1971 Mr Norm’s Hemi Challenger R/T

Known for his performance conversions, Norm Kraus (Mr Norm) converted this HEMI Challenger R/T for top outright performance. Fitted with a Stage III engine, its first owner used the car on the road and at the drag strips.

At the time, Norm Kraus and his Grand Spaulding Dodge dealership was known for Mopar performance on the ¼ mile. With a Clayton Chassis Dynamometer in the shop, they were fully setup and became one of the largest performance Dodge dealerships in the country. They developed the prototype 383 Dart for Dodge and numerous funny cars throughout the 60s.

Only 71 Hemi Challenger R/Ts were produced in 1971, so the Mr Norm’s version is surely unique. The source car came equipped with Code E-74 426 HEMI V8, A833 four-speed manual transmission and the A34 Super Track Pack. Mr Norm’s added to this by performing a Stage III dyno-tune with new exhaust headers, aluminum wheels and a fiberglass hood.

The car’s first owner was Charles Starr who occasionally drag raced the it until late 1971 when it was purchased by a friend and put into long-term storage.

In 2006 Mr Norm’s Hemi Challenger R/T was finally unearthed in a well-preserved state with only 5,400 miles on the odometer. With new tires and stripes, it was cosmetically ready to be shown at the Barrington Concours d’Elegance.

Accompanying the car is an original bill of sale and other documentation from Grand-Spaulding Dodge. This documents it as one of the lowest mileage Hemi-powered Challengers in existence.

Story by Supercars.net