Photo: mopars5150/Instagram
Introduced for the 1966 model year, the Dodge Charger started life as a fancied-up fastback. However, the initial configuration didn't last long due to slow sales. In 1968, Dodge gave the Charger a significant makeover and transformed it into a fully-fledged muscle car. And like most midsize Mopars from the era, it was both powerful and flashy when equipped with the right options.
Sure, the Dodge Charger was also available with more fuel-efficient inline-six and small-block V8 engines, but it's the 440-cubic-inch (7.2-liter) RB and 426-cubic-inch (7.0-liter) HEMI R/T models that made the nameplate famous. And the Charger was a sight to behold when finished in Chrysler's High-Impact colors.
Granted, Butterscotch and Bright Green aren't particularly fetching, but all the other High-Impact hues make the Charger stand out next to any other muscle car. You just cannot ignore this car in Go Mango, Plum Crazy, Sublime, or Top Banana. But what about Panther Pink? Is this a proper color for a Dodge Charger?
I'm asking because the hue was considered too feminine back in the day, and, as a result, it wasn't exactly popular. Available for a very short time as a Spring Color in 1970, Panther Pink (called Moulin Rouge on Plymouth models) found its way on less than 0.5% of the total production that year.
That's a few thousand cars overall. However, if we narrow it down to nameplates, we get a few hundred for each, and the numbers decrease to fewer than 100 for specific models. The 1970 Charger, for instance, was ordered in this color by only 101 units, according to the official registry. And because many of these rigs were repainted or abandoned into junkyards, Panther Pink Chargers are an even rarer sight in 2024.
However, there's an even scarcer pink Charger out there. The folks over at Instagram's "mopars5150" just got their hands on a 1971 Charger in Panther Pink. And not only do they claim it's authentic, they also say it's the only one built that year.
How is that possible since Panther Pink was only available for a few months in 1970? Well, it turns out Chrysler didn't retire the hue for good that year. Panther Pink returned in 1971 as a special-order color. The exact number of 1971-model-year pink Mopars is unknown, but they're extremely rare. And most cars are unique, just like this Charger.
Unfortunately, the footage posted by our host is rather brief and doesn't include any actual info on the vehicle. One video shows the fender tag, but the lighting is poor, and I can't quite see the codes. This Charger should have a "999" code somewhere for special-order paint. But just in case you have doubts, I want to point out that these people also own the only 1969 Dodge Super Bee painted Panther Pink. The car was showcased at MCACN 2023.
Back to the 1971 Charger in question, it appears to be a rotisserie restored example. The paint shines like new, and the engine, which houses a big-block V8, is very clean. The same goes for the interior. All told, it's a Concours-ready rig. And I'm hoping we'll see more of it very soon.
Granted, Butterscotch and Bright Green aren't particularly fetching, but all the other High-Impact hues make the Charger stand out next to any other muscle car. You just cannot ignore this car in Go Mango, Plum Crazy, Sublime, or Top Banana. But what about Panther Pink? Is this a proper color for a Dodge Charger?
I'm asking because the hue was considered too feminine back in the day, and, as a result, it wasn't exactly popular. Available for a very short time as a Spring Color in 1970, Panther Pink (called Moulin Rouge on Plymouth models) found its way on less than 0.5% of the total production that year.
That's a few thousand cars overall. However, if we narrow it down to nameplates, we get a few hundred for each, and the numbers decrease to fewer than 100 for specific models. The 1970 Charger, for instance, was ordered in this color by only 101 units, according to the official registry. And because many of these rigs were repainted or abandoned into junkyards, Panther Pink Chargers are an even rarer sight in 2024.
However, there's an even scarcer pink Charger out there. The folks over at Instagram's "mopars5150" just got their hands on a 1971 Charger in Panther Pink. And not only do they claim it's authentic, they also say it's the only one built that year.
How is that possible since Panther Pink was only available for a few months in 1970? Well, it turns out Chrysler didn't retire the hue for good that year. Panther Pink returned in 1971 as a special-order color. The exact number of 1971-model-year pink Mopars is unknown, but they're extremely rare. And most cars are unique, just like this Charger.
Unfortunately, the footage posted by our host is rather brief and doesn't include any actual info on the vehicle. One video shows the fender tag, but the lighting is poor, and I can't quite see the codes. This Charger should have a "999" code somewhere for special-order paint. But just in case you have doubts, I want to point out that these people also own the only 1969 Dodge Super Bee painted Panther Pink. The car was showcased at MCACN 2023.
Back to the 1971 Charger in question, it appears to be a rotisserie restored example. The paint shines like new, and the engine, which houses a big-block V8, is very clean. The same goes for the interior. All told, it's a Concours-ready rig. And I'm hoping we'll see more of it very soon.
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