1971 Dodge Challenger

When Dodge finally got a legitimate pony car to race in the Sports Car Club of America's Trans American Sedan Championship in 1970, it built a muscle car version for the street that was even wilder than the competition model. We're talking about the 1970 Dodge Challenger T/A. SCCA rules required Dodge to sell production editions of the track car, and Dodge responded with the Challenger T/A. The race cars ran a de-stroked 305-cid version of Mopar's fine 340-cid V-8. It had a four-barrel carb and some 440 bhp. Street T/As stayed with the 340, but upped the ante with a trio of two-barrel Holleys atop an Edelbrock aluminum intake manifold making 290hp!

For consignment a 1971 Version of the Dodge Challenger, fully restored with a 340ci V8, nice interior and bathed in red with satin black accenting. What was a 318ci grocery getter in green with a vinyl top, is now turned into a 340 T/A with a six pack to feed it, and great paint with straight steel.

Exterior
A fine coat of red bathes the coke bottle side steel panels which are minding their gaps very nicely. The thin nose upfront sports dual headlights in a small grille surrounded by trim and a lower bumper which are near perfect. A satin black hood with a large scoop is hood pinned to the car, and then the excitement begins. Red front quarters have the beginnings of a black racing stripe that gets progressively wider as you move to the rear quarter, past the doors. The correct T/A badging is within this stripe, and just below the chrome trimmed wheel well is another sticker badge denoting a 340 Six Pak. This stripe ends on the mid section of the rear quarter where we see a few vents just above the shiny side exit exhaust pipe, and another trimmed wheel well. On back the shape emulates and compliments the front of the car where a small black satin spoiler is atop the trunk lid, again with more Challenger T/A badging and a nice shiny bumper below. 15 inch rally dish trimmed wheels are on all 4 corners and wrapped in raised white letter BFG T/A's. You can look closely at this car as attention to detail has been paid at every turn, and overall, very nicely done. I did note some slight rust bubbling around the wheel wells, and just a slight area of orange peel paint, again around the wheel well areas.

Interior
Molded black plastic and vinyl makes up the door panels which have a centrally located wood panel just above the door pull complete with the “fratzog” badge in the center. Shiny cranks and door actuators as well as a mirror toggle can be seen on these doors. Slipping inside to the high back buckets in black tuck and roll inserts with shiny bolsters and nearly showroom condition for all the seats including the rear bench. A nicely styled center console in black with more wood accenting, houses a glovebox, and the pistoling grip wood accented shift lever. Moving up to the dash which has been completely restored we note round gauges, clean levers and shiny knobs in a textured black background. An aftermarket AM/FM/CD player is now installed very neatly where the original radio was. Nice black carpeting is covering the floors, and a rimblow wood rimmed steering wheel is fronting the dash.

Drivetrain
Within the pristine engine bay now sits a 340ci V8 nicely painted orange, and it has a six pack carburetor setup on top. The air cleaner and subsequent rubber surround creates a seal within the scoop valley of the underside of the hood. All hoses are nice and shiny, no corrosion on any bolt ons, and a very nice engine bay presentation. On back is an A727 Torqueflite 3-speed automatic which feeds power to an 8-3/4-inch rear axle. Nice headers have been put on to aid in the breathing and spinning the rear tires.

Undercarriage
All very clean structurally sound and nary even a hint of rust. An H pipe exhaust snakes its way rearward taking a detour for the exits on both sides just prior to the rear wheel well. Torsion bar suspension is on front along with power disc brakes, and on back are leaf springs and power drum brakes. Definitely showroom quality under here.

Drive-Ability
It was an absolute pleasure to drive this beauty and it did not disappoint. Plenty of power for acceleration on the straight line, good handling, and bias free braking on the panic stop. Interior was very comfy, and all functions were working well.

An overall great job on the restoration and change to the T/A status, they got it all right. Nice paint, with the satin accenting, correct stripe badging, straight steel, and comfy shiny interior. I feel like I'm in the showroom and it is back in 1971.

VIN DECODE
JH23G1B157204
J-Challenger
H-High Price Class
23-2 Door Hardtop
G-318ci V8 2bbl 230hp
1-1971
B-Hamtramck, MI Assy Plant
157204-Sequential Unit Number

FENDER TAG
JH23:
Dodge Challenger
High
2 Door Hardtop
G1B: 318ci 230hp 2bbl
1971
Dodge Main, Hamtramck, MI, USA
157204:Sequence number
E44:318 cid 2 barrel V8 230hp
D31:A904 3-Speed Auto Trans.
GF3:Medium Green Poly
H4F7:Trim-High, Vinyl Split Bench Seat, Green 000:Full Door Panels 925:Build Date: September 25 024745:Order number V1F:Full Vinyl Top, Green U:USA Specifications A01:Light Package A04:Basic (Radio) Group B51:Power Brakes G15:Tinted Windshield G33:LH Remote Racing Mirror
J25:3 Speed Wipers
J41:Pedal Dress Up
L25:Trunk Lamp
M21:Roof drip rail moldings
N95:Emissions Control
R11:Radio Solid State AM (2 Watts)
V5F:Body Side Stripes, Green
EN2:End of Sales Codes

Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special interest automobile showroom, featuring over 600 vehicles for sale with showroom space for up to 1,000 vehicles. Also, a 400 vehicle barn find collection is on display.
This vehicle is located in our showroom in Morgantown, Pennsylvania, conveniently located just 1-hour west of Philadelphia on the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. The website is www.classicautomall.com and our phone number is (888) 227-0914. Please contact us anytime for more information or to come see the vehicle in person.