Vehicle Description
1971 Dodge Challenger R/T
For 1971, planners looked at the 1970 sales and simplified the
range slightly, otherwise largely leaving Challenger and Barracuda
intact. They added in the 340 V8, a lightweight but powerful engine
that gave serious performance without hurting agility; with the 340
in the line, the U-code 440 four-barrel was dropped. The 383 was
detuned to 300hp and was only available with the R/T; and the 440
Six-Pack was now 5hp lower.
The visible changes for were switching from a single tail lamp
design in 1970 to two distinct lights in 1971; and using a new
twin-inlet grille, painted silver on standard models and black on
R/Ts, which also got fiberglass quarter-panel louvers.
The slow-selling ragtop R/T was not available, but a few savvy
buyers optioned 340 non-R/T hardtops and ragtops with the Go-Wing,
Shaker, Rallye Gauge Cluster, and the side stripes that mimicked
the R/T versions. The 1971 340 R/T, like 1970's A40 340 performance
Challengers (often badged as R/Ts), had a tachometer with a higher
redline than their big block brethren. By the same token, you could
order a 340 R/T look-alike with a shaker and a go-wing, and most of
the R/T paraphernalia, without the higher insurance premiums.
The 1971 SE's back window grew to normal size. The Challenger
Deputy, a low-cost version with fixed rear side glass and a 198
slant six, joined the base, SE, and R/T models.
1971 Dodge Challenger pace car sales were dramatically lower in
1971, despite being the Indy 500 pace car - or perhaps because the
pace car crashed into the press box. Production was a mere 30,000
units or so, and the R/T - again, the only car to feature the 383
and 440 - sold just 4,630 units.
The writing was clearly on the wall; the older Charger was easily
outselling Challenger, as was Dart Swinger (which cleared 100,000
units in 1971). Over at Plymouth, they sold over 14,000 Road
Runners - a dress-up and performance-enhancement package on top of
the standard Satellite - as well as 173,592 Dusters (not including
12,886 Duster 340s and over 48,000 similar Scamps). Plymouth wasn't
doing much better with their version of the Challenger, a
shorter-wheelbase design called the Barracuda: for 1971, they sold
fewer than 20,000 of the cars.
VIN# JS23V1B253274
Broadcast sheet sequence # 253274
Build date 12/18/1970
Delivered to Dodge Main, Hamtramck, Michigan
Original Broadcast sheet included
Options:
Special RT
440 CID, 390 HP, 3x2 barrel carburetors, 8 cylinder
Heavy duty automatic transmission
Black exterior color
Vinyl black bucket seats
Full door panels
Full black vinyl top
Super Track Pack with 4.10 ratio
Power brakes
Console with woodgrain panel
Tinted glass
Left hand remote racing mirror
3 speed wipers
Locking gas gap
Dual exhaust
Chrome exhaust tips
Tachometer
Fresh air hood
AM Radio with Dictaphone cassette player (1of 4 built that way for
Chrysler executives)
26" radiator
Owner states engine matching number, transmission not matching.
Restored to original condition.
Rear spoiler added to original build specification.
An amazing automobile that was obviously ordered for performance.
No disappointments and ready to be added to your collection.
Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special
interest automobile showroom, featuring over 100 vehicles for sale
with showroom space for up to 1,000 vehicles. A 450 barn find
collection is currently on display.
This vehicle is in our showroom in Morgantown, Pennsylvania,
conveniently located just 1-hour west of Philadelphia on the I-76
Pennsylvania Turnpike. The website is www.classicautomall.com and
our phone number is (888) 227-0914. Please contact us anytime for
more information or to come see the vehicle in person.
