The Dodge Challenger entered its second year of production in 1971, continuing to wear the low 'Coke Body' profile with full-width scoop-like grille, dual round headlights, and raised rear fenders introduced in 1970. Minor styling updates were made to the grille and taillight treatment, but the 225 cubic-inch Slant Six (the coupes were equipped with the 198 CID Slant Six) remained the standard engine.

Dodge had been the final company to release a completely new model for the muscle car market, more than five years after the first Mustang was released, yet the E-Body Challenger R/T made a formidable name for itself. The Challenger was one of two E-Body Chrysler cars, the other being the slightly smaller Plymouth Barracuda. Just like the Barracuda, the Challenger was offered in a plethora of trim and option levels and with nearly every engine within the Chrysler arsenal. Using a similar formula to the Ford and Chevrolet, the Challenger was based on a stretched, compact Dart platform (the Dart wheelbase was 110-inches and the Challenger was an inch longer). Body styles included a coupe, hardtop, and convertible with prices of $2725, $2,850, and $3,100 respectively in 1971. The R/T was offered solely as a hardtop, priced at $3,275. 1971 was the final year that Dodge built a factory convertible, until the mid-1980s. It was also the final year for the Hemi engine, and approximately 71 or 72 Challengers were equipped with the engine in 1971 (59 were four-speed cars and 12 had the TorqueFlite).

Dodge's winged Daytona was effectively banned by NASCAR in 1969, and as a result, Dodge withdrew much of their factory backing of stock car racing. They earned twenty-two Grand National victories in 1969, seventeen in 1970, and eight the following year. 1971 was the final year for the 'Hemi' V8 in street trim or racing form, mostly due to astronomical insurance premiums on high-performance cars and Federal regulations for 1972 requiring all cars to run on regular gasoline. Rather than sacrifice performance, Chrysler decided to retire it as a winner.

The Hemi 'Cudas came from the factory with a Shaker hood, but the Hemi Challenger did not include a shaker hood as standard but was part of the options list. It is estimated that fewer than a dozen cars were fitted with a Shaker hood.

R/T models included high-back bucket seats, heavy-duty drum brakes, an R/T handling package and Rallye suspension, Rallye instrument cluster with simulated woodgrain trim, and G70x14 raised white letter tires. They were equipped with the 383 CID four-barrel V8 engine, variable speed wipers, and bodyside tape stripe. The Hemi option added a staggering $892 to the bottom line, partly responsible for the low production numbers.

Thirty-one examples of the Challenger R/T received the factory-authorized sunroof conversion, with the work performed by a professional contracting service prior to final shipment to the originating dealer.

The standard equipment installed in the 1971 Challenger included dome and parking brake/brake system warning lights, front foam seat cushion, three-spoke steering wheel with simulated woodgrain and padded hub, glovebox with rotary latch (the convertibles had a locking feature), ventless side windows, cigarette lighter in all body styles except the coupe, and front and rear side armrests and ashtrays. There were color-keyed carpeting, bucket seats, outside left manual mirror, an electric windshield washer, and concealed two-speed wipers.

the 198 cubic-inch Slant-6 had overhead valves, solid valve lifters, a one-barrel carburetor, four-main bearings, and delivered 125 horsepower at 4,000 RPM. The 225 Slant Six had similar components including the one-barrel carburetor but delivered 145 horsepower at 4,000 RPM. Eight-cylinder engine options included the 318 CID V8 with a Carter 'Thermo-Quad' four-barrel carburetor and delivering 275 horsepower at 5,600 RPM. The 360 CID V8 used a two-barrel carburetor and delivered 255 horsepower at 4,400 RPM. The 383 CID delivered 275 hp with the two-barrel setup and 300 with the four-barrel carburetor. The 440 Magnum V8 produced 370 hp, the 440 'Six-Pack' with three Holley two-barrel carburetors delivered 385 horsepower, and the range-topping 428 'Street Hemi' with hemispherical combustion chambers, two Carter AFB four-barrel carburetors, and 10.25:1 compression, produced 425 horsepower at 5,600 RPM.

A three-speed manual transmission was standard on all Challengers, with the TorqueFlite automatic or four-speed manual transmissions optional. The standard Challengers rode on 7.35 x 14 tubeless black sidewall tires while the R/T models received F70-14 belted black sidewalls with raised white letters.

The combined coupe and hardtop Challenger body style production were 23,008 units, plus an additional 2,165 convertibles. With the 4,630 Challenger R/T models, Dodge built a total of 29,803 Challengers in 1971. Approximately 27,900 of those were equipped with eight-cylinder engines, with approximately 75 percent of the eight-cylinder engines being the standard 318 CID unit.

Increasing pressure from insurance companies and new federal safety regulations resulted in a drastic reduction in the options list for 1972. All of the big-block engines were absent from the 1972 Challenger option list, and the R/T series was replaced by the Challenger Rallye series. Available engine options included the 225 slant-6, 318 CID V8, and the 340 CID V8 with a four-barrel carburetor. All three engines received lower compression ratios in order to run on lead-free gasoline, and horsepower ratings were now the more accurate Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) net horsepower calculations.

Mandatory 5 mph bumpers were added in 1973 and the 225 CID six-cylinder engine was dropped. The 340 CID V8 was replaced in 1974 by a 360 CID with 245 horsepower.

The inaugural year of production was the most popular for the Challenger, with 76,935 examples sold. 26,299 were produced in 1971, followed by 22,919 in 1972, and 27,930 in 1973. For 1974, just 11,354 examples were built. The Challenger name was discontinued following the 1974 model year, and revived in 1978 as a rebadged variant of the early Mitsubishi Galant Lambda coupe. Again, production was brief, lasting from 1978 through 1983. The third generation of the Challenger began in 2008, following a concept car shown at the 2006 North American International Auto Show. The production version incorporated many of the design cues of the original 1970 Challenger R/T.

by Dan Vaughan

1971 Dodge 'Mr. Norm' Hemi Challenger R/T

R/T Hardtop
Chassis number: JS23R1B108804

The Chrysler Challenger always seemed to be one pony car that always seemed to arrive to the stable late. However, upon its arrival, many would take notice.

The late 1950s saw a period of waywardness from America's car companies. While the 1950s had seen sporty models, like the Thunderbird, come and go, there really wasn't a class of car to fit the attitude beginning to surface throughout the country. However, with Ford's Mustang and GM's Camaro, the wild heartbeat of America was allowed to roam free. Chrysler, however, was missing out on the act.

Dodge introduced its Charger, but it fit into a category between the pony cars and the more luxurious models like the Ford Thunderbird. Mated with the 7.0-liter 426 cu.in. Hemi engine, the Charger would be popular and innovative, but it still would not directly do battle with the Mustang and the Camaro, and even then, the Charger would blossom rather late.

Though slow to enter the more specialized pony car market, Chrysler recognized the need to lay claim to a little niche of the market. The problem was that the Mustang and the Camaro had been around for a while and people were familiar with what they had to offer. Therefore, Chrysler, in order to enter the competitive market, had to offer a car like no other.

Chrysler needed an angle to attract attention when it entered the pony car category. About the only angle left the company could use would be in the power department. Envisioning a clean design with a robust appeal, Bill Brownlie would set to work designing a car capable of hosting a litany of engine possibilities. What Brownlie would end up fashioning would be a car capable of hosting every single one of Chrysler's engines because of the car's front sub-frame.

Following the two-door styling of Mercury's Cougar, the Challenger, as it would become known, would benefit from the Charger and Coronet having a larger front sub-frame to help hold all of the possible engine sizes.

The Challenger would draw something else from the Charger as well. There had been a concept of the Charger on the drawing board that would never see the light of day. However, the front grille of the Charger concept would end up providing the perfect starting point for the subtle, vigorous lines of the new Challenger.

Combining clean and stout looks with the ability to house a whole array of engines, Chrysler was finally ready to make its presence known in the pony car market. While the car would attract a good deal of attention on its own, its 7.0-liter and 7.2-liter 426 and 440 cu.in. variants would make the biggest noise, quite literally.

Having experience with the larger Charger, Chrysler fully intended to take the fight to the Mercury Cougar, which was slightly larger and more luxurious than the Mustang. When the car debuted in 1970, the Challenger would come available in four hardtop models: Challenger Six, Challenger V8, Challenger T/A and Challenger R/T. A convertible version of the R/T would be available as well, but just between 1970 and 1971.

Sales for the Challenger would do quite well in its first year with nearly 77,000 units being produced for the 1970 model year alone. However, sales would drop significantly over the next couple of years and production would cease altogether in 1974. After starting out strong in its first year of existence, production would slow to the point that only 165,437 would be sold by the end of its production run of about five years.

While the success of the Challenger would be debatable, one variant of the car that would not be debated for its performance and place amongst the pony cars would be the R/T Challenger.

Standing for 'Road/Track', the R/T model variant would be the performance model of the Challenger. The R/T would come with a 383 cu.in. 6.2-liter V-8 that was rated at 335 bhp. However, the R/T would also come with the option of the 375 bhp 440 cu in. 7.2-liter Magnum, the 390 bhp 440 cu in Six-Pack, or, the 425 bhp 426 cu in 7.0-liter Hemi engines. Therefore, while the Cougar, Mustang and Camaro may have been around a while longer with some of the same features as the Challenger, Chrysler's late-comer to the corral would certainly make some noise. When mated with the 4-speed manual transmission, the R/T model could also make some serious tracks all the way up to 150 mph.

The T/A Challenger, which stood for 'Trans Am' would see some racing with such drivers as Sam Posey and Ronnie Bucknum driving for Dan Gurney. And while the car would earn a number of top finishes it was clear the car needed to be developed as it had a bad understeer and other drawbacks. However, on the drag strip, the Challenger would find itself right at home.

The R/T version would go on to find success not on the track as much as in entertainment. Specially built models would be built for the TV program 'Mod Squad'. The R/T would also be the car of choice for Kowalski in the movie 'Vantage Point'. The Challenger would also find itself useful for other special promotions on TV.

While its demise may have been eagerly longed for, the Challenger would become something of a legend in its own right. Of course, most of the car's legend would be authored by the memories of the incredible sound of the 440 Six-Pack or the 426 Hemi.

Those at this year's RM Auction in Arizona would have the good fortune of being able to reminisce as a very special Challenger R/T would be up for auction. Not only would this be a Challenger R/T, but its lineage would make it something wholly more.

The chassis number available at this year's auction would roll off the assembly line in 1971 and would already be something special. However, its history was about to get even more intriguing.

Being just one of 71 Hemi Challenger R/Ts produced during 1971, chassis JS23R1B108804 would already make for a collector's dream. It came with the 'Super Track Pack' and the 'Shaker' hood options. However, after production it would be shipped to 'Mr. Norm's' Grand-Spaulding Dodge located in Chicago, Illinois.

Norm Krause would become famous as one of the earliest high-performance new car dealers and for having one of the first high-performance parts departments as part of the dealership. Krause's associate, Gary Dyer, had developed some of the quickest 'funny cars' and would help the dealership gain notoriety for taking Chrysler muscle cars and turning them into something beyond belief. This is what would happen to this Hemi Challenger R/T.

Charles Starr would become the car's first owner and he would trade in a car in order to have upgrades done to it, which included Stage III dyno-tuning, exhaust headers, lightweight fiberglass lift-off hood and other finishing touches. This would turn the car into an absolute performer. Late in 1971, Starr would sell the car to a friend who would take the car and coat it in WD-40, and then, put it in storage for the next 35 years.

In 2006, the car would emerge from storage for the first time and it would be noted as having been well-preserved despite some minor cosmetic issues that were cleaned up. After a basic tuning, the car would roar back to life and would even make an appearance at the Barrington Concours d'Elegance in Illinois.

Featuring some wonderful paperwork and historical documentation from Chrysler and Grand-Spaulding, the car comes to auction with only about 5,400 miles and was expected to earn between $300,000 and $475,000. A truly wicked muscle car, this model represents beautifully Chrysler's method of using its engine power to create an a large charge in the pony car race and doing it in style.

Sources:

'Feature Lots: Lot No. 243: 1971 Dodge 'Mr. Norm' Hemi Challenger R/T', (http://www.rmauctions.com/FeatureCars.cfm?SaleCode=AZ12&CarID=r208&fc=0). RM Auctions. http://www.rmauctions.com/FeatureCars.cfm?SaleCode=AZ12&CarID=r208&fc=0. Retrieved 3 January 2012.

'Muscle Cars: Classic Muscle Cars: 1970 Dodge Challenger R/T 440 Six Pack', (http://musclecars.howstuffworks.com/classic-muscle-cars/1970-dodge-challenger-r-t-440-six-pack.htm). HowStuffWorks: We Love to Wonder. http://musclecars.howstuffworks.com/classic-muscle-cars/1970-dodge-challenger-r-t-440-six-pack.htm. Retrieved 3 January 2012.

Wikipedia contributors, 'Dodge Charger (B-body)', Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, 19 December 2011, 04:08 UTC, http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Dodge_Charger_(B-body)&oldid=466634180 accessed 4 January 2012

Wikipedia contributors, 'Dodge Challenger', Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, 27 December 2011, 04:02 UTC, http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Dodge_Challenger&oldid=467857878 accessed 4 January 2012

by Jeremy McMullen

R/T Hardtop

There were only 247 6 Paks built in 1971 and 3,000 in 1970. This example is one of the 247 440 6 Pak cars that packs an impressive 385 horsepower and rotates the rear wheels through an TorqueFlite transmission. It is painted Plum Crazy Purple with a matching black interior. The car is equipped with power steering, road wheels, tape stripe, bucket seats, console, sure grip 3.23, 3 carburetors, Rallye gauges, tinted glass, sport mirrors, and power disc brakes.

by Dan Vaughan

R/T Hardtop
Chassis number: JS23R1B242313

One of the last Detroit automakers to enter the pony car game was the Chrysler E-body series (including the Dodge Challenger and the Plymouth Barracuda). They made their introduction over five years after the first Mustang was released. The Challenger, in similar fashion to Ford and Chevrolet, was based on a stretched, compact vehicle (in this case, the Dart). The new pony car was emblazoned with bumblebee stripes and offered them with a full array of options and nearly any engine Chrysler built, including the legendary Hemi.

The Challenger was new for 1970 and received only minor changes for 1971. A convertible version of the Challenger was chosen to pace the Indianapolis 500. This would be Dodge's last factory convertible until the mid-1980s. After 1971, the Hemi was no longer available.

The Challenger R/T models were outfitted with high back bucket seats, heavy duty brakes, an R/T handling package, and G70x14 raised white letter tires. They carried a base price of $3,273 while the Hemi option raised to price by an additional $892. In total, just 70 examples were built with the HEMI option, including 58 four-speeds and it is believed that just 49 are known to exist.

This HEMI Challenger R/T model has just 64,000 miles and is one of just six surviving examples with black exterior paint. This is the sole example known to still wears its original factory finish. It is equipped with its original numbers-matching drivetrain, including the engine, transmission, and rear end. It is equipped with the A-34 Trak-Pak option, which includes a 3.54:1 Sure-Grip limited slip differential and a Dana 60 8¾-inch rear axle. It has its original interior, glass, seats, headliner and carpeting. The engine was rebuilt in 2003, and several of the mechanical components have also received service.

This car was purchased in 1971 by the owner of a speed shop in Joplin, Missouri. The car was used as his daily river and kept it on display in front of the shop to help attract business. Another owner - Susan Willey of Ohio - purchased the car in 1979. Willey raced the car at local race tracks and worked on the car herself. She maintained the car until selling it in 1993. The current owners have stored the car in climate-friendly Arizona.

In 2013, the car was offered for sale at the Scottsdale auction presented by RM Auctions. The car was estimated to sell for $225,000 - $275,000. Bidding reached $220,000 but was not enough to satisfy the vehicle's reserve. It would leave the auction unsold.

by Dan Vaughan

Coupe
Chassis number: JH23G1B103477

This Dodge Challenger is finished in Butterscotch with all black under the clearcoat. Inside there is black upholstery. The car has custom stripe package, rear spoiler, AM/FM/Cassette player and rides on Rocket racing wheels.

by Dan Vaughan

Convertible

When the Challenger was introduced in the fall of 1969, Dodge fans were understandably excited about the addition of a pony car to the Scat Pack lineup. Performance was the obvious intention of the Challenger, but customers could choose from six different and distinct models and nine engine options. The smallest engine was the 145 horsepower 225 cubic-inch slant six; the largest was the 426 Hemi engine with two four-barrel carburetors. Challengers with the 440 and the Hemi engine came with an extra-heavy-duty suspension.

Of the 18 exterior colors that were available, five were High-Impact colors: Plum Crazy, Sub Lime, Go-Mango, HEMI Orange and Top Banana. These would later be joined by Panther Pink and Green-Go.

There were 1,857 Challenger convertibles produced in 1971. This car originally had a 318 CID V8 and was painted Plum Crazy, but when it was found in a farm field in Texas, it had a 440 CID V8 in the engine compartment and was painted yellow. It was hauled home and underwent a four-year restoration. Also original to the car were the rally dash, dual mirrors and automatic transmission. The engine had been blueprinted and balanced, with improvement to the heads, cam and headers.

In 1968 Dodge began creating prototypes for the Challenger. Designs had been created since 1965 and by the middle of 1969 Dodge was producing the Challenger, complete with nine engines to select. The base engine was the slant six with the top of the line engine being the 426 Hemi. Along with the engine choices, there were various body styles, optional equipment, and interior/exterior colors. Dodge offered both a hardtop and a convertible version. The platform had been borrowed from the Plymouth Barracuda and then stretched by a couple of inches to provide the passengers with extra interior room.

Dodge offered an SE package that included luxurious items, configuration, and amenities. The R/T, representing Road/Track, was the performance package. It came equipped with dual hood scoops, a heavy-duty suspension and the 383 cubic-inch engine producing 335 horsepower. Other engines offered were the 440, 340 and 426 cubic-inch engines. The base engine was the 225 cubic-inch slant six that produced 145 horsepower. Power steering and disc brakes were offered as optional equipment.

During the introductory year in 1970, 53,337 examples were created with the base engine. A little over 13,800 units were created in the R/T configuration in both coupe and convertible form. Nearly 3,700 examples were built with the SE configuration.

The Dodge Challenger T/A series, meaning Trans AM, was Dodge's attempt to build a street-worthy version of its race car. It was only offered in 1970 because the racing version did not perform well on the track and Dodge left the Trans Am racing at the end of the season. The street version was fitted with a 340 Six Pack created by the addition of an Edelbrock aluminum intake manifold and three two-barrel carburetors. The result was 350 horsepower. Disc brakes were standard as was a heavy-duty Ralley suspension with wide tires in the rear and thinner tires in the front. Dodge offered a TorqueFlite automatic or a Hurst four-speed transmission. 2,142 examples of the T/A series were created. The quarter-mile was accomplished in just fourteen-and-a-half seconds and zero-to-sixty was around six seconds.

For 1971 Dodge discontinued the T/A package and the R/T was no longer offered in convertible form. A new grille was the most distinguishable change when compared with the 1970 Challenger.

Government safety and emission regulations, and increasing insurance premiums meant the horsepower rating and size for all manufacturers were on the decline. To comply with the new requirements, many of the engines were detuned. This was true for Dodge as well. The 383 cubic-inch engine was now producing 300 horsepower, a loss of 30 horsepower over the prior year. The 440 Six Pack was detuned by five horsepower. The base 440 was no longer offered. The good news was that the Hemi was still available and kept its 425 horsepower rating.

Sales for 1971 were devastating. There were just over 25,000 units of the six-cylinder Challenger sold in 1971. A sharp decline in interest for the vehicle in only its second year sent the dealers trying to unload their inventory. Fifty vehicles were offered as 'official pace cars' for the Indianapolis 500 race. These specialty series were painted in Hemi orange and had white interiors. All were convertibles.

The front of the Challenger was reworked for 1972 including the addition of a new grille. Dodge dropped the R/T package and the convertible option. A Rallye edition was added in place of the R/T. It was outfitted with a 318 cubic-inch 150 horsepower. This would be the only year the Rallye option would be offered. The horsepower rating was now measured in net SAE which meant all horsepower figures were decreased dramatically. Dodge did not offer the Hemi or the 440 for 1972. This left the 340 with a horsepower rating of 240. The zero-to-sixty run could be accomplished in 8.5 seconds and the quarter-mile took sixteen seconds. Sales were slow with less than 25,000 units being produced.

The big news for 1973 was the introduction of the 360 cubic-inch eight-cylinder engine which appeared mid-way through the year. It produced 245 horsepower but it also increased the overall weight of the vehicle. Sales continued to be slow but they did increase over the prior year. In 1974 Dodge decided to cancel the Challenger series. Motivated by only 16,400 units sold, the decision was easy but sad, with only five years of production under its belt. Two engines were offered, the 318 cubic-inch and the 360 cubic-inch. Horsepower ranged from 150 to 245.

The Challenger had been introduced at the close of the muscle car era. It faced stiff competition from the pony cars, and the high-performance, economical, and lightweight machines. By offering both a luxury component and a performance package, the Challenger was a versatile machine. Its stylish designs and large Hemi engines are legendary.

by Dan Vaughan