It was inevitable that some of the most highly revered muscle and pony car names of the 1960s would suffer some debasement as the 1970s elapsed. Many recoiled at the use of the GTO sticker on the ’74 model, the Mustang II has been discussed at length, and Chevrolet temporarily canceled the Z28 rather than dilute the name with further horsepower cuts. Therefore, when Plymouth decided to affix the “Road Runner” moniker to its new Volaré compact, it was inevitable that some would poo-pooh the idea as heretical. That’s all in the past, however, and many of us have learned to appreciate the watered-down muscle of the ’70s. This 93,000-mile Road Runner being sold by Napoli Classics in Milford, Connecticut, is said by the selling dealer to be one-of-254 with its powertrain combination; it’s a nice car regardless of its rarity, and it’s priced to match: $24,000.
So, what supposedly makes this Road Runner so uncommon? According to the ad, it’s because it’s a 318/four-speed car. The four speed with its wildly twisting gear shift lever is an A-833 with overdrive. For those who don’t know, Chrysler replaced third gear on these transmissions with a .73 overdrive gear and flipped the lever around for a relatively easy answer to an increasing call for improved fuel mileage. Unfortunately, this left the driver with a wide span between gear ratios: 3.09 for 1st, 1.67 for 2nd, 1.00 for 3rd, and the aforementioned .073 for 4th. The standard rear axle ratio was 2.94:1.
The interior of this example has been treated to new upholstery and carpet, and aside from some incidental door panel wrinkles, it appears to be in excellent condition.
The 318 was one of Mopar’s many good commuter engines, and by 1976, it was producing a reasonable 145 horsepower, and the seller says that this one has been tuned up and runs well. This Road Runner has power steering and power brakes but no air conditioning.
Despite being a Pennsylvania car, the undercarriage looks solid, albeit treated to the always suspicious fresh layer of undercoating. Being that it’s unlikely that someone performed a full sheetmetal restoration on a Volare, I’d imagine it’s what it is purported to be, a nice refurbishment of a clean car.
A little poking around on the internet leads me to believe that this Road Runner has been up for sale off-and-on for quite some time, and I imagine it’s the price tag; however, with a six-year-old paint job, brand new tires, and reasonably low mileage, it looks like a nice ride for those who like the striped “muscle” cars of the 1970s.
What really caught my eye, is how a nice bright red, some stripes, nice rims really dressed up the Volare. The other thing that caught my eye is the fact that its a stick, even if it is a 4 speed overdrive. We all know that not many Volares and Aspens survived the rust belt states, but this one looks great underneath and on top and inside too. For a 1976 model especially, thats something else. As for the price, all it takes is one right buyer who wants it to sell. Great write up Aaron, thank you.
I had a 77 with a 360 4 barrel. It was quick enough and looked the part. I cammed it and changed carbs, got rid of the emissions and then I had a heckuva street car. Really gave contemporary Mustangs and Camaros the bird.
Grandpa says these 4 speeds were awkwardly awful. You were better off with the standard 3 speed. Plus he thinks they came with a better axle ratio. Pretty nice looking car, though. Never liked the rear side window treatments on these. You could order a standard Volare with the wheels and bucket interior for a lot less. That would have a cleaner look.
Driven by there many times over the years, they have a handful of cool older cars once in a while, I think they sell Kia’s .
Wow rare 4sp.
Is that taps I hear playing? Roadrunner sales at its peak( 1969) sold over 84,000 cars. A mere half dozen years later, only 254. Talk about a shift in attitudes. They rebounded some, as 1980, the last year for the Volare RR, they sold almost 500. It was quite clear what Americans were FORCED to drive, and most carmakers complied, I think Chrysler milked it to the end.
Many hate the Volare, almost killed Chrysler in recalls, but I thought the Volare/Aspen was the right size, and this has everything the original had, only to a subdued extent. Far as the 4 speed, Andy, gramps was right. I believe these were really a 3 speed with an O/D 4th in an attempt to muster some sort of fuel economy. Still a fun driver, I bet.
Circa 1981, I was about 13 years old, and I vividly remember cars like this. It was all a costume, there wasn’t any real performance. All stickers, wings, and badges. My friends and I thought it was embarrassing, and that we missed out on the cool cars of the 1960’s.
So a friend of mine and I thought it would be funny to dress up a 1981 Dodge Aries K with home-made spoilers, side pipes, stickers, etc. We’re talking cardboard and aluminum foil. We called it the “Cruiser”. Took a whole bunch of pictures and a video (in those days you could sign out a video camera and a separate tape deck from the school A/V club).
When you are 12 or 13, this was high quality humor!
When I was a teen in the early ‘90’s Friday night street races were still a thing. Happened in a secluded, one way in/out warehouse district. Back then no business was happening Friday late at night there – except for the street racers. Bonus it was well lit. The RCMP mostly left us alone knowing we were out of the way and not hurting anyone.
The car that was king and many wanted to knock off the pedestal was a ‘79 Volare Road Runner. Only non-original drivetrain component was the 8 3/4 rear end. It featured its original 360-4v and 727 transmission, both had been torn down and built. The original owner had ordered it in 1979, the last year a 4 barrel was available in a Road Runner and still had it.
Story was, it was ordered in black with silver stripes, cast aluminum wheels and a black interior. It arrived at the local dealer with a red interior. With 1979 Road Runner production now closed, and a looming bankruptcy, it was take it or leave it. He took it.
All hat, no cattle
bt
Bought one new, silver with black stripes, crank sunroof & 318/4 speed O/D. At 50 MPH it was only turning 1100 RPM.
A nice one, love the shifter. Aftermarket monolith convertor free’s up a few ponies also. Okay a tidbit. For the asking price is it that hard to go down to the local parts store and spend 7.50 for a preheater duct on the air cleaner. Would add a nice completion.
Some of my fellow Mopar fans may flame me for saying this. But I think this bird is just crying out for a nice Hellcrate and Tremec transplant to make it all it can be. Think of the fun you could have picking fights with unsuspecting Mustang and Camaro drivers. The ultimate malaise sleeper hiding in broad daylight! 😆
Well at least the still looks.Is it worth 24k today?
Well at least it still looks good. Is it worth 24k today?
Had a ‘79 Roadrunner, 360/4V. Pretty good car but man… rusty. Nice colour combo, black with gold graphics.
Dallas I had the same car. 1979 360 4v with gold graphics and gold honeycomb wheels. Mine even had power windows. It was 11 years old when I got it and pretty beat on. Loved it though.
I bought a 1976 Aspen R/T new, The factory Black paint was terrible and dodge had to repaint the whole car, the stock rear end broke just over 12,000 miles, which of course was the factory Dodge warranty in 1976. So I went with a larger optional rear end out of an recently hit Volare RR 360, then added true dual exhaust and tossed the Cat converter, drove it another 100,000 miles in 4 years, then traded it in on a very nice used 1978 Z28
Odd no rear sway bar.
Odd P R N D 2 1 seen in speedo on a manual trans car!
Don’t care what anyone says, great looking cars. Love them. Muscle car? No. But definitely a great filler for the pony car segment. The drivetrain did suck but was average for the time. My uncle had a black one, a couple years newer with ttops. It definitely looked great. He had exhaust work done and it sounded great too. Just didn’t go anywhere too quick. Heck, find one, chuck a warmed up 340 in it, swap the trans and throw in some gears. It’s never going to be Shelby money, so really….. who cares?! Build it, drive it and love it. They’re sweet looking