I covered this car about a year and a half ago, and since that time, it has moved outdoors and the price has been raised $4,000, hmmm… OK, let’s look again. The devil is always in the details and that is even more pertinent in these times when everyone uses whatever reason to extrapolate big value into every old thing that they own. We’re talking cars on this site but this value equation creeps into any aged thing that is considered to have collectability. With that thought in mind, let’s consider this 1972 Plymouth Road Runner. It is located in Fort Collins, Colorado and is available, here on craigslist for $12,000. Thanks to Gunter K for this tip!
The seller opens his listing with, “This very rare car has a crate 440 magnum“. Road Runner production had fallen to 7,600 units in ’72, a huge freefall from its 1969 “Car of the Year” 84K unit pinnacle. Even the ’71 B-Body redesign coughed up 14K copies, so ’72s measly output is notable. And that drop probably wasn’t based on design and general style as total Satellite output, on which the Road Runner was based, increased from 129K units in ’71 to 137K for ’72. The times were simply changing and not in the best of ways for muscle cars. So, rare? In terms of total production, and considering how many ’72 RRs are probably still in existence, yes.
What’s even rarer, is a ’72 with the “GTX” option which included a 440 CI V8 engine. The GTX, as a separate model, was discontinued at the end of the ’71 model year, so for ’72 it became an option package with the larger, 280 net HP engine and, according to Hemmings, only 672 saw the light of day. Alas, this example is not one of them. It was born with a 255 net HP, new for ’72, 400 CI V8 engine. Nice to see, however, is the four-speed manual transmission. So, how’s this 440 Magnum run? I gather it doesn’t since the engine is on a stand and not under the hood.
We are advised, “Very nice frame and floors…Very little rust for a 70’s muscle car“. Known for prodigious rusting capability, this Road Runner will need a thorough once-over to determine total integrity. Agreed, the trunk pans look good, but the lower legs of the fenders are suspect and it’s easy to imagine that the quarters could have some trouble too. There essentially aren’t any interior images, so the floor condition is unknown. The seller advises that the glass and chrome are all present and this car does appear to be complete. There’s a big ole dent in the driver’s side quarter and the front roll pan has experienced some distress of some sort, but the remainder of the body looks pretty fair.
As previously stated, there really are no images of the interior, though there is one of the instrument panel and the under-dash area so it may, or may not, be complete. One image, shot through the rear window displays the headrest portion of the passenger seat so we’ll go with the assumption that the seats are present.
It is suggested that this car is a “Serious restoration project“. I interpret that to mean that it will take a serious effort to restore this Plymouth back to some semblance of both presentability and operational capability. What do you think, and considering the 50% increase in the asking price, will the time, effort, and needed expense be worth it on a second-gen Road Runner?
As a 14 yr old kid in 72, I felt the 71-72 models were beyond ugly when it came to the front end design. The 73-74 models even with the huge bumpers looked so much better. YMMV.
The management of Chrysler was really losing their way in the early 1970s, and the money spent on R&D as well as styling was not well spent at all.
Someone may want this car, but it’s a ton of work to be done. And stuff does rust in Colorado.
I had a 73 RR for a couple years, and enjoyed it a ton. This one not so much.
Plymouth had a winner in the 1969 year. If it ain’t broken…don’t fix it.
At that price it’s not for sale
I remember trying to buy a 1971 GTX 440/4spd/dana and same color for $800. It was sitting in an apartment parking lot on flat tires. Almost sold to me but back out because sentimental reasons.
Probably in the same spot, just worse condition
Brakes sure got put on pretty hard!
Rusty,non-running,engine out of car(no guarantee it is not blown),not numbers matching, all for only $12,000. Wow, can’t wait to throw my money away! Add another $4-6,000 and you will find one running and driving that you can enjoy.
It appears that there are a lot of people commenting here that haven’t exactly been following the market trends as of late, especially when it comes to ’71-’74 B-Body MoPars. These cars are skyrocketing in value and, this being a 4-speed car (even though it’s a 400 and not a 440), makes it all that much more desirable. I would say the seller will get pretty darn close to his asking price. If you want to drive a MoPar, you got to be able to hang with the big boys when it comes to pocket depth.
What you call hanging with the big boys I view as hanging with the dumb boys. Spending that kind of money on this car ensures that if you DO have deep pockets you wont for long.
Hanging with the big boys is nothing more than keeping up with the Jones’s. Spend a lot of money so you can have just another of the mopar cars that are restored at a higher percentage than nearly anything else. Hanging with the big boys is just stupid talk.
Why on earth would I want to hang with the “Big Boys”. Dont need to, neither do any of my fellow enthusiasts. Most of us seek out cars for ourselves, we dont need to impress anybody. Plus with some smart shopping, deals can still be found. Attached picture is a 1972 Charger Ralleye I found in a Seattle backyard that had been undisturbed for nearly 19 years. Purchase price of $950, got it running the next day at my home. All the special doors, hood, tail lights, swaybars intact. Currently is my everyday driver, alot of parts were leftover from my 1971 Charger R/T restoration.
This was, arguably, the best looking year for the Road Runner…the 1969 being the other, equally best looking year. A ’72 Road Runner grille in good condition, if you can find one, is worth $3,000-4,000 currently. Just a very unmistakable look, and menacing too…kind of like all of the Chargers were (from ’69-’74 anyway). The ’68 wasn’t quite as mean looking as the others and we won’t even discuss the ’66-’67’s.
Well at least it comes with that cool engine dress up kit! This care may look sad and pathetic in it’s current state, but it’s still genuine RR and a factory 4-speed. That alone makes it worth saving. I’m willing to bet that someone with deep pockets will rescue this one, drop the 440 in and resto the rest of it original. These later year RR’s have an ever growing following and it’s true that the prices for restored cars really are starting to increase for them.
I have a total investment, currently, of almost $3000, including purchase price, yeah it could use a repaint, dents fixed here and there, an upholstery kit, etc. that will all come, what’s the hurry ?? I dont need to hang with the “Big Boys” they all hate me anyways because I can drive this Charger Ralleye in bad weather, even snow, it’s a great driver, but I drive it for me. The 2nd picture as it is right now, I really do drive it everyday. Original paint & flaws. You guys find your dream and enjoy….remember, no need to hang with the so-called “Big Boys”…..shop smart and have fun !!! Take care !!
Just because you see cars marketed for 40-60k does not mean that is market value. Most people I know that have truly restored their cars and have sold them did not get anything close to what it cost them. The exception is mostly dealers putting paint on a pig and flipping it. Then the new owner gets to fix everything after paying (market value) for it
I wouldn,t pay that price. To impress anyone. Impressing people can get you into maney problems real fast. This car needs alot of work and money.Just to make it roadworthy. Not everyone wants to imprees people. When you can look around and find alot nicer –driveable one for alot less.
I remember the original BF post.
Here is a link to it: https://barnfinds.com/1972-plymouth-road-runner-project/
Leaving it outside and letting it rot for another year increased the price 50%