In the late 1960s, the Plymouth Road Runner was one of the hottest-selling muscle cars. But half a decade later, the car was struggling to survive as rising insurance premiums, emissions controls, and gas prices caused demand to all but dry up. The seller’s ’74 Road Runner is a one-owner performance machine that needs some bodywork. Hailing from East Syracuse, New York, this running project with a laser stripe is available here on craigslist for $8,500.
The days of the fire-breathing beasts of the ‘60s were gone by the time the seller’s Mopar was built. The 426 Hemi and 440 6-Packs had been retired after 1971, and a lowly 318 cubic inch V8 was now standard. Two upgrades were offered, a 360 V8 (which had replaced the popular 340) and a 400, both with a 4-barrel carburetor. Total 1974 sales tallied 9,250 units, of which just 12% came with the 400, and the seller’s car is 1 of 830 with the TorqueFlite automatic transmission.
We’re told this Plymouth is a barn find, which suggests it was in storage for an extended period (just a guess). The odometer has only tracked 57,000 miles, and everything is said to be original (including the dark green paint?). The vehicle runs and drives, but has it received any mechanical work of late?
The best part of the car may be the black interior, which seems pretty tidy. But the body needs work as rust has crept into some of the sheet metal and floorboards. This seems like a very restorable Road Runner, and there are far fewer ‘74s left compared to the red-hot ‘69s. You could fix it up for weekend fun or turn it into a money maker, as the seller suggests. What would you do?
The seller says in his ad, “this is a money maker”. For who? At $8,500, needing significant rust repair as part of its restoration, it doesn’t seem heavily discounted.
Steve R
That 400 is an emissions engine, meaning its low compression makes it able to use low-lead and unleaded gasoline. It also makes it a gas guzzling dog. It would be better if it had the 318 or 440.
That 400 can easily be made into a 512 cubic inch stroker engine, so all is not lost.
If someone is planning to do extensive engine mods, a mid-70s 400 block is a terrific starting point, or so I’m told. But assembled to factory spec as it left Trenton Engine back in the ’70s, well, you’re absolutely right — it’s a pig.
I grew up in the Syracuse NY area and if this car has been there all of its life it probably has significant rust. They don’t call it the salt city for nothing.
I grew up in northern New Jersey and moved in 1996 to Nevada. You are right about RUST because when it gets some where it stays there and get even worse. There is more rust their is probably more rust than shown and the right rear rim does not match.
“Needs body work” is an understatement! Two fenders, two doors, both quarter panels, rocker panels, deck lid; if this much rust is seen, then how much more remains unseen?! No under carriage pictures, (IMO) this is a parts car at best.
I just noticed…. the person responsible for the rear bumper styling on this Road Runner, and the person responsible for the rear bumper styling on the 1972 Gran Torino, must have been friends.
Good observation, Bob. How Chrysler passed impact testing with nothing more than those rubber biscuits is beyond me. Keeping the taillights in the bumper was more attractive. Ford and GM just seemed to have given up and went lone bumper. Now, the rear fuel filler is another question all together.
Are the two different size intake snorkels stock? , Needs a pistol grip on that Auto Tran shifter too
If this was a NY car it’s whole life I wouldn’t even get near it. The rust already showing in the pics is scary enough.