1971 Dodge Challenger

1971 Dodge Challenger R/T Hardtop Introduced in 1970 to compete directly with the Mustang and Camaro, the mid size car was produced in numerous variations totalling about 77,000 units. The following year, less than 30,000 were sold. In addition to Challengers, Dodge was producing other performance oriented cars, often equipped with the now legendary Hemi engines and some of the most collectable cars in the specialty market are Mopars from the late 60's and early 70's.  For consignment, a 1971 Dodge Challenger R/T hardtop showing 56,995 miles, but the true miles are unknown. Equipped with a numbers matching 440ci V8 with a six pack, it's one of just 250 produced with that configuration, one of 121 with an automatic transmission, and one of 141 '71 Challenger R/T's with the shaker hood option.  Exterior A design so good and beloved, it was recreated in the third generation modern iteration of the legend, with a short tail, long nose, and compact cabin. Our example is dressed in triple black with the body in two stage paint under a vinyl roof and accentuated by white R/T longitudinal stripes in classic 70's font. The black shaker hood rises like a pair of snorkels and advertises what's under the hood while surrounded by an upturned, wind grabbing lip. Rear quarter ducts are subtle in black, but there's no mistaking the rear wing which looms over the narrow tail lights and muscular quad exhaust tips. Up front, quad headlights are inset with the rib lined grille, set back from the chrome bumper and body overhang. F60-15 polyglas tires ride the Mopar Rally wheels. Imperfections include an uneven gap a scratch in the white stripe, inconsistency in the grain vinyl where it meets the window trim, a scuff and a drop of hardened clear on the side ducts, some unevenness and surface rust in door jamb, and bubbling on the lower surface of rear fender. Interior Black plastic molded doors are dressed up with woodgrain inserts and window crank handles and both appear nicely preserved. High black vinyl bucket seats are also in fantastic condition and the back bench, with a slight rise in the middle to delineate to two seats, appears fresh. There is slight and expected patina on the woodgrain rim of the steering wheels which leads to more wood surrounding the instrument cluster which is equipped with a tachometer and clock along with standard gauges. Vent levers are to the left and some of the silver lettering has faded, while an AM/FM radio is to the right with a recorder mounted under the dash. From there, the box was checked for a wood panel in the center console which houses a short T-shifter, your rather subtle connection to big power. Black loop carpet on the floor, perforated black headliner and shoulder belts above, and a trunk lined with a vinyl mat completes our overview of this clean interior. We note specks of surface rust under that vinyl mat in the trunk, but nothing of alarm.  Drivetrain And now for what makes this car especially special, a lift of holy hood reveals the numbers matching 440ci V8 rated at 390 horsepower and fueled by the famed six-pack. It is backed by an A727 Torqueflite 3-speed automatic transmission that routes power to the Dana 60 rear end with 4.10 gears and Sure Grip. The bay presents in clean, original configuration.  Undercarriage Clean, driver quality conditions await underneath and it's also dry with no errant fluids. Here we have dual exhaust through stock style mufflers and resonators and power brakes set up as front disc and rear drum. Suspension consists of beefy torsion bars up front and heavy duty leaf springs in back. We do note a tear in the rear unibody from being tied down for transport along with some straightening repair to the right front unibody rail.  Drive-Ability With Sure Grip and 390 horses on hand, it would be no problem doing a burnout, if it was our car that is! But it's not and so we baby this rare car around the test loop, listening to that subtle ru