Introduced in 1970 on the E-body platform alongside the Plymouth Barracuda, the Dodge Challenger garnered excitement, selling nearly 77,000 units, with a quarter as high-performance R/T models.
Despite arriving late to the muscle car scene, it became a notable name of the golden era, thanks to potent V8 engines, vibrant color choices, and aggressive styling.
However, fortunes shifted in 1971 due to high insurance rates and stricter emissions regulations, resulting in significantly lower sales. Though the Challenger persisted until 1974, its muscle car status waned with the end of high-compression big-block V8 production in 1971, making the ’70 and ’71 models the most coveted.
As with most Mopars from this era, the HEMI variant is the rarest and most desirable, with only a handful produced each year. The convertible option, offered for just two years, is also scarce, with this particular 1971 model being one of 1,870 delivered to US dealerships.
This barn find has been stationary since around 1980 due to rear-end damage but remains in surprisingly solid condition. Although it requires restoration, it retains its original 318-cubic-inch small-block engine and automatic transmission, making it a rare configuration among 1971 convertibles.
Now set for restoration, this Challenger, despite its common powertrain, is a prized find in today’s market of increasingly rare ’71 convertibles.
