How unusual! A 1971 Dodge Charger that is not a performance version and hasn’t been poorly twisted into a wanna-be muscle car. The seller tells us, “Selling my dad‘s car when my dad passed away. He left me a few cars that I am now posting for sale.” This is a standard, entry-level Charger that still shows well and possesses a decently powered V8 engine – and the $14,900 ask for an early seventies Mopar is refreshing too. Riverside, California, is where you’ll find this Dark Green Metallic coupe (my favorite color!), and it’s available here on craigslist. Thanks are due to Jack M. for this tip!
I guess the big news for ’71 was the Charger’s fuselage styled redo – a big departure from its uber successful ’68-’70 Coke bottle styling, a design that was further enhanced by its tunneled rear window. Charger came in several trim levels for ’71 besides this basic configuration, including the Super Bee (moved over from the Coronet), the 500, the SE, and, of course, the upscale performer known as the R/T. The radical restyle didn’t help with sales, however. Whereas the ’70 Charger mustered almost 50K copies, about half of 1969’s total, the new for ’71 edition saw that slip to about 46K units. Our subject car has a definite, understated appearance with its minimal use of stainless trim and doggie-bowl hubcaps. The black vinyl top, which is in nice shape, appears to be one of the few options selected for this Charger. Rust, so often the bane of cars from this era, doesn’t sound, or look, like it’s a problem, though the seller adds, “Has solid floors, straight body, has very minimal rust in the trunk area.” And that finish, in a shade I so admire, is claimed to be original.
The original orderer of this Charger decided to put a little more heat under the hood than the standard slant six and selected a 275 gross HP, 383 CI V8. It’s not exactly muscle car equipment, but it should still move this 3,500 lb. coupe with some alacrity. The seller states, “all original, engine starts and runs, would recommend to be gone through from sitting.” As is usually the case, a tried and true TorqueFlite three-speed automatic transmission handles gear-related matters.
Inside is where things come off the rails. The seats, dashpad, carpet, and door panels are a disaster! It’s hard to say what happened, weather, water, a bear, who knows, but the entire environment will need a complete redo. It’s surprising, as the interior’s condition is so incongruous with that of the exterior. The seller mentions that this Dodge has been in storage for ten years, so I guess the damage happened prior to that – or the storage wasn’t really storage.
Well, I was excited about this claimed 86 K-mile example until I caught a glimpse of its innards. Then again, interiors are certainly easier and cheaper to restore than having to perform a ton of metal fabrication. I’m on the fence with this Charger; what’s your thought, a diamond in the rough here?
Big block A/C car, other than the interior, looks to be a decent car for the money. If I was a MOPAR guy with ample storage, I would scoop it up.
From the pictures provided the rust under that vinyl top is going to be costly just how bad will need an in person inspection.
At least it isn’t to over priced like some Mopars and has a 383 withA/C. Yes it does need interior work but the outside looks pretty solid.
It looks like a good car for the money. It’s too bad his Dad didn’t buy a resale red one in 1969 or 1970, the value would be through the roof. The interior doesn’t look too bad beyond the drover’s seat. The rest of it may be good enough for a daily driver. Mopar interior parts came WAY down about 25/30 years ago when they became more popular. They’re still not Chevy prices.
The 383 should be a decent performer. When I turned 16 I used to drive my Mom’s 65 Dodge Coronet, 383 4V, Torqueflite, 3.23 Sure Grip car. I could hold my own against (most) 396 Chevelles, 400 GTO’s, I knew enough to stay away from 455 P/O/B and 427 Corvettes. Fords weren’t ever a problem.
Then I got a part time job and Dad got me a “vehicle.” It was a 2 door, stick shift, bucket seat “car.” Fortunately it was a 55 Willys wagon with the “big” 232 Super Hurricane 6 cylinder and 5.38 gears. At least I couldn’t get going over 55 MPH so I managed to survive high school in spite of myself.
Fords weren’t ever a problem, Yeah right ! i doubt Mom’s heavy weight Coronet pulled away from any 427 Fords, 428 CJ,s, 429 CJ,s especially no Super Cobra Jets, and I’m pretty sure little ole Boss 351 Mustangs would have there way with Mom’s Coronet also, keep on telling jokes.
Ahh, the homely years. A little better by 74. Does it come with that awful Chryser power steering? How about the awful Chrysler fit and finish? Squeaks and rattles were standard. Chevy made so much a better car in those years. Thank God for a decade later when the Japanese got serious in America, then real cars came to these shores.
I totally agree with you , awful look, awful fit , awful build and those horrible sounding starters
One warning about B-Body Mopars. I thought my 65 Balvedere was rust free before the local Mopar Man got it. There are rust areas that happen even in mostly dry climates.
The cowl area was never painted, if any water sat thee, it’s rusting. The inner fenders are lapped with spot welds. Eventually that unpainted area will rust.
There is a heater box under the dash that has a seal that likes to leak. It will dump anitfreeze onto the driver’s floor and rust things.
Trust me, been there, done that. Still have my 65 Belvedere, not going anywhere. Until summer.
The color combo is rare with this one and decently priced. A new interior would be the biggest focus, along with engine bay cleanup, aluminum radiator, headers and dual exhaust. Would have to go with a set of chrome Dodge rally rims and BF tires. I cannot get past those tiny wheels and dog dishes. Those fender openings are cavernous!
seems decent. body looks good but needs 4k in interior work. worth the time if you want this style charger
Nice charger for the money. A little bit of elbow grease and some one is going to have a nice car on the their hands.
Compared to the ’68 I just looked at this a steal!
Riddle me this…. How is the interior so horribly sun bleached out from the horribly cracked dash to the rear sea window panel and ALL of the seat tops, and yet be nearly spotless on the paint body and chrome?
I bought a 67 Coronet 2dht in San Antonio 30 years ago, 155 K miles, ran great. Interior about like this charger, but the exterior barely had paint. ZERO rust anywhere but perhaps several hundred Door knicks down each side. Bumpers were pretty as was all that interior Chrome of the day…. Lots of Chrome. If I remember right, the Dash Pad was good also . Must have been parked trunk into the sun or partial shade.
I have also seen a lot of 1968-1974 Chargers that that have a ton of rust and rust through on the roofs of these Chargers. Even without any closeup pictures on this car you can see the top bubbled out on the top and both sides. An area that should not betaken lightly.
A reasonable condition Charger at a reasonable price. Rip off the top, fix the roof (properly with no vinyl) and redo the interior. And J.O’D. I agree. The color all Mopars should wear!
Looks like 2 different cars with the outside looking really nice and the inside trashed.
Like this one a lot better than the rusted out gold one that was on a few days ago. Fair money amount .
I know some of you really dig the ” Cop dragnet “wheels and dog dish hubcaps, but a set of 15” Chrysler rally wheels silver and chrome would really wake this baby up in the looks department.
Along with adding dual exhaust!!
Not a bad price but, I’m allergic to green 😂