The one that never was? Well, not exactly, the seller of this 1972 Plymouth Road Runner is pretty forthcoming that this Mopar was not originally equipped with a six-barrel carburetor set-up. But the ’72 six-pack 440 CI engine is the stuff of legend and this car plays well into that potential scenario. Let’s see what actually here. This Plymouth is located in Fort Meyers, Florida and is available, here on eBay for a current bid of $33,400, reserve not yet met.
Some will say that 1972 was the end of the line for American muscle cars – and some will say it was already over by then. Whatever your position, things were changing rapidly, thanks for the most part as a result of the Clean Air Act of 1970 which set about regulating pollutants from mobile sources like cars and trucks. The regulations set a timetable for the reduction of harmful emissions and some manufactures hopped on the stick in 1971, while others held off until 1972 to implement changes. What the changes spelled was an end to Chevrolet’s 454 CI LS6 engine along with Mopar’s vaunted Hemi and 440 six-pack engines. It even brought about the gross to net horsepower rating system that made the Federally required changes seem even more onerous. Mopar had planned the 440-6 engine for inclusion into their ’72 line-up, their sales brochure even mentioned it, but alas it was not meant to be. The legend states that two such vehicles were actually built before the assembly plants got the message but the documentation on those two is light.
Road Runner engine options in ’72 consisted of a standard 255 net HP, 400 CI V8 with an optional 340 or 440-4 barrel carburetor equipped motor as available. And the 440 CI version was referred to as having the “GTX” option though the GTX model was discontinued at the end of the ’71 model year. The seller states that his Road Runner’s original 400 CI motor was replaced in 2010 with a modified 440-4Bbl engine that was later upgraded with the six holer. The engine description puts it as having 522 HP, and if I’m reading his listing properly, it now displaces 500 CI. Mopar’s tried and true TorqueFlite three-speed automatic puts all of that grunt to the rear wheels.
Ah yes, Sherwood Green Metallic, one of my favorite ChryCo colors and this Road Runner wears its 2015 repaint beautifully. I’ll admit it, I’m not a fan of stripes and graphics but this Road Runner displays its reflective tape stripe well, it’s not that obvious. Other than the missing grille, the exterior shows perfectly. The seller adds, “This Road Runner has all the original body panels and not one spot of rust ever“. The front end appears slightly lowered, with the rear end slightly raised ever so slightly, ostensibly to accommodate the oversized tires. Whatever the case, this Plymouth possesses the perfect ’70s rake.
The interior, with its bench seat and column-mounted shift selector, does not exactly present a performance image but it’s very in keeping with how many Plymouth and Dodge performance models were outfitted in this era. Nevertheless, the interior is in excellent condition. I like the two-tone upholstery, it’s such a contrast to modern black or gray monotone interiors. The only addition that I could spy is an aftermarket tachometer that has been added to the underside of the dash, left of the steering wheel. It’s probably not an ideal location for a quick view but it preserves the integrity and looks of the original instrument panel.
It took a while, but over the years, I have finally warmed to the Mopar intermediate fuselage body. And it is such a nice discovery to come across one that hasn’t been trashed or hacked to death. Two big thumbs up to the seller of this beautiful Road Runner, he’s done it just right IMO. We’re trending into strong $$$ for a non-original, Gen 2 Road Runner but nice and done right will bring a nice price every time, wouldn’t you agree?
No the grille is there, just not painted the correct argent color.. Kinda of a let down, that cause I think the 72 grille might be the best of the bunch
This is a really good looking car. The seller says he never drove it hard, mainly using it for shows, which is exactly how most older cars are used, the owners just won’t admit it. If someone were to want to put a lot of miles on this in the future, change the oil pan. It’s the lowest point of the car and is clearly visible in several pictures. This style of pan was popular in the 80’s and 90’s, but not any more, for good reason.
Steve R
This body style is genius. It has some Coke bottle stuff, soft with a few hard edges, a surround front bumper, and impossible wheel well shapes that all somehow work. Is if the Satellite version that has those really cool exhaust tips with slots and red underneath?
This is a perfect bad a__ car to me.
Beautiful car!
Just wish it was the 73 body, the front end was much nicer looking to me, but I am biased as I owned a 73 40 years ago.
If it was a 73, I’d be on my way to look at it right now.
Interestingly, the one true ’72 Six Barrel Roadrunner was found and since restored to beautiful original condition. There’s only 2 440 six pack cars known to exist and the other is supposedly a yellow Charger. It has yet to be relocated.
Actually, two Chargers and one RR/GTX.
All that and no slap stick console and bucket seats!
I’m glad that the owner resisted adding a console shifter and buckets. The original column shift and bench really add to the vibe of this car.
Very nice car and with the 440 now punched out to 500 ci that leaves a world of neat possibilities! I was never a huge fan of this body style but this one sure has a great look/stance! I wonder what a person could do with the traction problem?
Love the 71/72 Fuselage Body style. I had a 73 Blk/Blk with a 340 and Slapstick…big car needed a Big Block…Not a fan of the column shift but beautiful car.. GLWA….
My favorite B body Mopar body style, hands-down. I love the flowing shape, bumper-to-bumper, with flared out fenders built to accommodate substantial rubber.
On a side note I was at my local Mopar dealer yesterday and was looking out the showroom window at a dirty dark Ram truck. With the sun shining on the showroom windows, the view was not perfectly clear but there was something different about this Ram. It took me a little bit to realize that the fenders were flared out just like this fuselage body style and the vents on the rear of the fender were not stick on plastic chrome. I was actually looking at the first TRX in our area.
It is interesting to see how history repeats itself in strange places.
Nice car,I’m sure it’s very fast,I’m a mopar man ,so I love all years of satellite and road runners etc.
I do like the 71 and 72 Satellite body, but this particular paint and graphics combination turn me off. I have owned several Plymouths and driven a few more and it has always seemed to me that 90% of the Chrysler products built between 1968 and 1975 were this green. Even if I was okay with the green, I don’t care for the gold graphics. White, or non standard red, or even orange would be so much better, IMHO.
As far as the engine, I am impressed by the specs, but in the ” right ” color combination I wouldn’t care if there was a slant 6 under the hood.
Finally: that instrument panel has 4 coves, does a factory tach go in one of those holes and this car has a 2nd one?
Looks like we’ve got some muscle here today! Clean machine. I like the built cars that remain as stock looking as possible such as this one.
I think the call engine call outs on the hood would look better if they were gold (instead of white) to match the over the roof stripes. Beautiful car as is though!
Car has an 8 qt. oil pan, (aftermarket) that’s why it’s below the K member.
“The legend states that two such vehicles were actually built before the assembly plants got the message but the documentation on those two is light.”
They do exist, and the documentation is pretty extensive.
Do you have any documentation that you can provide us? I haven’t seen it, I’ve only read about their supposed existence.
JO
SOLD for $38,000.
These are either a love em or hate em design. Probably ahead of their time but i find them attractive. When i was a kid in the 90’s, there was a guy halfway between our house and my grandparents house that had four of them. Cant tell you if they were 71 or 72 specific but it was always cool to drive past. One was yellow with white stripe, the other was red with black stripe, and two orange one with black one with white stripe. Not sure if he moved or what happened to those cars but i havent seen them in a long time. For those Dukes of Hazzard fans remember Daisy drove ones of these in yellow with black stripe which then became a 73-74 model before it was crashed then becoming a jeep for her to drive, small notoriety.
Great car…… Who buys a car with a column shifted automatic trans ?at least since it’s not original put it on the floor with a console? The owner would be shocked at how fast it would sell