Supposing this 1971 Dodge Challenger R/T didn’t have such an interesting background, it would still make a bold statement just sitting there wearing Chrysler’s High Impact Plum Crazy paint even if there wasn’t a great story to go along with it. But its presence is only the beginning here, and if you’ve been looking for an E-Body that ticked lots of the right boxes from the factory and then went on to establish a few more strong credentials in later years, this might be the one for you! The Dodge is currently residing in Pompano Beach, Florida, and can be spotted here on eBay, where 29 bids have taken the price up to $44,744 already but that’s still short of reserve.
Some of the history we learn about this Challenger is impressive, including that it was once owned by a famous musician, though the seller doesn’t mention who. I’m curious if any of our Mopar fans who may be reading this might recognize the car and know which alleged famous virtuoso once called it theirs. Next in line is none other than Craig Jackson, CEO and Chairman of Barrett Jackson, and if that’s not enough credibility there’s also documentation from Galien Govier and Dave Wise telling us this is a real-deal numbers-matching example.
The fender tag is still present and shows this one left the factory with some impressive equipment, including the 440 Six Pack (E87) which is the original block here making around 390 horses with those 6 barrels right out the door from your Dodge dealer in ’71. The seller states the big block has excellent oil pressure and tons of power, and that the factory 727 TorqueFlite shifts great.
Another fun choice was Chrysler’s FC7 paint, known as Plum Crazy for the Dodge cars, and In Violet over at Plymouth. The Challenger presents beautifully on the outside, so good in fact that it was chosen to make a visit to Hugh’s home for the Mopars At The Playboy Mansion 2006 event, plus the car has also been featured in several magazines. There’s even a matching Barrett-Jackson matchbox car modeled after this Challenger R/T, to add even more bragging rights for the next owner.
Open the doors and just about everything inside looks just as good as out, with bucket seats and a console plus a couple of nice interior options such as the pedal dress-up trim pieces (J41) and 3-speed wipers (J25). We also get to see some photos from underneath, which appear to be just as solid as the above areas and I always appreciate it when details are in place down below such as replicating the factory markings on the rear-end cover. I’ve been a Challenger and Cuda fan since I was a kid, and this one would for sure be among my dream E-Bodies to own. How about you?
Sharp six-pak Mopar
Pert near priceless, being about the last of it’s kind. Only thing better would be a Hemi. But this one is an excellent second choice.
This car has so many style features that somehow work together. Big chrome hood trim, white stripes, black vinyl top, wild paint color. It should be a hot mess, yet it is gorgeous. Can’t begin to predict where this will wind up on price, 6 figures?
Should be 6 figures with prices what they are for these. Appears to be very well represented with its numbers matching body, and drive train. In FC7 Plum Crazy exterior paint and the last year for serious HP, this 1971 Challenger RT is backed up by the Mopar gurus for its authenticity. Only thing cooler IMO would have been code N96 for a shaker hood. Probably a reserve not met at the end but over 100k to own it.
IMO, that optional thick chrome nosepiece hinders the looks, rather than improves it. Was that available on barracuda too & for both cars only in ’71?
Can’t say i ever seen that option in the flesh.
If the car was a 318 or slant 6 in need of restoration, i probably would replace it with the std delicate thin front chrome trim.
The six pack actually had 390 horsepower, not the 375 horsepower for a 440 4 barrel.
Many thanks, Tenspeed, for the HP clarification!
Spent some time in NY too apparently by the registration and inspection stickers on the windshield. Nice car.
Being a native Californian, I’ve never heard of Pompano Beach, California…Florida, yes…?
The other day I made a comment on how this lifelong GM guy would have gladly parked a Ford Torino in my garage.
Now we have a perfect example of one of the Mopar’s that would join it!
Some great cars on BF’s lately.
A little Googling reveals that this one (no surprise) is a perennial auction car.
Last sold for $118,250 at Mecum Kissimmee 2023.
Thank you Mike Stephens for getting the name of the paint color right. I’ve heard mark worman and other so called experts call it plum crazy purple.
My only brand new car I ever bought off the show room floor was this 71 Plumb Crazy Challenger in 1970. Had to sell the car cuz I lost my job after a drag racing ticket cost me my license, and it was one of the few times I wasn’t even racing, just watching. The cop filled his quota that night! Of course the judge didn’t even want to hear my side, he just said “$500.. and loose your license for a year.” The only lesson they taught this 19 year old was “DON’T TRUST THE LAW!”
“Don’t trust the law”. What a moronic statement. If what you’re saying is true (you were “just watching” – which I’d bet is a boldfaced lie), consider getting whacked with that ticket for drag racing your comeuppance for all the times you raced but DIDN’T get caught and ticketed. Glad you had to sell the car, cuz a chump of such caliber doesn’t deserve a car like that. No go tell your about how you were done dirty by Johnny Law walking.
Nice car
They should have made up a story about it being a “legendary street racer” that snuck out at night and annihilated the competition. “The Purple Ghost”…it would bring two-million dollars or more, LOL!!!