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The first makeover occurred in 1968 and brought significant changes. Initially a four-seat fastback with a premium interior, the Charger became a more traditional muscle car that year.
The 1971 redesign relied on the same recipe, but the Charger adopted Chrysler's then-new "fuselage" sheet metal and got a few new options.
The 1971 Charger is actually more famous for being the last iteration to feature high-compression big-block V8 engines.
That's because Chrysler discontinued both the 426 HEMI and the 440-cubic-inch (7.2-liter) Six-Pack that year. It's also one of the rarest years for R/T models.
While the Charger did well in 1971, with more than 70,000 units delivered, only 3,118 customers opted for the performance-oriented R/T model.
That's only 4% of the total production. For reference, a fifth (20%) of the Chargers ordered in 1970 had the R/T package.
Most 1971 R/Ts left the assembly line with the base four-barrel 440-cubic-inch V8 (370 horsepower). Specifically, 2,504 examples shipped to US dealers got this engine.
This leaves only 241 units equipped with the 440 Six-Pack (385 horsepower) and 426 HEMI (425 horses), both in their final years.
The HEMI is arguably the rarest, having found its way into only 63 US-spec Chargers. The six-barrel 440 V8 was selected by 178 customers.
The Bright White example you see here is one of those cars.
Set to cross the auction block in October, this authentic V-code is more than just a rare rig. It's also a fully-fledged museum-grade collectible that had just one owner until July 2024. Can you imagine holding onto the same vehicle for a whopping 53 years?
Most likely treated to a restoration based on how it looks, this Charger can also brag about a numbers-matching drivetrain.
And it's not just the 440 Six-Pack V8; the Torqueflite automatic is also factory-original. This combo, by the way, makes it one of only 98 units produced in 1971.
Granted, the Bright White exterior is far from exciting compared to other hues available at the time, but the black top and stripes made for a very classy combination.
It's a gentleman's muscle car if you will. The interior has a few splashes of color thanks to the brown inserts on the seats and the fake wood trim on the dash and door panels.
The Charger is listed in the official registry and has full documentation of previous ownership. Yup, it's the kind of rig that could serve as a benchmark for all the other 1971 Charger R/Ts.
Mecum doesn't provide a pricing estimate for the auction, but 1971 Charger R/Ts are six-figure muscle cars.
And while it may not cost as much as a HEMI, a Six-Pack could change hands for as much as $200,000. We'll learn more about that when the Las Vegas 2024 auction concludes on October 19.
