Every up has its down, and for the muscle car era, its descent reached terminal velocity with the dawn of the 1970’s. Increasing emissions standards and rising insurance premiums took their toll on compression ratios and horsepower ratings, which in turn negatively impacted sales of these famed supercars, causing most manufacturers to reevaluate their involvement in this automotive niche. But Chrysler’s Dodge division toughed it out. In 1971, it was business as usual, so to speak, with the pavement pounding 426 Hemi and 440 Six-Pack returning to Dodge’s lineup of Scat Pack muscle, led by none other than the wildly popular Dodge Charger.
Completely restyled in 1971, the third-generation Dodge Charger featured an attractive fuselage body style with larger-than-life Coke-bottle contours, a sweeping semi-fastback roofline, optional chin and deck lid spoilers, and a new split grille with fixed open headlights enclosed in chrome or optional color keyed bumpers. Unlike previous years, the Charger’s trademark hidden headlights were now optional equipment. Ironically, the 1971 Charger looked larger than its forerunners, but it was actually two inches shorter in wheelbase and 3 inches shorter in overall length.
For 1971, Dodge consolidated its Charger and Coronet lines into one, with all 4-door sedans and wagons now designated as Coronets and all 2-door B-bodies as Chargers. In addition to the base model, the 500 and luxuriously appointed SE models carried over from 1970, joining the Chargers dynamic duo of high-performance models, the Super Bee and R/T. 1971 marked the first year the Super Bee was part of the Charger line rather than the Coronet, and sadly, it also marked the last year for this budget supercar.
The Super Bee came standard with the 383-ci V8 and 3-speed manual floor shift while the top-of-the-line R/T got the 370-hp 440 Magnum as standard equipment. Both models could be ordered with the optional 385-hp 440 Six-Pack or the 425-horse 426 Hemi, along with a 4-speed manual with a Hurst Pistol-Grip shifter or the slap-stick TorqueFlite automatic. In terms of styling, the R/T and Super Bee were much alike, with blackout hood treatments and horizontal side tape stripes. The R/T also had two vertical stripes on its door skins to simulate side air extractors. Both models also received specific graphics and emblems, high back bucket seats (standard on R/T, optional on the Super Bee), and exclusive hoods. The R/T’s hood was louvered whereas the Super Bee’s hood imitated the look of valve covers. If either model was optioned with the Hemi, they received, as standard equipment, the N96 vacuum operated Ramcharger hood which allowed fresh air into the engine compartment via an opening door in the hood, activated by a switch under the dash.
Although muscle cars were quickly becoming a dying breed by the early 70’s, the 1971 Dodge Charger was a shining star of its time, taking the era out in style, and high-performance. Of the 80,000-something Charger’s that hit America’s streets in 1971, total Super Bee production was over 4,000 while a little over 2,500 were R/T’s. 22 Super Bee’s and 63 R/T’s were equipped with the 426 Hemi in 1971 and the 440 Six-Pack found its way into 99 Super Bee’s and close to 180 R/T’s. These numbers weren’t as amazing as previous years, but they were still respectable nonetheless. And to sweeten the deal, CARS magazine honored the 1971 Dodge Charger with its “Performance Car of the Year” award. Now that’s what I call going out on a high note.
Just as the 1971 Charger was a highlight of Dodge’s lineup, RC2’s 1/18-scale diecast replica of this stunning B-body is arguably the pinnacle of their high-detail Authentics line, but like anything else, it has its up’s and down’s. On the upside, the body casting faithfully captures the Charger’s Coke-bottle contours with amazing precision and the assembly is first rate with tight fitting panels. The presentation is further enhanced with lifelike plastic side maker lenses, fender mounted turn signal indicators, and impressively realistic brightwork trimming the front and rear glass, drip rails, and wheel openings. This is the kind of stuff you’d find on models retailing for twice the price of what these Authentics Chargers sell for.
The first wave of releases include a pair of 71 R/T’s in EV2 Hemi Orange (pictured here) and FC7 Plum Crazy, as well as two Super Bee’s in Bright Blue and Bright Red. Matco Tools and Supercar Collectibles have a few limited editions of their own in unique color combinations, like Citron Yella and Go Green. Each variation is decorated with the appropriate blacked out hood treatment, crisp model-specific graphics and emblems, and V6X horizontal performance stripes. Moparphiles will likely note the stripes don’t wrap around from the cowl to the top edge of the door as they should, but otherwise, they look true to the original in my opinion.
Powering these 71 Dodge B-bodies, in a whimsical sense, is a remarkable rendition of the mighty 426 Hemi. Once again, the Blue Bee is the exception to the rule as it’s the one release with a 440 Magnum stuffed beneath its hood. Wired and plumbed, both powerplants are accurately painted and assembled with an abundance of detail. An authentically stenciled 426 Hemi graphic tops the oval shaped open element air cleaner lid of the Hemi which is seated between its distinguishing wide black valve covers that emulate the crackle paint finish of the real McCoy. The 440 Magnum features a dual-snorkel lid with an accurate pie plate decal and finned valve covers that appear to be aftermarket parts. The 440 is further rigged with the optional H51 air conditioning equipment.
While the engines are obviously the centerpiece here, their surrounding compartments have been assembled with an outstanding supporting cast. Properly painted to match the exterior body color, the engine bays include such details as a period correct battery with painted caps, battery cables, and painted terminals, as well as a painted fluid reservoir, a miniature fender tag, and a detailed radiator support with hood latch and instruction label. The painted cowl vents are a nice detail and attached to the firewall is a painted wiper motor and genuine brake master cylinder. Those Super Bee’s and R/T’s with the optional N96 hood also have the appropriate Ramcharger gear mounted on the underside of the hood. One of my favorite features though are those realistic spring-loaded hood hinges. Yes, they’re a rather customary detail by today’s standards, but they’re some of the nicest hinges in the biz. They’d be even nicer if they were painted body color as they should be, but this is something the factories in China have refused to do.
As with the overall model, the build quality of the interior is first rate. The doors swing out on real aspect hinges, the high back bucket seats tilt forward, the sun visors are moveable, the glove box opens, and the velvety carpet is evenly laid with chrome sill plates at the edges. In terms of color, most of the cabins have white seats, door panels, and headliners, but most of the chase versions and special limited editions are all black. Included in the assembly is the optional center console which incorporates a Hurst Pistol Grip shifter along with an attached optional cassette player with microphone. Chrome plated handles and power assisted window controls accent the door panels and woven fabric lap belts are fastened to the seats.
The wood grain accents applied to the Rim-Blow steering wheel, center console, instrument panel and dashboard add an air of sophistication to the interiors of these 71 Dodge’s. The coloring of the wood has a bit too much red in it, but it still looks nice. For those concerned about the vents in the dashboard, that isn’t the A/C dash. It’s the optional H41 Strato-Ventilation dash. This creates a bit of a quandary with the Bright Blue Super Bee which is equipped with air conditioning, since it doesn’t have the required H51 A/C dash. The Hurst shifter presents a further dilemma as A/C wasn’t available with 440 powered cars with manual transmissions. This issue is something that will have to be addressed on the next round. On the plus side, I’m quite impressed with the clarity of detailing in the seats, specifically the seam stitching and pleated seat pattern.
There isn’t that much to write home about with regards to the detailing of the B-bodies belly, but what’s there has been executed with excellence. The front and rear suspension is fully functional; there’s even miniature coil springs tucked up under the rear axle. The plastic rear leaf springs and shocks also work when pressure is applied, and the driveshaft rotates smoothly with a spin of the rear wheels. You’ll also find a wired starter attached to the underside of the engine block, as well as a properly painted manual transmission, gas tank, and dual exhaust system. The optional N42 bright exhaust tips look exceptionally attractive; chrome plated and hollowed out with a splash of black paint to amplify the appearance of depth. These 71 Charger’s and Super Bee’s also feature an opening trunk, including a full-size spare, an incorrectly patterned trunk mat, a jack instruction label on the underside of the trunk lid, and painted weather-stripping around the perimeter.
Collectors have been pleading for a quality 1971 Charger in 1/18-scale diecast for some time now and thanks to RC2, that wait is finally over. This first wave of releases isn’t perfect, and without a doubt there’s some work that needs to be done before the next batch is produced, but overall, in my opinion, RC2 has delivered the goods and the wait was worth it. I have to give a lot of credit to RC2’s former Product Design Manager, Tim Kubicek, for these 71 Dodge’s. I had the pleasure of working closely with Tim on this project and it was an experience I’ll forever treasure. His passion for getting the details right was admirable, but sadly, he became ill in the middle of working on the Charger’s and passed away a short while later. Tim was an asset to this hobby and a dear friend to many, and I only wish he could be here to enjoy the fruits of his labors, but something tells me he’s looking down through the clouds with a huge smile on his face. If you’re a Moparphile or are merely a fan of the 71 Charger and/or Super Bee, then these Authentics 1/18-scale replicas come highly recommended. But you better act fast as these are selling out quickly. Way to go Tim!
Happy Collecting,
DetourDave
RC2 Authentics
#39465 1971 Charger R/T - Hemi Orange
Regular version - w/White Top & Interior
Chase version - w/Black Top & Interior
Photography & Review by Dave Nicholson
RC2 Authentics
#39465 1971 Charger R/T - Hemi Orange
Regular version - w/White Top & Interior
Chase version - w/Black Top & Interior
Photography & Review by Dave Nicholson
RC2/Supercar Collectibles
1971 Dodge Charger R/T
FJ6 Go Green
RC2/Authentics
1971 Dodge Charger R/T
FC7 Plum Crazy
For pictures of other 1/18-scale 1971 Charger R/T's & Super Bee's, click on any of the below images.
Each version also has the optional chin and deck lid spoilers and a splendid working copy of the N96 Ramcharger hood, with the exception of the Bright Blue Super Bee which bears an attractive replica of the standard simulated valve cover hood. The GB5 Bee is also the only regular release (not counting the Hemi Orange Super Bee from Supercars) not to have Rallye wheels. Instead, it rolls on color keyed steelies with chrome plated dog dish caps. The code W21 Rallye wheels are accurately painted with darker colored centers, wrapped in white line or Goodyear Polyglas tires. Overall, they look pretty good, but hopefully future iterations will have the appropriate chrome trim rings.
Adding to the list of attributes that these 1/18-scale 71’s have in common is their chrome bumpers and optional A09 concealed headlights, except for the Bright Red Super Bee which has the standard fixed headlight grille. On the flipside, the 71 R/T's are properly dressed with a louvered style taillight panel while the Super Bee has its standard taillight arrangement with two brake light lenses on each side, which was the accurate look for a 71 Super Bee with chrome bumpers. When the Super Bee was ordered with the optional A54 colored bumpers (available with select colors), they got the R/T's louvered taillights. I'd like to see RC2 produce a few R/T's and Super Bee's with the color keyed bumpers, but so far, the only release to depict this option is the Go Green 71 R/T from Supercar Collectibles, which is quite striking. The Authentics EV2 Hemi Orange 71 R/T was originally supposed to have painted bumpers with the standard fixed headlights, replicating a rare, highly optioned 1:1 Hemi Orange 71 R/T owned by renowned Mopar collector, Tim Wellborn, but extraordinary circumstances kept that from happening and, as pictured, the model arrived with chrome bumpers and hidden headlights, instead.
RC2/Authentics
1971 Dodge Super Bee
FE5 Bright Red
RC2/Supercar Collectibles
1971 Dodge Super Bee
EV2 Hemi Orange
