The Plymouth Road Runner ended its run in 1975 as a B-bodied mid-size muscle car. It was a one-year-only design, though Plymouth would attempt a Volare comeback (in name only) a couple of years later. This beauty was in storage for nearly 50 years, explaining the mere 2,000 miles on the odometer and its like-new appearance. Located in Marine City, Michigan, this museum-quality Mopar is available here on eBay. The starting bid is $50,000 with no takers thus far (and there’s a reserve on top of that).
Muscle cars were all the rage in the late 1960s, but the 1970s brought lower demand thanks to higher insurance premiums, detuning for lower emissions, and (eventually) higher gas prices. So instead of commanding sales of 84,000 units like at the peak in 1969, barely 7,000 orders were placed in 1975. The base car was no longer a Belvedere as the Fury nameplate had been reassigned to Plymouth’s intermediates. 318 cubic-inch V8s were standard fare now, though 360s and 400s were offered. The seller’s example has a 235 hp, 400/4-barrel, which we’re told may have only seen 50 installations.
We can’t help but agree with the seller’s opinion that this ’75 Road Runner is the cleanest, low-mileage survivor left. For unclear reasons, it lived in a garage until just a few months ago. So much of the car is original, such as the paint, interior, and more. Some refreshing was needed to get the Mopar roadworthy again, such as new tires, a fuel pump, a gas tank, and a tune-up. All the factory parts were kept along with a plethora of 50-year-old paperwork.
Sources seem to settle on 7,183 Road Runners as having been assembled in 1975. Somehow, this Plymouth managed to get built without a catalytic converter, which was another new muscle car torture device that year. With an automatic tranny, perhaps only a few dozen of these machines were put together. Adding to its rarity is the absence of power steering, yet it has factory air. If you bought this bronze beauty, you could use it as intended or sock it away for another 50 years.
Wow
I think there’s a reason that almost nobody bought
these when they were new.
anglia this one optioned out the way it is probably drives real nice. Look at that trunk decal too 😎👍
It’s a far cry from the original steamer w the 383 and 4sp no doubt. Candidate for “the nicest one left”
Its in really nice condition. The thing that I don’t quite get is the manual steering. Thats got to be a bit on the heavy side. Chrysler had some effortless power steering in their cars back in the day. Surprised this one doesn’t have it with all the other options.
Steamer is an apt description for these later model Plymouth’s.
PS might have been effortless, but it also had zero road feel. Some people actually, for some reason, like that. A 360 small block would have been better with manual steering, but I still say its pretty nice. PS is fine around town, street light to street light, but on a twisty country road?
The Volare Roadrunner is much misunderstood and was not in name only. The original roadrunner was Plymouth’s low cost entry into the muscle car based on the B body Belvedere.
As was the Volare Roadrunner based on the F body. It could be had with a 360 4Bbl with 195 net horsepower – yes a far cry from its hey day, but it was the smog controlled 70’s malaise era. It held its own vs. Camaro’s and Mustangs of the era.
Gas was no longer as cheap, emissions had to be controlled before cities choked, and graphics were the go to. I enjoy the 1970’s cars for the graphics they had. Even the Mustang had a Cobra on its hood a la the Firebird.
This car as unique as it is, seems optimistically priced to me. I’d take a ‘79 Roadunner with a 360 4bbl set up over it for less money.
Yeah me too! I like the kit car versions with the fender flares! Would guess the ‘79 is a bit lighter as well.
I just looked at the eBay ad and it looks like the starting bid is $30,000, not $50,000? It is a nice car with crazy low miles but even at $30,000 for what it is, it’s a bit high at $30,000. You really have to love this model car and year for that price.
Hard to believe Power Steering was not standard especially with the big block engine.Would have to pass on this one. Don’t see any future for value on this one. Bet it is a non paying bidder here
The toughest sell for me with these cars is that the exterior and interior don’t usually match. I mean, I think its a great looking car and obviously in great shape. But then you open the door and slide into the drivers seat and you’re looking at every boring 70s Chrysler that my grandmother owned. Ug. So disappointing.
I had a 75 Roadrunner. 400 4bbl. Added dealer air. Biggest POS I ever owned. The yellow color should have warned me it was a lemon. Dumped it after 18 months. Left a bad taste in my mouth.
I had a 75 Roadrunner. 400 4bbl. Added dealer air. Biggest POS I ever owned. The yellow color should have warned me it was a lemon. Dumped it after 18 months. Left a bad taste in my mouth.
Main body looks like my 75 Cordoba. Front grill and tail are different.
I Liked my Cordoba.
When I look inside, there is no console or floor shift. Strong arm steering is a real mystery. Easy enough to change if you bought this one.
I bought a ’79 Dodge van that was a GE service truck that came with a 318- four barrel and manual steering, thought that a very odd combination for a city driven vehicle. First to go was the four barrel, then the steering. Steering box is the same as in that Road Runner.
Nice car with super low mileage. The problem for me is I don’t see anything real desirable with the car other than it’s pretty much a brand new 1975 car. The exterior color, the bland interior, and that god awful sticker on the trunk don’t do much for me. It’s a far cry from the late 60’s RR’s that I grew up with.
….50K ? ….I had to check the calendar…thought it was April 1st…..
….50K ? ….I had to check the calendar…thought it was April 1st…..
Reality is it’s a 50 yr old car and not new. You’d be surprised what problems will arise with a very low mileage 50 yr old car. It does the car no good to sit and not moving. Just some food for thought. Peace.
Sigh. Midsize malaise era muscle.
Certainly not peak Road Runner years by any definition.
A low mile RoadRunner in name only. It looks nice and would be a different looking car for cars and coffee. But people would just laugh when seeing the RoadRunner nameplate. I’m sure the Haggerty value would probably be a laughing smiley face icon.
I think Kent McCord, as Jim Reed in “Adam-12”, drove a green one of these working solo, acting as X-Ray-14 (an unmarked car), while searching for his kidnapped partner, Pete Malloy (played by Martin Milner), in the episode titled “Operation Action” (Season 7, Episode 20, see link below). It was a four-door in the episode, so it may have been just a Plymouth Satellite sedan, the Road Runner’s Plain Jane sister. Malloy is kidnapped by a band of radicals who want to trade him for an imprisoned member of their gang. Spoiler Alert: It doesn’t work!
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0505369/?ref_=mv_close
$50K?!? Yeeks!
Starting bid is at 30,000 with one bidder, for 30,000 you could not restore one if you wanted one. Not a bad looking car but low on options
Not fun enough for 50 grand ! Or sadly 25 grand!
I almost bought a new 75 RR when I was 19 working at our local Chrysler Plymouth dealer. It was light blue and had a 318. I vividly recall it came off the transporter with a split chrome exhaust extension. It looked like a 70 Challenger exhaust tip. I just couldnt see spending that much on a 318 car. Bought a used 71 Corvette instead.
That did not happen. There were no “split chrome exhaust extensions” in 1975 on ANY Mopar, lol.
Still offered RWL bias ply tires for 1975?
Ended at 30K.
Reserve Not Met.