Photo: red_corvt/eBay
Introduced in 1970 on the same E-body platform as the third-generation Plymouth Barracuda, the Dodge Challenger was the last nameplate to join the muscle car party. It was quite popular in its first year in showrooms, moving nearly 77,000 units. But this changed in 1971 when only 27,377 customers took a Challenger home.
Much like in 1970, most buyers opted for non-R/T cars due to the higher insurance rates applied to high-performance vehicles. Specifically, more than 22,000 examples left the assembly line without "R/T" badges. At the other end of the spectrum, only 321 cars were optioned up with the 440-cubic-inch (7.2-liter) Six-Pack and the 426-cubic-inch (7.0-liter) HEMI V8s. Just 71 of these rigs got the range-topping HEMI.
But that's not to say a non-R/T Challenger can't be rare. Six-cylinder convertibles, for instance, were produced in only 83 units. And finding one in tip-top condition today is nearly impossible. The same goes for the sunroof cars, of which only 21 were made (plus an additional 27 R/Ts). The 340-cubic-inch (5.6-liter) V8 with the three-speed manual is also a rare combo, with just 41 sold.
The 340 example you see here is also a manual, but it has the more common four-speed gearbox. Dodge produced 291 examples in this configuration. However, the HEMI Orange color narrows that figure down to just 35 units, making this Challenger rarer than a HEMI (albeit not quite as desirable).
But this Mopar is more than just a Challenger with a scarce drivetrain/color combo. It's also one of only a few cars built like this to roam the streets in Concours-ready condition. This Challenger got a complete restoration and is ready to turn heads at any Mopar meeting.
It's also a very lucky classic because it was restored after spending over 40 years in storage. The story goes it was taken apart sometime in the 1980s and kept in a dry garage until 2023. The car was unearthed with minor rust issues and in all-original condition.
It's now a numbers-matching gem wearing its correct HEMI Orange paint and sporting a host of upgrades. The list includes all-new brake lines, front disc brakes, Hedman Ceramic shorty headers, and an ISKY hydraulic cam. The owner also added four speakers and a new radio with USB and iPod connectivity. The 340-cubic-inch V8, originally rated at 275 horsepower and 340 pound-feet (461 Nm) of torque, was obviously rebuilt.
Granted, it's not a fully-fledged survivor, and some of these upgrades may upset purists, but very few 1971 Challengers out there are nicer than this. And given that the auction is at $44,600 as of this writing, some enthusiasts seem to agree. The reserve is still in place, though, and I wouldn't be surprised to see this Mopar go for way more than $50,000.
But that's not to say a non-R/T Challenger can't be rare. Six-cylinder convertibles, for instance, were produced in only 83 units. And finding one in tip-top condition today is nearly impossible. The same goes for the sunroof cars, of which only 21 were made (plus an additional 27 R/Ts). The 340-cubic-inch (5.6-liter) V8 with the three-speed manual is also a rare combo, with just 41 sold.
The 340 example you see here is also a manual, but it has the more common four-speed gearbox. Dodge produced 291 examples in this configuration. However, the HEMI Orange color narrows that figure down to just 35 units, making this Challenger rarer than a HEMI (albeit not quite as desirable).
But this Mopar is more than just a Challenger with a scarce drivetrain/color combo. It's also one of only a few cars built like this to roam the streets in Concours-ready condition. This Challenger got a complete restoration and is ready to turn heads at any Mopar meeting.
It's also a very lucky classic because it was restored after spending over 40 years in storage. The story goes it was taken apart sometime in the 1980s and kept in a dry garage until 2023. The car was unearthed with minor rust issues and in all-original condition.
It's now a numbers-matching gem wearing its correct HEMI Orange paint and sporting a host of upgrades. The list includes all-new brake lines, front disc brakes, Hedman Ceramic shorty headers, and an ISKY hydraulic cam. The owner also added four speakers and a new radio with USB and iPod connectivity. The 340-cubic-inch V8, originally rated at 275 horsepower and 340 pound-feet (461 Nm) of torque, was obviously rebuilt.
Granted, it's not a fully-fledged survivor, and some of these upgrades may upset purists, but very few 1971 Challengers out there are nicer than this. And given that the auction is at $44,600 as of this writing, some enthusiasts seem to agree. The reserve is still in place, though, and I wouldn't be surprised to see this Mopar go for way more than $50,000.
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