Hidden away in this garage is a classic that offers two tempting opportunities for prospective buyers. This 1971 Dodge Challenger is a solid vehicle that should make a rewarding and straightforward restoration project. Adding to its appeal, the drivetrain configuration offers the possibility of an entertaining driving experience for those enthusiasts on a reasonably limited budget. Most of its rust issues have been consigned to the pages of history, leaving the next owner with the prospect of tackling some easy tasks before applying a fresh coat of paint. Located in Anderson, California, you will find the Challenger listed for sale here on eBay. The bidding currently sits at $11,470, although this figure falls short of the reserve.

I’m going to go out on a limb and state that I think that the First Generation Challengers, along with its Barracuda cousin, are the best-looking Mopar products of all time. Some readers may not agree with me, but the proportions between the overall vehicle height and width endow the Challenger with a muscular appearance that looks like it is doing 100mph while parked at the curb. I believe that this Challenger may have spent most of its life in California, which would help explain its lack of significant rust. The seller has already addressed issues in the rear quarter panels, the front driver’s floor, and the usual spot around the back window. The one remaining area is the trunk pan, and with reproduction pans selling for around $400, eliminating the last remnants of its corrosion issues would be pretty affordable. A few minor panel blemishes require attention, but fixing these before applying a fresh coat of attractive Dark Gold paint shouldn’t present a challenge. The owner indicates that the car needs a new Gold vinyl top, although some buyers not fussed about originality may choose to eliminate this to remove one potential future rust trap. The chrome looks acceptable for a driver-quality classic, while the glass shows no evidence of significant defects.

If I am disappointed about one aspect of this seller’s listing, it is his decision not to include any interior shots. This isn’t because it sounds like it is immaculate, but because it appears to be nicely equipped. The original owner outfitted this classic with bucket seats trimmed in Gold, a console with faux woodgrain highlights, Rallye gauges with a tachometer, a roof console, and an AM radio. The owner states that the headliner is missing, although the roof console bezel is intact. It needs some interior work, so the buyer may be facing a re-trim. However, it appears that the optional extras are intact, allowing the buyer to return the interior to its former glory.

While it may not possess the sheer earth-shattering performance potential of a 440 or Hemi, the 340ci V8 that calls this Challenger’s engine bay home is no wimp. Producing 275hp, the power finds its way through a four-speed manual transmission and a 3.23 Sure Grip rear end to Planet Earth. The original owner also ticked the boxes beside power steering and power brakes on the Order Form. It may be stretching credibility to class this Challenger as a genuine muscle car, but its ability to produce a 15-second ¼-mile ET is respectable. Sadly, the 340 under this Dodge’s hood isn’t original, although it appears that the transmission and rear end are. The seller has recently installed a new carburetor, fuel tank, battery, and front tires. He says that the V8 runs well, but the brakes need some TLC before the car is considered roadworthy. With its general lack of significant rust, it appears that potential buyers could address the brake issues and indulge in some classic motoring during the upcoming summer. Returning the car to its former glory would represent a pleasant way to while away the time when the weather turns bleak once again.

We’ve seen some good project cars over the past decade at Barn Finds, and some seem better than others. I would rate this 1971 Challenger in the upper end of the group because it seems to be a pretty straightforward proposition. It offers a world of choices for potential buyers. Those on a tight budget could perform a faithful restoration, while enthusiasts with more cash at their disposal might update its drivetrain to create a potent muscle car tribute. Dodge produced 27,377 examples of the Challenger in 1971. The most common was the V8-equipped Hardtop, with 18,956 cars rolling off the line. That doesn’t make this the rarest car on the planet, although when you consider that the United States set a new car sales record of 10,155,411 passenger cars for that model year, the Challenger sales total rates as barely a blip on the automotive radar. I generally favor faithful restorations in cases like this, but I would understand their approach if the next owner chose to bolt a more potent drivetrain under this Dodge. If you were to find it in your garage, what path would you follow?