what's the difference between a 1971 charger se and rt?

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Here's the breakdown on the **1971 Dodge Charger SE** vs **R/T**:

**The Short Answer:** The SE was the *luxury* flagship, while the R/T was the *performance* specialist. Both could be had with 440 V8s, but they targeted very different buyers—and **1971 was the final year for the Charger R/T**.

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### 🏎️ **Charger R/T (Road/Track)**
- **Purpose**: Pure performance. The WS23V VIN code (like the $170K rotisserie-restored example we found) designated this as the model that held nothing back
- **Standard Engine**: 440 Magnum (not optional—performance was mandatory)
- **Performance Options**: Available with legendary **440 Six Pack** (three two-barrel carbs, 385 hp) or even the 426 HEMI (425 hp) for an extra $746
- **Appearance**: Blacked-out hood from the standard **R/T handling package**, special R/T badging, iconic louvered "dome" hood on some configurations
- **Premium**: The R/T commanded higher prices when new and tends to top the market today—you'll see nice ones from $54K to $170K+ depending on originality and spec

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### 🛋️ **Charger SE (Special Edition)**
- **Purpose**: The "personal luxury coupe"—blend muscle with comfort. Your car's WP29U VIN code identifies it as such
- **Engine Options**: 318, 383, or 440 (like yours with the 4-barrel)—performance wasn't mandatory, luxury was
- **Standard Features**: Your car showcases this perfectly—**hidden headlights**, **canopy vinyl roof**, bucket seats, and woodgrain accents
- **Your Car's Options**: Power windows, cruise control, A/C, tilt wheel with rimblow steering wheel, even a dealer-added sunroof by American Sunroof Company—the SE buyer wanted *everything*
- **Market**: Excellent SEs run $45K–$50K, though a 440-equipped original survivor like yours punches above weight

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### ⚡ **Why It Matters Most: 1971 Was the End**
After 1971, the R/T badge moved exclusively to the Challenger. Dodge positioned the SE as the top-tier Charger, making your car part of a unique historical moment—it's a high-luxury muscle car from the last year you could get a Charger *with* performance lineage still in the showroom next to it.

Want to see where these cars are trading? Check current [R/T listings](https://classic.com/m/dodge/charger/3rd-gen/rt/) (sadly $170K sold) and [SE market data](https://classic.com) —or need help comparing specific options/combinations? I'm here!

Lot 6249: 1971 Dodge Charger SE

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Lot 6249: 1971 Dodge Charger SE

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