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Muscle car

1971 Dodge Charger R/T 426 Hemi

Muscle car powered by Chrysler 426 Street Hemi V8.

1971 Dodge Charger R/T front three-quarter view showing the third-generation body, split grille, R/T graphics, and Ram Charger hood
Engine E74 426 Street Hemi, 425 gross hp and 490 lb-ft
Transmissions A833 four-speed manual or TorqueFlite automatic
Reported U.S. production 63 cars: 30 four-speeds and 33 automatics
Canadian production 12 additional Hemi Charger R/Ts reported

Story

1971 Dodge Charger R/T 426 Hemi

The Charger was completely redesigned for 1971, with a longer, lower body, a split-loop grille, and a sweeping fastback roofline. R/T remained the top factory performance model for one final year, and the E74 426 Street Hemi was its most powerful engine choice.

The Street Hemi kept its 425-horsepower gross rating, dual four-barrel carburetors, 10.2:1 compression, and 490 lb-ft of gross torque. Buyers could pair it with the heavy-duty A833 four-speed or TorqueFlite automatic. Factory axle packages added Sure-Grip, 3.55, 3.54, or 4.10 gearing, and the heavy-duty 9.75-inch Dana axle in four-speed Track Pak applications.

Hemmings reports 63 Hemi Charger R/Ts built for the United States: 30 four-speeds and 33 automatics, plus 12 additional Canadian cars. Those numbers make documentation especially important. An original Hemi claim should be supported by the E74 engine code, VIN and fender tag, broadcast sheet, body numbers, and matching engine and transmission stampings rather than badges or hood hardware alone.

The gallery separates what each image can prove. Licensed Charger R/T stills show the 1971 body and trim, the engine image shows the 426 Hemi family, and the exact-model video follows a documented Hemi four-speed car. Paint and stripe combinations still need to be checked against the individual car's tag and records.

1971 Dodge Charger R/T rear view showing the full-width taillamp panel, rear spoiler, vinyl roof, and R/T badgeChristopher Ziemnowicz via Wikimedia Commons · Public domain

Price history

Values

Nominal dollars from original price sheets, auction archives, and approved value references.

Original Price

A verified original price is not yet available for this car.

Market Observations

  • Auction sale $467,500

    Jan 12, 2024 · Mecum Kissimmee

    Automatic Hemi Charger R/T WS23R1A165242 with original engine, interior, undercarriage, and engine bay plus one repaint. · survivor · excellent Mecum records the completed sale, exact VIN, date, buyer-inclusive amount, automatic Hemi configuration, original engine and major presentation areas, one repaint, and Juliano provenance. Hagerty corroborates the result; CLASSIC.COM records a $425,000 hammer amount and Original & Highly Original classification.
  • High bid $176,000

    May 16, 2023 · Bring a Trailer

    Factory R-code four-speed Charger R/T WS23R1A193579 refurbished in 2015-2022 with a replacement 426 Hemi. · modified · excellent Bring a Trailer records the reserve-not-met high bid, exact VIN, date, amount, fender-tag Hemi/four-speed identity, replacement engine, multi-year refurbishment, Dana 60, documentation, and one mile shown after reset. Modified/Excellent keeps the replacement drivetrain explicit.
  • Auction sale $123,750

    Aug 3, 2019 · Mecum Harrisburg

    Factory-backed Rod Shop Super Stock Hemi Charger WS23R1A143101, a production R-code four-speed modified for period SS/E competition. · modified · good Mecum records the completed sale, exact VIN, date, amount, factory Hemi/four-speed basis, period race preparation, 70% original race paint, original interior, 77 miles believed, and broadcast sheet. Modified/Good preserves its competition configuration and aged unrestored presentation.
  • Auction sale $242,000

    Jan 14, 2017 · Mecum Kissimmee

    9,800-mile four-speed Hemi Charger R/T WS23R1G120747 described as never disassembled with original drivetrain, body, interior, and engine compartment. · original unrestored · excellent Mecum records the completed sale, exact VIN, date, amount, Hemi/four-speed configuration, original matching-number engine, original body panels and interior, never-disassembled claim, broadcast sheet, and ownership records. Original-unrestored/Excellent is source-scoped.
  • Auction sale $324,500

    Jan 23, 2015 · Mecum Kissimmee

    Documented final Hemi Charger WS23R1A190774, a four-speed retaining its original engine and records with one repaint. · survivor · excellent Mecum records the completed sale, exact VIN, date, amount, four-speed Hemi configuration, Chrysler letter, broadcast sheet, window sticker, original engine, mostly unrestored state, retained interior and striping, and single repaint. Survivor/Excellent preserves that source description.
  • Auction sale $113,400

    Jan 17, 2014 · Mecum Kissimmee

    Automatic Hemi Charger R/T WS23R1A160359 with matching-number drivetrain, window sticker, and two build sheets after a rotisserie restoration. · restored · excellent Hagerty records the completed sale, exact VIN, date, amount, Hemi/automatic configuration, documentation, matching-number claim, restoration, and #2 Excellent condition.

Values move with paperwork, originality, options, condition, venue, and body style. High bids and guide values are labeled separately from completed sales.

Reference records

Options, Colors & Components

Source-backed details for trim, chassis, production, and authenticity.

Engine Details

426 Hemi V8 detail showing the engine family's dual-carburetor induction and valve-cover layoutSteven Kevil via Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0
  • Ignition distributor assembly stamped complete 3438 579 · 1971 B/J/R/W 426 engine with automatic transmission; W carline is Coronet-Charger · distributor / part number
  • Ignition distributor replacement partial assembly 3438 580 · 1971 B/J/R/W 426 engine with automatic transmission; W carline is Coronet-Charger · distributor / part number

Transmission

  • Factory transmission D21 A833 four-speed manual
  • Factory transmission D34 TorqueFlite three-speed automatic

Options

426 Street Hemi reference for the 1971 Dodge Charger R/T 426 HemiClassic Muscle · Reference illustration
  • E74 426-cu-in 2x4-bbl Hemi V-8 optional · performance · Listed for Charger R/T/Super Bee; not available with three-speed manual, air conditioning, trailer towing, or automatic speed control.
  • A36 Performance Axle Package optional · performance · Includes Sure-Grip and high-performance cooling/suspension items; Hemi with TorqueFlite only.
  • A33 Track Pak optional · performance · 4-speed package with 3.54 heavy-duty 9 3/4-inch Dana rear axle and Sure-Grip.
  • A34 Super Track Pak optional · performance · 4-speed package with 4.10 heavy-duty 9 3/4-inch Dana rear axle, power disc brakes, and Sure-Grip.
  • A54 Colored bumper group optional · appearance · Front and rear colored bumpers; black painted grille standard R/T/Super Bee; louvered taillights standard 500/R/T.
  • D34 TorqueFlite automatic transmission standard · performance · Charger R/T standard item; mounted on the column unless ordered with the extra-cost console, when mounted in the console.
  • D21 4-speed manual transmission optional · performance · Charger R/T standard-items page states the four-speed manual was optional at no extra cost and replaced the standard automatic.
  • A09 Concealed Headlamp Group optional · appearance · Accessory-groups page lists the concealed-headlamp group for Super Bee and R/T; includes concealed headlamps and instrument-panel-mounted hood release, available in group only.

Paint

1971 Charger R/T fender badge detail; trim context rather than engine proofJeremy via Wikimedia Commons · CC BY 2.0

Chassis

Authenticity

Brake Choices reference for the 1971 Dodge Charger R/T 426 HemiClassic Muscle · Reference illustration
  • Engine option code E74 for 426-cu-in 2x4-bbl Hemi · Factory option records/build documentation and fender tag or broadcast sheet when present. · fraud detection
  • Ram Charger hood with Hemi N96 Ram Charger hood listed standard with Hemi · Factory option documentation and physical hood/air-induction parts. · trim correctness
  • Hemi engine equipment two four-barrel carburetors, special fuel line/fuel pump, dual-breaker distributor · Engine bay components and engine documentation. · numbers matching
  • Hemi availability restrictions Not available with three-speed manual, air conditioning, trailer towing, or automatic speed control · Order form, option sheet, fender tag/broadcast sheet review. · fraud detection
  • Vehicle identification plate Hemi/R-T coding The 13-character vehicle identification plate includes car line, price class, body style, engine displacement, model year, assembly plant, and sequence number; catalog entries include X for Charger, S for Charger R/T, R for 426-cu-in engine, and 1 for 1971. · Instrument-panel vehicle identification plate visible through the windshield; compare to factory paperwork rather than exterior trim. · fraud detection
  • Engine identification number format and boss location Factory engine identification uses a two-letter plant code, three-digit cubic-inch displacement, four-digit date code, and four-digit daily sequence; the 426 entry is listed, with the identification boss located at the left side, front of block, below the cylinder head. · Engine identification-number boss on the block, then reconcile the stamped format and date/sequence with factory paperwork for the specific car. · numbers matching
  • Transmission identification number format and location Manual transmissions use plant code plus component code, date code, and serial number; the catalog lists PP for New Process Gear Division and 833 for the 833 transmission, with the number below centerline on the front portion of the right side. Automatic transmissions use PK for Kokomo plus part number, date code, and serial number, located on the left oil-pan side rail. · Transmission case stamping location appropriate to manual or automatic transmission, reconciled to the broadcast sheet or other factory paperwork. · numbers matching

Still Researching

  • engine Headline Hemi specifications and equipment are recorded, and the 1971 parts-catalog distributor assembly and replacement numbers for the B/J/R/W 426 automatic application are now recorded; engine assembly numbers, carburetor list numbers, castings, manual-transmission distributor application, and date windows are not complete.
  • transmission Both factory transmission paths are recorded, but complete application numbers and date ranges are not.
  • rear axle The principal performance packages and ratios are recorded, but every transmission, ratio, and axle-code combination is not reconciled.
  • brakes Heavy-duty drums and optional power front discs are recorded, but all package dependencies and component part numbers are not.
  • suspension Factory parts tables document rear springs, shocks, bushings, shackles, and bumpers, but the exact Hemi front torsion-bar application remains unresolved.
  • option packages Major engine, axle, appearance, chassis, and Charger R/T transmission-code choices are recorded; this pass adds A31 High-Performance Package, A09 Concealed Headlamp Group, and D21/D34 Charger R/T transmission ordering rows, but the complete ordering and incompatibility matrix is still not fully normalized.
  • production U.S., Canadian, and U.S. transmission counts are reported, but a captured factory ledger or authoritative registry reconciliation is still needed.
  • paint colors The 1971 Dodge model-year palette is recorded, but Charger R/T restrictions, stripe pairings, and individual-car codes require factory documentation.
  • trim and appearance R/T, Ram Charger hood, wheel, spoiler, and bumper treatments are recorded, but the complete sales-code matrix is not.
  • interior Seat, console, instrument, and steering-wheel choices are recorded, but the complete trim-code and color matrix is not.
  • authenticity markers E74 and equipment checks are recorded, and factory VIN plus engine/transmission identification formats and locations are now recorded; exact body-stamp guidance, car-specific drivetrain date-window validation, and documented survivor examples are still incomplete.

Codes & names

Names & Engine Codes

Common names and codes are grouped so LS6 references point to the same engine, not separate pages.

Heavy-Duty Chassis reference for the 1971 Dodge Charger R/T 426 HemiClassic Muscle · Reference illustration
426-cu-in. Hemi V-8 Chrysler 426 Street Hemi V8
426 Street Hemi Chrysler 426 Street Hemi V8
426 Hemi Chrysler 426 Street Hemi V8

Photo and video gallery

Gallery

4 photos and videos

Sources & Documentation

Reader contributions

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