1971 Dodge Challenger R/T

Description

The days of affordable big-block Challengers are long gone... or are they? This awesome 1971 Challenger R/T hits a lot of high notes and carries a very reasonable price tag considering that it's a documented, matching-numbers 383 car with factory A/C, performance axle, and a console. Yeah, it's pretty impressive.

This is a very correct car and someone noticed that before anyone had a chance to mess it up. The restoration used the original Chrysler Corporation Broadcast Sheet as a template and put it back exactly the way it was when it left the Hamtramck assembly plant (well, OK, it was probably restored with a lot more care than it received originally). The GB5 Bright Blue paint was replicated using two-stage urethane and it looks quite authentic, and I have to admit that this car without a Go-Wing or a vinyl top looks pretty darned awesome. A performance hood with pins, R/T stripes and those gills on the rear quarters all give it plenty of attitude without over-doing it. Chrome bumpers look awesome against the blue paint, and the blacked-out tail panel is a strong link to the great Mopar muscle cars of the past, proving that performance wasn't dead in 1971.

The black bucket seat interior is filled with options, suggesting that someone laid out a princely sum to take this big block E-body home in 1971. The interior is in excellent condition, with only the driver's seat showing minor signs of use. The woodgrained steering wheel, matching dash, and very cool center console all add some contrast to the all-black passenger compartment, and the list of options is extensive: factory A/C (recently serviced and converted to R134a), variable speed wipers, and a tachometer. The original Music Master AM radio with a rear speaker was dumped in favor of a modern AM/FM/CD/iPod head unit, but that's definitely an acceptable upgrade on a car that begs to be driven like this one. The dash pad is clean, the back seat looks unused, and even the carpets look fresh. In the trunk you'll find a correct mat, so it looks right.

The 383 cubic inch V8 is the original, numbers-matching powerplant and delivers the kind of effortless torque that is the whole reason you want a big block. Dominated by the big A/C compressor, the engine bay is very nicely detailed, from the Hemi Orange engine to the reproduction red cap battery. There's a receipt for $5000 worth of engine rebuild, and it includes an upgraded cam and Holley carburetor to help build a little extra horsepower (the original carb comes with the car). Backed by a 727 TorqueFlite 3-speed automatic, it's an effortless cruiser, especially with 3.91 gears in the 8.75-inch rear end, which replace the original 3.55s. A new dual exhaust system sounds appropriate and there's a new gas tank hanging out back. Factory Rallye wheels were on the build sheet, so they're on the car today wearing 225/70/14 BFGoodrich T/A radials.

Documents include the original Chrysler Corporation Broadcast Sheet, owner's manual, and warranty card.
Right now, this impressive Challenger offers the perfect blend of restored quality and careful use that makes it the ideal cruiser that you can drive regularly, yet still gets a top rating for investment quality. That doesn't happen very often. Call today!