Best Muscle Cars

Buy Of The Day, 1971 Dodge Challenger R/T 426 Hemi

By FastMuscle | April 2, 2015

Buy Of The Day, 1971 Dodge Challenger R/T 426 Hemi

Engine: 426 425 HP V8.
Transmission: 4 Spd Manual.

The ONLY Know Existing Original Black 1971 Hemi Challenger, DOCUMENTED.
– The only example known to wear its original black factory finish
– Original engine example with known ownership history
– One of only 70 built in 1971; only 49 known to exist today
– One of only 59 total 4 spd cars built.

This challenger is more of a wow find than bargain of the Day obviously, but just to show what an original condition Challenger can fetch.
Unrestored and in original condition, it is asking for less than this Challenger recently sold at auction at Mecum – https://www.mecum.com/lot-detail/FL0115-204293/0/1971-Dodge-Hemi-Challenger-R/T/4-Speed/

‘Amazingly, this Hemi Challenger has traveled just 64,000 miles from new. While it is one of just six surviving examples with black exterior paint, it is the sole example known that still wears its original factory finish, putting it into a category of its own. Dodge built 70 Hemi Challengers for 1971, including 58 four-speeds; according to Mopar expert Galen Govier, it is one of 49 known to exist today. Govier’s 33-page report is available for inspection and is included with the sale of this Challenger.

This rare Hemi-equipped Dodge Challenger is equipped with its original numbers-matching drivetrain, including the engine, transmission, and rear end. It is equipped with the A-34 Trak-Pak option, which includes a 3.54:1 Sure-Grip limited slip differential and a Dana 60 rear axle. It maintains is original interior, glass, seats, headliner, and carpeting.

The car was purchased in 1971 by the owner of a speed shop in Joplin, Missouri, who used it as his personal driver and kept it on display in front of the shop to help attract business. The entire ownership trail is known, but of particular interest is Susan Willey, of Ohio, who purchased the Dodge in 1979. Interestingly, Willey raced the car at local race tracks and worked on the car herself; she maintained the car until selling it in 1993. In its current ownership, the Hemi Challenger has been stored in climate-friendly Arizona and has been well looked after. Value trends for collector cars are ever-trending in favor of examples with the best provenance and originality, as they have for generations with other fine art segments. With this example having known history, solid originality, and being triple black from the factory with a four-speed manual transmission, combined with the unending interest in the vaunted Hemi-powered Mopar muscle, this is one highly desirable collector car.
The Hemi market is making a strong comeback as we saw with the $3.78 million dollar 1971 Hemi Cuda Convertible that just sold at the Mecum sale in Seattle. These are the cars to have by any true collector and this is the holy grail!’