A year after Plymouth introduced the GTX as an upscale muscle car, they rolled out the Road Runner as a performance car for the budget-minded. With its gimmicky name and “beep beep” horn, the car sold like hotcakes until the muscle car mania waned in the 1970s. This 1972 Road Runner is from the car’s second generation and will need a lot of work, at least in the drivetrain and interior departments. Located in White Marsh, Maryland, the rolling project is something of a “white canvas” (or yellow in this case) and is available here on eBay. Bidding has arrived at $4,050, but the reserve has yet to be met.
The Road Runner’s pinnacle year was 1969 when more than 84,500 copies were produced. A year later, the industry was hit hard by rising insurance premiums on performance cars followed by the detuning of engines to produce fewer emissions, so assemblies were down to just 7,600 by 1972. Fewer than 1,500 of them left the factory with a 400 cubic-inch V8 paired with a TorqueFlite automatic, which used to be in the seller’s car, but the engine compartment is quite barren now.
Every car has a story to tell and the seller’s car probably does, too, but we don’t know what it is. At 77,000 miles, it’s no longer a functioning automobile and as a project will need at least one wheel to be able to roll up on a trailer. Despite its physical appearance in a mostly open lot, we’re told the body is in generally decent condition. The quarter panels were repaired earlier and the car wears triple colors now: yellow on most of the body, grey primer here and there, and a blue front-end clip. The latter suggests it was in an accident and that may have been when the engine, transmission, and even the power brake booster were removed.
For 1972, the 400 V8 replaced the 383 that was offered through 1971. Fans say the new motor was less powerful than the old one, detuning differences set aside. We’re not sure how complete the car is as the interior is full of assorted parts that likely came off the car, but maybe others as well. On the plus side, the glass is all intact and in good condition. The 1971-72 Road Runners (virtually unchanged) found great success in NASCAR and helped Richard Petty win national championships both years. If you bought the car, would you try to restore it or use it to further another project?
To each his own ….Personally for me “TRAIN WRECK”
Chris, It might have been in a TRAIN WRECK, The engine bay is White, Fender is Blue, Hood is Red, Most of the body is Yellow. The E-BAY Ad says it a original car. Half of it has already been replaced and the other half needs replaced. Not sure what ORIGINAL MEANS IN HIS BOOK.
Anyone else notice that the hood callout says “440-6”? 440-6 was rare in 1971 and unavailable in 1972.
There is 1 documented 440+6 Road Runner from 1972. I wish they would have kept the multi-carb cars going through ’72. Too bad they didn’t make a 400+6.
So it said tge car originally had a 400 auto. Car still have it or no engine and trans? Poorly worded ad but do like these cars.
Are you ok or are you having a stroke??
These cars are presenting worse and worse as the price goes higher and higher, and for the life of me I can’t figure out why. This particular pile of parts is over 5k on eBay without meeting reserve. And how on earth can anyone say it has 77k miles without smirking?
I see bondo where there probably once were sail panel spaced out road runner decals – does that mean even decals trapped water(meaning rust formed) underneath?
I really wanted this triple black #s matching 440-6 pack 4 speed 71 roadrunner back in the 80s, but I couldn’t get the guy down on the price. $2200 just seemed like too dang much at the time.
I would think it took a very hard shot in the nose a very long time ago, and probably twisted everything, and totaled, so good luck with motor mounts and lining this twisted thing up again
It looks like a lot of the sheet metal was replaced. The car also looks like it was prepped for restoration. I understand giving up due to money and time, but abandoned after obviously sinking a lot of coin into it. Why does someone do all that work just to push the car out in a field and let it rot more?
I always thought the Roadruner was more like the’70s Dodge Dart .
In what way ???
My best friend in college had (still has) a beautiful 71 RoadRunner that was built for speed. I’d love to have one of these, and I have a fresh 440/4 speed sitting in my garage looking for a home – and this car is 15 miles from where I am sitting. But I like to tinker on old cars; I do not have the time, energy, or money to complete this one.
Perhaps I should call my college pal. He doesn’t drive his much any more! :)