I decided to review this 1971 Dodge Challenger convertible for two reasons. First, it’s a non-muscle version of a Mopar muscle car, the type that is often ignored because of its more commonplace bearing. And second, because it’s a convertible, a rare Challenger body style that was only offered for two model years and is infrequently encountered. This one of only 2,100 examples produced in ’71 is located in Derby, New York and is available, here on eBay for a current bid of $15,100 with the reserve not yet met. There is a BIN price of $32,750 available too.
When Dodge’s entry into the pony car market occurred in 1970, there was a convertible Challenger offered but only about 4,100 of the total production of 76,000 were so configured. Things got precipitously worse for ’71 with total Challenger output dropping 65% to a total of only 27K copies. While the convertible’s fall-off wasn’t as steep, about 49%, it’s not a surprise that the drop-top got dropped.
The seller tells us, “This 1971 Dodge Challenger has had a road-ready restoration, not a rotisserie restoration. It has rust! Previous owner replaced trunk pan, right frame rail, rear left floor patch, and one front right floor patch“. Well the admittance of rust, not a surprise, is refreshing on the part of the seller. And as proof of his claim, the above image shows the deteriorated condition of the passenger-side quarter panel (new patch panels included). The paint is claimed to be mostly original and it shows as being fair but most of the listing images are clipped and not very revealing. What can be seen of the folding top yields no surprises, it’s supposed to be new, and of note, are the R/T installed side vents, deck spoiler, and swapped hood.
As is typically found in non-performance Challenger models, this one is sporting a 230 gross HP, 318 CI V8 engine coupled to a three-speed automatic transmission. The seller states, “Starts right up and idles very nice. It is not the original engine” and further adds that it runs exceptionally well and may have been rebuilt. It looks stock except for the dual-inlet air cleaner. Other mechanical improvements include a new gas tank, brakes, and suspension bushings.
The interior of this car may be its strongest suit. The upholstery and carpet are new, the instrument panel gauges are clear, and the dash pad is unmarred. Interestingly, the original bucket seats were swapped for the current bench – that’s a change that usually goes in the reverse direction.
The seller suggests, “Ready for full restoration or drive as is“. Yes, that’s a possibility but that quarter-panel rust really needs attention. Obviously, a good deal has been done to this car but there’s more to still do, and some additional information about the engine and its condition would be helpful. A Challenger convertible is a tough find no doubt, but is this example, as it sits, a $32K find?
Sad it doesn’t have original engine. Cuts worth down a lot.
If you’re buying it as a commodity to resell, sure. If you just want a Challenger convertible then who cares what’s under the hood?
Where does it say “not original engine”?
“Starts right up and idles very nice. It is not the original engine.”
I’m thinking it’s a bit overpriced, however it is a convertible and has a V8. Could be an interesting automobile.
I would be happy to get that for mine. The one I have still sports all it’s original sheet metal. I put a 440 in my unit years ago but like said above wrong engine equals junk and that’s the way of the big buck car world. I’ll ride mine until I’m gone and then it to can go off to the recycler. I like the tan with green combo better than mine. Nice cars to look at, a bit rattlely and quality and build are behind the other big two IMO.
Touche’ Mr. Chris well said. I put a 454 HO in my 74 Vette, a not so popular year, that I will also drive until I drop. Then who knows – BUT I HAVE BEEN HAVING A BLAST.
I also like the green and tan combo
Still one of best looking car designs ever. The fact you could get them with killers engines didn’t hurt either. Agree, neat car, but rust usually doesn’t cost that much.
You must mean rusty cars don’t cost as much to buy as non rusty cars as compared to the cost of repairing a rusty car which will cost you plenty. There is always some economic loss involved depending on which side of the transaction you are on. Yes I am belaboring the point and you may accuse me of being a didactic tool as well this Mothers Day, your choice. Have you called your Mother today, bobhess?
First Challanger I’ve ever seen with a column shifter, never knew there was such a thing. Nice car without the astronomical price.
These were just old cars when I was coming of age. As a pre-teen on a bicycle in the late 1970s, I looked into the window of every parked Challenger and Barracuda I could. I remember seeing one with buckets, console, and a column shifter. The area where the shifter should have been was a blank plate with woodgrain instead of the plate with a hole for the shifter. If it was not factory, someone did an amazing job of making it look factory.
32 k would be a fair price for an original numbers matching rust free example. A project car with non original motor? Maybe 20k tops
It’s been here before with a lower buy it now price. I almost traded my convertible challenger and cash for it but the transport costs both ways and the fact that it needed nearly as much work as mine deterred me. I can see by the reinforcement plates under the floor it was a bucket seat car.
Its not a 340, 383, 440, 440/6 or Hemi car. Whether or not the 318 is original or not is like saying the 307 Nova that had its engine replaced is worth less. Its a daily driver for nice weather, nothing more
I think it’s funny that some people think that Dodge entered the pony car wars in 1970, so what do you call the Dart, in 1963 the Dart was a pony car, no muscle but a pony by 1967 it had some muscle and by 1968 it was the baddest car on the market even if for just a few just saying!
Funny? A Pony Car is traditionally identified as a 2+2 with a long hood and short deck – something a C-class (compact) Dart wasn’t.
ChryCo was first to the domestic party, however, though barely, with the Barracuda.
JO
The Dart was classed as a compact . Pony cars for the most part weren’t even classed as “muscle cars” ,in fact many had only six cylinders in them .
Uff
I can’t make out the badging on the R/T hood.
Nice looking car. It’s not a Corvette so I don’t think the non-matching numbers thing is a problem with it, especially since it’s a small engine model. If I had been shopping for a Challenger in 1971 I would not have chosen green with tan interior, but now I really like it. I also like the bench seat with fold down armrest better than the original buckets too. I think you could buy this car and make improvements as you drive and enjoy it as long as you wanted to, and then probably get most or all of your investment back.
The drop top challengers usually bring considerably more than the C3 Corvettes of this era, I watch both religiously.
Sorry but with the body mods it really needs buckets and a center console with the floor shift. All in all great start to a very nice hot rod.
The 1963/1966 Dart has the long hood and short trunk lid, and could have been bought with a V8
a V8 in any car doesn’t make it a Pony car , and the Dart from the A post forward and C post back are about the same length . A Pony cars hood /trunk size is noticeably different
Nice looking and rare, but the spoiler just doesn’t look good with the drop top. And why do folks mess up a great looking car with a rub strip? I’d rather have door dings!
Maybe the center bench type seat was added because the original owner had a child they wanted to ride in the middle. Same with the column shift. I’d do it as long as I had seat belts in the middle.