There is no denying that the golden age of the muscle car was in the 1960s and early 1970s. However, by 1974, stricter emission laws began choking the big V8 engines that American consumers had come to love. This is what brought forth the Malaise Era, where once-great machines were reduced to a husk of their former selves, with engines so weak they took ages to reach the 60 mph mark. Hence, most, if not all muscle and pony cars after 1973 were met with disdain and hesitation. Nevertheless, there were some shining examples that led the way, like the ‘73 Dodge Challenger and the legendary Plymouth ‘Cuda.

In the case of the Challenger, the E-body was just as much a pleasure for the eyes as it had always been, but the 340 stood not for raw power but rather positioned itself as an all-around capable performer. Today, the 1973 Dodge Challenger 340 proves to be a fantastic collector car, and we wouldn’t blame anyone willing to shell out an arm and a leg over this 50-year-old beauty. In that vein, here are 8 things about the 1973 Dodge Challenger 340 only rear gearheads know.

8 Dodge Only Offered The 1973 Challenger 340 As A Hardtop Model

1973 Dodge Challenger 340 green
 via Youtube (RamblinAround)

Everybody loves a convertible Challenger to gawk at when one drives by, but for the 1973 model year, Dodge only offered the Challenger in one single body type. Sure, there’s something special about driving a pony car with the top down, but the ‘73 Challenger was only offered with a hardtop body.

Dodge made around 27,000 units of the Challenger, and even fewer were cars equipped with the 340 engine. This makes the ‘73 Dodge Challenger 340 a rarer car than many other classics, ensuring that you won’t just get the bragging rights of a fantastic classic pony, but also a rare one.

RELATED: Why We Can’t Get Enough Of The Dodge Challenger Convertible

7 A Four-Barrel Carburetor Came Standard On The ‘73 Challenger 340

1973 Dodge Challenger 340 red
via BringATrailer

Dodge offered the 1973 Challenger with a four-barrel carburetor as standard. This helped the carburetor alter the air and fuel intake as per the RPM of the car.

The double-barrel carburetor was pretty much the norm in the market for years, but Dodge chose to equip the 340 with the four-barrel instead, making for another impressive feature for customers at the time.

6 The 340 Engine On The 1973 Dodge Challenger Made Some Pretty Impressive Power For The Time

1973 Dodge Challenger 340 engine
Barrett-Jackson

The 1972 Dodge Challenger featured a 225 cubic-inch 3.7-liter six-cylinder engine that made just 110 horsepower. For the 1973 model year, Dodge dropped the six-cylinder engine, leaving only two V8 options.

The 340 cubic-inch 5.6-liter V8 on the 1973 Dodge Challenger 340 made 240 horsepower, which could even be increased to 270 horsepower if the customer wanted. At the time, most muscle and pony cars were getting progressively underpowered, which made the '73 Challenger with the 340 engine a shining star in the market.

RELATED: Watch This 1973 Roadrunner And 1970 Challenger RT Impressive Rescue Operation

5 Dodge Offered A Whopping 17 Different Color Options With The '73 Challenger

1973 Dodge Challenger 340
 via Hemmings

Even though Dodge removed one engine option (the six-cylinder) from the '73 Challenger and left only two V8 options, they certainly spoiled customers for choice when it came to the external paint job.

Some of the standout colors on the 1973 Dodge Challenger were bright, vibrant choices like Banana Yellow, Light Gold, Hemi Orange, and Super Blue.

4 Heavy-Duty Breaks And Suspension Helped The 1973 Dodge Challenger 340 Handle The Added Power

1973 Dodge Challenger 340
via MecumAuctions

While the 318 engine was standard, Dodge equipped the Challenger in 1973 with a heavy-duty Ralleye suspension package, which came with a larger front sway bar, wider wheels, and firmer shocks. This helped the car cope with the added power.

High-performance tires and a limited-slip differential also made the 340 trim a lot more attractive for gearheads who had the need for speed. Not only did the upgraded suspension and tires increase performance, but they also helped the '73 Challenger 340 handle a lot better.

RELATED: 10 Muscle Cars Of The '70s We'd Buy Over The 1970 Dodge Challenger

3 1973 Was The Last Year The Challenger Received The 340 Engine Option

1973 Dodge Challenger 340 yellow
 via Wikimedia Commons

Dodge introduced the Challenger pony car in the 1970 model year, and the car has been a staple at the company for 63 years now. The first generation of the Challenger lasted between 1970 and 1974, and the 340 cubic-inch 5.7-liter V8 engine was under the hood of the very first Challenger.

Sadly, though, the 340 engine didn't have too long a life, as 1973 was the last year the Dodge Challenger rode on the 340 V8. 1974 and the entire second generation of the Challenger till 1983 didn't come with the 340, and instead the models kept declining in power thanks to the Malaise Era taking over.

2 Dodge Offered The 1973 Challenger 340 With A Special Rallye Package

1973 Dodge Challenger 340 instrument cluster
 via Soneff's

Dodge offered the Rallye upgrades in the 1973 Challenger as a package rather than a trim like previous years. The Rallye package gave the car a sportier look and feel, along with performance enhancements as well.

The package also came with special styling cues that set it apart from the standard '73 Challenger, such as a matte black hood treatment with a functional hood scoop and a Rallye nameplate. Even the instrument cluster featured unique styling cues, ensuring that the added power spoke for itself both inside and out.

RELATED: We’d Love To Own A ’72 Dodge Charger Rallye: Here’s Why

1973 Dodge Challenger 340 Yellow
via Hemmings

As standard, the 1973 Dodge Challenger 340 and the 318 both came with a 4-speed manual transmission. However, Dodge did offer the TorqueFlite three-speed automatic transmission on the car, ensuring a smoother drive, especially if you equipped it with the Rallye package.

Not only did the 1973 Dodge Challenger 340's TorqueFlite automatic transmission make the car drive smoother, but it also gave it better fuel efficiency and durability.

Sources: Hagerty, Stellantis