EXCEPTIONAL PERFORMANCE

In today’s age of expendable consumer products, it’s pretty impressive that Doug Campbell has owned his 1974 Dodge Challenger for 31 years. The irony of that length of ownership is that it was the fact the car was — in Doug’s eyes — nothing special that first drew him to it. Being a ’74, it’s the last of the E-body platform, and holds a lot less appeal than its slightly older siblings, due in part to the 5mph bumpers that the ’74s were forced to wear.

Adding to the car’s lack of redeeming features was the fact it was fitted with a 318ci small block from the factory. This meant it was among the most common of all 1974 Challengers built and, at the time of purchase at least, held no appeal to restorers, collectors, or modifiers. What all this added up to was a car that Doug could have fun with, beat up on, and modify without fear of wrecking a genuine classic or dealing with the wrath of upset