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| A new roofline appeared on the 1973 Dodge Charger |
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1973 Dodge Charger
Again in 1973, the Charger was an intermediate model. The grille was slightly revised and the new taillights featured 22 individual lenses. The most noticeable change thought was probably the new roof line around the quarter windows. The new window line was more conservative than previous years, but was received well by the consumers. The Charger Rallye option was still available and came with a 318 standard. However you could still get the 440-cid 4 BC engine.
1973 Dodge Charger Specification and Production
| Model Number |
Body/Style Number |
Body Type & Seating |
Factory Price |
Shipping Weight |
Total Production |
| Charger - Six-Cyl |
| WL |
21 |
2 Dr Coupe |
$2,810 |
3,395 lbs |
Note 1 |
| WH |
23 |
2 Dr Hardtop |
$3,060 |
3,450 lbs |
Note 2 |
| Charger - V-8 |
| WL |
21 |
2 Dr Coupe |
$2,922 |
3,460 lbs |
Note 1 |
| WH |
23 |
2 Dr Hardtop |
$3,171 |
3,480 lbs |
Note 2 |
| Charger SE |
| WP |
29 |
2 Dr Hardtop Coupe |
$3,375 |
3,540 lbs |
61,908 |
Notes:
- The combined production of Models WL21 was 11,995.
- The combined production of Models WH23 was 45,415.
Chassis Data
| Model |
Wheelbase |
Overall Length |
Width |
Front Tread |
Rear Tread |
Tires |
| Charger 6-Cyl/V-8 |
115 in |
212.7 in |
77 in |
61.9 in |
62 in |
E78 x 14 |
| Charger Rallye |
115 in |
212.7 in |
77 in |
61.9 in |
62 in |
F70 x 14 |
VIN Decoding
|
|
| First Symbol - Car Line |
| D - Dodge 122" |
W - Dodge 117/118" |
| L - Dart |
W - Charger/Coronet |
| J - Challenger |
X - Charger |
|
| Second Symbol - Price Class |
| E - Economy |
S - Special |
| L - Low |
X - Fast Top |
| M - Medium |
K - Police |
| H - High |
O - Superstock |
| P - Premium |
T - Taxi |
| Third & Fourth Symbol - Body Type |
| 21 - 2 Dr. Sedan |
41 - 4 Dr. Sedan |
| 23 - 2 Dr. Hardtop |
43 - 4 Dr. Hardtop |
| 27 - 2 Dr. Convertible |
45 - Station Wagon 2-Seat |
| 29 - 2 Dr. Sports Hardtop |
46 - Station Wagon 3-Seat |
|
| Fifth Symbol - Engine |
| (B) 6-198 |
(N) 8-383 |
| (C) 6-225 |
(N) 8-383 |
| (E) 6-Special Order |
(R) 8-426 HEMI |
| (G) 8-318 |
(T) 8-440 |
| (H) 8-340 |
(U) 8-440 |
| (J) 8-340 |
(V) 8-440 |
| (L) 8-383 |
(Z) 8-Special Order |
|
| Sixth Symbol - Model Year |
| 6 - 1966 |
1 - 1971 |
| 7 - 1967 |
2 - 1972 |
| 8 - 1968 |
3 - 1973 |
| 9 - 1969 |
4 - 1974 |
| 0 - 1970 |
5 - 1975 |
| Seventh Symbol - Assembly Plant |
| (A) Lynch Road, Michigan |
(E) Los Angeles, California |
| (B) Hamtramck, Michigan |
(F) Newark, Deleware |
| (C) Jefferson, Michigan |
(G) St. Louis, Missouri |
| (D) Belvedere, Illinois |
(R) Windsor, Ontario, Canada |
| Last Six Symbols - Production Sequence |
| Started at 100001 |
|
1973 Dodge Charger Options
| Description |
Description |
| 340-cid 4 BC V-8 |
"TUFF" Steering Wheel |
| 400-cid 2 BC V-8 |
Undercoating & Hood Insulator Pad |
| 400-cid 4 BC V-8 |
"Halo" Vinyl Roof |
| 440-cid 4 BC V-8 |
Canopy Vinyl Roof |
| Air Conditioning |
Deluxe Wheel Covers |
| Sun Roof |
Wire Wheel Covers |
| TorqueFlite Transmission |
Rallye Wheels |
| Electric Clock |
Magnum Wheels |
| Inside Hood Release |
Day/Night Inside Rearview Mirror |
| Rear Window Defogger |
Black Vinyl Body Side Moulding |
| Deluxe Bumper Guards |
"Gradated" Body Side Tape Stripe |
| Power Disc Brakes |
Bucket Seats |
| Dual Outside Racing Mirrors |
Rallye Instrumentation |
| Multiplex AM/FM Stereo Radio |
Special Suspension |
| Multiplex AM/FM Stereo Tape Cassette |
4-Speed Manual Transmission |
| AM/FM Monaural Radio |
Light Package |
| Music Master AM Radio |
Rallye Package |
| Rear Seat Speaker |
E-Z Order Package |
| Front Armrest w/ Center Seat Cushion |
Deluxe Package |
| Floor Console |
Heavy-Duty Package |
| Sure Grip Differential |
Trailer Wiring Package |
| Tinted Glass |
Trailer Towing Package |
| Power Steering |
Luxury Equipment Package |
| Power Windows |
|
Engine Options
Location Of Engine Code: 6-Cyl - Right front of block, below cylinder head. Small-Block V-8 - Left front of block, below cylinder head. 400-cid - Right front of block, near distributor. 440-cid - Left front of block, near tappet rail.
| Letter Code |
Engine |
Horsepower |
Torque |
Transmission |
Carburetor |
| C |
6-225 |
105 |
185 |
TorqueFlite, 3-Speed Manual |
1 BC |
| G |
8-318 |
150 |
265 |
TorqueFlite, 3 & 4-Speed Manual |
2 BC |
| H |
8-340 |
240 |
295 |
TorqueFlite, 3 & 4-Speed Manual |
4 BC |
| M |
8-400 |
175 |
310 |
TorqueFlite, 3 & 4-Speed Manual |
2 BC |
| P |
8-400 * |
260 |
340 |
TorqueFlite, 3 & 4-Speed Manual |
4 BC |
| U |
8-440 * |
280 |
340 |
TorqueFlite, 3 & 4-Speed Manual |
4 BC |
* High Performance
Available Transmissions
| Transmission |
Location |
| TorqueFlite |
Stamped on the transmission oil pan rail. |
| 3-Speed Manual |
Not Available |
| 4-Speed Manual |
Not Available |
| Identification Number |
Transmission Type |
| 3681051 |
TorqueFlite |
| 3681052 |
TorqueFlite |
| 3681053 |
TorqueFlite |
| 3681054 |
TorqueFlite |
| 3681055 |
TorqueFlite |
| 3681056 |
TorqueFlite |
| 3681057 |
TorqueFlite |
| 3681061 |
TorqueFlite |
| 3681063 |
TorqueFlite |
Axle Decoding
Location Of Axle Codes: A metal tag is bolted to the assembly, giving the axle ratio or tooth count (if tooth count - divide the larger number by the smaller number, this is the ratio.) Locking axles have a metal tag with the letter "S" on it.
Note: Since tags can easily be missing, the approximate ratio can be determined by marking both the a wheel and the driveshaft; turn the wheel one complete turn and the number of times the driveshaft rotates is the ratio. Locking axles can be identified by raising the complete axle assembly and turning one wheel; if the other wheel turns the the same direction it is a locking axle and if it turns the opposite direction it is a non-locking axle.
| Charger Axle Ratios |
| Engine |
|
6-225 |
8-318 |
8-340 |
8-400 |
8-440 |
| Locking / Non-Locking |
|
L |
NL |
L |
NL |
L |
NL |
L |
NL |
L |
NL |
| Ratio |
2.71 |
|
|
|
x |
|
|
x |
x |
|
|
| 2.76 |
|
|
x |
x |
|
|
x |
x |
|
|
| 2.94 |
|
x |
|
x |
|
|
x |
x |
|
|
| 3.21 |
x |
x |
x |
x |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| 3.23 |
x |
x |
x |
x |
x |
x |
x |
x |
x |
x |
| 3.55 |
|
x |
|
x |
x |
|
x |
x |
x |
|
Exterior Paint Chips
