For 1971, the Challenger used the same body but with minor trim changes. The most noticeable was the split grille and revised taillights. The taillights were no longer a single piece with one back up light in the center but two taillights and two back up lights. The Challenger Special Edition wasn't available as well as the Challenger T/A.
1971 Dodge Challenger Specification and Production
Model Number
Body/Style Number
Body Type & Seating
Factory Price
Shipping Weight
Total Production
Challenger Series - Six-Cyl
JL
23
2 Dr Coupe
$2,727
3,020 lbs
Note 1
JH
23
2 Dr Hardtop
$2,848
3,065 lbs
Note 1
JH
27
2 Dr Convertible
$3,105
3,150 lbs
Note 2
Challenger Series - V-8
JL
23
2 Dr Coupe
$2,853
3,080 lbs
Note 1
JH
23
2 Dr Hardtop
$2,950
3,120 lbs
Note 1
JH
27
2 Dr Convertible
$3,207
3,210 lbs
Note 2
R/T Series
JS
23
2 Dr Hardtop
$3,273
3,495 lbs
4,630
NOTES:
Combined Total - 23,088
Combined Total - 2,165
Additional Challenger R/T Information: The "HEMI" engine was installed into 71 hardtops. The "440 Six-Pak" was installed into 250 hardtops.
Chassis Data
Model
Wheelbase
Overall Length
Width
Front Tread
Rear Tread
Tires
Challenger
110 in
191.3 in
76.3 in
59.7 in
61.6 in
7.35 x 14
Challenger R/T
110 in
191.3 in
76.3 in
59.7 in
61.6 in
F70 x 14
VIN Decoding
Serial Numbers were on the instrument panel, visible thru the windshield, and on the bottom line of a separate plate(fender tag) under the hood.
First Symbol - Car Line
D - Dodge 122"
W - Dodge 117/118"
L - Dart
W - Charger/Coronet
J - Challenger
X - Charger
Second Symbol - Price Class
E - Economy
S - Special
L - Low
X - Fast Top
M - Medium
K - Police
H - High
O - Superstock
P - Premium
T - Taxi
Third & Fourth Symbol - Body Type
21 - 2 Dr. Sedan
41 - 4 Dr. Sedan
23 - 2 Dr. Hardtop
43 - 4 Dr. Hardtop
27 - 2 Dr. Convertible
45 - Station Wagon 2-Seat
29 - 2 Dr. Sports Hardtop
46 - Station Wagon 3-Seat
Fifth Symbol - Engine
(B) 6-198
(N) 8-383
(C) 6-225
(N) 8-383
(E) 6-Special Order
(R) 8-426 HEMI
(G) 8-318
(T) 8-440
(H) 8-340
(U) 8-440
(J) 8-340
(V) 8-440
(L) 8-383
(Z) 8-Special Order
Sixth Symbol - Model Year
6 - 1966
1 - 1971
7 - 1967
2 - 1972
8 - 1968
3 - 1973
9 - 1969
4 - 1974
0 - 1970
5 - 1975
Seventh Symbol - Assembly Plant
(A) Lynch Road, Michigan
(E) Los Angeles, California
(B) Hamtramck, Michigan
(F) Newark, Deleware
(C) Jefferson, Michigan
(G) St. Louis, Missouri
(D) Belvedere, Illinois
(R) Windsor, Ontario, Canada
Last Six Symbols - Production Sequence
Started at 100001
1971 Dodge Challenger Options
Description
Description
225-cid/145-hp Slant Six
426-cid/425-hp "HEMI"
383-cid/275-hp V-8
TorqueFlite Transmission
383-cid/300-hp V-8
4-Speed Manual Transmission
440-cid/370-hp V-8
Power Brakes
440-cid/385-hp V-8 "Six Pak"
Power Disc Brakes
340-cid/275-hp V-8
Power Steering
Engine Options
Location Of Engine Code: 6-Cyl - Right front of block, below cylinder
head. Small-Block V-8 - Left front of block, below cylinder head. Big-Block
V-8 - Left rear of block, near oil pan flange.
Letter Code
Engine
Horsepower
Torque
Transmission
Carburetor
B
6-198
125
Not Available
Not Available
1 BC
C
6-225
145
215
TorqueFlite, 3-Speed Manual
1 BC
G
8-318
230
320
TorqueFlite, 3 & 4-Speed Manual
2 BC
H
8-340
275
340
TorqueFlite, 3 & 4-Speed Manual
4 BC
J
8-340
290
345
TorqueFlite, 3 & 4-Speed Manual
3 - 2 BC
L
8-383
275
390
TorqueFlite
2 BC
L
8-383
300
Not Available
TorqueFlite, 3 & 4-Speed Manual
4 BC
N
8-383 *
335
425
TorqueFlite, 3 & 4-Speed Manual
4 BC
R
8-426 HEMI
425
490
TorqueFlite, 3 & 4-Speed Manual
4 BC
U
8-440 *
370
480
TorqueFlite, 3 & 4-Speed Manual
4 BC
V
8-440
385
490
TorqueFlite, 3 & 4-Speed Manual
3 - 2 BC
Notes:
* High Performance
Available Transmissions
Transmission
Location
TorqueFlite
Stamped on the transmission oil pan rail.
3-Speed Manual
Not Available
4-Speed Manual
Not Available
Identification Number
Transmission Type
3535804
TorqueFlite
3515806
TorqueFlite
3515841
TorqueFlite
3515842
TorqueFlite
3515843
TorqueFlite
3515844
TorqueFlite
3515845
TorqueFlite
3515846
TorqueFlite
3515847
TorqueFlite
3515848
TorqueFlite
3515849
TorqueFlite
3515850
TorqueFlite
3515851
TorqueFlite
3515852
TorqueFlite
Axle Decoding
Location Of Axle Codes: A metal tag is bolted to the assembly, giving the axle ratio or tooth count (if tooth count - divide the larger number by the smaller number, this is the ratio.) Locking axles have a metal tag with the letter "S" on it.
Note: Since tags can easily be missing, the approximate ratio can be determined by marking both the a wheel and the driveshaft; turn the wheel one complete turn and the number of times the driveshaft rotates is the ratio. Locking axles can be identified by raising the complete axle assembly and turning one wheel; if the other wheel turns the the same direction it is a locking axle and if it turns the opposite direction it is a non-locking axle.
Challenger Axle Ratios
Engine
6-198
6-225
8-318
8-340
8-383
8-426
8-440
Locking / Non-Locking
L
NL
L
NL
L
NL
L
NL
L
NL
L
NL
L
NL
Ratio
2.76
x
x
x
x
3.23
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
3.54
x
x
3.55
x
x
x
x
3.91
x
x
4.10
x
x
x
x
Interior and Exterior Paint Chips
1971 Dodge Exterior Paint Codes.
The first Paint Code identifies the roof or accent color. The second
Paint Code identifies the body color. (For example, the combination
X9-B2 on a Dodge would indicate the roof or accent area is in Black
and the body is finished in Light Blue Metallic.) Paint code plates
are located in the engine compartment on the left wheel housing,
the fender side shield, or the radiator yoke.
