1971 Challenger Build date

Trying to figure out the birthday of my 71 challenger last six of the VIn are 358779, Engine asm date is 4/14/71 so I figure its probably aroung the end of April sometime?

Thank you!

No fender tag or build sheet?

my sequence number is 435242 built in hamtramck with a build date on the fender tag of june 16th, 71. Engine casting date of Jan 71

Fender tag date is the Scheduled Production Date. That's when they hoped to build it.

It's been proven where the SPD date is obviously before the car was actually built on regular models (not A12's, wing cars, T/A's, etc)

My 71 hamtrack car was built Dec 23 1971, probably the last day before Xmas break. They couldn't wait to get out of there. LOL

If that's the date it's probably a 72

Or really, really late

No fender tag / build sheet. Engine asm date only 4/12 assuming the car could have been built a week or two from the date stamped on the motor?

Oh your right, sorry it was 70 not 71, DUH.

I think I pretty close with April 28 as a build date. Directly two weeks after the Engine assembly date. I think the actual date could have fallen between 4/26/71 and 4/30/71
Thoughts?

My 71 JS23V1B344xxx is an SPD of 3/31

My 71 JH23H1B has a SPD of 5/20 but I cant get you the first three numbers until Thursday

I have a JS23N1B398### with a 520 SPD with the door sticker of may 71.

My Challenger was built the same day at Hamtramck. June,16th 1971. Vin sequence is 435459. I don't know the engine casting date. But I know the engine is original.

Are those the dates you want to use for the fender tag?

Your SPD is 415

LOL that must have been a busy production day.
My 71 Challenger R/T's SPD on the fender tag is also 6/16 with VIN sequence of 435197.

My friend's '71 Challenger R/T also has a SPD of 6/16 with sequence number 435191. Very close!

Wow! that is close.
What color and options does your buddy's R/T have?
Mine is a low option FC7 383 4 speed car with cloth insert interior.

His is FC7, black interior, Hemi, four speed. Ordered it new. He just recently got it back on the road after 17 years. Here he is at a show in Syracuse this summer. I don't think that smile on his face has come off since he has gotten it back on the road!

Stan

Not near any of my information on build dates to be exact, but Furyman is likely correct for the SPD of April 15. All the people even BHs Hemi Challenger that have a SPD of June 16th those Challengers were likely not built on that date and were between 7 and 14 days later. Remember the Number on your Broadcast Sheet and Fender Tag is a date Chrysler assigned to the build information but the plant was running well behind these dates for at least a month or more. So what I am saying your June 16 Challenger 616 was likely built around 624 or later.

All these Challenger likely would have the 1972 style trunk floor pan, slotted front and rear bumpers and a lot more of the 1972 Challenger build. My Challenger has the studs on the fender were they attach to the inners. Yes my Challenger has a June built Door tag but the fender tag states it is a May built Challenger. I have seen this on a lot on late May built Challengers.

There you go Mr.M

Great info.

My 1971 Challenger with 6/16 SPD does have slotted bumpers, I'm not sure what to look for with the difference in the trunk pans.
My wife's 1971 R/T Challenger has a 1/27 SPD, I assume her car's trunk pan would be different?
Anything else between the cars to compare?

I was surprised at the late date codes on the carpeted lower panels on my Challenger.
I would have guessed they were leftovers from the 1970 SE optioned Challengers.

The easiest way to tell if you have the late floor pan in the access holes location for the shocks. If they are on the top it is an early style if the access is at the rear for the shocks it is the very late pan that is much the same as the 1972 pan. In 1971 Challenger had three different types of bumpers for the front and two different for the back. My Challenger has the slotted bumpers both front and back.

Now you got me digging through old pictures.

Your right, my 6/16 SPD Challenger has the shock access holes located to the rear.
The wife's late Jan. SPD Challenger has the shock access holes on the top.

SPD 331 - holes in the top, bumpers are rubber
SPD 520 - Holes in the side, bumpers not slotted

My car has the black/white houndstooth seat inserts with the studs/nuts for the fenders along with later style fenders (opening towards front of fender for the 72 and later grill) and inner fenders. Also has the rear shock plugs facing back of car. Not for sure on the bumpers as they were replaced when I bought the car.

My Challenger has 72 bumpers on it. Car has never been hit. Bumpers have never been off the car.

That is good to know as I was thinking about finding some original bumpers as the reproductions that are on the car leave a lot to be desired with regards to fit.



That is good to know as I was thinking about finding some original bumpers as the reproductions that are on the car leave a lot to be desired with regards to fit.

Two more

JH23G1B448xxx SPD 630

JH23C1B164xxx SPD 930