1971 Chrysler VH Charger R/T E38 Coupe

The Valiant Charger wasn't just intended to be a pretty face for Chrysler when it hit the muscle car scene in August 1971 - behind the scenes, the Charger was busily being homologated for the Hardie-Ferodo 500 at Bathurst that year. Based on the VH Charger R/T, the new racer was codenamed E38 and consisted of a full-house 280-bhp engine with triple Webers, three-speed gearbox and A84 Track Pack (with cast alloy wheels, limited-slip diff, better brakes, quick-ratio steering and 35-gallon fuel tank with twin fillers). The R/T package included full instrumentation and an aluminium steering wheel, quartz-halogen headlights and unique body detailing with a blacked-out grille, vertical stripes behind the front wheel arches and another stripe wrapping around the rear along with the option of a black bonnet. The R/T came in a range of wild colours with catchy names like Vitamin C, Hemi Orange, Hot Mustard and Mercury Silver. The E38 scored a maiden win courtesy of Doug Chivas at Oran Park in September 1971 then Leo Geoghegan electrified race fans with his sideways style at Bathurst, finishing a very respectable sixth overall behind the Falcons. Along with the E49 that followed in 1972, the E38 remains the most collectible Aussie Mopar muscle car ever made and the rarity - just 316 were built - has contributed to the sharp rise in values over the past couple of years.