1971 Dodge Challenger Convertible 440

Dodge Challenger 1971 Description

Here's the story about the car:
I have had the car over 20 years. My business partner and myself have both loved Mopars since we were teenagers. (A long time ago!) When I bought itthe person who sold it to me had started fixing it up. It had already been re-painted by them. (I believe it might have been originally a light yellow.) The440 had already been installed too. This car was originally a small block (318). They also put the R/T stripes on the car. 1971 Challenger convertibles neverwere R/T's nor did they come with a 440. Another odd thing came with the car back then. It had a 4 point roll bar welded into the floor behind the front seats.I didn't get much info about the past history from the seller but they did mention that it had been "raced" a little. Judging from the 440 and the shift kit in theauto transmission, i'm not surprised the roll bar was there.
One of the first things I did was to have the roll bar removed. (Safety yes, but it looks much better without.)
YouTube Videos:https://youtu.be/696dfvyxqtchttps://youtu.be/DOo_r1I5YXUhttps://youtu.be/YyQr2deZsFohttps://youtu.be/3o9Lr8sIHyc
Thing I have done:
Just Dashes re-did all the door panels as well as the dash.Six-Pack style air cleaner, there's a 4 barrel underneath it. I liked the looks.Mopar Direct Connection chrome valve covers.Legendary Interiors did the all the seats.A/C brand carpet inside.New Convertible Top.Pistol Grip shifter. (I know it's not stock, but it looks pretty cool!)New Door Sills.Stockton Wheels Mopar Rally - 41 Series with B.F. Goodrich Radial T/A tiresAside for the times I took it out, the car has been stored indoors since I have owned it.Front end parts have been replaced with parts from Year One and it has been aligned.
I really want to be transparent with the car as to make it easier for the next owner to know what they will have to do as well as point out things that may not be original.
Engine bay is semi-black, originally should be the body color.Speedo not hooked up or working, never got around to it.Could use a fresh Convertible top switch, it works fine, but would look better.Fuel gauge not working, I have just always topped off the tank when it goes to car shows or to run it around the block each month. Farthest show I have gone to isSpring/Fall Fling in the San Fernando Valley from here in Orange County. (About 100 miles round trip.)Originally had A/C, none of that is in the car. Also, heater controls were never hooked up.Front & rear bumpers were re-chromed about 15 years ago and should be done again if it were to be judged.Doors close like a 45 year old car, loud.Original side window glass has some scratches from years of use.Convertible top rattles a little where it latches to the top of the car.There are two sheet metal pieces (10"x10"?) that were pop-riveted into the floor board exactly where the base plate of the roll bar was. Nothing to do with rust,more just to cover up where the welded roll bar was ground off. These are under the carpet but you can see the pop rivets when you look under the car.There is a small blem, just below the rear glass window. (See pic.)Metal area below the dash pad is original, the semi-gloss black paint down eventually should be repainted.There is only some small surface rust areas within the trunk area as well as underneath the car that would be removed with the fine grit sandpaper.The original undercoating is still there.
I will try to think of anything else because it will give the new owner an easier time for the future.
The reserve price i have listed it is very fair based upon what is available out there.They only made convertibles in 1970 and '71.The 1971 production figures for a V8 convertible is only 1,774. They made 2,543 in 1970. In all the car shows I have been to,I have only seen 1 or 2 other 1971 convertibles but plenty of '70's.
I am located in Orange, CA. It is parked inside my business' warehouse all the time. This is a 7 day auction, I highly recommend anyone to have it inspected here. We do have a car liftin our warehouse to fully check out the under side. Contact me to set up any appointment before end of auction.
VIN DECODER ORIGINAL INFORMATION:Car Line: J = Dodge ChallengerPrice Class:H = HighBody Type:27 = ConvertibleEngine:G = 318 230HP 1-2BBL 8 CYLModel Year:1 = 1971Assembly Plant:B = Dodge Main, Hamtramck, MI, USASequence Number:228862 = 128862th Vehicle