This 1971 Dodge Challenger Convertible is a mystery machine. The company only produced 1,857 drop-top variants in that model year, making it a relatively rare beast. However, there could be more to this classic than meets the eye. It is a fairly solid and complete vehicle, making it an ideal candidate for a faithful restoration. That task awaits a new owner, with the seller listing the Dodge here on eBay in Greensboro, North Carolina. They set their BIN at $32,500, although there is the option to make an offer.
Dodge introduced its First Generation Challenger in 1970, with the new model sharing the E-Body platform with the Plymouth Barracuda. In my opinion, the result was one of the best-looking ranges to emerge during the 1970s. Our feature Convertible rolled off the line in 1971, with the seller expressing the belief the original owner placed a Special Order for a triple-white paint and trim package. That sounds conceivable, but there is a slight mystery that deserves careful investigation. The seller includes this photo of a Fender Tag, and its stamping is fascinating. It shows the words “Body in White” and “Special Order.” Various online resources suggest the body may have been delivered as a bare shell to someone for racing purposes or that it rolled off the line destined to become a law enforcement patrol car. The seller also floats the possibility Chrysler commissioned the vehicle for part of “The Chrysler Team,” but my research didn’t uncover any information on the subject. They also raise the possibility that this car could be genuinely unique, adding to its potential value if its history is confirmed. It will be fascinating to gauge reader feedback to see if some of our knowledgeable Barn Finders can enlighten us all. There must be a second Fender Tag because the seller indicates that items like the rear spoiler and hood are original. The car requires total restoration, but the buyer starts that process with a candidate claimed to be 95% rust-free. The included shots reveal minor rust in the floors and trunk pan, but the impression is generally favorable. Some trim pieces require restoration or replacement, but the glass appears okay. The seller includes a parts collection, and wading through this might reduce the shopping list considerably.
First impressions are the interior seems to support the seller’s belief that this Challenger featured a triple-white paint and trim combination. However, scrutinizing the included images suggests the door trims have received a color change, with Black emerging in various locations. The factory radio and carpet are missing, but the vital components required to regain its lost youth are intact. The dash, pad, and console look okay, suggesting a simple retrim is all that is necessary for a high-end result. The original owner ticked some desirable boxes on the Order Form, equipping this Challenger with air conditioning, cruise control, and a remote trunk release.
Lifting the hood reveals a 318ci V8 that sent its power to an 8¾” rear end via a three-speed TorqueFlite transmission. The seller indicates the car rolled off the line with power assistance for the steering and brakes, but some vital components for both systems are missing. They believe the engine is original and in good condition, although it wears a different carburetor and cosmetic enhancements. The V8 would have produced 230hp and 320 ft/lbs of torque in its prime, and while falling short of genuine muscle car performance, burying the right foot would have satisfied most owners. The listing suggests coaxing the 318 back to life may not be difficult, but if the Challenger has sat for years, other items will require attention before it could be considered genuinely roadworthy. However, the indications are the news is generally favorable.
Dodge only produced 1,857 examples of the Challenger Convertible in 1971, but with a tally of 1,323, the 318ci V8 was the popular choice among buyers. This Dodge may have a fascinating history, and while coy, the seller suggests they may hold further information confirming its history and “1-of-1” status. That could have a significant positive impact on its potential value, but how profound that is will depend on what is revealed. The prospect is intriguing, but would you contact this approachable seller to pursue it further? It will be fascinating to learn the results if you do.
Sounds like a job for Mark Worman (“Graveyard Cars”).
This is the most disturbing listing I have ever read. This car needs the Ghoul Chief before anything is done to it. If there isn’t a law aghainst trading fender tags there should be. I ghuarantee steam would be coming out of Worman’s ears within 10 minutes of looking at it. Without a fender tag, any MOPAR is unsellable.
Nice car, but I don’t know of any law enforcement units or race car organizations that would use a convertible for their operations. I do remember you could order almost anything you wanted in the ’70s, my example the ’72 240-Z ordered with AC, upgraded radio, and a whole line of colors.
Some extraordinary claims are being made on behalf of this care in the face of so much showing that it isn’t what the owner is making it out to be(color change for the door trims, missing PS amd power brake parts, nonstock carb for that year and model of 318, missing blower motor and heater core, etc, plus the possibility of other things that we Don’t know about), so extraordinary proof is going to be needed to back those claims up. Is possible that it IS what the owner is claiming it is? Of course, anything is possible but some things are a lot less likely than others. The chance of this being a special 1-of-1 is really remote but the chance that it was thrown together with parts from several different vehicles becasue This particular vehicle was used as a parts doner is simply more likely and more believable, especialy since the owner is an obvious MOPAR fan and has and has at least one and possibly more B Bodies in the backround of the photos.
Hard pass on this one without any serious documentation to back that 1-of-1 claim up.
I have to agree that some of the claims that the seller is making seem far fetched. I can’t imagine a law enforcement agency ordering a convertible anything. I do recall some convertible drag cars back in the day, although I always questioned why.
Still it’s relatively solid and mostly complete. I wonder why the data plate is missing, but that’s not really the end of the world. Actually that could be a plus as you can pretty much make the car what you want W/O really affecting the value of the car. I think with pieces missing the asking price might be a bit high, but it is a 1st Gen Challenger and those are bringing some ridiculous prices. If the car was complete, maybe even though it needs a full restoration. It is a Dodge Challenger Convertible, somewhat of a rarity in the automotive world. It has much potential. I would suggest that whoever does purchase this car, don’t try to turn it into a 1971 Challenger R/T Hemi Convertible. Chrysler never built a 71 Hemi Challenger Convertible and there are enough fake ones out there already, and at some outrageous prices to boot.
If I could swing this, I would just warm the 318 up a little more and enjoy the car as a cruiser. Have the body brought back up to snuff, refresh the mechanicals and enjoy it, driving it sparingly during nice weather. It’s never going to be a super high value car because it’s not a 340 or 383 car. Being there are no real 1971 Challenger R/T Convertibles it wouldn’t be even close to correct with a Hemi or 440 Six Pack.
Buy it, do a presentable not over the top restoration and enjoy it.
Nash Bridges? :)
Think one of those Chargers in background was on BF recently
I don’t ever recall seeing tufted seats in a 71 Mopar. Trunk pan appears salvageable but not sure on floor pans. Nasty cut in driver door sheetmetal.
Claims has all the removed parts like the heater box and trim, but would need a inventory. I don’t get statements like ” engine should be OK”. Instead of speculating, really how much effort does it take to get a battery, some jumper cables, check the oil, and pour a little gas down the carb and start it? The final gem is he “reserves the right to keep the fender tag”…
Hello planet earth!!
I’d bet good money that this was used as a parts doner for some of the other hundred cars mentioned in the add and that misc parts were being sold off here and there(why else would something like the widow retractors and windows be in the back seat?). It’s also rather amazing to see soo much serious rot on the car(like the trunk and floor boards that you mentioned) when the car when the add claims that it’s “95% rust free”. And the one thing that Might make the car something out of the ordinary, namely that special fender tag, is the one item that the seller reserves the right to keep,…
Every time I take another look at this beast I see another red light, there’s just too much strange S*** going on with this that simply doesn’t add up: Buyer Beware!
Good poing on the 95% rust free . . .. Start blasting that car and yoiu’d be shocked at how little you’d have left. I see weeks of rust repair.
I’m with you! Why would he want to keep such a vital piece of documentation as the fender tag? That just degrades the value for the next owner, if any. Frankly, selling the car without the fender tag is a deal breaker, IMHO. What is the seller hiding that he wants to keep it? Is the car stolen? I wouldn’t want to find out the hard way after being charged with “Receiving Stolen Property”, LOL!
Well, maybe he kept that fender tag from the last one he sold????
That is not THE fender tag.
Is that a “Reverse” light between the ash tray and the glove box? This car has a strange set of options with a 318 and a rear sway bar, other luxuries but the low-end dash, etc. Also, why is the special order fender tag black when the car was white? I agree that this owner is going to have to provide more proof of this car’s specialness before I would buy it.
Roland, I think I remember that some stick shift cars had the reverse light under the dash and could only be started in reverse with the clutch depressed. I still have one of those lights, NOS, in my parts collection. Switched it from the sherwood street parts warehouse back in the late 70’s when I worked there. My dad brought home an orange 440 six pack air grabber charger back in the heyday and it had this feature. He worked at Highland Park and sometimes they had access to some really cool stuff to drive for a day or two. Another time it was a T/A challenger and a friend of mine swore he saw my pop with all 4 wheels off the ground flying over a hump on a local road known as a drag racing spot. Those were the days!
Snitched, not switched, shame on me.
Chasbro, as I have a 4-speed convertible, you don’t put it in any gear.
Just depress the clutch, which I don’t like because I always made sure when I turned it off, it was in neutral.
I also do not like the key buzzer crap.
Must be a huge amount of people to need these dumb features.
Anyone remember having to move a car with the starter? Can’t do that with the clutch depressed.
Looks like it’s a seat belt light to me.
BINGO!
Do you have that reverse light in your car? When I got my 71, the key buzzer was deactivated, unfortunately the relay for the horn is also the buzzer and it was removed. Didn’t figure it out till I went to use the horn. Almost ordered a new horn relay then found the removed relay in the ashtray. Horn now works but I don’t like that key buzzer either.
“Body in White” means it was an engineering vehicle. It does not mean that it was a prototype for sure, but could have been in the shop getting fitted with a new part that had just experienced an engineering change revision level.
Engineering had to pull the vehicle into the shop to test something.
Knew someone who had one like this back in 79 only his was triple black. It was all original back then and the interior looked exactly like this one as far as the pattern went. This one does look a little suspect though with the white coming off the door panels. Could be a real nice car with the right amount of money but I’m guessing you would be into it what it’s worth so doing it for profit is a stretch. Still would like to see it done.
Whats up with the alt, / a.c. belt ??
This is a long shot but Dodge had a “Good Guys Wear White” campaign and some Dodge dealers hired attractive blondes wearing all white (mini-skirts, Stetson hats, Go-go boots) to appear in TV commercials and automotive events. The car, as equipped, would sound about right for this sort of use.
Never seen an add like that here but I Did see the adds that Dodge ran for the early ’70s sport truck package called “The Dude”(tough guy Don Knots was the spokesman for the add!) and the local versions of the add Did feature Cow girls in miniskirts, 10 gallon hats etc: so your suggestion Does make sense, lot more than claiming that this Challanger is some kind of special one off to be honest,..
i can buy a fender tag off ebay too, lol what a joke
Is it me, or is the rear wing spoiler mounted backwards ?
Holy S***, I never caught that: the mounting brakets are supposed to be swept to the Rear of the car, not the front like this example,…
Just one more read light indicating that nothing on this car is what it appears to be.
I was thinking the same thing!
Sure is. In addition to that it is a 1970 style spoiler. Identical to the one on my 70 GTX. The claim that it is original to the car is a little tough to swallow.
Black tag on a white car with incorrect screws? No.
Isn’t Galen Govier still around? He could document the car correctly.
Don’t count on it. I like Galen, he has a lot of information at his disposal, and he’s certainly made a name as a Mopar guru, but he ‘documented’ a car that I built once and made several errors. Sometimes there’s just no way to know if a car or feature is legit or not.
Wow, almost everything in this ad sounds off. I don’t know on what planet this car is 95% rust free! It’s closer to a basket case than a complete vehicle. I agree that I’ve never seen seats like that in a challenger. I own a very nice 71 convertible so I am encouraged by the asking price but I think the seller is having a very vivid dream about the condition of this car. It has rust almost everywhere on it, and it is literally in pieces and not all the pieces are present. I wish them luck but I think they are delusional about the condition of the thing. One man’s trash is another man’s treasure.
Wow, this one has SO Many more Red Flags than Nascar. My view is the seller is highly suspect. 95% rust free?, engine Should be okay? 1 picture without the spoiler but in the other photos, and like someone mentioned it appears to be installed backwards. The sellers listing screams of something wrong, buy buy buy. It’s a pass.
If you purchased a body-in-white back then I wonder how much of it was actually painted. This one looks like some of it was never actually painted at all judging by the rust in the trunk and under the body and rear subframe. I have many questions about this one but I won’t be bidding so not a big concern for me. I just got into the conversation to be able to get email updates.
This is very unusual as typically:
1. Body in white were exactly that, a body in primer. period. most went straight to the acid dipper for racing purposes.
2. BIW’s typically did not have a VIN that I know of but this one does- that decodes as a Challenger, High price class, Convert Coupe, 318, Hamtramck MI plant.
3. Am I the only one to notice in the trunk pics that the QP on the drivers side seems to have been replaced.
4. The lamp on the dash could be a seat belt light that came with a premium belt option, but it typically used the same hole as a reverse light for a manual and it is the wrong height, it should be just about center of the glove box door for the ones I’ve seen.
5. It looks like this could have had an optional cassette / recorder based on the mounting holes on the front of the console.
6. The rear sway bar was an individual option and could be orig.
7. The car had cruise control, see the turn signal stalk.
8. I don’t recall ever seeing button tufted seats in a challenger, but who knows what you could back door if you were a dealer.
Up front, I’m not THE MoPar authority, but as a MoPar restorer and collector over the last 30 years I’ve seen waaay too many fraud cars and enough here to be cautious, and at the least ask for a build sheet, picture proof of the stamped VINs on the various other body parts i.e. core support, inside the cowl, rear package tray, convertible cross brace, rear body behind the bumper and some under the weather strip in the trunk drip area.
On the other hand this could have been a highly optioned car for some factory purpose that has lost most of the highly sought after parts over time. As it sits its a bit on an enigma- a mash up of premium and plain old coupe parts without documentation.
Were I inclined to pursue this particular car for anything other that what is laying there, I’d certainly engage a MoPar professional for authentication before taking the plunge at this price.
Dodge built more ragtops than is being touted. Research, folks!
“Body in white” typically refers to a vehicle body used for testing. Probably snuck out of the lab into someone’s garage in the 70s. Then assembled with whatever they could source??