Hiding in this garage is a driving project candidate that will appeal to enthusiasts focused more on outright performance than spotless originality. The seller has transformed a humble 1971 Dodge Challenger into an R/T Tribute with a rebuilt 440ci V8 under the hood. The remaining drivetrain components are equally impressive. They feel that while it can be enjoyed in its current form, the winning bidder will probably treat the panels and paint to the TLC which would lift it to a higher level. The Challenger is located in Cuero, Texas, and is listed here on eBay. Bidding sits below the reserve at $15,100 with time remaining for interested parties to throw their hats into the ring.

The history of this Challenger is unclear beyond the fact that we know it isn’t a genuine R/T. It is unclear whether the first owner ordered it in Hemi Orange, or if it underwent a color change. The car is presentable if the buyer wishes to use it in its current form. However, the paint’s lack of gloss and a few visible minor panel imperfections will probably motivate the buyer to perform a cosmetic refresh. The process will probably be straightforward because the worst rust issue is confined to the trunk pan. There are a few minor spots externally, but none justify panel replacement. The trim and glass are acceptable for a driver-grade build, while the Challenger sits on 15″ Rallye wheels wrapped in new tires.

This Challenger had fairly humble roots, with its first owner ordering it with a 225ci six, teamed with a three-speed manual transmission. The engine’s 145hp and 215 ft/lbs of torque provided respectable performance, but would never cut the mustard in an R/T Tribute. Therefore, every aspect of this classic’s drivetrain came in for attention to create a genuinely powerful beast. The freshly rebuilt 440ci V8 features a steel crank, an upgraded intake and carburetor, and headers. It feeds its power to a four-speed manual transmission and a 3.54 Dana Sure Grip rear end. This engine generated 375hp and 482 ft/lbs of torque in its prime, and it is fair to expect that the mechanical enhancements may have unleashed a few additional ponies. Therefore, a sub-14-second ¼-mile ET is a realistic expectation. The seller indicates that they replaced the fuel tank, pump, and battery. They rebuilt the brake calipers and installed new pads. They say that it runs and drives well, but they haven’t submitted it to any long journeys since the work ended.

The Challenger’s interior continues the “tidy driver” theme, trimmed in Black vinyl. It has no glaring faults, but is it also unlikely to win many show trophies. A close inspection will undoubtedly reveal small imperfections beyond the deterioration visible on the faux woodgrain. However, the lack of splits, rips, and broken plastic means it would remain serviceable in its current form for many years. The first owner ordered this classic with air conditioning, although I can’t spot any engine bay components in the included photos. The Challenger also features purposeful items like a Rallye gauge cluster, a factory tachometer, and a pistol grip shifter.

This 1971 Dodge Challenger isn’t the real deal, but the sale price will probably reflect that when the hammer falls. If it was a genuine R/T ordered to this car’s mechanical specifications, I would expect the price to fall around the $50,000 mark, even with its cosmetic and rust repair needs. However, I suspect the final figure will be lower, but are you prepared to stick out your neck and hazard a guess? It will be fascinating to see if any Barn Finds readers can hit the nail on the head.