This 1971 Dodge Challenger R/T Looks Like a Rare HEMI Gem, But There's a Catch

Introduced for the 1970 model year, the Dodge Challenger sold nearly 77,000 units in its first year in showrooms, a figure that exceeded the company's expectations. In 1971, however, deliveries dropped to just 27,377 units due to rising insurance rates for high-performance cars. The following year, Chrysler discontinued its high-compression V8 engines, and the Challenger was no longer a full-fledged muscle car.

Although the nameplate remained in production until 1974, post-1971 versions are nowhere near as desirable as the first two model years. Additionally, the 1970 and 1971 Challengers offer the rarest high-performance iterations around.

The HEMI variants are probably the rarest and most sought after. Of the 76,935 examples produced in 1970, only 356 received the mighty 426 cubic inch (7.0-liter) V8. Likewise, in 1971 only 71 HEMI Challengers were produced out of 27,377 examples delivered. The EV2 HEMI Orange example you see appears to be one of those rigs.

A rotisserie restoration, this 1971 Challenger is simply breathtaking. The gloss paint is flawless, the panel gaps are better than new, and the interior shines like it just rolled off the assembly line. To make matters even better, this Challenger is a true R/T model.

Just like in 1970, the R/T was the top-of-the-line Challenger performance model in 1971. With only 4,892 units built (17.8 percent of total production), the 1971 R/T is a relatively rare classic. Most of these cars (3,493 units) were equipped with the 383-cubic-inch (6.3-liter) V8, while 1,078 had the 340-cubic-inch (5.6-liter) small-block.

The 440-cubic-inch (7.2-liter) Six-Pack, the second most powerful plant, was produced in just 250 units. The 426 HEMI, on the other hand, was chosen by only 71 customers. This Challenger packs a HEMI under the Shaker hood, but it’s not one of those sought-after gems. Even though it’s a bonafide R/T, the HEMI ended up under the hood after a swap job.

Additionally, despite its stock appearance, the HEMI features beefed-up internals that allow the engine to send 500 horsepower to the rear wheels. That's a 75 horsepower increase over the regular 1971 HEMI, which was factory-rated at 425 horsepower. The owner also ditched the standard transmission, opting for a Tremec five-speed manual. The Dodge HEMI Challenger was originally available with a three-speed automatic or a four-speed manual.

It’s a setup that many hardcore enthusiasts would consider unorthodox, but it’s a solid route if you want to combine classic Mopar looks with modern technology and reliability. If this stunning HEMI tribute is something you’d park in your garage, the Challenger is available through Vanguard Motor Sales, but it’s not cheap. The dealer wants $179,900 to get rid of this Mopar. Check it out in the video below and tell me what you think of this sticker.