1971 Dodge Challenger Coupe

1971 Dodge Challenger Convertible - Interior

1971 Dodge Challenger R/T 440 Six Pack

1971 Dodge Challenger T/A (officially advertised but never produced)

1971 Dodge Challenger 383 Magnum Convertible - Indy 500 Official Pace Car 

Historic Overview:

    A few minor aesthetical changes were already introduced for the 1971 model, such as a new front grille, on the other hand meaningful changes were made in the versions and engine choices.

    The R/T version was no longer available in a convertible bodywork; the T/A version, in despite of being advertised, wasn't made in 1971, because Dodge officially departed from Trans Am racing series; and the luxury SE version was no longer available for the Challenger.

   In despite of this, there was huge range of trim levels, exterior colors, and striping choices to give the buyers more freedom in order to match their tastes. Besides, a convertible Challenger in Hemi Orange color and white interior was the official pace car for the 1971 Indy 500 and a limited series of 50 replicas were sold in some selected dealers.

    The R/T version brought in color-keyed bumpers, dummy brake cooling slots on its rear flanks, new tape stripes, and a set of fiberglass quater-panel louvers, but the standard 383 Magnum engine was now detuned to 300 gross HP, in order to attend the new pollution regulamentation, while the 383 2-barrel now developed 275 gross HP. The 440 Magnum was dropped, although the 440 Six Pack was kept, now with 385 gross HP. Unfortunately sales dropped approximately 60% already in the second year.

*Total Production for base Challenger Coupe & Hartop: 23,088
**Total Production for base Challenger Convertible: 2,165

Chassis Data:

Available Engines:

198 Slant Six (VIN Code B)
Standard - Type: L6, 1x1 bbl carburetor; Displacement: 198 pol³ (3.2 Litres); Bore x Stroke: 3.4 x 3.6 in; Gross Power: 125 HP @ 4,400 rpm; Gross Torque: N/A.

225 Slant Six (VIN Code C):
Standard - Type: L6, 1x1 bbl carburetor; Displacement: 225 pol³ (3.7 Litres); Bore x Stroke: 3.4 x 4.1 in; Gross Power: 145 HP @ 4,000 rpm; Gross Torque: 215 ft-lbs.

318 V8 (VIN Code G):
Standard - Type: V8, 90-degree, 1x2 bbl carburetor; Displacement: 318 pol³ (5.2 Litres); Bore x Stroke: 3.9 x 3.3 in; Gross Power: 230 HP @ 4,400 rpm; Gross Torque: 320 ft-lbs.

340 Magnum V8 (VIN Code J):
Optional for R/T only - Type: V8, 90-degree, 1x4 bbl carburetor; Displacement: 340 pol³ (5.6 Litres); Bore x Stroke: 4 x 3.3 in; Gross Power: 290 HP @ 4,400 rpm; Gross Torque: 345 ft-lbs.

383 V8 (VIN Code L):
Optional - Type: V8, 90-degree, 1x2 bbl carburetor; Displacement: 383 pol³ (6.3 Litres); Bore x Stroke: 4.3 x 3.4 in; Gross Power: 275 HP @ 4,400 rpm; Gross Torque: N/A.

383 Magnum V8 (VIN Code N):
Optional (Standard for R/T only) - Type: V8, 90-degree, 1x4 bbl carburetor; Displacement: 383 pol³ (6.3 Litres); Bore x Stroke: 4.3 x 3.4 in; Gross Power: 300 HP @ 4,800 rpm; Gross Torque: 425 ft-lbs.

426 Hemi V8 (VIN Code R):
Optional (R/T only) - Type: V8, 90-degree, 2x4 bbl carburetor; Displacement: 426 pol³ (7.0 Litres); Bore x Stroke: 4.3 x 3.8 in; Gross Power: 425 HP @ 5,000 rpm; Gross Torque: 490 ft-lbs @ 4,000 rpm.

440 Six Pack V8 (VIN Code V):
Optional (R/T only) - Type: V8, 90-degree, 3x2 bbl carburetor; Displacement: 440 pol³ (7.2 Litres); Bore x Stroke: 4.3 x 3.8 in; Gross Power: 385 HP @ 4,700 rpm; Gross Torque: 490 ft-lbs @ 2,300 rpm.

Available Transmissions:

3-Speed Floor-Mounted Manual Transmission (Standard) (Not Available with 440 and 426 Hemi engines)
4-Speed Floor-Mounted Manual Transmission (Optional) (Not Available with 198 and 225 Slant Six and 383 2-barrel V8 engines)
3-Speed Floor-Mounted TorqueFlite Automatic Transmission (Optional)
3-Speed Column-Mounted TorqueFlite Automatic Transmission (Optional)

Standard Equipment on All Models:

Unitized Construction
Torsion-Bar Suspension
7-Stage Rust Protection
Aluminized Muffler and Tailpipe
Foot-Operated Parking Brake
Self-Adjusting Brakes
Fibreglass-Belted Tires
Heater/Defroster
Hub Caps
Glove Box Lock

Challenger Coupe Standard Equipment:

All-Vinyl Bucket Seats with Integral Head Restraints (Brite Blue, Dark Green, Dark Saddle, Black or Black/White)
Ventless Door Glass
Fixed-Position Rear Quarter Windows
3-Spoke Black Steering Wheel with Horn Button
Front and Rear Deep-Pile Carperting
2-Speed Electric Concealed Windshield Wipers

Challenger Hardtop & Convertible Standard Equipment (includes standard equipment for Challenger Coupe):

3-Spoke Simulated Woodgrain Steering Wheel
Cigarette Lighter

Challenger R/T Standard Equipment (includes standard equipment featured on Challenger Hardtop & Convertible):

Heavy-Duty Suspension with Sway Bar
Heavy-Duty 1" Shock Absorbers
Heavy-Duty Brakes
Dual Exhaust
Electric Concealed Windshield Wipers with Variable Speed
Instrument Panel Mounted including Tachometer, 150 mph Speedometer, Woodgrain Applique, and Trip Odometer
Clock
F70 X 14 White Side Wall Tires
Performance Hood
Body Side Dual Tape Stripes with R/T Name
R/T Callout on Hood Front

Optional Equipment:

Airtemp Air Conditioner
Stereo Tape Cassette Player
AM Push-Button Radio
Front Centre Console
Six-Way Manually Adjustable Driver's Seat
Power Brakes and Steering
Tinted Glass
Collapsible Spare Tire
Rallye Wheels
Wheel Covers
Vinyl Roof
Sun Roof including Vinyl Roof
Bumper Guards
Elastomeric Front and Rear Bumpers (Colour-Co-Ordinated with 4 Body Colours)
Dual Racing Mirrors
Hood Tie-Down Pins
Formal Roof Package (includes Smaller Rear Window, Vinyl Roof, Formed Headliner, Overhead Consolette with Door-Ajar), Low Fuel and Fasten Seat Belt Warning Lights)

Color Options:

Light Gunmetal Metallic (GA4)
Light Blue Metallic (GB2)
Bright Blue Metallic (GB5)
Dark Blue Metallic (GB7)
Plum Crazy (FC7)
Bright Red (FE5)
Medium Green Metallic (GF3)
Dark Green Metallic (GF7)
Green Go (FJ6)
Dark Bronze Metallic (GK6)
Butterscotch (EL5)
Tan Metallic (GT2)
Hemi Orange (EV2)
Bright White (GW3)
Black (TX9)
Citron Yella (GY3)
Gold Leaf Metallic (GY8)
Dark Gold Metallic (GY9)