The third generation Dodge Chargers seem to not be as well appreciated as the second generation cars, but the 1971-1974 cars still have great looks and power. This 1971 model has a factory equipped 440 big block, and is in original condition minus a recent repaint. Very well taken care of and ready to light the tires, this Charger is currently bid up to $15,855 with the reserve not met. Find it here on ebay out of Grand Rapids, Michigan.
The massive heart of this beast is a 440 cubic inch V8 that produces 370 horsepower and 480 foot pounds of torque. That massive power is transmitted through a 727 Torqueflite automatic transmission. Described as original, the engine and bay are very tidy, with no obvious signs of surface rust or even dirt. The mileage is listed as being 112,000 miles which isn’t too high for a car of this vintage. With this big power comes big comfort as this Charger is equipped with air conditioning. As of recently the car also received a great deal of maintenance including brakes, suspension, exhaust, and more. This big block beauty likely drives like new.
Looking inside of this bright orange machine shows a museum worthy interior that is factory original to this car. Virtually spotless and flaw free, this interior has aged very gracefully. Although the seller mentions it hardly shows signs of wear, indicating that there may be some very minor wear present that is not visible from the images. Before being repainted this Charger was carefully taken care of in a private car collection and it certainly shows.
At a glance you would think this Charger was an extremely low mileage survivor, or that it was completely restored. Instead this car has been repainted and it has really made this car phenomenal. Sprayed in its original color, the stripes were also replaced making the car authentic and correct. Although appearing perfect the seller says the paint is “near perfect, and well done” but from looking at the photos it appears perfect. In beautiful condition this may easily be one of the nicest big block 3rd generation Chargers out there. With a big heart and an excellent condition interior and exterior, what do you predict this Dodge will sell for?
The back of the back seat looks like cousin’s !
I like the 69 SS parked in front of it!
With a dealer repping it the reserve is probably nuts. Since its been repainted, I wouldn’t call it “original”.though it is painted in the original color. Let the debate begin!
Man, next to a hemi, this is the cat’s meow for a 71 Charger. RT to boot. No wonder it is already north if 30K (reserve not met). I really dig the color combo. Love the interior. I am a dog dish guy also, and have these on my 69 Coronet. This car has all the right box’s checked except for the pistol grip 4-Speed. Nice find. I will be watching to see what crazy number it brings.
Man, have any of you guys ever actually driven a big block Mopar? I mean, on the street, not on the drag strip? They handle abysmally This car would be so much nicer with a 340, esp. around a curve. Better yet, a four barrel 318 with dual exhausts, a rare factory option as I recall, that one would make your wife happy with the price and your insurance agent (back in the day at least), too.. Maybe its because I am closing in on retirement age, or maybe I’m just an old fart at heart, heck I don’t know, I just think a car should be an all around performer, not just in a straight line. Also, I am old enough to remember many a crashed one like this that an inexperienced driver met his demise. These are almost as bad as driving a rear engine 911, of course people are ape crazy about those too, so what do I know? Of note, as my old man refused to allow me to buy anything but a slant six or small block in our Mopar loving family, I am still here to tell the tale.
Hey billy, if you’re willing to veer from factory, Hotchkiss makes superior front & rear sway bars that GREATLY increases big block B-bodies ability to turn. My 69 RT Charger handles about as good as my WRX does now.
Hey Rspcharger, thats pretty cool. Might be a game changer. Might have to look into that for my Mirada.
IMO… The wheels should be orange too.
Got a ’71 Chrysler New Yorker 440 in my old ’41 Dodge pickup. What a horse. Last really good year…forged steel crank & real power. In ’72 the engines were re rated but also most American manufacturers began the emissions castration process which went on for decades. I prefer the look of the earlier Charges too, but this one ain’t bad. :-) Terry J
I didn’t know restovivor was a thing….
It’s only original once!
I can appreciate the care this car has received by its ownership over the years and really appreciate the 112K mile honesty. From a mileage perspective, this car is a 1000 times better than that 68 Riveria with “30K miles” on it in that recent post. Heck this car is that much better even with an honest 130K miles on that Riv. All comes down to people caring or not.
JW – you’re right – kick the price right along
“The third generation Dodge Chargers seem to not be as well appreciated as the second generation cars….”
And rightfully so. This is a body style that only a mother could love. Some styles grow on me over time, this one never will.
Dave
I think they greatly improved by 73 or maybe 74 when the rear seat window areas were restyled. A lot of people liked those screwy vinyl opera window thingies with the slats of the 74s, but I like them open so the full glory of that window could be seen. Those Chargers had long hoods and short rear decks, said to me, “American Iron!”. Had a buddy with a 74 with a slant six! Okay, I know I have openly here shown my love for the mother of all engines, but even I thought that combo was not quite up to snuff. How rare would that be today? He sold it 40 years ago so I do not know how that story played out. Most of those cars went from rust to crushed, as it was a K-member hassle to switch to an eight. Would sure like to have that brown beauty back today, quite the conversation started at the car shows.
I’m 70, willie. The statement about the big three didn’t make sense to me. I can’t remember any “small block” V8s from any US mfgr in the same size car being able to “run away” from a 440 Charger. Sure, Boss 302s and some Camaros, but anything else? I don’t remember it. But, like I said, I’m 70, so maybe my memory’s failed.
Man, you have to admit, Dodge made some bad a$$ looking cars. Not that crap they slapped a “R/T” badge on later. This is what a real R/T was, although, there is some merit to what billy sez, the only “track” this car is at home at, is the drag strip. They were beasts to try and drive sedately. This an awesome car. America at it’s finest,,,,muscle car wise, anyway. Sadly, it wouldn’t last long. End of an era right here.( give or take a year or 2)
Back in the day these were such posers. The were lucky to run 16’s in the 1/4 and we didn’t think of them much as a “muscle” car, but rather as a slug with graphics. They were just too big. A small block car from the big three would embarrass it.
The “Big Three” being…?
You are joking, right? Just how old are you? GM, Chrysler, and Ford…but I assume you know that. Are you a fan of Kenosha, Wisconsin, or maybe South Bend , Indiana, or where ever?
Nice mopar, I worked with a guy years ago that had a 71 r/t copper with white int. All original and a 440 pistol grip 4spd and the hideaway headlights. Big car but still a hot mopar from the day. I wonder if Paul (resin head!!) still has it. He knew it was rare even in the early 2000 s
My kind of muscle car ! I’ve never seen one so well equipped, especially with power windows, and factory cassette player on the trans console. As a family car, we had one of these in Charger 500 guise. I really like the cloth inserts in the bucket seats, also.
There was a period and time when I couldn’t stand this body style. That period has passed.
what a tank! I didnt care for these but these are iconic nostalgia today, LOVE the color!
My buddy had this same year Charger w 383mag engine in late 70’s. I had a new 77TA w 400cid. At low speeds around town and backroads, I could lose him pretty easy. The charger handled like a boat in water. From a dead stop on a drag, it would take him almost the entire quarter mile to catch & pass me. He would roar past while my TA was out of breath. From a rolling start at ~60mph, he could blow my doors off.