1972 · Dodge · United States
1972 Dodge Challenger: hardtop only, the Rallye package
Hardtop only, with a new grille: the R/T gave way to the Challenger Rallye package, and the most powerful engine listed was the 340 four-barrel.
United States · researched through 2026-09-22
This record's own dek describes 1972 as a hardtop-only year with a new grille, in which the R/T gave way to the Challenger Rallye package and the most powerful catalog engine was the 340 four-barrel. This record's own overview states that the convertible was gone for the year, leaving the plain Challenger and the Challenger Rallye, the Rallye adding a performance hood with scoops, simulated side louvers with strobe stripes, a Rallye instrument cluster, heavy-duty Rallye suspension and F70x14 tires; the 225 Six, standard on the plain Challenger but not offered on the Rallye, and the 318 V8 were standard, with the 340 four-barrel the sole optional engine.
This record's own production section documents two competing totals: period trade tables and several books give 26,663 cars, split as 18,535 plain Challengers and 8,128 Rallyes, while a second lineage repeated by Sessler and others gives 22,919. A third, separately scoped breakdown from Sessler further splits the plain Challenger hardtop into 842 six-cylinder cars and 15,175 V8 cars, and gives 6,902 Rallyes, a figure this record's own note states is close to, but not equal to, the 6,865 domestic Rallyes that Mueller and Glatch cite separately.1,2
Three engines are documented for the year: the 225 Six at 110 hp, standard on the plain Challenger only, the 318 V8 at 150 hp, and the 340 V8 four-barrel at 240 hp, the last bundling a performance hood with scoops, dual exhausts with bright tips and electronic ignition. This record's own key facts state that the four-speed manual was available only with the 340, alongside the standard three-speed manual and the optional TorqueFlite automatic documented in this record's own transmissions section.
This record's own options section documents the Challenger Rallye package itself, with an installation count of 8,128 units matching the Rallye's own production row, alongside a 340-only Axle Performance Package bundling a 3.55 heavy-duty axle, Sure Grip, a high-performance radiator and fan shroud, an E-Z Order Package unavailable with the 340 that bundled the Light Package, power steering, an AM radio, whitewalls and undercoating, and a sunroof option priced at just over $400 per a Dodge retrospective source.
Sixteen exterior colors are documented, including the two high-impact, extra-cost Hemi Orange and Top Banana shades called out separately in this record's own key facts. This record's own interiors section documents a single all-vinyl bucket-seat trim offered in five colors, and its specifications section carries a 110-inch wheelbase, 191.3-inch overall length, 76.3-inch width, a 3.23:1 standard axle ratio, and tire fitments split by model: 7.35x14 blackwalls on the plain Challenger against F70x14 whitewalls on the Rallye or 340.
This record's own identification section documents the catalog's form number, 81-205-2050, dated August 1971. Its conflicts section logs the same production dispute already summarized in the overview, 26,663 against 22,919, with this record's own treatment leading with the period trade figure and presenting 22,919 as a second lineage, while noting that the domestic-Rallye count suggesting the lower lineage may be domestic-only is not proven for the line as a whole.
Fact sheet · 1972 · United States
The numbers
1972 Dodge Challenger — Hardtop only, with a new grille: the R/T gave way to the Challenger Rallye package, and the most powerful engine listed was the 340 four-barrel.
Coverage: Partial — researched sections are shown; missing ones are not yet sourced. Researched through 2026-09-22.
Every figure is labeled with how sure we are. Reported means a manufacturer, registry, or reference figure we cite but have not reconciled against factory records ourselves. Disputed means credible sources disagree and both are shown. Rows are separately scoped; don't add them together unless the note says they make up a total.
Key facts
Production
| What was counted | Count | Basis | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| All 1972 Challengers (trade tables)5,6 Challenger and Rallye · 2-door hardtop · not stated Langworth's Complete Book of Collectible Cars prints 26,658 (8,123 Rallyes), a probable transcription variant. | 26,663 | built, model-year | Disputed |
| All 1972 Challengers (Sessler lineage)1,7 Challenger and Rallye · 2-door hardtop · not stated | 22,919 | built, model-year | Disputed |
| What was counted | Count | Basis | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Challenger hardtop (JH23)8,9 Challenger · 2-door hardtop · six and V8 · not stated | 18,535 | built, model-year | Reported |
| Challenger Rallye (JS23)8,2,9 Rallye · 2-door hardtop · V8 · not stated | 8,128 | built, model-year | Reported |
| Challenger Rallye, domestic2 Rallye · 2-door hardtop · V8 · domestic (US) | 6,865 | built, model-year | Reported |
| Challenger Rallye (Sessler)1 Rallye · 2-door hardtop · 8-cyl · not stated Close to, but not equal to, Mueller and Glatch's 6,865 domestic Rallyes. | 6,902 | built, model-year | Disputed |
| What was counted | Count | Basis | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Challenger hardtop, six (Sessler)1 Challenger · 2-door hardtop · 6-cyl · not stated | 842 | built, model-year | Reported |
| Challenger hardtop, V8 (Sessler)1 Challenger · 2-door hardtop · 8-cyl · not stated | 15,175 | built, model-year | Reported |
Rows are separately scoped; do not add them.
No 340 installation count was found.
Prices when new
| Model | Price | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| Challenger hardtop, six8 | $2,778 | price as reported, 1972 model year |
| Challenger hardtop, V88 | $2,904 | price as reported, 1972 model year |
| Challenger Rallye8 | $3,056 | price as reported, 1972 model year |
Prices are the nominal dollars of the day, not adjusted for inflation.
Engines
| Engine | Factory rating | Availability | Built |
|---|---|---|---|
| 225 Six3 225 cu in · 1-barrel | 110 hp (not stated in the release) | standard, Challenger (not Rallye) | Not yet sourced |
| 318 V83 318 cu in · 2-barrel | 150 hp (not stated in the release) | standard V8 | Not yet sourced |
| 340 V8 4-bbl3 340 cu in · 4-barrel | 240 hp (not stated in the release) | optional; includes performance hood with scoops, dual exhausts with bright tips, electronic ignition | Not yet sourced |
Ratings are the manufacturer's advertised figures under the standard shown (SAE gross before 1972, SAE net after). They are not dyno results, and gross and net ratings can't be compared directly.
Transmissions
| Transmission | Availability | Built |
|---|---|---|
| 3-speed manual, floor-mounted, fully synchronized | standard | Not yet sourced |
| TorqueFlite 3-speed automatic | optional | Not yet sourced |
| 4-speed manual | optional, 340 V8 only | Not yet sourced |
Options and packages
| Code | Option | Price | Installed |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Challenger Rallye: performance hood with scoops, body simulated louvers and side performance tape stripes, Rallye instrument cluster, heavy-duty Rallye suspension, F70x14 white sidewall tires | — | 8,1288 Reported |
|
Axle Performance Package (340 only): 3.55 heavy-duty axle, Sure Grip, high-performance radiator, fan shroud, power-steering oil cooler when power steering is ordered | — | Not yet sourced |
|
E-Z Order Package (not with 340): Light Package, power steering, Music Master AM radio, remote mirror, variable-speed wipers, deluxe wheel covers, whitewalls, undercoating, hood pad | — | Not yet sourced |
|
Sun roof (includes vinyl roof)3 | $400 | Not yet sourced |
Paint
| Code | Color | Built |
|---|---|---|
|
Light Blue | Not yet sourced |
|
Bright Blue Metallic | Not yet sourced |
|
Red | Not yet sourced |
|
Light Green Metallic | Not yet sourced |
|
Dark Green Metallic | Not yet sourced |
|
Eggshell White | Not yet sourced |
|
Black | Not yet sourced |
|
Light Gold | Not yet sourced |
|
Gold Metallic | Not yet sourced |
|
Dark Gold Metallic | Not yet sourced |
|
Dark Tan Metallic | Not yet sourced |
|
Light Gunmetal Metallic | Not yet sourced |
|
Medium Tan Metallic | Not yet sourced |
|
Super Blue | Not yet sourced |
|
Hemi Orange (high-impact, extra cost) | Not yet sourced |
|
Top Banana (high-impact, extra cost) | Not yet sourced |
Color names are the factory's. We don't show color swatches, because a screen color is no guide for a restoration.
Interiors
| Code | Trim | Built |
|---|---|---|
|
All-vinyl bucket seats with integral head restraints in Blue, Green, Black, Gold, or White | Not yet sourced |
Specifications
| Measure | Value | Applies to |
|---|---|---|
| Wheelbase | 110 in | 2-door hardtop |
| Overall length | 191.3 in | 2-door hardtop |
| Overall height | 50.9 in | 2-door hardtop |
| Overall width | 76.3 in | 2-door hardtop |
| Front track | 59.7 in | 2-door hardtop |
| Rear track | 61.6 in | 2-door hardtop |
| Standard axle ratio | 3.23 :1 | as printed under standard equipment |
| Tires | 7.35x14 BSW (Challenger); F70x14 WSW (Rallye or 340) | by model |
Identification
- Catalog form number
- Form 81-205-2050, dated 8/71.
Where the sources disagree
Identification
Read a 1972 Dodge VIN
The VIN decoder runs in your browser and never sends the VIN anywhere. How the factory numbered this year's cars:
Same model year
Also in 1972
- AMC AMX The first year of SAE net ratings and Chrysler-built TorqueFlite automatics. Javelin AMX production rose to 3,220, and the 304 V8 became available.
- AMC Gremlin X and Spirit AMX The first V8 Gremlin: the 304 (150 hp SAE net) in AMC's subcompact. Gremlin X production is not published in any source found.
- AMC Javelin The base model was dropped, so every non-AMX Javelin was an SST. This was the first year of the Pierre Cardin interior and of Chrysler-built automatics.
- Buick Riviera Net ratings only for 1972: 250 hp standard, 260 GS per ROA; 2,171 of 33,728 were GS.
- Buick Skylark Gran Sport, GS and GSX The last A-body GS year before the Colonnade Century; the GSX package, now in many colours, was invoiced on only 44 cars, most of them outside the lower 48 states.
- Chevrolet Chevelle and Malibu SS The last Z15 Chevelle SS of the first generation: net-rated engines, an LS5 454 at 270 net hp, and 5,333 SS 454s.
- Chevrolet Chevy II and Nova The source engine table switches to net ratings; SS and Rally Nova offered. Enthusiast-compiled production: 349,733 cars; Super Sport 12,309.
- Chevrolet El Camino SS Last year of the Chevelle-bodied El Camino SS; 50,359 V8 Malibu El Caminos were built, and the SS share is not separately published.
- Dodge Charger The R/T and Super Bee were dropped; the new Rallye package became the performance Charger, and the 440 Six Pack was cancelled after a handful of cars.
- Dodge Dart GTS, Swinger and Demon The Demon's second and final year under that name: 8,773 Demon 340s, with small Canadian and Swiss-market 340 runs counted separately.
- Ford Maverick Grabber The dual-scoop-hood Grabber in its second year as a model; Classic Industries counts 35,347.
- Ford Ranchero GT The Ranchero GT continued on the 1972-76 Ranchero; 12,620 GTs were built, per reference-site counts in the Standard Catalog lineage.
- Ford Thunderbird First year of the sixth-generation Thunderbird; only the whole-line production total was found.
- Ford Torino The new body-on-frame Torino sold 496,645 in 1972; the performance models were the Gran Torino Sport SportsRoof (60,794) and hardtop (31,239), with the 351 Cobra Jet and a Rallye Equipment Group on the option list.
- Mercury Cougar Net ratings arrived, the 429 was gone, and the 351 Cobra Jet became the performance Cougar engine, fitted to 3,560 cars.
- Mercury Montego GT The first year of the fastback-only Montego GT on the new split-wheelbase intermediate, with the Cyclone name reduced to a performance option that only a few dozen buyers took.
- Oldsmobile Cutlass, 4-4-2 and Hurst/Olds The 4-4-2 became a Cutlass option again, engines were rated in SAE net (W-30: 300 hp), and a Hurst/Olds paced the Indianapolis 500.
- Plymouth Barracuda and 'Cuda Hardtops only, single headlamps, four round taillamps, and a 340 four-barrel as the top engine: the 'Cuda carried it as standard.
- Plymouth Duster 340 and 360 In the first net-rating year the Duster 340's 8.5:1 340 was rated 240 net hp with electronic ignition, the Twister became order code A51, and output rose to 15,681 in both compilations.
- Plymouth GTX, Belvedere and Satellite For 1972 the GTX existed only as the 440 four-barrel option on the Road Runner hardtop; Mueller's Muscle Car Source Book counts 672 of them.
- Plymouth Road Runner The hardtop-only Road Runner took a 400 four-barrel as its advertised standard engine, and production fell again.
- Pontiac Firebird and Trans Am A strike-shortened year: 29,951 Firebirds and 1,286 Trans Ams, every one a 455 HO.
- Pontiac GTO The GTO goes back to being an option on the LeMans, with net ratings only; 5,807 were built.
- Pontiac Grand Prix A carryover year with the SJ still offered; production recovered to 91,961.
- Pontiac Tempest and LeMans The GTO becomes a LeMans option, and the LeMans gets WW4 and WW5 performance packages.