This 1971 Dodge Challenger is a survivor, still wearing its original paint !  It’s a 318 V-8 Car, originally equipped with factory A/C, Power steering, power drum brakes, automatic transmission, bucket seats,  and  console with “Slap-Stik” shifter, AM Radio.

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It was owned for many decades by a local southern California man who passed recently, and his estate sold the car to us. I found a registration slip with his name on it from 1993!  The current  California title is clean, and the car has current registration and tags.

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Although it does need some restoration, it’s a perfect start for either an authentic restoration, or a custom, or maybe even a race car! The car is extremely rust-free with the exception of some spots under the vynil top, which we’ll show in this display.

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Original paint is a rare thing – you can see exactly what’s going on! In this case, it’s a very straight original car!  Yes of course it needs to be repainted,  I wouldn’t argue it’s a preservation candidate. Still, when it’s original you know it’s not all bondo’d up!

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The stance is perfect, the wheel / tire combination gives it a slight rake. The tires are very recent, and have almost no wear.

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Nice and straight.  Notice the 1971 only tail lights.

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And the 1971 only grille!

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Straight body and clean trim

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The grille is excellent with the exception of that crescent shaped missing spot just behind the bumper

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Great looking grille with “Dodge” script  peeking out

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Here’s the original door sticker, with the May 1971 build date and  VIN # on it. It’s original, and undisturbed for exactly  the last 46 years!

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Bucket seats and console, and wood rimmed steering wheel. The interior is mostly original but it’s kind of tired, with wear and some rips and tears

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Back seat still pretty good. Note the original seat belts.

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Standard dashboard. The gauges work, the dash lights work, same with the turn signals, headlamps, high beams, and tail lights.  The radio and clock aren’t working.  The horn is activated by that silver button below the wiper switch.

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Factory A/C car, although the compressor is missing under the hood.  So the A/C is not working now.

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Passenger seat.

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The original dashboard has cracks.

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The original doorpanels are in remarkably good shape.

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Nice glovebox, and even the courtesy lamp is working!

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Here’s the “Slap-Stik” shifter and console. The plastic “T” shifter handle is missing.

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Another view of the rear seat.

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Excellent trunk.

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This is the original trunk sheetmetal, and it is amazingly good, with only surface rust showing. If you’re into E body Mopars, you’ll know that it’s very unusual for a trunk to survive this well.

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The driver’s side shows more surface rust, but it’s still only surface rust, I think this is repairable without any welding at all !

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Here’s the vynil roof, which trapped water and shows some bubbling.  this will need some repair I think.

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Here it is inside. we can see 2 rows of pinholes which parallel the seams on the vynil top. I think it’s repairable.

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another shot of the roof.

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That’s the original floormat

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There’s the mighty 318 V-8 with 2 barrel carburetor. Note the A/C bracket but no compressor.

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The engine runs well – starts easily, runs smooth, and quietly.  The estate people told me the car was actually driven into the storage facility last year, and the car woke up pretty easily.  So, it’s up and running now, good enough to drive around the block, but not good enough to drive it home to wherever you live. Shipping the car is recommended!

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Very stock and original in the engine bay. Note that the fender tag, which showed the original options, is missing.

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I wonder how many gallons of Chrysler anti-freeze were sold because of this advertisement on the original radiator?

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I love the grille!

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A great survivor with original paint, long ownership, and a great candidate for improvement or high-performance upgrade!

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Nice!