Confidence is a wonderful trait that is admirable. The seller demonstrates it with this 1971 Dodge Charger SE, inviting anyone performing an in-person inspection to bring a magnet. They believe there is no better way to explain its solid nature and lack of Bondo, with that approach suggesting they have nothing to hide. There is more to this classic than meets the eye because its engine bay houses a healthy 383ci V8, and its interior presents nicely. However, the icing on the cake could be their decision to list the Charger here on eBay with No Reserve. It is located in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, and the action has pushed the price to $19,300.
Dodge introduced its Third Generation Charger in 1971, ditching the previous Coke-bottle look for “Fuselage” styling. It marked a significant change, and I am willing to stick out my neck and say that I don’t like it as much as its predecessor. That view is subjective, and plenty of enthusiasts undoubtedly feel entirely different. The seller describes this car’s Hemi Orange paint as a “10-footer,” suggesting it looks better from slightly further away. I’ll take that further because the Fender Tag image in the supplied photos confirms it isn’t the original shade. It indicates the original owner ordered it in Dark Bronze. Microscopic examination of the images seems to confirm this, although it appears the transformation was completed to a high standard. The panels are straight, and the glass is spotless. However, the seller’s magnet invitation doesn’t seem hollow because the photos confirm that every square inch of this car is rock-sold and rust-free. The chrome presents well, and the SE rolls on a tidy set of Rallye wheels.
The seller believes the 383ci V8 powering this Charger is numbers-matching. It should send 275hp and 374 ft/lbs of torque to the road via a three-speed A-727 automatic transmission. That wasn’t the most potent combination offered in 1971, but it met the needs of and satisfied most owners. The engine bay presents well, and it doesn’t flatter to deceive. The seller indicates the engine comes to life at the first turn of the key and that the car runs and drives perfectly. It has no mechanical needs or issues and should provide its new owner with immediate classic motoring pleasure.
Opening the Charger’s doors reveals an interior that presents as nicely as the rest of the car. It is trimmed in Black, with Rally gauges, a factory tach, sports wheel, console, lashings of woodgrain, and air conditioning. Close inspection will probably reveal minor imperfections, but this interior has no apparent needs. The upholstered surfaces aren’t worn or damaged, the carpet and headliner are excellent, and the same is true of the dash and console. The only aftermarket addition is a CD player mounted below the dash. This approach is wise because it leaves the factory radio intact and means the dash is unmodified. The A/C blows ice-cold courtesy of a new compressor, making life on the road pretty pleasant.
It’s hypothetical time. This 1971 Charger SE has attracted thirty-five bids, and the listing has almost a week left. That leaves scope for the total and price to climb significantly, and I suspect it will. What would be your expectations if you were the seller? If it doesn’t reach that figure as the end nears, would you be tempted to submit a sneaky bid to become its new owner? I won’t be surprised if one of you says yes.
These are such good looking cars. Love the loop bumpers, half vinyl roof and tuff wheel. Could do without the wing. The pluses far outweigh the minuses.
Yeah, we’re tired of tacked-on wings and spoilers… lose it.
Some Mopars of that vintage (Chargers,Road Runners,Demons,etc.) came with a spoiler(a.k.a. the “Go Wing”) as an option. Sometimes you have the fender tag or broadcast sheet to be sure.
There’s a red rocker switch on the console. What does that control?
Is it a rocker switch or a little courtesy light so you can find whatever you lost in the big catch-all that is the console? Idk, ask Mr Worman… But whatever it is, it sure looks like there was, at some point, another one just forward of it. WOW, super nice car, and so far, it doesn’t look like the seller has watched a lot of BJ… Shhh! Don’t tell them! He’s going to get a nice chunk of change for this car, as he rightfully should, but he’s not pretending that it’s gold plated, diamond encrusted, and the most sought after one on the planet, and that everyone looking at it is a millionaire. Good for him! But I’ll be danged if I would part with this car, were it in my garage…
If it’s a 383 magnum the hp should be 300 bhp and 250 net not 275 hp. 340 was 275 hp. I had a 71 Road Runner with the 383 RR engine. Great car and fast but not as fast as my 67 RT 440 magnum if course. Had a cousin who bought a new 71 Charger RT 440. Top Banana Yellow with black top. Kool car.
WOW! A rather decent Mopar that doesn’t look like it was brought up from the Andrea Doria and priced in the ionosphere. Hope it finds a good home but yes the spoiler needs to go.
If you got hood pins you need a spoiler to hold down the back that’s hotrod 101 guys!
I remember when daisy Duke got one of these in yellow and black and thinking if this is the new charger I think I’ll stick with general … definitely did not like the new look . If any model could have followed the 68-69 they should have made it the challenger and gave the new fuselage a new name like the boeing humpback maybe. The style has grown on me a bit since then and I’d even own one just because they are pretty bad ass muscle with a 440 by today’s cars average washing machine style And I pretty much like all cars built before computers were put into them with the exception of just a few lemons
Daisy Duke didn’t have a Charger, she had a Roadrunner, the the white Jeep
*Then, not the
I always find it odd that I love the 69 Charger, and not the fuselage ones. BUT I prefer the refreshed Road Runner to the late 60s one. Something about the Plymouth version of this body shape works.
Maybe bc before 1971 the Charger was unique, not just a spiced up Coronet. RR shared everything with the Bellvdere as an entry level package. Charger was a premium car up until 1971.
I’ve always thought this car would have been so sexy in a convertible version. Those sweeping fuselage lines in a drop-top…
Yeah a 71 se did not come with a wing but it could have been a option Plymouth made that body style better by adding the rally sport hood but you could have got a se with the rally sport package.
I find it interesting that with the cars cleanliness that the exhaust manifolds and the brake m
I find it interesting that with the cars cleanliness that the exhaust manifolds and the brake master are rusty and crusty.
Seems a craigslist rebuild was in order elsewhere so why not those components?
I have owned a 72 and 74 Charger, and this is a nice car that brings back great memories. My only negative comment about this car is the lack of the OEM exhaust tips which always were a great touch for the losers behind the car to look at…LOL
$30,999.00. Sizeable chunk of change. Had a 71 but mine only had the 318. Good driver but slower than mud. I’m guessing this one looked like mine when factory. Don’t remember the real name but dark brown metallic with a black vinyl top. Big fat 50’s on back and 60’s on front with highly polished aluminum slotted wheels. Man it looked great. To bad the motor didn’t match.