09/30/2025
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 surpassed the company's expectations. In 1971, however, deliveries dropped to only 27,377 amid increasing insurance rates for high-performance cars. The following year, Chrysler discontinued its high-compression V8 engines, and the Challenger was no longer a fully-fledged muscle car.
Even though the nameplate remained in production through 1974, the post-1971 versions are nowhere near as desirable as the first two model years. Moreover, the 1970 and 1971 Challengers provide the rarest high-performance iterations out there.
The HEMI variants are arguably the rarest and most sought-after. Of the 76,935 examples produced in 1970, only 356 got the mighty 426-cubic-inch (7.0-liter) V8. Likewise, 1971 spawned only 71 HEMI Challengers out of 27,377 examples delivered. The EV2 HEMI Orange example you see appears to be one of those rigs.
The result of a rotisserie restoration, this 1971 Challenger is simply breathtaking. The bright paint is flawless, the panel gaps are better than new, and the interior shines like the car just rolled off the assembly line. Making things even better, this Challenger is a true-blue R/T model. Just like in 1970, the R/T was the Challenger's range-topping high-performance trim in 1971. With only 4,892 units built (17.8% 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 got the 340-cubic-inch (5.6-liter) small-block.
The 440-cubic-inch (7.2-liter) Six-Pack, the second most potent rig, found its way into only 250 units. The 426 HEMI, on the other hand, was selected by just 71 customers. This Challenger packs a HEMI under its Shaker hood, but it's not one of those highly sought-after gems. Even though it's an authentic R/T, the HEMI landed under the hood after a swap job.
Moreover, despite its stock appearance, the HEMI packs beefed-up internals that enable 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 horses. The owner also ditched the standard gearbox, opting to use a five-speed Tremec manual instead. The Dodge HEMI Challenger was originally available with a three-speed automatic or a four-speed manual.
It's a setup that many diehard enthusiasts would deem unorthodox, but it's a solid route if you want to marry 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 dealership wants $179,900 to let this Mopar go. Check it out in the video below, and tell me how you feel about this sticker.