A challenger to the throne? Debuting in 1970, the Dodge Challenger was the muscle car era’s closing act. Some argue it was a late arrival, as Chrysler ended production of its potent high-compression V8 engine after 1971.
This spelled doom for the Challenger’s desirable features: the 440 Six-Pack, the 426 HEMI, the R/T trim, and the convertible body style, all vanished in 1972. While the Challenger nameplate hung on until 1974, the 1970 and 1971 models reign supreme.
The HEMI Challenger, a rare and powerful beast with only 427 total units produced between 1970 and 1971, sits atop the collectability hierarchy. Even the convertible version, with a mere nine units built, is practically a myth.
However, there’s more to rarity than just the engine. This stunning 1971 hardtop offers a unique case. A rare option elevates a powerful muscle car into a highly collectible gem. While the 1971 Dodge Challenger R/T with a 383 cubic-inch engine packed 335 horsepower, it wasn’t the most potent offering that year.
Regardless, the Challenger in question boasts a sunroof, a factory feature that only 27 or 31 R/T Challengers (records differ slightly) received in 1971. This exclusivity, coupled with the car’s original documentation and excellent condition, propelled it to a significant $93,500 sale in early 2024.
