Spotless 1971 Dodge Challenger R/T Flexes Super Rare Engine and Color Combo

Unlike other Dodge models, the Challenger lost every single big-block V8 option starting in 1972. That year, the only V8 powerplants available were the 318- and 340-cubic-inch (5.2- and 5.6-liter) small-block units. Output was unimpressive at 150 and 240 horsepower, respectively.

The Challenger lost three high-performance drivetrains at the end of 1972, starting with the 335-horsepower, 383-cubic-inch (6.3-liter) B-block. Dodge also discontinued the six-pack version of the 440-cubic-inch (7.2-liter) RB, rated at 390 horsepower. Finally, the mighty 426-cubic-inch (7.0-liter) HEMI, good for 425 horses, also went into the history books.

And that's precisely why the 1970- and 1971-model-year Challengers are the most desirable and valuable iterations of the nameplate. The HEMI is obviously the top choice for collectors. And not just because the 426 V8 was the most potent mill available in the pony car. The HEMI Challenger is also very rare. Dodge sold only 356 units in 1970 and just 71 the following year.

The 1971 Challenger is scarcer regardless of powerplant. As insurance rates for high-performance vehicles increased, sales dropped dramatically compared to 1970. Deliveries dwindled from nearly 77,000 cars to just 27,377 units. And only 4,892 of these Challengers were ordered with the desirable R/T package.

In addition to 71 HEMI cars, Dodge sold 250 units equipped with the 440 Six Pack and nearly 3,500 Challengers fitted with the 383 V8. The four-barrel 440 was no longer available that year, but many people forget that Dodge offered a smaller mill on the 1971 Challenger R/T. I'm talking about the four-barrel 340-cubic-inch V8, which was optional on the base model in 1970.

Rated at 275 horsepower, the 340 was promoted to R/T duty in 1971. But it wasn't a very popular choice. Records show that only 1,078 selected the small-block V8, which makes it notably rarer than the 383. The Citron Yella example you see here is one of those cars.

The result of a complete restoration, this 1971 Challenger R/T looks spotless inside and out. The paint shines brilliantly from every angle, and all the R/T decals are in the right places. The all-black interior looks a bit dull if you ask me, but hey, at least it has goodies like bucket seats, leather upholstery, and an AM/FM radio.

But the really cool thing about this Challenger is that it's a very low-production example. Yes, I've already said that Dodge sold only 1,078 R/T 340 cars in 1971, but that number drops once we also include transmissions in the conversation. Specifically, 731 examples were ordered with the automatic, and only 34 left the factory with the three-speed manual. This hardtop is one of only 313 equipped with a four-speed manual.

What's more, it's painted in a somewhat uncommon color. One of around 20 hues available in 1971, Citron Yella (GY3) found its way on only about 4.2% of the Challengers produced that year. It was notably more popular than Top Banana but significantly less desirable than High Impact hues like Plum Crazy, Hemi Orange, and Butterscotch.

The figure above is not 100% accurate, but most Mopar experts agree that fewer than 1,200 vehicles were finished in Citron Yella. And if we apply the same percentage to the number of 340/four-speed R/T cars, we get just 13 units in this bright yellow hue. Rare doesn't even begin to cover it, right?

On the flip side, there's no info on how original this car is and whether the V8 is a numbers-matching unit. But that won't stop me from staring at this Mopar and wishing I could park it in my driveway. Check it out in the video below.