When we visualize a Plymouth Road Runner, most of us think of the 1968 to 1969 models, and a few of us may think of the 1970 model. Yet when a new intermediate B-body came out in 1971, the Road Runner was not forgotten and it would continue to run through 1975 on the intermediate body. Here is a 1971 Plymouth Road Runner 2 door Hardtop for sale here on eBay in Peel, Arkansas.
A chart breaking down what engine and transmission combinations were produced in 1972 is included in the ad. This car has been stored in a garage since 1980. The seller has no time for this project and is selling it for that reason. It does come with a clean title, so it’s not a parts car. There were plans to strip the paint, which was started but never completed. The front bumper and several trim pieces were removed. The Road Runner originally had a black vinyl top, making it a triple black car.
This is definitely going to be a project car. Many of the parts that go with the car are found in the trunk. This includes the chrome trim, front grille surround, hood trim, and front bumper which has been removed from the car. The Road Runner also comes with a complete set of Rallye Road Wheels.
The interior is pretty much gone. The floors have some rust through holes, the dash is completely cracked, and the seats will need either replacing or reupholstering. The driver’s armrest will need replacing as well, the door panels have had speakers cut into them, and the factory radio is missing. There is a picture of the car with the interior gutted of the seats as well as one with the seats intact.
This car was originally produced with the 400 cubic inch engine with 4 barrel carburetor and a 4-speed manual transmission, making it one of 906 with that combination. Unfortunately, somewhere through the years, the seller says someone installed an automatic transmission and the 4-speed is gone, although that looks like a manual shifter in the interior shot to me. The 400 engine is not stuck and it does turn over by hand. The engine has 83,030 miles. While this car will take quite a bit of work, it would be great to see how it turns out. Are you visualizing what this Road Runner could look like in the future?
Man, I can smell the raccoon poo from here, and the rodent urine too! I would need to get this mighty cheap if I were to tackle it. Not sure my stomach could handle it (nor is my tetanus shot up to date) Where do they haul this junk from? A manure filled barn yard?
If this car had a four barrel carb, it’s gone now.
Not sure I’m really friends with that design, the face seems somehow vulgar and ‘too much’ to me. 73up actually look better, though I’m definately amongst those who prefer 68-69 RRs. Guess we’ll have to get used to more of these 2nd gen RRs coming out from the weeds, as most every 68-70 B-body will be on enthusiast hands by now
Cars got big, fat asses after 1969, and this is a strong example of that styling trend. It does have an aggressive profile though, and would look striking in all black. I still prefer the 66-67 B-body cars to all post-fin era Mopars. The clean and open interiors make the later cars feel claustrophobia-inducing.
Back in the day, a friend had a photo/poster of a red example of this car on the drag strip. It was upside down and traveling backwards at speed, about 2″ off the ground. The photographer caught the shot just before the back corner contacted the ground and balled the car up into a crumpled mess. It was impressive.
Flipper who doesn’t know how to tie a car down on a trailer. He may have damaged the body. rare car but non orig slush box?? Good luck to the new owner.
Cheers
GPC
When it comes to cars, I can only see them as a labor of love. Nobody can spend too much money and effort on a car like I can. Spelled out, I just cannot get my head around a bottom line mentality about cars. If a given car just doesn’t “do it” for me, I won’t waste my time even looking at it. Like this car. I think they are cool, but I would never want one. But it doesn’t mean I don’t like it. It just means I know my garage is filled with much more interesting (to me) things that already have me overspent and lacking time for ! But if it is a car I LOVE and gotta have, then my brain goes entirely out the window.
Let’s just say this Roadrunner was THE car for me, and a triple black 4-speed 400 car, to boot ! Doing the rust work and finding an A-833 transmission is just a matter of networking and elbow grease. In the end, this would be a relatively easy car to build and would be an exceptional example when finished. Not like pulling that 1925 Jordan out of a creek and hand-forming 90% of the car from scratch !
I think too many people think of cars as dollar signs and are only passively committed to owning a car for so long. Unlike finding the car you’ll restore and own until you die because it is THE car that you love.
This has always been my favorite body style Road Runner. BUT when completed it would have to sit about 1.5″ lower than stock ( all the way around) and the tires and wheels would have to FILL the fender wells.
Just my humble opinion.
It has the 4 speed hump in the floor and you can see that it is empty and a shifter is put on top. There are also some strange badges or marks on the rear quarters right behind the doors where GTX emblems would be placed on 72’s. GTX’s for 72 were RR’s and not a separate model and they had 440’s and only came with an auto tranny. Could be a hot rod of the day.