A highly sought-after 1971 Dodge Charger R/T equipped with the V-Code 440 Six Pack engine is preparing to cross the Mecum auction block in January, marking the first time it has been offered publicly. The car is one of only 98 automatic-equipped Six Pack R/Ts built for the model year, placing it among the rarest high-performance Mopars of its era. It remained with its original owner, mechanic Dean Tilleman, from 1970 until mid-2024, helping preserve its documentation, components and factory character.
The 1971 model year represented a significant design shift for the Charger as Dodge moved to a sleeker, more sculpted body on Chrysler’s updated B-body platform. The R/T trim continued as the top performance variant, anchored by big-block engines at a time when tightening emissions rules were beginning to pressure the muscle-car segment. Standard R/T power came from the 440 Magnum, but the optional 440 Six Pack raised output to 385 horsepower and 490 pound-feet of torque through its triple two-barrel carburetor setup. Period testing placed Six Pack cars in the mid-14-second quarter-mile range, making them among the last strong performers before compression ratios and ratings dropped across the industry.
Production numbers for 1971 remained low. Dodge built just over 3,100 R/Ts in total, including 98 automatics and 80 four-speeds with the Six Pack engine. Only 63 examples received the 426 Hemi. These numbers have pushed surviving cars, especially those retaining original drivetrains and documentation, into the upper tier of collector interest.
The example headed to auction retains its matching-numbers 440 Six Pack, 727 automatic transmission and factory sheet metal. It remains finished in Bright White and features its original houndstooth bucket interior, Ramcharger hood, hideaway headlights, power front disc brakes and Sure Grip rear differential. With its long-term ownership history and rare factory specification, it stands as a well-preserved snapshot of Mopar’s final peak of big-block performance before regulations reshaped the era.
