We see quite a few E-Bodies here on Barn Finds, everything from over-restored better than new ‘Cudas that you’d be afraid of driving to Challengers that make you feel like you need a tetanus shot after looking at them. And of course some average offerings and driver quality vehicles. But it’s not that often that a one lady owner Challenger with 27,000 original miles crosses our path. Add a convertible top, factory Plum Crazy paint color, original paperwork, original keys plus a host of other goodies then it becomes seldom if ever! If you have been in the market for a well cared for survivor E-Body, this 1971 Dodge Challenger Convertible may be a good car for you. It is located in Glendale, Arizona, and can be found here on eBay with a little over 9 days left on the auction. Bidding is already up to $28,600 at the time of this writing and the reserve has not yet been met.
The story goes that this car has only had one female owner since new and that the lady chose the color Plum Crazy for her Challenger. Sure enough, the fender tag reads FC7, the factory code for this High Impact color offered by Dodge. Decoding the fender tag reveals that this Mopar came from the factory with several options, many of which are obvious but a few that may be harder to notice, such as 3-speed wipers (J25), pedal dress-up (J41), power windows (P31), front stone shield moldings (M42) and a lot more. So this is a pretty well-loaded Challenger.
The tag also reads E44 and D31, indicating a 318 cubic inch V-8 engine and a 3-speed automatic transmission respectively. The 318 did produce 230 horsepower in 1971, and the console does have the Slap-Stick shifter, and while it may pale in comparison to some of Chrysler’s other drivetrain offerings it does make for a dependable combo that’s fun to drive. This Challenger has only traveled 27,000 miles and has had just one repaint, which the husband said it didn’t really need.
Looking around this Challenger, it’s really hard to find much to fault inside or out. Even the trunk still has its original mat and spare tire cover. The seller says the body is straight as an arrow with excellent factory gaps and no patchwork. The car is said to always start properly and run and drive wonderfully. Everything is stated to work as it should, except for the clock and the A/C could use charging.
With the long list of factory options, one owner, low mileage, Plum Crazy paint, survivor status, and exceptional condition, it’s just hard for me to even guess how much some optimistic buyer is going to be willing to pay for this car. On the downside, it does have the 318, but if that engine was gone it wouldn’t still be a numbers matching Challenger. What are your thoughts on this 1971 Dodge Challenger Convertible? Any ideas on what you think it will sell for?
Beautiful. Who needs a hemi anyway? It’s far beyond my means. Some fortunate soul will be driving this gem home.
God bless America
Unfortunately, anyone who can afford this car will plop in a big block of some type, which is too bad, far too many regular cars sacrificed. Love everything about this car, though never liked purple, they had many great shades of blue though.
It might be a 318, but being the last year for the cvt., the right correct color, plenty of options, etc. I’d guesstimate this clean beauty might bring something north of $60K. If I’m off, it isn’t by much. Not every Challenger can be a Hemi ya know.
$41,300 as of Noon 8/7. I’d say you made a very good guesstimate!
Strange that it has the wrong shifter handle, 1970 should have the round stick with ball, not the T handle.
It’s a 1971 — the author of the post made a typo in the headline.
Whoops, I sure did! Thanks for noticing, it now reads correctly as a ’71.
The shifter handle is correct, and would have been even if this had been a ’70 Challenger. The 1970 model year brought the Hurst Pistol Grip shifter to four speed B and E bodies, and the Slap Stik to floor shift automatics in those same models. Slap Stik cars all have the “T” shift handle.
Not quite, 1970 E body had a short round stick with a ball and button on top, one year only.
The woodgrain ball returned for 1974. It’s shown in both the brochures and the parts manual. I’ve yet to encounter a factory T-handle ’74, but I’ve seen a bunch of swaps.
I believe we’ve seen this one before. But I don’t care as I love Challengers. Still no closer to being able to afford it though.
Good eye, TimS, on June 29th it was a ’71!
Fully loaded(tho not sure if you could get a tach with 318 – or 225 for that matter), yet – again – no cruise control? – with all that wide open space in Arizona? – especially in 1971!
Cruise ctrl very rare also on hanging-from-the trees 1st gen camaros. I don’t get it. Troublesome option ? Left off/hard to spot on the order sheet? Salesman was unaware?
Tach? Yes, for the standard dash, you could get a small one that sat on the far right where a clock might otherwise be. In 1970, you could even get a pistol grip 4 speed with the great 318, not sure about 1971. 71 is my favorite year for these, not 70.
Awesome! Forget it not having a Hemi. It’s still original and thst carries a lot of clout in my mind. If I were the original owner I would keep it and pass it on to my grandson at my death. Congrats to the soon to be new owner.
Prob needs the cash for “luxury” things like bread. Being old in America is not what it used to be.
Beautiful car, I love these non muscle cars loaded with options, a/c and my favorite, power windows. If I had the money this would be a must own, I don’t have the money.
Hot pants and white go-go boots are all that is missing. Love it. A dream car.
Wait a minute, Jay. Original owner? Hot pants and white go-go boots? Maybe her granddaughter with those on, but let’s not push granny.
Unmolested original 70-71 Challengers of any breedhave become such a treat. I once acquired a ’70 convert with the slant-six, 3-on the tree and bench seat from the original owner school teacher in Southern California. Miraculously, still in their original boxes in the garage rafters above the car, was the dealer-installed scat-pak. Her tale was that it was installed when she purchased the car, but the gas mileage was so horrendous, she immediately had all its components removed at the first warranty service. She didn’t discover, until weeks later that the mechanic had been nice enough to box everything up for for her and store them in the trunk.
I too love early cars 60s and 70s loaded with options, love the color combo too, the 318, well if I was buying it to keep, I’d put it on the shelf for a nice 383, or at the least a 340, but I love this car and wish I could afford it
$42,100 Reserve not met. I hope it sells.
The owner(s) are probably so emotionally attached to the car that they set a very high reserve that won’t be met. I’m guessing $50k.
Beautiful. Someone is getting a very nice car with reliable 318. Keep your Hemi. You can drive this on pump gas.