Plymouth’s “budget” muscle car, the Road Runner, was treated to its first redesign in 1971. And – as a nod to changing demand in the performance sector – Chrysler’s 340 cubic inch small-block V8 became available in the auto for the first time. It only accounted for about 12% of Road Runner sales that year, making it a rare automobile nowadays. Said to be largely original with 27,000 miles, this survivor may only need a refresh of the paint on the trunk lid. Located in East Mesa, Arizona, this nifty Mopar is available here on craigslist for $35,000 OBO. You have to hand it to Barn Finder Rocco B. for turning up another great tip for our readers!
As a signal that muscle car mania had nearly ended, 1971 Road Runner production was down to 14,218 units that year, a far cry from the peak of 82,292 in 1969. Just 1,681 340 “Birds” left the factory in ’71, so with attrition how many could be left now – a couple of hundred? The engine still produced 275 hp which should have been sufficient in the Road Runner, but not nearly as potent as the 440s and Hemis that were still available (though being discontinued in 1972). The 340 would be used again in 1972 and 1973 Road Runners before being dropped and sales did go up for that engine, but demand for the rest of the cars practically dried up.
We’re told this Mopar is numbers matching and – believe it or not – the car has only seen 27,000 miles of asphalt in 53 years. The 340 is paired with a TorqueFlite automatic transmission and the car has had some recent work, including a new gas tank (from sitting?), shock absorbers, and other front-end bits and pieces. It may still be wearing its original Polyglass GT tires (which would have to go).
The seller implies the F7 green paint is original, but there is some bubbling beginning to happen. Everything seems nice and shiny except for the trunk lid (exposure to the Arizona sun?). The car’s black interior seems nice enough, but you’ll need to be happy with a bench seat as bucket seats were not ordered for this Plymouth. The Rallye wheels look sharp with this body design. The Mopar is for sale so the seller can devote more time to cars that really need work.
Great potential. Not every MoPar needs a big block, and this one could be a great for renovation with a little work. Might try (finish?) a buffer on that trunk lid and go over/replace the needed essentials then take it home-tho an aftermarket A/C might be appreciated depending on location.
340 was an option in 71. The price seems a little high but not crazy. I own a 71 Roadrunner 4-speed air grabber built for export. I’ve had it for 30 years rust free Texas car it lived a hard life. I’m the fifth owner that I know of and it’s on its fifth engine great power braking and handling for a 71 car
I never realized a 1971 Roadrunner could have come with a 340. Nice looking car.
The seller never claims mileage is 27,000, it’s there to fill a line in the ad next to odometer.
Steve R
Wow, I never thought that one of my tips could stump you Steve!
I thought the same thing about the engine and both of my research sources agree, the 383 CI engine was standard in ’71 with no 340 availability. The 340 became an option in ’72.
However…the “E55” code in the bottom left portion of the fender tag does translate to a 340 motor.
JO
The VIN codes out to a 340 too.
There was a dark blue 71, 383 4spd low/no option Roadrunner down the street when I was growing up. I loved that car, in the early-80’s it got hit really hard in the drivers side rear quarter panel, then disappeared shortly there after. I occasionally drive by that house and there is a forlorn looking IROC Camaro parked under their carport that looks like it hasn’t moved in years. I have a hunch the house hasn’t changed hands and the Roadrunner would be sitting in that spot if it had survived.
Steve R
These 340s are obviously great and even better w stick shift, but the autoloaders rip down the 1/4 w 3.91 gears ⚙️ installed.
I bought a used 71 road runner in 72 after I sold my 69 rr to my begging brother in law. 340 bucket seats slap stick auto. This body cut through the wind better than 69 and with less weight on the front end would out handle the 69 383 version. Both had 323 gears and the 71 would edge out the 69 by about 2 car lengths in the quarter every time. The 69 had much more torque and tire burning power but somehow the little 340 put the power down without spinning the tires so much. Plus the 340 had a bid thermoquad carberator that if you kept your foot out of it was actually good on gas too. I regret getting rid of that 340 it was truly a great package, but I moved on to plum crazy 73 dodge conversion van with matching purple shag carpeting, but that is a whole other story! These mopars were really great at the time, I really miss these cars!
1681 340’s were built in 1971. It was an option. 275 horse power, the following two years it decreased to 240 horse power and the automatic’s came with a cast crank and the four speeds came with the forged crank. The 72 & 73′ had the lower compression and the 1.88 intake valve J head.
1974 introduced the low compression 360.
Where you’ve been!! 😮🤌🤷
This is the Road Runner that your cool mom drove, back in the day.
The interior is green not black.
Are the torsion bars cranked up to keep the weight on the rear axle?
That’s exactly what I was thinking. 🤔
I would have to put buckets and a center console. Build the motor and definitely add the ribbon across the back. Big fan. Not sure it’s worth the asking price but I’m guessing someone will pay up. Like to see it done.
With no AC not fun in AZ. But add a Tremec 6 Sp and fuel injection with some headers and you have a fun driver!! Then add vintage air.
I remember ALMOST buying one of these (with a 383 & a 4-speed) back in the early 80s.
I passed on it because the rear end had a faint rattle, but I remember the pistol-grip manual shift & the fact that it could REALLY SCOOT!!
Again, I passed….
(…yet another one of my many poor decisions, & a missed opportunity.) 🙁
You said this on another car thread!!
Hey Steve, I have a B5 blue 71 Roadrunner four Speed originally a 383 car now 440 that had quarter panel damage on the driver side. I ran into the guy who brought it up from Texas whose girlfriend put the dent in the quarter panel doing donuts in a parking lot and hit a light pole. It had a 1982 Texas vehicle inspection sticker in the windshield it’s a decently optioned out Roadrunner though. I wonder if it could be the same car
Road runner once, Roadrunner twice, I’m in love with the modern world I got the radio on.
Only posers do this in a car. The real test is on a vintage motorcycle. When you lean into that sweeper…
Coker has been reproducing Polyglas tires for quite a while. I’d wager that these are not 50 year old originals.
They look like poly tires for restoration purposes. They are actually radials that coker makes!!
Car was repainted …VIF is a green vinyl top
No it wasn’t repainted
Please go gripe on another brand of cars , I notice a big block Mustang or Chevelle gets no comments( complaints) from you, but as soon as a Mopar pops up, you’re all about the 318 was a better choice, or it would handle better with 225. – we get it, its been a few years now, you hate Chrysler performance cars, how about harping on the handling characteristics on a 396 Nova ?
you maybe right? but riding a 1974 Shovelhead into Chicago traffic now a days turners me into pisser!…grab a PBR and thank the Lord for another day not taking a dirt nap! …also thank 4piston PMs for aide. …PBR time!
That’s how people die old tires kill people personal experience the car can do it the tires can’t know your machine
I don’t know how 13 people on here or out there think you’re funny!! 🤔🙄🥱