1971 Dodge Challenger R/T "440 SIX PACK" RestoMod

Luck of the Draw is how the Mopar Muscle magazine feature described this 1971 Dodge Challenger R/T. You may also recognize it from the Rascal Flatts music video for the song “My Worst Fear.” In any case, this car has been a public part of the Mopar hobby ever since it was brought home by the father-son team of David and Zach Smiley in 1988, ending a 20-year Mopar drought for the family. Sold new in Daly, California a GA4 Silver 383 4bbl car, once in David and Zach's hands, modifications began in earnest. When the Smiley boys bought it, the original motor had been relegated to door stop duty in favor of a big 440 plucked from an Imperial. The first order of business, rebuild the original motor. Bored .030 over and treated to a forged bottom end, complete with TRW pistons and Mopar Performance Purple Shaft cam, the numbers matching 383 was brought back to life.

In 2000, the car was treated to a comprehensive restoration, going from Gunmetal Grey to Speis Hecker Blue Black. The original V5X rub strips were 86'ed in favor of a proper set of White R/T Stripes. The N96 Shaker hood wears XV Motorsports billet hood hinges, hiding something sinister underneath.

The original motor is once again set aside on a stand while 440 sends power to the pavement. The big 440 gracing the engine bay is pro-built to SIX PACK specs, from oil pan to Shakerhood air cleaner, sort of. It is actually a 500 Cubic Inch Stroker built by Auto Specialty of Lafayette, Indiana. She's a full roller, Comp cam and Lifters and Crane rockers. The SIX PACK intake was chrome plated by Advanced Plating of Nashville, TN. Spark is handled courtesy of MSD Pro-Billet Distributor and Ignition system. Edelbrock aluminum heads handle the flow, dumping exhaust into TTI 3” headers and custom 3” exhaust and Flowmaster mufflers. A low profile Milodon oil pan protects the rotating assembly from any unwanted contact with the asphalt.

Slide into the driver's seat and you will find a full complement of Autometer gauges mounted in custom carbon fiber gauge pods, framed by a leather wrapped Flaming River “Waterfall” Steering Wheel which is mounted in turn by a polished tilt steering wheel. Custom carbon fiber touches tie the interior together, console top plate, door coves, and Pistol Grip automatic shifter from Gunslinger Automotive. Have a CD collection that needs to see some action? The stereo system sports a trunk mounted Custom Auto Sound 6-Disc CD Changer.

The underbody is painted semi-gloss black. Magnumforce Sub-Frame Connectors handle the extra torque of the big motor. The 3” custom high-flow exhaust terminates into a pair of 3” polished chrome tips. The 727 Torqueflite features a B&M quick shift kit, TSI Converter, and A&A Transmission Aluminum Pan. The 8 ¾ Sure Grip rear spins loaded with 3.91 gears. QA-1 shocks, G-max Sway Bars, and Super Stock Hemi Leaf Springs handle the drama of it all. Other undercarriage details abound, right down to the polished gas tank straps.

Zooming back out to the exterior and behold a set of classic 15" Rallye wheels, shod in staggered BF Goodrich Radial T/A's, 245's in the front, 275's out back. The chrome F U E L door, quarter panel mounted side scoops, and flat black Go Wing complete the look. The car came into the current owner's care in 2011, where it has remained a regional show and cruise night car, part of larger vintage Challenger collection. If you are looking for a car capable of both Show and GO and drives out smooth complete with power steering, power brakes, and Ice-Cold A/C, then you could be the next caretaker of this legendary machine.