Dodge was the last U.S. automaker to get into the “pony car” market space, more than five years after Ford’s Mustang is credited with starting the craze. That entry, the Challenger, would be built for five model years and see total production of 165,000 units. This 1971 entry wears one of the rarer Chrysler “Hi-Impact” colors, Green Go (if original). It’s a running car that needs a lot of cosmetic work but had a 340 V8 added at one point. Located in Rancho Cucamonga, California, this Mopar is available here on eBay where the reserve is yet to be met at $5,700.
Chrysler developed a new platform, the E-Body, for the Dodge Challenger and Plymouth Barracuda to use beginning in 1970. The Challenger sales were strong right out the gate at nearly 77,000 units, but production dropped like a rock to 26,000 in 1971. That’s probably because the muscle car movement was quickly waning, and the Challenger and Barracuda were both closely aligned to that space. The seller’s coupe left the factory with a 318 cubic inch V8 and a 904 transmission but was later replaced with the mini powerhouse, the 340, and a 727 automatic transmission.
Challengers painted “Green Go” in 1971 were in the minority at 2.6% of overall production. That should work out to fewer than 700 cars, putting this in rare company given the potential number of survivors. A considerable amount of bodywork is going to be needed here, including the passenger side door which comes with a replacement. The front fender will also need replacing and there are dents and dents most everywhere else. And the floorboards have been bitten by the rust bug.
The interior is white, which is a nice contrast to the exterior color. We’re not sure how much work is going to be needed in the passenger compartment, but if it looks rough outside, the same is often true inside. We’re told the seller has bows for a new headliner and a new wheel opening molding set. The Dodge will come with a set of Rallye wheel and trim rings (which are not pictured). The odometer reading is below 37,000 miles. If that’s accurate, this car has had a tough life.
Okay, the color was a funky one from the factory. Interesting, but does it really matter? I can paint any car that color and if this one gets a repaint, it isn’t even original. I am so tired of people coming up with ways to pull money out of thin air at other idiots expense. Sooner or later someone down the line is going to pay. That I could care less about as they were idiots trying to get rich quick, serves them right, but it hurts the whole hobby in general. Does anyone really car how a car was equipped 50 years ago? All that matters is how it is equipped today. How it looks, how it runs, how much of a smile does it put on your face? Someone who likes 71 Dodges will drive this and likes it today, no matter how it was equipped in 1971. is still going to like it. Time to stop discussing “rarity”, it hurts those of us who appreciate cars, not investing.
“Does anyone really care how a car was equipped 50 years ago?”
Absolutely there are. If no one cared then an original Boss 429 Mustang would be worth the same as one with a 302. Or an original Hemi car would be worth the same as one with a 6 cylinder. Or an original LS6 Chevelle would be worth the same as one with a 350. Of course none of this is true. We all know that what the original equipment was on any given car will play a part in what that car is worth.
Whether you (or I or anyone else) like it vintage automobiles are collectible. And as with any other category of collectibles there are many variables that are used to determine their value. One of those variables is originality. Now how much that originality is worth will vary from one collector to the next but it most certainly will play a part in determining the value of any given car.
You are right that the fun factor is also a variable in determining value, but it certainly is not the only variable.
That is the kind of thinking that is driving the young people out of the hobby. Oh, you are gaining a few trust fund babies, but the rest are dropping away. The hobby dies with us.
Fred: The car hobby element for the average American only exists at the low end of car values these days, say around 10k or less; the rest is unaffordable. Many articles about investing in old cars plus Barrett Jackson Auctions televised plus Hagerty’s & other Pricing Guides (based on a low number of auctioned cars) have driven prices up for most locally sold old cars. Also people seeing Resto-mod prices & thinking their car or relatives car with cragars & a chrome dressed-up engine is worth close to that!
$10,200 now, but reserve still not met. Mighty rough.
I had a 1970 Lime Green Challenger 440 auto white interior, at the time car people were trying to trade for what ever they got their hands on . I traded the Challenger for a 1970 Cutlas W-30 I kinda wish I had them both oh to be young again
Ahhhhh, the one piece door panels . Chrysler Corp. engineering at it’s finest …
Kind of what everyone seems to be doing these days ???