AutoTrader Find of the Week: 1971 Dodge Challenger, Accept No Substitutions

I desperately want to talk about this immaculately restored white 1970 Dodge Challenger R/T 440 for sale in Laterrière, QC.

Vanishing Point. Death Proof. One of my personal tippy-top dream cars.

But I’m not going to talk about that particular Challenger for two reasons. First, I’m going to be a courteous contributor and leave the story for my french-language counterpart to pick up. And second, even though that particular Challenger is to my personal taste (read, “irrational lust"), at an asking price of $160,000… I don’t think there’s as compelling a story there as the first-gen Challenger I’ve chosen to highlight for this piece.

Granted, that is a price people expect to pay for a classic well-restored Mopar muscle car nowadays (especially one as iconic and desirable as the Vanishing Point Challenger).

But that’s unfortunate because it really is a dollar amount so high that the vast majority of diehard enthusiasts, whether they can afford it or not, are much more likely to spend half that amount on something like a modern Dodge Challenger Hellcat. Heck, even the new Dodge Charger Sixpack Scat Pack, whose price tag everyone laments, carries an MSRP of roughly half that ‘70 Challenger.

But what if you could have an as-iconic-as-it-gets Mopar for somewhere between the price of a 2023 Challenger Hellcat and a 2026 Charger Sixpack Scat Pack?

Enter this picture-perfect 1971 Dodge Challenger R/T 440 for sale through Munro Motors in Brantford, Ontario.

It has an asking price of $94,998 and having done just a smidge over 1,380 km since its full restoration, it is, for all intents and purposes, “new.”

No, it is not an original numbers-matching R/T 440. Found as little more than a derelict rolling shell, the previous owner restored this 1971 model into a R/T “tribute.” Not quite a one-to-one clone, nor a totally overhauled resto-mod, this Challenger keeps the appearance and essence of a totally stock ‘71 R/T, while tastefully and subtly improving the formula in a few key areas.

The rebuilt engine features a Holley four-barrel carburetor (the period-correct brand and configuration for a 440 Magnum V8), an Edelbrock “Performer” intake, TTI ceramic headers and exhaust x-pipe and Magnaflow Mufflers. A new aluminum radiator and Direct Connection (Mopar) chrome valve covers may not be faithful to how this car rolled off the line in 1971 — but do at least feel spiritually correct.

However, perhaps even more enticing than the mighty 440 V8 engine is the presence of a highly desirable, as-god-intended A833 4-speed manual transmission sporting the iconic Hurst “pistol grip shifter.” This holy warrior of a gearbox is mated to the engine with a new Center Force clutch and translates power through an aluminum driveshaft to an 8 ¾ “Sure Grip” differential with 3.55 Gears.

It’s all cave-man stuff. But that’s the appeal. “Raw” is a term which gets tossed around a lot in the automotive world. But it applies here.

There are some modern driver comforts, though they’re mostly unnoticeable. A power steering conversion by Borgeson, for example, is welcome. So is the Custom Autosound “OEM look” AM/FM Tuner with Bluetooth connectivity.

A breakdown of this Challenger’s VIN tells us it was originally assembled in Hamtramck, MI and equipped with the humble 318 V8. And while Munro tells us it was originally finished in “Plum Crazy Purple,” we’re certainly not going to argue that the re-spray choice of the infamous Tor-Red (otherwise known as “Hemi Orange”) was a bad call in terms of widening this Challenger’s appeal.

Added in the R/T conversion was an R/T Rallye hood with obligatory hood pins, “blackout” decals with side stripes and a satin black T/A rear spoiler. In contrast to the orange exterior paint, it all serves to further promote the “in-your-minds-eye” presence of this Challenger. BF Goodrich tires wrapped around Mopar Rallye wheels complete the look.

So, no. It’s not a nut-and-bolt original. Nor is it the exact spec of a famous movie car.

But honestly, who cares? From the exterior, to the guts, to the reputation, to most importantly, the experience, this is absolutely everything you want out of, not just out of an original Dodge Challenger, but just about any American car of the era… or maybe just any American car, period.

It’s the original recipe for the muscle car experience. And at its asking price, you don’t have to accept any substitutions.