Now here is some controversy for you. Mopar afficionadoes take note. Dodge did not offer a 426 ci Hemi option for the 1971 Dodge Challenger R/T Convertible, you say? It is true that there were no Hemi Challenger R/T convertibes produced in ’71. But one was ordered. A Mopar enthusiast wouldn’t take no for an answer and persuaded Short Dodge in Santa Monica, California to order a factory 426 Hemi engine along with a big block 1971 Dodge Challenger R/T Convertible with a shaker hood. The Hemi was installed by Short Dodge before it was delivered. They say an addendum to the original Dodge window sticker was authorized by Chrysler Corporation and added by the dealership.
Happy Days Dream Cars in Warrensburg, Missouri now has this very same 1971 Dodge Hemi Challenger R/T Convertible for sale. It is a “one of one” Hemi Challenger R/T Convertible, the only Hemi Challenger R/T convertible authorized by Chrysler for that year. It is also one of only 41 big block Challenger R/T convertibles produced by Dodge in 1971. Happy Days Dream Cars tells us that the Chrysler Corportation warranties and exclusions for the 426 ci Hemi motor have been preserved and come with the purchase of this rare Mopar. They also have the broadcast sheet and paperwork for the original tire warranties, engine starting instructions tag, new car information tags pertaining to the 426 Hemi motor, fender tag decoding lists, and a letter from Galen Govier stating that the 1971 383 4-barrel Chrysler JH27 VIN number is now recorded in the Chrysler Registry. He noted that this car was No 29 out of 31 built in sequence as a 1971 383 4-barrel Dodge Challenger Convertible registered and sold new in the U.S.
What’s more, they say this 1971 Dodge Hemi Challenger R/T Convertible has had a complete rotissierie restoration in 2003 and has been stored in a climate-controlled facility ever since. They have the receipts for the restoration in a portfolio to be viewed. They say they also have the original 1971 dealership advertisements and operator’s manual, wiring diagram manual, “Illustrated Facts and Features Manual” and an original 1971 Dodge “Scat Pack” brochure featuring the wild tubes exhaust headers.
They say it was decoded and certified by Galen Govier on January 30, 2003. It is now in the Chrysler Registry. With it’s special story, the provenance alone may make this the most unique Hemi car in Mopar history.
No 1971 Challenger R/T ragtops built in 1971.
Also, more than 41 big-block ragtops built in 1971.