Vehicle Description
Chrysler B-bodies continue to be red-hot collectables, and this
1971 Challenger 500 is a very cool piece of muscle that will get
respect everywhere it goes. What else do you need besides that
great shape, some bright white paint, and a Go-Wing out back? Well,
how about a big block V8 engine, a beautiful original interior,
and, of course, a relatively reasonable price tag compared to a
pedigree car.
Mopars were still the kings of the street in 1971 and while the
rest of the industry was busy getting ready for new emissions
rules, the guys at Dodge went against the crowd and continued
building legitimate V8-powered muscle. This Challenger certainly
looks the part, with bright white paint and correct reproduction
stripes that were the perfect early-70s accent. Finding one of
these that hasn't been eaten by the dreaded tin worm is getting
tougher all the time, so they made sure they did it justice by
getting excellent panel gaps and flat surfaces that reflect
distortion-free images. They also added a correct "Ramcharger" hood
with functional Air Grabber scoop, a satin black Go-Wing on the
deck lid, and a full set of satin black decals. Add in a set of
Thrush side pipes, a chin spoiler, and a body-colored grille, and
this is a car that will definitely get some attention at the local
cruise night. There's also a black vinyl top that fits well and
really works well with the swoopy fuselage styling, and there's no
sign of problems underneath.
A mostly original black interior tells you all you need to know
about the level of preservation in this car. It's all in excellent
shape, including the seats, which were re-covered not too long ago.
The rest appears original. A factory Tuff Wheel looks cool framing
the gauges, all of which are clear and brightly marked, including a
factory tach. It's as beautifully finished inside as it is outside,
and the preservation shows everywhere you look, from the discreet
T-handle shifter to the woodgrained appliques on the dash and
console that are still in good condition. It's got factory A/C,
which is backed by modern hardware behind the scenes, and there's a
period-correct FM/8-track head unit under the dash. The trunk has
been outfitted with a correct mat and there's a surprising amount
of room back there.
This car was born with a 383, so that's what's in there today,
although the block itself was borrowed from a 1970 Super Bee. In
the interest of performance, there are a few upgrades like a Holley
4-barrel carburetor, but they didn't get too radical. Correct
decals, a functional ram air assembly, factory exhaust manifolds,
and a big radiator up front complete the list of desirable
features. There's also a set of gold valve covers that are period
Moroso units. The chassis is tidy, with clean floors, satin black
hardware, and that cool side-exit exhaust system. A TorqueFlite
3-speed automatic transmission feeds an 8.75-inch rear end full of
3.55 gears and a Sure Grip limited slip, so it's punchy but not
obnoxious on the road. And if you like the period look, dig those
vintage Super Stock tires on American Racing Western wheels (you
should probably replace them if you're going to do a lot of
driving, however).
Unusual, fast, and surprisingly affordable, this is the Mopar
muscle car of tomorrow. Get in today while they're still under the
radar. Call now!
