paint color advice request

[rjoosten]

hello gentlemen,
can anybody give me advice on a color?
I have found a 1973 Challenger, fully restored
unfortunately it does not have the original 318 anymore but a 340 and sixpack logo on the hood
and the exterior color is light blue, but normal paint, not the light blue metallic I can find online
can anyone tell me if this was an officially available paint in this year and on this model?
I love the color but originality is important to me
specially related to the higher asking price
looking forward to your replys!
thank you in advance!

10-24-2022 update
my wife just found the color chart shwoign this was an optional color for this year and model indeed, so that is good
now I am adding VIN label and plate for you guys, maybe one could help me with explaining all codes?

 

[RemCharger]

What about the stripes and wheels?

Bumperettes, gas cap,...

 

[Master Gunner]

I think that's what was called light blue, B1 paint code.

Mark

 

[SteveSS]

The '71 stripe was the best looking but not right for that car. So what? It's a '73 with a NOM. If you're buying it use that to knock the price. If you're selling it tell them this was the best stripe.

 

[rjoosten]

found a very nice website, for those who don't know yet;
C:\My Download Files\mopars\challengers\all colors\challenger_colors.html

 

[rjoosten]

The '71 stripe was the best looking but not right for that car. So what? It's a '73 with a NOM. If you're buying it use that to knock the price. If you're selling it tell them this was the best stripe.

haha, thanks a lot! you are right, it looks great, but want to understand what is correct and what not
but main thing is, it looks really properly restored

 

[rjoosten]

I think that's what was called light blue, B1 paint code.

Mark

indeed B1
I only knew B5 and B7 blue until today...
B5 normally is my favorite next to Petty Blue!

 

[YY1]

That looks correct for HB1, or very close.

They did make rallye 318 Challengers in 73 and 74, but IIRC there's a code on the tag for either that or the "sport hood".
Not sure I see either of those on your tag.

IMO the 340 is an upgrade and a value add.

 

[rjoosten]

and I found this one below;
never realized the sort of gills on the side and multi stripes
can anybody tell me was this an extra option?
or do they belong to a special version or package?
I am learning here!

 

[rjoosten]

That looks correct for HB1, or very close.

They did make rallye 318 Challengers in 73 and 74, but IIRC there's a code on the tag for either that or the "sport hood".
Not sure I see either of those on your tag.

IMO the 340 is an upgrade and a value add.

thank you for the IMO / 340 remark!
I presumed original 318 would have been better, but is not as seems?

 

[RemCharger]

Yes that is a mostly proper 74, do some more research before you buy something.
Arm yourself!

and I found this one below;
never realized the sort of gills on the side and multi stripes
can anybody tell me was this an extra option?
or do they belong to a special version or package?
I am learning here!

View attachment 1362966

 

[RemCharger]

Rallye package.. hood, suspension, gauge pack, buckets, stripes/louvers..

 

[topside]

Those "vents" and the strobe stripes were part of the Rallye package, as was the dual-scoop hood.
Rallye replaced R/T in that era.
Not sure why the OP's fender tag would say EN2, that's normally at the end of a 2nd tag.
Off the top of my head: B41 = pwr disc brakes, C16 = console w/buckets, G35 = chrome remote mirror, H51 = A/C, M21 = bright drip mldgs, R11 = AM radio.
V1W = white vinyl top, car was white w/blue trim interior, scheduled production date Jan 18, 1973.
If you Google "Mopar fender tag decoder", there are several sites.

 

[rjoosten]

Those "vents" and the strobe stripes were part of the Rallye package, as was the dual-scoop hood.
Rallye replaced R/T in that era.
Not sure why the OP's fender tag would say EN2, that's normally at the end of a 2nd tag.
Off the top of my head: B41 = pwr disc brakes, C16 = console w/buckets, G35 = chrome remote mirror, H51 = A/C, M21 = bright drip mldgs, R11 = AM radio.
V1W = white vinyl top, car was white w/blue trim interior, scheduled production date Jan 18, 1973.
If you Google "Mopar fender tag decoder", there are several sites.

thank you very much!
highly appreciated!

 

[rjoosten]

here some more pictures of the interior and the 340 block
car has black vinyl top and blue interior

I am in The Netherlands and the car is in ...Germany of all places

 

[YY1]

#9-

Yes, that's a 73/74 rallye car.

The badges on the sides of the hood scoop area say either 340 or 360 and four barrel
The rallye 318 cars had no emblems.
They all had those gills on the fender and the strobe stripes.

I had a 73 rallye 318 and it also had a rear sway bar and 3.23 sure grip.

My guess id that yours is a fairly well optioned 318 "standard" Challenger that has had the hood added and vinyl top changed to black when it was repainted and the stripe added.

Still a cool car and the hood and 340 are both value adds.

Did you verify the engine is actually a 340 by the casting number or stamp on the block?

 

[YY1]

If the OP is not familiar with fender tags decoding-

JH23 - Challenger, high price calls, 2 door hardtop
G- 318 engine
3- 1973
B- I believe this is the Hamtramck plant

 

[rjoosten]

#9-

Yes, that's a 73/74 rallye car.

The badges on the sides of the hood scoop area say either 340 or 360 and four barrel
The rallye 318 cars had no emblems.
They all had those gills on the fender and the strobe stripes.

I had a 73 rallye 318 and it also had a rear sway bar and 3.23 sure grip.

My guess id that yours is a fairly well optioned 318 "standard" Challenger that has had the hood added and vinyl top changed to black when it was repainted and the stripe added.

Still a cool car and the hood and 340 are both value adds.

Did you verify the engine is actually a 340 by the casting number or stamp on the block?

thanks for the info
I have not yet been able to visit the car, so to say, becasue of recovery of a back surgery
that is why I have to try to do some investigation on a distcance
appreciate your help in this!
the current owner has already confirmed an exchange to a 340 indeed
you are confirming the story he told me concerning hood as well
she sure has the looks!

 

[Don67Satellite]

@rjoosten

JH23:
Dodge Challenger
High
2 Door Hardtop

G3B: 318 150HP(net) or 170HP(net) 1-2BBL 8 CYL
1973
Dodge Main, Hamtramck, MI, USA

310448: Sequence number

E44: 318 cid 2 barrel V8 230hp
D34: Light Duty Automatic Transmission
HB1: Light Blue (Dodge) Exterior Color
A6B5: Trim - Basic, Vinyl Bucket Seats, Blue
000: Full Door Panels
118: Build Date: January 18
314003: Order number

V1W: Full Vinyl Top, White
U: USA Specifications
B41: Front Disc Brakes w/Standard 10in RR Drum
C16: Console w/Woodgrain Panel
C56: Bucket Seats
G35: Delete Standard Outside Mirror

H51: Air Conditioning with Heater
L25: Trunk Lamp
L31: Hood/Fender Mounted Turn Signals
M21: Roof drip rail moldings
N95: Emissions Control
R11: Radio Solid State AM (2 Watts)

V78: Accent Stripes, Deleted
26: 26in Radiator
EN2: End of Sales Codes

Looks like it was born with a few different options than what the car is now.

 

[rjoosten]

If the OP is not familiar with fender tags decoding-

JH23 - Challenger, high price calls, 2 door hardtop
G- 318 engine
3- 1973
B- I believe this is the Hamtramck plant

thanks for the additional details!
strange to learn it should have been a white top; big change in mind
but black looks better in this combi I think