The Challenger returned for 1971 with only minor appearance and mechanical changes to battle Ford’s much bigger new Mustang and GM’s strikingly styled Camaro/Firebird. The R/T convertible was canned, leaving the R/T hardtop and the two base models. A new arrival was the Deputy, a strippo coupe with fixed rear side glass, priced $121 less than the $2727 standard hardtop. All models were marked by a reworked front with a one-piece plastic grille frame and a rather awkward two-piece plastic-and–aluminium insert, painted black on R/Ts, silver on other models. The R/T also got color-keyed bumpers, simulated brake cooling slots on the rear quarters, and revised tape striping with large i.d. lettering on the bodysides near the C-pillars and on the nose. The SE package was unchanged from `70, but it was now limited to base models. Interiors also stayed the same, apart from woodgrain door panel inserts and revised upholstery pleat styles. There were no major mechanical changes either, although the 383 was now restricted to the R/T only. Power ratings were now quoted in SAE net figures instead of the old gross horsepower, thought actual outputs were hardly affected. Thus, the 383 Magnum came down from its previous 335 bhp gross to 250 bhp net, and there were similar paper losses across the board. However, Chrysler did not drop compression ratios this year like GM, and Challengers with the big 440 and Hemi engines were still stunningly fast. A footnote to Dodge’s Trans-Am adventure was the appearance of a `71 T/A in some of this year’s Scat Pack ads. Of course, it never made it to the street.

Four Dodge dealers attempted to spur interest in the Challenger by agreeing to supply units for the 1971 Indianapolis 500 pace car program. According to Judy Hamm, former owner of a Challenger pace car replica, 50 Hemi-orange convertibles, all with white interiors, were prepared for use during pre-race festivities. Two of these were equipped with heavy-duty tires and other components, one as the actual pace car, the other as a backup. During the parade lap, the pace car – loaded with dignitaries – went into a skid as it was leaving the track and crashed into a press box, injuring several reporters. Ms. Hamm says it was later rebuilt for use in data-gathering tests as numerous lawsuits resulting from the accident made their way through the courts, and it survives today with less than 2500 miles on its odometer. Dodge dealers could apparently order decal sets this year to make their own pace car replicas, though the idea likely seemed faintly ludicrous in the aftermath of this promotional nightmare.