When Dodge revived its Challenger nameplate in 1970, the Chrysler division reacted to the pony car craze set off by the Ford Mustang and the Chevrolet Camaro a few years prior in a distinctly different fashion. Bigger and brasher, it was available in a staggering array of combinations topped initially by the R/T. As its “Road/Track” designation indicated, it straddled the grey area between performance tourer and competition car with its big V-8s and beefed up underpinnings. A year later, its swagger remained undiminished. A few styling touches set it apart from the 1970, but it lost none of its gravitas—something that would erode as early as the next year in light of increasingly strict emissions regulations.

Assembled at Dodge’s Hamtramck, Michigan, plant, the 1971 Challenger offered here represents something of an ultimate “wish list” car. It was originally fitted with the brand’s robust 383-cid V-8 and an automatic transmission, but a recent rotisserie restoration bestowed it with a much more potent 440 Six Pack V-8 rated originally at 390 horsepower and a four-speed manual gearbox with a pistol grip shifter. Transplant aside, it remains a factory R/T swathed in correct Hemi Orange paint that has recently been wet-sanded and buffed. Black longitudinal stripes, a rear spoiler, a sport hood, and dual chrome exhaust tips make it especially thrilling.

Inside, its black vinyl trim and copious faux wood trim is correct and looks essentially new. An AM radio is present and, front and center in the instrument cluster, the tachometer’s needle sits ready to race toward redline.