system Pressure lubrication for main, rod, camshaft, and tappet bearings; metered-jet piston-pin and cylinder-wall lubrication; rotary pump, full-flow filter, 45-65 psi at 2,000 rpm, and 4-quart capacity plus the filter · 1973 Challenger 318 and 340 V8 service specification · other / specification
Factory exhaust systems The 318 uses single exhaust with crossover and one reverse-flow muffler; the 340 uses dual exhaust with two resonators and two reverse-flow mufflers · 1973 Challenger 318 and 340 V8 specifications · exhaust manifold / specification
Fuel delivery and idle settings Mechanical right-front fuel pump at 6-7.5 psi with paper supply-line filter; manual idle is 750 rpm for the 318 and 850 rpm for the 340, while automatic idle is 700 and 850 rpm respectively · 1973 Challenger 318 and 340 V8 specifications · fuel pump / specification
318 manual-transmission Carter BBD BBD-6316S outside California or BBD-6343S for California, one two-barrel carburetor with 1.44-inch barrel size · 1973 Challenger 318 V8 with manual transmission · carburetor / carburetor list
318 automatic-transmission Carter BBD BBD-6317S outside California or BBD-6344S for California, one two-barrel carburetor with 1.44-inch barrel size · 1973 Challenger 318 V8 with automatic transmission · carburetor / carburetor list
340 manual-transmission Carter Thermo-Quad TQ-6318S outside California or TQ-6339S for California, one four-barrel carburetor with 1.38-inch primaries and 2.25-inch secondaries · 1973 Challenger 340 V8 with manual transmission · carburetor / carburetor list
340 automatic-transmission Carter Thermo-Quad TQ-6319S outside California or TQ-6340S for California, one four-barrel carburetor with 1.38-inch primaries and 2.25-inch secondaries · 1973 Challenger 340 V8 with automatic transmission · carburetor / carburetor list
Cooling-system capacity Pressure-vented 16-psi system; 16 quarts with heater for the 318 and 15 quarts for the 340, increasing to 17.5 and 15.5 quarts respectively with air conditioning · 1973 Challenger 318 and 340 V8 specifications revised February 20, 1973 · other / specification
318 distributor and initial timing Distributor 3656763; 2.5 degrees BTDC with manual transmission or TDC with automatic at the specified idle speed · 1973 Challenger 318 V8 · distributor / part number
340 distributor and initial timing Distributor 3656771; 5 degrees BTDC with manual transmission or 2.5 degrees BTDC with automatic at the specified idle speed · 1973 Challenger 340 V8 · distributor / part number
Standard electronic ignition Transistorized ignition was standard; the 318 used Champion N-13Y plugs and the 340 used N-12Y plugs, both gapped at 0.035 inch · 1973 Challenger 318 and 340 V8 specifications · ignition / specification

Transmission

Factory transmission Floor-shift three-speed manual standard with either engine; first gear was 3.08 with the 318 and 2.55 with the 340
Factory transmission A833 four-speed manual optional only with the 340, with a 2.47 first gear
Factory transmission TorqueFlite three-speed automatic optional with either engine

Options

Factory powertrain reference for the 1973 Challenger RallyeClassic Muscle · Reference illustration

A57 Challenger Rallye Package optional · performance · Sport hood, black grille, fender scoops, body-side strobe stripe, heavy-duty suspension, Rallye cluster, and F70x14 whitewall tires on the JH23 hardtop.
A36 Performance Axle Package optional · performance · 340-only package with 3.55 Sure-Grip, 26-inch radiator and fan shroud, plus a power-steering oil cooler when power steering was ordered.
D21 Four-speed manual transmission optional · performance · Available only with the 340.
D34 TorqueFlite automatic transmission optional · performance · Available with either V8.
B41 Power front disc brakes optional · safety · Optional with the 318 and required with the 340.
W21 Rallye wheels optional · appearance · Optional appearance equipment; wheel style does not authenticate A57.
E44 318 two-barrel V8 standard · performance · Standard Challenger engine and available with the A57 Rallye Package; the four-speed manual was unavailable with this engine.
E55 340 four-barrel V8 optional · performance · Extra-cost Challenger and Rallye engine path with dual exhaust; it required power front disc brakes and made the four-speed and A36 package available.
D13 Three-speed manual transmission standard · performance · Standard floor-shift transmission with either engine; factory air conditioning was unavailable with this transmission.
H51 Air conditioning optional · comfort · Extra-cost factory air was unavailable with the three-speed manual, required power disc brakes, and carried a tinted-glass recommendation.
F23 375-amp battery optional · performance · Extra-cost battery in place of the standard 305-amp unit.
C16 Center console optional · interior · Extra-cost console; the data book separately identifies the console-mounted TorqueFlite selector.
H31 Rear-window defogger optional · comfort · Instrument-panel-controlled extra-cost rear-window defogger.
D91 Sure-Grip differential optional · chassis · Extra-cost limited-slip differential; the A36 package included Sure-Grip with a 3.55 ratio on 340 cars.
N95 California emissions control and testing optional · other · Extra-cost emissions equipment required for California delivery.
G11/G21 Tinted or clear glass with air conditioning optional · comfort · G11 tinted all-window glass was extra cost and recommended with air conditioning; G21 selected no-charge clear glass when air conditioning was ordered without tint.
J52 Inside hood release optional · other · Extra-cost inside hood-release control.
G35/G36/G37 Racing mirror choices optional · appearance · Extra-cost remote left racing mirror, dual body-color racing mirrors, or dual chrome racing mirrors.
M25/V5X Exterior molding choices optional · appearance · Extra-cost custom sill molding or full-length body-side molding with vinyl insert.
S77 Power steering optional · comfort · Extra-cost full-time power steering; A36 added a steering-oil cooler when power steering was ordered.
R11/R26/R35 Factory radio choices optional · comfort · Extra-cost Music Master AM, AM radio with stereo cassette, or AM/FM stereo.
R31/R32 Rear-speaker choices optional · comfort · R31 supplied one rear speaker with R11 only; R32 supplied dual rear speakers with R26 or R35.
J97 Rallye instrument-panel cluster standard · interior · Standard with A57: simulated woodgrain, tachometer, clock, trip odometer, oil-pressure gauge, three-speed wipers, electric washers, and a 150-mph speedometer.
S13 Heavy-duty suspension standard · chassis · Included with A57; the package used heavy-duty torsion bars, rear springs and shocks plus front and rear sway bars with the 340 and a front bar with the 318.
J55 Undercoating and hood insulator pad optional · other · Extra-cost undercoating and hood-insulator package.
W23/W11 Road wheels or deluxe wheel covers optional · appearance · Extra-cost set of four 14-inch road wheels with chrome trim rings or deluxe 14-inch wheel covers; appearance alone does not establish A57 identity.
J25 Three-speed wipers and electric washers standard · comfort · Standard with the Rallye cluster and therefore included with A57.
A01 Light Package optional · comfort · Extra-cost group with ashtray, glove-box, trunk, ignition-delay, map/courtesy and instrument-panel flood lamps plus fender-mounted turn-signal indicators.
T86/T87 F70x14 Rallye tire choices standard · performance · T86 F70x14 whitewalls were standard with A57; T87 raised-white-letter F70x14 tires were available at differential price.
VINYL-ROOF Vinyl roof optional · appearance · Extra-cost vinyl roof offered in green, white, black, or gold; final paint, stripe, and roof combinations remain governed by the color-and-trim evidence.

Paint

**1973 Challenger grille and front-trim detail**Jeremy from Sydney, Australia via Wikimedia Commons · CC BY 2.0

JA5 Dark Silver Metallic factory · metallic
HB1 Light Blue factory · solid
TB3 Super Blue factory · solid
GB5 Bright Blue Metallic factory · metallic
FE5 Bright Red factory · solid
JF1 Pale Green factory · solid
GF3 Light Green Metallic factory · metallic
JF8 Dark Green Metallic factory · metallic
GK6 Bronze Metallic factory · metallic
HL4 Parchment factory · solid
EW1 Eggshell White factory · solid
TX9 Black factory · solid
FY1 Top Banana factory · solid
JY3 Light Gold factory · solid
JY6 Gold Metallic factory · metallic
JY9 Dark Gold Metallic factory · metallic

Appearance

**1973 Challenger sport-hood and fender-scoop detail**Jeremy from Sydney, Australia via Wikimedia Commons · CC BY 2.0

Sport hood required · hood
Black grille required · other
Simulated fender scoops required · other
Body-side strobe stripe required · stripe
F70x14 whitewall tires required · wheel
Rallye wheels optional · wheel
Vinyl roof optional · other

Interior

High-back all-vinyl bucket seats standard · seat
Blue, green, black, or white vinyl trim factory · upholstery
Rallye instrument cluster required · gauge
Center console optional · console
Floor shifter standard · shifter

Chassis

Independent torsion-bar front suspension Suspension · standard
Semi-elliptical rear leaf springs Suspension · standard
A57 heavy-duty suspension Suspension · required
1973 Challenger factory suspension service schedule Suspension · factory
Front disc and rear drum brakes Brakes · standard
Power front disc brakes Brakes · optional
Factory Challenger brake service identifiers Brakes · factory
Conventional rear axle Rear axle · 2.76 or 3.23 by engine and transmission · factory
Sure-Grip rear axle Rear axle · 3.23 or 3.55 by configuration · limited-slip · optional
Factory Challenger 8 3/4-inch housing and service reference Rear axle · 2.76:1, 3.23:1, and 3.55:1 Challenger service applications · limited-slip · factory

Production

Transmission and axle reference for the 1973 Challenger RallyeClassic Muscle · Reference illustration

1973 JH23 Challenger hardtop total · 32,596 · reported

Authenticity

Suspension and brake reference for the 1973 Challenger RallyeClassic Muscle · Reference illustration

**Low front view of the restored silver 1973 Challenger**Jeremy from Sydney, Australia via Wikimedia Commons · CC BY 2.0

VIN series and body code JH23 for a 1973 Challenger two-door hardtop · Dash VIN plate, door certification label, title history, fender tag, and broadcast sheet. · fraud detection
A57 Rallye Package A57 documented on the fender tag or broadcast sheet · Fender tag, broadcast sheet, and original ordering records. · trim correctness
Original engine family G in the fifth VIN position for 318 or H for 340 · Dash VIN, certification label, title history, broadcast sheet, and engine identifiers. · numbers matching
Body and drivetrain stamps Vehicle, engine, and transmission identifiers that agree with the car's records and assembly sequence · Cowl and radiator support stamp locations plus engine and transmission stamp pads. · numbers matching
Paint and interior codes Factory paint and trim codes that agree with the 1973 selector · Fender tag, broadcast sheet, protected original finishes, and upholstery remnants. · trim correctness

Still Researching

engine Factory specifications establish engine geometry, construction, carburetor and distributor applications, tune-up, lubrication, exhaust, and cooling details, but complete casting-number, stamped assembly, plant/date, component-date, revision, and individual-engine matrices were not recovered.
transmission Factory ratios and availability are documented, but complete case, tag, assembly, and date-code references remain unresolved.
rear axle Factory ratios and Sure-Grip paths are documented, and the final parts catalog adds the Challenger 8 3/4-inch housing package, carrier architecture and castings, 29-tooth axle splines, ratio-tag location, and applicable service carriers. Complete production assembly codes, axle-shaft dimensions and part numbers, build-date ranges, running revisions, and individual-car installation remain unresolved.
brakes Factory system configuration and key Challenger-applicable housing, hub/disc, adapter, lining, hose, master-cylinder, warning-tee, rear-drum, rear-cylinder, and power-disc package service numbers are documented; complete supplier, caliper, engineering-number, effective-date, and supersession schedules remain unresolved.
suspension Factory geometry, torsion-bar sizes, spring layout, sway bars, Challenger standard and heavy-duty torsion-bar pairs, front and rear shock packages, and principal 318/340 rear spring assemblies are documented. A57-to-service-part mapping, supplier and component dates, engineering revisions, supersessions, and individual-car installation remain unresolved.
option packages Factory data-book pages 39-41 document 30 standard, optional, and package paths with major restrictions, but the archive states that the data book is not a complete option list and no final order guide, price schedule, cancellation matrix, or dated revision ledger was recovered.
production The reported total covers all JH23 Challengers; A57, engine, and transmission splits and built-versus-shipped reconciliation remain unresolved.
paint colors The factory selector documents color names and codes, but midyear effective dates and all paint-vinyl-roof-stripe combinations require further review.
trim and appearance A57 equipment and the factory selector are documented, but complete delete, substitution, and running-change details remain unresolved.
interior Seat and color codes are documented, but complete material, grain, hardware, and date-change details remain unresolved.
authenticity markers The model, package, and engine boundaries are documented, but every individual car still requires its own records and physical identifiers.