Marlowe Boyd bought his dream car forty years ago. For 1971, the Dodge Charger was restyled and made available in six models, from the basic coupe to the R/T version. Boyd chose the R/T with a 440 Six Pack under the hood and still owns the car today.

The 1971 model year would turn out the be the zenith of performance-driven Chargers. The top end Charger R/T had the 440 Magnum V8 rated at 370 HP as standard.

The 440 Six-Pack and 426 HEMI were optional. Dodge sold a little over 3,000 Charger R/Ts in 1971, fewer than 100 of which were equipped with the HEMI engine. The more popular 440 was an easier car to drive fast than the dual-quad fueled 426 engine.

While the 1971 Charger wheelbase was shortened by two inches and overall length by three inches, the new, more rounded body style covered it nicely. A split front grille distinguished the new model visually, but hidden headlights became optional.

All R/Ts received a blackout louvered performance hood, special door skins with simulated air extractors and Rallye wheels. The rear deck spoiler and chin spoiler were also optional.

The first muscle car era was coming to a close that year, as climbing insurance costs and gasoline prices conspired to flat line demand and 1971 became the last year in which the both the 426 HEMI and the 440 Six Pack engines were widely available. Unlike many Charger owners from that era, Marlowe Boyd held on to his car and continues to enjoy it today, as you’ll see in the video below.