By 1971, the clock was ticking on the American muscle car. Rising fuel and insurance costs began to take their toll, and the specter of tightening emission regulations virtually sealed their fate. By the mid-1970s, genuine high-performance models seemed a distant memory. Today, those cars are highly-coveted, and when one appears from hiding, it can generate real interest amongst die-hard enthusiasts. That is the case with this 1971 Dodge Charger R/T. It has been sitting in a barn for years, but it recently emerged as a solid vehicle that is a prime candidate for restoration. It is listed here on eBay in Lake Villa, Illinois. Bidding has raced past the reserve and sits at $7,600.

Dodge introduced its Third Generation Charger in 1971, but the sales figures graphically demonstrated the mountain it faced with its muscle car models. In 1970, 10,337 buyers were willing to part with their hard-earned cash to park a Charger R/T in their driveway. Wind the clock forward twelve months, and that figure plummeted to 3,118 cars. Considering the model year was one of record American new car sales, the Charger R/T represented a drop in the ocean. It is unclear how long this White 1971 R/T spent sitting in a barn, but it seems to have survived surprisingly well. The paint is tired, and the panels carry a selection of dings and dents, but the lack of rust issues could be its greatest attribute as a project. The panels, particularly the vulnerable lower extremities, look pretty solid. However, it’s diving under the car that produces the best news. There’s plenty of surface corrosion that the buyer will undoubtedly wish to address, but the trunk pan and rear frame rails are rock-solid. We receive no information on the floor pans, but the indications look promising. Most of the trim and glass is present, although the door glass and taillights are missing. Sourcing replacements shouldn’t be difficult and would represent a minor expense as part of a high-end restoration.

The seller supplies no engine photos and doesn’t indicate whether this Charger is numbers-matching. However, it is 1-of-2,172 R/Ts built in 1971 featuring a 440ci 4-barrel V8 backed by a three-speed TorqueFlite transmission. Technically that made it the least potent offering within the R/T range, but it didn’t mean it was an automotive wimp. In good health, the 370hp churned out by the 440 would have allowed this classic to storm the ¼ mile in 14.5 seconds before winding its way to 131mph. The seller indicates that the engine and transmission are present, but not whether they are original. We also receive no information on their condition, but since the car has been sitting for years, factoring rebuild costs for both into the restoration budget would be wise.

The Charger’s interior retains most of its original components, although it is missing a few minor handles and other hard trim pieces. It features bucket seats and a console, although it is unclear whether the original owner equipped it with any optional extras. The interior is well past its best, requiring a total restoration. From a positive perspective, most of the hardware, like the seat frames, are salvageable. The shopping list will be long, and the buyer may opt to shortcut it by spending $2,000 on a high-quality trim kit. That would contain almost everything required to return the inside of this classic to its former glory.

While ongoing development in areas like fuel injection and electronic engine management systems means that modern cars provide better performance and lower emissions than older models, it is undeniable that the internal combustion engine faces significant future challenges. Hybrids are now selling in greater numbers than at any time in motoring history, and many manufacturers are contemplating a future exclusively confined to zero-emission vehicles. The day will come when you can no longer walk into a new car showroom and drive away in a “traditional” muscle car. However, fuel supplies should remain plentiful for decades to keep these cars in active service. It also means that preserving these classics takes on an added significance if they aren’t to fade into the pages of history. This 1971 Charger R/T has generated enough interest to suggest that will happen, but are you willing to join the bidding party to ensure that suggestion becomes a guarantee?