Hemi Drop-Top! 1971 Dodge Challenger

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The Dodge Challenger arrived on the scene in 1970, the last of the “pony cars” to come to market. It ran for five years until demand for the Challenger (and the similar Plymouth Barracuda) had run its course. This ’71 Challenger convertible is from the second and last year a drop-top was offered in the Dodge. It has a 426 cubic inch Hemi under the hood, which replaced the original 318 V8 some time back. It looks like a beautiful car, perhaps better than it could have been built when new.

Dodge produced nearly 77,000 Challengers in 1970, so its prospects were high. But sales dropped to one-third that number the next year as the muscle car stigma associated with the car drew high insurance premiums (plus the pony car market was well-saturated). This convertible is one of just 1,230 assembled with the 318 V8 (and a TorqueFlite) and we can’t determine how many (if any) had a Hemi from the factory in that engine’s last production year. The car now sports a crate 426 that’s rated at 485 horsepower (instead of 425) with a 5-speed automatic, overdrive transmission.

We’re told this Challenger collects prizes wherever it goes. We don’t know how long ago the car was restored and turned into a restomod, but the odometer only reads 40,000 miles. To accommodate the heavier engine, we’re told the Dodge now has a QA1 front suspension, power disc brakes, and a Slap-Stick shifter for the upgraded transmission. All the Rallye gauges in the dash work as they should. The B5 blue paint looks great, as does the white interior and matching power top. R/T stripes have been added, but this was not an R/T car when built (they came with a 383 V8 as standard).

The seller says the body on this vehicle was solid before all the work was done. The car clicks down the highway nicely, running at just 1,800 rpm at 62 mph. The seller has too many cars and surgery on the calendar, so this sweet ride needs to go. Located in Northbridge, Massachusetts, it can be found here on eBay. Brisk bidding stands at $68,100, and the reserve is unmet. But you can take it home now for $86,000. Could this have been a 1 on 1 car had it been built this way 53 years ago?

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Comments

  1. Mitchell G.Member

    Needs a Shaker change my mind

    Like 5
    • Jay McCarthy

      I actually like it a little better with the R/T hood

      Like 2
  2. Jeff

    Looks like a nice transplant and grocery getter…

    Its a perfect candidate for a slant six transplant 😙

    Good luck with sale…

    I do like the Hemi ….

    Like 2
  3. PL

    Someone discovered a cowl section for a hemi convertible a few years back on a first nation’s reserve… we wonder if that’s a complete car now…

    Like 0
    • Steve R

      I remember seeing that on the Cars in Barns Canada website, it’s picture was followed by another of a Challenger sitting on a turnstile at an indoor car show. If I remember, the VIN was clearly visible, if that’s the case the car would be well known in collecting circles.

      Steve R

      Like 2
  4. MoparMike

    For 1971 the convertible was no longer available as a R/T and the N code 383 topped off the list for engine options in Challenger convertibles. If this were mine the Hemi would get transferred into a hardtop backed by 4.10 gears and replaced with a mildly modified 340 then drive it like there’s no tomorrow weather permitting.

    Like 4
  5. CCFisher

    We do know how many Hemi Challenger convertibles were built for 1971: zero. The R/T convertible was not offered in 1971. It seems to have been a last-minute decision, as the convertible illustrated on the back page of the 1971 Challenger brochure has R/T stripes, minus the R/T letters.

    Like 0
  6. Nelson C

    Probably not real, but really fine. Like when your least likely to score type of buddy shows up with the hottest date for the dance. Built for speed not for comfort.

    Like 0
    • Harry

      The ad clearly stated it’s a clone. Originally a 318 car.

      Like 0
  7. Greg G

    Nice modified Challenger but at 86k l’d try to find me a decent TA .

    Like 5
  8. Rick

    I’ll take mine in Nash Bridges yellow, please.

    Like 3
  9. TCOPPS TCOPPSMember

    I think it would be fairly imperative to install some additional support brackets to stabilize the driveline. I can imagine there being significant body flex to this convertible when going light to light.

    Like 0
  10. PRA4SNW PRA4SNWMember

    SOLD for $74,900.

    Like 0

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