1971 Challenger R/T 340 4 barrel

[dhh]

Saw one of these for sale on FB, but I hadn't seen a R/T with a 340 before. After some googling, I found that you could apparently get it instead of the 383 (base engine for R/T) for no extra cost.

Seems like not many people would have chosen to go this route, and this is the first time I've seen one.

The #'s matching engine block is painted blue, as seen in the pics. From my understanding, they switched painting 340s orange to blue around March 1971.

Does anyone know how many of these 1971 R/T's came from the factory with a 340?

[anlauto]

Quite a few 1078 is what Galen's white book says..

[dhh]

Quite a few 1078 is what Galen's white book says..

Thanks, I gotta get that book!

[anlauto]

I restored this one a while back...another blue motor 340 (not in the car in this picture) back in the hands of the original owner...

[dhh]

I normally don't like white, but it looks amazing with the vinyl top and RT decals!

[jringo8769]

That is simply gorgeous
and I personally love the 340
I would love to one day own a AAR
Never hurts to dream
Thank u for sharing this with us
Love the R/T's too
God Bless,John

Sent from my SM-S515DL using Tapatalk

[6bblgt]

Saw one of these for sale on FB, but I hadn't seen a R/T with a 340 before. After some googling, I found that you could apparently get it instead of the 383 (base engine for R/T) for no extra cost.
1971 Challenger R/T is the only year for a small block R/T until the F-body Aspen R/Ts in '76.
the 340 was a $44.35 OPTION (NOT no extra cost) in the '71 Challenger R/T

The #'s matching engine block is painted blue, as seen in the pics. From my understanding, they switched painting 340s orange to blue around March 1971.
during the 1971 model year, 340 production moved from Windsor, Ontario (GW340 painted "HEMI Orange") to the Mound Rd. engine assembly plant in Detroit, MI (GM340 painted "Corporate Blue") the change took place as existing inventory was used up at various rates at the 5 automobile assembly plants that installed 340s in A, B & E-bodies during the spring of '71

[dhh]

1971 Challenger R/T is the only year for a small block R/T until the F-body Aspen R/Ts in '76.
the 340 was a $44.35 OPTION (NOT no extra cost) in the '71 Challenger R/T

Huh, that's interesting. Why did they say it was no extra cost on the ad then?

SELECTED CHALLENGER OPTIONS
...
340 4bbl V8 (no extra cost, Challenger R/T)

I guess misleading customers is pretty common among car manufacturers 

[6bblgt]

1971 Challenger R/T is the only year for a small block R/T until the F-body Aspen R/Ts in '76.
the 340 was a $44.35 OPTION (NOT no extra cost) in the '71 Challenger R/T

Huh, that's interesting. Why did they say it was no extra cost on the ad then?

my guess it's an early '71 brochure    often a few changes by the time production began/options & prices finalized
the 340 was "no-charge" VS. the STANDARD 383HP in the '70 'cuda - Chrysler must've figured they could squeeze a few $$$$ out of the 340 in the '71 E-bodies