{"id":81888,"date":"2024-10-03T09:57:00","date_gmt":"2024-10-03T13:57:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.dodgegarage.com\/news-api\/?p=81888"},"modified":"2024-10-02T18:17:54","modified_gmt":"2024-10-02T22:17:54","slug":"hemi-charger-r-t-for-1971","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/test.api.dodgegarage.com\/news\/heritage\/2024\/10\/hemi-charger-r-t-for-1971.html","title":{"rendered":"HEMI\u00ae<\/sup> Charger R\/T for 1971!"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

– 1971 final year for the Gen II HEMI\u00ae<\/sup> engine<\/strong>
– 1 of 33 built with TorqueFlite\u00ae<\/sup><\/strong> transmission<\/strong>
– 13.685 seconds in 1\/4-mile with stock tires<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

For the 1971 model year, the Dodge Division released the 3rd-generation Charger body style and it featured a completely new body shell and a wider track than its predecessors. Styling was sleek and the new roof design featured a flush-fitting backlight, a compromise of sorts between the looks of a tunnel roof and that of a fastback shape.<\/p>\n\n\n

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RETAINED “COKE BOTTLE” STYLING<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While it rode on a 2-inch-shorter wheelbase (115 inches vs. 117 inches) and was 3.1 inches shorter than the \u201968-\u201970 Charger body, the new Charger had a larger, bulkier, overall appearance, mainly because of its 2.5-inch-wider body width and 3.2 inches added in rear track width. The restyling of the car also included the use of a 58-degree angle windshield, ventless side glass and concealed windshield wipers. Along with these changes, the sides of the car still had the \u201cCoke bottle\u201d styling influences, although perhaps not as dramatic as the 2nd-generation Charger cars.<\/p>\n\n\n

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The \u201cCharger R\/T\u201d performance option was the top package available and it included, as standard equipment: Heavy-duty 0.92-inch diameter torsion bars, heavy-duty shock absorbers, heavy-duty brakes, 0.88-inch diameter sway bar and heavy-duty leaf springs (5\u00bd leafs on driver\u2019s side, 6 leafs on passenger\u2019s side). The base engine on R\/T models was the 440-cid \u201cwedge head\u201d V8 that delivered 370 horsepower (gross rating) and was equipped with 9.5:1 compression with a single four-barrel carburetor. An optional version of this powerplant was available, a \u201cSix Pack\u201d upgrade, and it was rated at 385 hp (gross) and came with 10.3:1 pistons, special camshaft and triple Holley two-barrels. This engine did not get the standard Chrysler 5-year, 50,000-mile warranty, it was restricted to a 12-month or 12,000-mile warranty, which ever came first, and only good for the original purchaser.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

426 HEMI<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n
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1971 was the last year for the 426 HEMI engine, and for an extra $746.50, it could be installed in a Charger R\/T (or Charger Super Bee, for $883.55) and it delivered 425 horsepower (gross), using 10.2:1 compression, a hydraulic camshaft and dual Carter four-barrels. Like the 440 Six Pack, the warranty on the hemispherical-headed mill was limited to 12 months or 12,000 miles (original purchaser only), as the factory knew these monsters would typically see some serious street and track racing action! 1971 Chargers with the HEMI engine option were known as \u201cE74\u201d cars (the factory-assigned code for the engine) and the fifth digit on the VIN (vehicle identification number) was an R. (440-4 = U and 440-6 = V.)\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Heavy-duty transmissions were part of the HEMI package, with both a TorqueFlite automatic and 4-speed manual (2.44 low gear) available. Stick-shift customers had two choices for the rear gear ratio: 3.54 (A33 Track Pak) and 4.10 (Super Track Pak), and in both cases the differential housing was the super-heavy-duty \u201cDana 60\u201d unit that featured an 9.75-inch ring gear diameter, for extreme-use applications. HEMI engine-powered Chargers with automatic transmissions came with 3.23 rear gears as standard equipment (housed in an 8.75-inch pumpkin-style differential) with 3.55 gears offered as optional equipment (A36 Performance Axle Package). As with 4-speed cars, a 4.10 gear was available for automatics as well (A34 Super Track Pak).\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

BRIGHT RED PAINT<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n
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The pictured Bright Red (FE5) Charger R\/T is a 28,000-mile \u201csurvivor\u201d car that has not been restored, and is fully documented with numerous factory records (including the broadcast sheets and window sticker). Originally sold to a customer from Burgin Dodge in Knoxville, TN, this rare machine is a \u201c1 of 33\u201d car (HEMI automatic R\/T) and it came with the highly desirable \u201cA34\u201d Super Track Pak option, which gave it the large Dana 60 differential and drag strip type 4.10:1 gears.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

RAMCHARGER FUNCTIONAL HOOD SCOOP STANDARD<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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The Ramcharger hood had a special door that opened and closed from inside the interior. These hoods were standard on HEMI engine-powered cars and optional (Code N96) on R\/T (440 and 440-6) and Super Bees (340, 383, 440, 440-6) models as an extra-cost item.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

SPECIAL R\/T DOOR STYLING<\/strong><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n
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In 1971, only Charger R\/T models received these \u201csimulated door louvers\u201d indentations on the doors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

NEW INTERIOR<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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A completely new dashboard was used on the 1971 Charger, now with \u201csports-car-type\u201d instrumentation as used on the R\/T models. Also included was a 150-mph speedometer and high-back bucket seats. This car features the optional (Code N85, $52.70) tachometer, center console (Code C16, $57.65) and solid-state AM radio (Code R11, $66.40).   <\/p>\n\n\n

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\u201cW21\u201d Rallye Road Wheels ($58.95) and \u201cU86\u201d G60 x 15 RWL (Raised White Letters) Tires ($63.10) came on the car as optional equipment. Behind these front wheels are power disc brakes, as they came standard when the \u201cA34\u201d Super Track Pak option was ordered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

FULLY DOCUMENTED<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Most often Chrysler Corporation cars from this era came with \u201cBroadcast\u201d sheets located under the rear seat cushions, as in the case of this Charger R\/T. The computer sheets listed all the option codes and the large \u201cD6X9\u201d hand-written numbers and letters refers to the car having vinyl bucket seats.<\/p>\n\n\n

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In this particular case, the factory gave the car two fender tags; however, there were not enough option call-outs so the second plate remained empty (no option codes stamped). The \u201cE74\u201d on the lower left verifies the HEMI engine option.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n

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Driver’s side door label shows a scheduled build date of 6\/1971, fifth digit “R” means HEMI. \u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n

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With a total price of $5,297.40, these cars were expensive and could exceed the $6K price range when equipped with items like Power Sunroof (Code M51, $484.65), Power Windows (Code P31, $121.75), Stereo Radio (Code R26, $219.15) and other numerous convenience options.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

SHOWROOM APPEARANCE<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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This Charger R\/T still has that “brand new” look to it, front to rear, and much of the reason is because of the under 29K mileage!<\/p>\n\n\n

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1971 marked the first time since the debut of the Dodge Charger that the grille design didn\u2019t include hide-a-way headlights as standard equipment. However, on \u201cSE\u201d models in \u201971, concealed headlights were standard and optional on R\/T and Super Bee models. Hood pins included on the car.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cars Magazine<\/em> named the 1971 Dodge Charger their \u201cTop Performance Car of the Year,\u201d and that was done after the magazine staff tested some 23 different \u201csupercars\u201d and pony cars of all makes over a six-week period. As explained in their story, \u201cTop Performance\u201d in their view encompassed the following: Street performance, road handling, comfort and appointments, styling and, to a much lesser degree, quarter-mile acceleration and top speed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Marty Schorr was the editor of the publication and here\u2019s how he summarized the new line of Chargers: \u201cThe \u201971 Charger has soft, smooth and gracefully flowing lines, its styling can best be described as tasteful. It\u2019s a together car. Both the chrome loop bumper treatment or the optional color matched application works into the overall design. They don\u2019t look like bolt-on afterthoughts. The rear is tastefully styled with a slight spoiler influence. The \u201971 Charger line offers something for everyone. Packages and options can be interchanged so that the R\/T buyer can get the SE (Special Edition) luxury features if so desired. It\u2019s the type of flexibility that helps build an impressive sales picture and a pride in ownership. Anyone interested is a sporty hardtop should be interested in a \u201971 Charger. It\u2019s that<\/em> kind of car.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

How fast was a 1971 Dodge Charger with the 426-cid HEMI engine option? MotorTrend Magazine<\/em> tested one in their December 1970 issue and managed to get a 13.73-second run down the quarter-mile, with a speed of 104 miles per hour. This was a 4.10 geared automatic car and with a curb weight of 4,083 lbs., certainly no lightweight. Slicks and a set of open headers would really improve the overall performance on these cars, with low 13s and high 12s without too much effort. Performance may have been on the way out for Detroit car manufacturers (because of new federally mandated emissions laws), but till the end for the Chrysler HEMI engine, they were still very strong and powerful!<\/p>\n\n\n

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A total of 85 1971 HEMI Dodge Chargers were sold, with 46 of them being TorqueFlites (33 R\/Ts, 13 Super Bees) and the remaining 39 4-speed cars (30 R\/Ts, 9 Super Bees). Finding one today is a real challenge and locating one that is \u201coriginal\u201d is even less likely.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ORIGINAL MARKINGS<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Here\u2019s what a stock HEMI engine looked like back in the day, orange paint, black wrinkle valve covers. HEMI engines came with inline Carter 4-barrels and this car still has the original carbs with the all the correct finish, fuel lines and fittings.\u00a0This particular car has power steering as an option.\u00a0One look under the hood and restoration freaks get a real treat, as everything is \u201cfactory stock\u201d and the car makes a fantastic reference for others that are restoring a Mopar\u00ae<\/sub> vehicles of the same era.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Being an original, un-restored car, this car has factory \u201ccharacter\u201d markings including this undercoating, as over-spray on the firewall. Many restored cars don\u2019t include these authentic factory fingerprints. <\/p>\n\n\n

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This car had a pampered life, albeit some time in the snow. Today, it remains totally rust-free and it has never been in any accident or otherwise abused.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

RAN ON THE 1320<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n
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Of course, with it being a HEMI engine-powered car, the definition of the word \u201cabused\u201d can be interpreted differently to different people, but we do know that at least one of the past owners wasn\u2019t afraid to run the car through the gears at WOT (wide open throttle) from time to time, as evidenced by the old drag strip time slip from 1986 Baylands Raceway Park (CA), where the mighty Dodge ran 13.685 ET at 107.27 mph, very similar to the time slips by the magazine testers when these cars were brand new.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

PETTY NASCAR CHARGER<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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At the end of 1970, Richard Petty received a phone call from Chrysler announcing that Petty Enterprises would be given the Dodge NASCAR race program (in addition to the Plymouth deal they already had) and soon a 1971 Dodge Charger was part of the Petty stable. The first Petty Dodge was the white #11 1971 Dodge Charger driven by teammate Buddy Baker, and by \u201972 Richard himself would switch from a Plymouth Road Runner to a more aerodynamic Dodge Charger body. Petty raced a Dodge Charger until the end of the 1977 racing season.\u00a0Here’s the original car from back-in-the-day and it also restored, with an exhibition run in England.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Author: James Maxwell<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

– 1971 final year for the Gen II HEMI\u00ae engine– 1 of 33 built with TorqueFlite\u00ae transmission– 13.685 seconds in 1\/4-mile with stock tires For the 1971 model year, the Dodge Division released the 3rd-generation Charger body style and it featured a completely new body shell and a wider track than its predecessors. Styling was sleek and the new roof design featured a flush-fitting backlight, a compromise of sorts between the looks of a tunnel roof and that of a fastback shape. RETAINED “COKE BOTTLE” STYLING While it rode on […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":27,"featured_media":81855,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[2622],"tags":[519,2948],"class_list":["post-81888","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-heritage","tag-charger","tag-dodge-classics"],"acf":[],"custom_fields":{"post_thumbnail_image":"https:\/\/test.api.dodgegarage.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/1971HEMICharger_Feature.jpg","social_image":"https:\/\/test.api.dodgegarage.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/1971HEMICharger_Social.jpg","icon_selection":"article","external_link":"","featured_article":[],"upload_background_image":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/test.api.dodgegarage.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/81888"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/test.api.dodgegarage.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/test.api.dodgegarage.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/test.api.dodgegarage.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/27"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/test.api.dodgegarage.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=81888"}],"version-history":[{"count":9,"href":"https:\/\/test.api.dodgegarage.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/81888\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":81901,"href":"https:\/\/test.api.dodgegarage.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/81888\/revisions\/81901"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/test.api.dodgegarage.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/81855"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/test.api.dodgegarage.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=81888"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/test.api.dodgegarage.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=81888"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/test.api.dodgegarage.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=81888"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}