Five Final-Year Classic Chargers from Mecum's Texas Sale

The start of the '70s, the end of classic muscle

Given what we know about the number of Challengers that appeared with these cars at Mecum Auction’s Dallas sale Sept. 4-7, 2019, and the breadth of the model year spread, the fact that there were just seven Chargers on offer was a surprise. Even more surprising is that five of those were ’71 models, one of each major configuration offered that very last year of classic Mopar muscle. Here those are, listed in running order. 

All images courtesy ­­­­­Mecum Auctions.

1971 Dodge Charger R/T 440 [$32,500 No Sale]

Our first contender, Lot #T276, is a triple-black factory U code 440 cu. in. V8 and TorqueFlite-equipped R/T. if the short description is to be believed, rebuilt… everything is on the menu. The engine, transmission, front and rear ends, brakes, driveshaft, and A/C are said to have been redone and are said to be rust-free. This near-base model garnered the lowest high bid isn’t surprising; that it didn’t sell as-is. 

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1971 Dodge Hemi Charger R/T [$181,500]

As you can tell from its sale price, Lot #F137 is kind of a big deal. In addition to being one of 30 Hemi four-speed, Charger R/Ts built in the combo’s final year. It’s one of 12 Canadian cars, has the Super Track Pak, just about every other desirable option, and—most importantly—papers that prove this B5 Blue car is kosher. Like most everything Mecum offered from the Peter Swainson Collection, the car looks brand-new. And as he seemed to never buy the same thing twice, this one comes with the Ramcharger hood with hold-down pins but and exposed headlamps, spoilers at both ends with no vinyl top. Expensive, but well worth it.  

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1971 Dodge Charger Super Bee 440 Six Pack [$80k No Sale]

That Lot #F143 was originally sold by Mr. Norm’s Grand Spaulding Dodge might mean something to you, but it likely added little to the eventually-unsuccessful high bid. What should have was this Bee’s is one of just 69 V-Code 440 Six Packs with TorqueFlites in ’71, plus it's Super Track Pak. Also on the car is power steering, brakes with front discs, Ramcharger hood, Rallye suspension with sway bar, rear spoiler and full documentation. The car came from the Peter Swainson Collection so that didn’t hurt, either. Look for this Bee to show up soon at another auction. 

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1971 Dodge Charger R/T 440 Six Pack [$77,000]

Lot #F144 , a Citron Yella V-code Charger R/Ts with TorqueFlite (one of just 98 that year) was restored to the nines by famed Mopar fixer-upper Julius Steuer for Sylvester Stallone’s son, Sage. It comes with just about everything you could get in a car so-equipped, including hideaway headlamps, Luxury cloth and vinyl interior, Ramcharger hood, bucket seats with center console, rear spoiler, color-keyed mirrors, Rallye wheels, and power steering and brakes. It comes fully-documented, was featured in the Mopar Collector’s Guide and is another car from the Swainson Collection. Given its low estimate of $85k, some lucky bidder stole this. 

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1971 Dodge Charger R/T 440 Six Pack [$65k No Sale]

As mentioned in Lot #F144, if you wanted a V-Code 440 Six Pack backed by a TorqueFlite in ’71, Super Bees like Lot #F143 were not the only game in town. Dodge made 98 V-codes like the aforementioned Lot #F144 that year. This car, Lot #F174, is a rotisserie-restored original Hemi Orange Super Track Pack Charger R/T with a broadcast sheet and full ownership history. These not only got an even lower no-sale price than Lot #F143—owing to its non-famous selling dealer, but it's also not being a Super Bee or both—and an even lower one than the sale price of Lot #F144. The other V-code Charger R/T (likely due to the “celebrity” bump and better equipment). Regardless, it should do better at a future sale so long as there are fewer ’71 Chargers to choose from. 

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