YouTuber Ryan Brutt from Auto Archaeology, famed for finding some special muscle cars hidden in barns, fields, and more, has managed to track down a very special and very rare 1972 Dodge Charger Rallye 440ci Six-Pack muscle car. A car that many thought had been long-lost, but it has now recently reemerged after years in hiding.
As muscle cars disappeared after 1971 following the oil crisis, true muscle cars with bundles of horsepower had disappeared. Power dropped massively, except with one model. In late 1971, you could order the six-pack engine in either a Dodge Charger Rallye or a Plymouth Road Runner GTX.
A handful were produced, despite the incoming changes to the muscle car lineup. This car in Auto Carchaeology’s video is one of those, and it is one of just two that are fully documented as known to exist with that 440ci six-pack engine. There is also just one Road Runner GTX documented with the six-pack engine. The original order books were open for just a week, and in total, just seven of these Chargers were built.
Incredibly, this particular example shown by the YouTuber had sat for 30-40 years, totally undiscovered, having been bought brand new from the Chrysler Lease Lot in 1971. The fact it was even built is remarkable, given production ran for only a solitary week.
What We Know About This Dodge Charger Rallye
Sadly, this particular example is missing that iconic 440ci six-pack engine. However, its owner is now determined to give it a full restoration, which should also see it get back that famous engine. The video shows it finished in yellow with a white vinyl top, and it was clear that a lot of work was needed before this car would ever run again.
It still has its original VIN and fender tag, both of which confirm this as a legitimate V-code Mopar muscle car. The owner also had a copy of the window sticker, confirming the options on the muscle car and that it was actually built for a company executive. At some point in its life, it also had front-end repairs, and it was even used as a race car for a brief period.
In the video, we see the car loaded onto a transporter and taken to Magnum Auto Restoration for work to commence. Despite its appearance, the inspection thankfully revealed that the Dodge is in very solid condition, so there is a lot of potential. Digging deeper into the story of these Chargers does reveal a few interesting details.
The History of the Six-Pack Charger Is Rather Murky
Production of these cars is shrouded in mystery. As it was only in place for a week, only a handful left the factory. Enthusiasts say that seven left the factory, yet only the three we’ve mentioned have actually been documented. But Mopar expert Galen Govier has records that suggest several more were produced. One of those was a Charger, and another was exported to Sweden.
One of the other cars that exists is the 1972 Road Runner GTX. This was found in a junkyard before being hidden away from prying eyes for decades. It was displayed as a barn find before Magnum Auto Restoration eventually gave it the full concours restoration. At the end of the video, we get to see the car begin its restoration journey, which hopefully will see it eventually emerge back in its former glory.