The Dodge Charger body that had been introduced for 1971 continued on for one more year in 1974, as the emphasis shifted from performance hardtops to personal luxury cars like the baroque Chevrolet Monte Carlo, elephantine Ford Thunderbird and upcoming 1975 Ford Elite and Chrysler Cordoba, with Ricardo Montalban’s “Corinthian leather.”

The 1974 Dodge Charger gained a hefty 5-mph rear bumper to match the front, adding about 90 pounds to the car’s weight. The Charger was available as a two-door coupe, a two-door hardtop, and an SE hardtop. The Rallye option cost $100 and included front and rear sway bars, power bulge hood, full instruments, hood pins, stripes and badges. The SE package included landau vinyl roof with six opera windows, concealed headlights, electric clock, inside hood release, full gauges, interior light group and front bench seat with folding armrest.

Again, the basic engine was either a slant-six or a 150 bhp 318 cid V-8. The SE only offered a 318 V-8. Optional engines included a 245 bhp 360 cid V-8 and a 250 bhp, 400 cid V-8.

Popular options included power steering, power disc brakes, tinted glass, air conditioning, sunroof, vinyl roof, two-tone paint, AM radio, AM/FM radio, buckets seats, and a console

Dodge offered about exterior colors for the 1974 Charger, including Dark Frost, Powder Blue, Lucerne Blue, Starlight Blue, Bright Red, Frosty Green, Deep Sherwood, Avocado Gold, Parchment, Aztec Gold, Dark Moonstone, Sienna, Dark Chestnut, Eggshell White, Black, Top Banana, Yellow, Golden Fawn, Yellow Blaze, Golden, Dark Gold, Bahama Yellow, Orange, and Rally Green.

Dodge marked its 60th year as an automaker in 1974 and won 10 Grand National NASCAR races, six of which were scored by Richard Petty. It was the company’s best year racing since 1970.