1971 Dodge Challenger R/T

Description

There's no question that Chrysler knew how to build some awesome muscle cars during the peak of the era. This 1971 Challenger, for example, is an original Hemi Orange car that currently wears a sinister flat black hood with a giant hood scoop, a potent 340 Six Pack engine, and enough performance to make you forget about big blocks for a while.

Starting out with a Hemi Orange car makes things easy during the restoration, but they still insisted on taking it apart and painting it right. A glance at the door jambs and inside the trunk will convince you that this California car has not only lived a good life, but that someone spent the long dollar restoring it to its current spectacular condition. It was originally a base 318 car, but all the sheetmetal was the same, so when the engine was upgraded, so were the visuals, including a complete set of black R/T stripes. And nobody does performance hoods better than Mopar, with the snorkus on this one looking big enough to swallow a pigeon. The new urethane paint shines brilliantly thanks to a professional cut-and-buff job, and very few Chryslers of the period were as carefully assembled as this car was. There's no wing on the back, which only adds to this car's appeal, although there is a satin black tail panel and bright chrome bumpers to help it stand out.

Chrysler's black bucket seat interior gets high marks for both style and comfort, and even today this is a great place to spend some quality time. Most of the stuff inside is new, including the seat covers, carpets, and door panels, and obviously there's an aftermarket B&M shifter installed on the original center console. A white headliner makes it bright and airy inside despite all the black upholstery, and it's warmed up by the woodgrained steering wheel, and brightly marked instruments. Classic Industries contributed one of their modern A/C units, whose controls fit in the original spot to the left of the steering column, and to the right there's a modern AM/FM/CD stereo head unit. The trunk, you'll note, is nicely finished with Hemi Orange paint in all the right places, plus a reproduction mat and a full-sized Rallye wheel and spare tire, just in case.

The original 318 was tossed in favor of a snarling 340 cubic inch V8 topped by Six Pack induction. If you've never driven one of these potent small blocks, you're in for a treat. Thanks to three 2-barrel carbs, it makes the most spectacular intake wail, and the hit of torque is quite unlike any other small block you've driven. It also looks formidable with that big Six Pack air cleaner and finned valve covers, and the detailing is impressive. The A/C system is neatly nestled in the V of the engine and almost disappears, so it looks suitably vintage, and power steering and front disc brakes give it razor-sharp reflexes on the street. Backed by a 727 TorqueFlite 3-speed automatic transmission and 8.75-inch rear end, this is a bulletproof drivetrain, and with the recent Flowmaster dual exhaust it sounds wicked. Trick modern Rallyes look right and wear staggered 215/50/17 front and 235/55/18 rear Goodyear radials.

A documented California car with maintenance receipts, Chrysler Corporation Broadcast Sheet, and tag receipts from 1971, this is a Challenger that definitely delivers on the promises its looks make. Call today!