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So if you ordered a 1971 Challenger R/T....

Started by Beep Beep Dave, May 26, 2022, 12:52:29 PM

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Beep Beep Dave

So if you ordered a 1971 Challenger R/T brand new with bodyside mouldings, a luggage rack and a shaker hood...when you picked it up at the dealer...would it:
A). have lower quarter side scoops
B). have any R/T emblems or say it was a R/T anywhere on the car?

Dave   

YYZ

AFAIK a '71 R/T should always have the quarter panel scoops unless there was a factory error.

As for R/T badging, there is still some debate over it.

If it had a shaker, then the hood would have the Fratzog on it — the R/T decal was only for over the counter replacement shaker hoods that had the flatter front section.

Theoretically, if there were no side stripes (V6*) then metal R/T badges were affixed below the Challenger script emblems on the fenders.

Otherwise there would be no R/T markings, and it seems unlikely that Chrysler would only rely on the side scoops and blackouts to distinguish the model.

The decklid should have a 'DODGE' metal emblem and did not have an R/T like the '70s.  Similarly, I have seen people put an R/T emblem under the Challenger script between the taillights but I've never seen evidence of that being factory.


anlauto

In 1971, why couldn't it have both, body side moldings AND R/T stripes ? there's enough room  :dunno: :thinking:
I've taught you everything you know....but I haven't taught you everything I know....
Check out my web site ....  Alan Gallant Automotive Restoration


autoxcuda

Quote from: YYZ on May 26, 2022, 01:16:28 PM
AFAIK a '71 R/T should always have the quarter panel scoops unless there was a factory error.

As for R/T badging, there is still some debate over it.

If it had a shaker, then the hood would have the Fratzog on it — the R/T decal was only for over the counter replacement shaker hoods that had the flatter front section.

Theoretically, if there were no side stripes (V6*) then metal R/T badges were affixed below the Challenger script emblems on the fenders.

Otherwise there would be no R/T markings, and it seems unlikely that Chrysler would only rely on the side scoops and blackouts to distinguish the model.

The decklid should have a 'DODGE' metal emblem and did not have an R/T like the '70s.  Similarly, I have seen people put an R/T emblem under the Challenger script between the taillights but I've never seen evidence of that being factory.

:iagree:

A) All have scoops.

B) If no stripe that said "R/T", then no "R/T" badge. Was intended. Same for previous cars like: 69 GTS, 68 & 69 Charger & Coronet R/T, and I'm sure other cars....BUT those cars had bolt on emblems.

There seems to be a number of 71 Challenger R/T's with emblems and side stripes on survivors and early pictures.  Were they factory mistakes because emblem was not bolted on? Or was the stripe or emblem added early in life because it was easy to just stick on? 

Question: Is 1971 the first year Mopar started with stick on emblems on cars? Was that the first year for that process? If so, that might add to the rate of mistakes.

BTW I've seen a survivor brown 71 Hemi Challenger R/T much like the car the OP is describing. Julius had it for sale.
Spring Fling April 2024 Woodley Park, Van Nuys CA, 600+ Mopars, 175+ all Mopar swap, Malibu Cruise, Mopar Cruise-In: www.cpwclub.com Date comming...

Beep Beep Dave

Well the reason I was asking was years ago a car in Ontario surfaced and while the owner was doing the resto he said there was no evidence that his bodyside moulding equipped Challenger had side scoops installed. I thought that was odd and started looking into it myself...that was 15 years and a least a computer ago. I can't see where I saved the research that I did back then but there were more than one car with bodyside mouldings and no side scoops.

The other thing that I vaguely remember if you ordered the M46 on a 1970 Barracuda you couldn't also get the bodyside mouldings...

Anyway I was just checking in to see what the E-body guys had to say about this topic and if new info had come to light in the last 15 years about some 1971 Challenger details.

Here is the car that started the debate for me:

http://mapleleafmopars.homestead.com/MofMmay2007.html

Dave

     

Beep Beep Dave

The restored Six Pack car

Beep Beep Dave

A survivor Hemi...do you guys have any similar pictures?


YYZ

The V-code car is certainly awesome with respect to how it was optioned out, and the restoration is excellent. However, a significant amount of sheet metal has been replaced and my understanding is that the car was originally from Rochester, NY and had suffered in the lake effect snow.  So were the scoops omitted with a prior 1/4 panel repair or does the current owner have pics from new as he does with his convertible?

As for metal R/T emblems, there is a triple black survivor '71 Hemi Challenger that has the metal fender emblems, but I don't recall offhand whether it has the side moulding or scoops.   California car, and is featured in some of the books as well.


anlauto

#9
Quote from: YYZ on May 30, 2022, 01:20:00 PM
The V-code car is certainly awesome with respect to how it was optioned out, and the restoration is excellent. However, a significant amount of sheet metal has been replaced
:thinking: :haha: yea you could say that... :-X
I've taught you everything you know....but I haven't taught you everything I know....
Check out my web site ....  Alan Gallant Automotive Restoration

YYZ



YYZ

#11
And here's another R-code, original paint, V5X. Looks like Great Lakes NOS may be the vendor

http://classiccardb.com/dodge/432724-1971-426-hemi-challenger-4-speed-original-paint-numbers-matching-orange.html

YYZ

Another unrestored R-code, 1 owner.  Has the metal R/T badges but with slightly different placement than the others. 

Which lends support to the theory that the stick-on emblems were a work in progress

https://www.mecum.com/lots/FL0115-204293/1971-dodge-hemi-challenger-rt/

YYZ


And yet another survivor R-code (you'd get the impression that they weren't rare...)

Metal R/T emblems

https://barnfinds.com/hemi-power-1971-dodge-challenger/

Beep Beep Dave

Quote from: YYZ on May 30, 2022, 04:31:52 PM
And here's another R-code, original paint, V5X. Looks like Great Lakes NOS may be the vendor

http://classiccardb.com/dodge/432724-1971-426-hemi-challenger-4-speed-original-paint-numbers-matching-orange.html

This is tough to say what is original and what is not as the shaker, louvers, and wing were all added.

Dave