The Plymouth Road Runner was one of the top automobiles that ruled the muscle car scene in the late 1960s. But – by the mid-1970s – the muscle car dynamic had changed, and the Road Runner was just holding on. This ’74 Road Runner was donated to charity to be auctioned off here on eBay and has parts missing under the hood and elsewhere. Offered in Orange, California, the current bid is only $765, and it might be a good project if you can get it to roll and steer. Thanks for another Mopar tip, Larry D!
After a successful launch in 1968, Road Runner sales would peak the following year at 84,480 copies. The second generation came along in 1971 with “fuselage” styling like the rest of Chrysler’s intermediates, but production dropped instead of going up and just 14,218 copies were assembled. After building 7,183 Road Runners in 1975, Plymouth dropped the line although the name would reappear a few years later as a trim package on the compact Volare (ugh). 11,555 units like the seller’s car were produced in 1974, which was an off year overall for the industry given the OPEC oil embargo.
With pieces missing from the seller’s machine, it’s hard to tell exactly what motor is under the hood. A 318 cubic inch V8 was standard and this one has a manual transmission, which would be a rare pairing. To get a 4-speed you had to upgrade to a 360 and the 440 engine only came with an automatic. The VIN on this car identifies it as the 318, but the selling charity does not know if its numbers-matching. Without a battery and other parts, there’s no way of knowing if this vehicle would run again without major work. The driveshaft may be the item that’s in the trunk.
From what we see of the sheet metal, this might not be a rust bucket although the seller acknowledges there is some corrosion. It may be lurking underneath which could include the floorboards as the carpeting has turned to dust, possibly leading to a worse condition below. The interior is an odd cream and orange color which could be original, but the driver’s seat is broken, the steering wheel and shifter are gone, and the dash pad is loaded with cracks. Project car or parts car, your choice?
I’m betting that’s a 360 with a 4 speed. Fender tag would have been helpful. Certainly not a parts car. Could those seat covers be factory?
Unless I missed that it said someone put in a 4-speed, most likely it’s a 318 with 3-speed. I had a ’73 RR that came that way from the factory. Wish I still had that one.
A 360 in a Roadrunner would have a 4bbl , which this car doesn’t have , so its likely a 318 , and considering their durability, its likely the original engine
VIN # RM21G4G118232
R- Satelite/Sebring
M-Medium
21-2 Door Coupe
G-V8-318. 2Bar.Carb
4-1974
G-St.Louis.MO
That word be a great pro touring car. Solid body, build into what you like.
The tiny spare tire really emphasizes the bloated rear end. Queen’s song “Fat Bottom Girls” comes to mind.
There was no gap in Road Runner availability between 1968 and 1980. The last mid-sized RR was based on the 1975 Fury. In 1976, the package was transferred to the Volare.
$2,225 now.
A 360 in a Roadrunner would have a 4bbl , which this car doesn’t have , so its likely a 318 , and considering their durability, its likely the original engine
This is well worth the bid money so far ,and likely a lot more . Not as popular as the 68-71s , but a rare body style and small production #s for 1974 . These were notorious for rust , but this one is solid, and there are still surprisingly a lot of rusty 73-74 Satellites lying around, so finding missing pieces wouldn’t be too much of an issue .Reproduction stripes are available. As for the engine, you could build up the 318, or swap out for a 340 or 360. Too bad this ones on the other end of the country or I’d be bidding !
Considering the photo’s this would probably make a good parts car.
Why would you make a rust free car a parts car ? there are plenty of beaters that could supply the missing parts , and a lot of the missing bits you’d be replacing with new parts even if they were still on the car .
My friend’s sister’s husband had a brand new 74 Road Runner. His pride and joy. 360, automatic, with tthe laser stripes. She divorced him in ’75, got the RR in the deal, and drove it through a fence and into the woods. Never saw it again.
I think with this good body it should a good start on restoring it if someone had a 383
$2350 at 19 hours to go. There’s something here worth while. I haven’t bid yet but I’m watching and probably will. Thanks to “shelbyGT500” for the VIN decode.
another good deal=just no space. I hade a 72 340 rr for a while loved it.
SOLD for $3050.
I bought this RR.
It’s in my backyard now with new tires/wheels. Looks better already! According to the codes on the fender tag it’s a 318, 2 barrel, heavy duty 4 speed manual transmission. Good project car 👍🏻