Well, maybe “muscle” is the wrong word with only around 150 horsepower on tap, but you know what I mean. This 1977 Plymouth Road Runner is a different bird than the originals, there’s no question about it. This one is posted here on craigslist in beautiful Mesa, Arizona where I should have moved years ago. The seller is asking $5,500 for this one and here is the original listing. Thanks to PaulG for sending in this tip!
The Road Runner name is legendary and it’s not just for those of us who grew up watching cartoons with falling anvils and puffs of smoke at the bottom of a cliff followed by a flattened coyote, but as fantastic muscle cars. There is always a danger in bringing back a hallowed name, especially in the vehicle world. How many people complained about Dodge’s new Charger having four doors, not to mention a Volare Road Runner?
Plymouth offered the Road Runner from 1968 to 1980 and it’s hard to believe the impact that they had in just a dozen short years. The last iteration would come in the 1976 model year and they were based on the F-Platform which gave us the Dodge Aspen and Plymouth Volare. I personally like the Volare Road Runners but I’m a big fan of graphics packages much more so than raw speed and muscle. It takes all kinds to make the world go ’round.
The seller says that this example “runs and drives” which is rarely a confidence-inspiring description, but it’s better than saying that it doesn’t run and drive, I guess. Given the somewhat rugged exterior condition, I’m surprised at how nice the interior and the seats look. I don’t see really any flaws inside other than what appears to be a missing console armrest button, do you?
This is definitely not a 335-hp 1968 Road Runner, or better yet, a 426 Hemi. This is Chrysler’s 318 cubic-inch V8 which had 145 horsepower and 245 lb-ft of torque. A three-speed TorqueFlite automatic transmission provides the movement and this engine has headers and a Flowmaster exhaust which undoubtedly provides a nice horsepower boost – it also has a power steering pump leak. Any thoughts on this Road Runner or the Volare Road Runners, in general?
It was nice.. now gone like the wind. Gee that was quick!!! 😂🐻🇺🇸
You can wake up a 318 pretty easily. I’d go for it and have some fun.
Killer deal. I could live with the anemic performance.
These were the most poorly engineered and that I mean poorly slapped together. Combined were the most serious rust buckets. The huge battle ships and poor quality were really catching up in to Crycos problems. In a short time Lee would be asking us for money. It is amazing they pulled out only to be bought out by a German company and cast off to be picked up by Fiat and now a new owner with a funny name.
Sad but true. At the time, Lee Iaccoca could have run for president and won. I sold Dodge between ’92 and ’02. 318 was one of their most reliable engines.
I had one with a swapped in 340/sixpack and a buddy had one with a swapped in 440/2 fours. His was quicker, but not by much.
I had a Aspen R/T 1976. At 16k I swapped in a 71 340 with a lot of work put in it. I replaced the rear suspension with 71 340 leaf springs
and a 8 3/4 with 4:10′ a 3000 stall converter. I bought a totalled 71 duster 340 donor car. The doors were heavy, the pot metal door handles kept snapping off.
Did you tell your insurance agent about the engine mods? What do you think would have happened if you had an accident and an adjusted checked out your car?
@Cellblock Steve: I doubt here’s an insurance adjuster on the planet who could tell the difference between a 318 and a 340 engine by looking at it…
@MoPhil, If it means a company doesn’t have to pay out, well yes, then I see an adjustor digging deep and checking the block numbers. Plus, a late 70s 318 looks very different than a built 71 340. Just the air cleaner and hoses alone. Do you think a kid would disguise his 340 to look modern or would he want it to look “cool”? For collision coverage, I know engine mods are often looked at.
always someone playing the “what if” game.. lame
These were meant to replace the Dodge Dart. Poorly styles, poorly engineered, and poorly assembled. A trifeca Very fitting that it is listed the same day as a Vega.
Chrysler did this all on their own without help fom Fiat and Puegeot.
I wouldn’t say it was a poorly s-t-y-l-e-d t-r-i-f-e-c-t-a.
Chrysler couldn’t get help f-r-o-m P-e-u-g-e-o-t during their first brush with bankruptcy, either. ;)
Looks like a Volare with brighter paint.
Like a Belvedere with cartoon birds on its doors ?
Well it is a Volare, they were advertised as Volare Road Runners . By the late 70s Road Runner was pretty much a trim package.
I think this would be a cool driver and definitely turn heads at the meets for a bargain
the 318/torqueflite is a great combo.
Did Plymouth equip these with the road runner horn ?
All bark and no bite. An insult to the Road Runners that came before it.
Like when one of those 60s bands is on a public tv fund raiser, way past their prime, and they have descended into self-parody.
OMG…LMAO,the group “Loverboy”suddenly leaps to mind!
Yes,beep beep!
Stock vs stock I wonder if this could take my 79 305 auto Berlinetta?
They offered 4 speed in the Volare and aspen behind the 225 slant but not behind the v8. Was the tyranny that weak? Because a 4 speed in one of these would have been cool, and give you the old school feeling
The 4sp was an overdrive with a crummy feeling shifter. No pistol grip I assure you. You could order a V8 with the standard three speed. A big cost savings over the optional auto.
The OD 4 speed used in this era was still an A833, just re-geared for the “gas crisis” era of the mid-to-late ’70s with a direct third gear and an OD 4th. The parts to make a four speed work with a V8 of this era exist (and “hot” Mopar V8s can be installed in F-bodies, too), they just weren’t available from the factory.
Scotty, thanks for including the original listing. That’s a nice touch and very much appreciated when the posting is deleted. I love how the Seller put Meep! Meep!
Lol awesome Andy
A drivers race brother
“Meeep,,meeeeeep”, (with 2nd “meep” sickly dying out), the Road Runner finally met it’s demise with these cars. It should be no surprise, stuff like Simpsons and Family Guy, are right up my alley, but one of the funniest Family Guy shorts, was when the coyote finally catches the RoadRunner. There’s profanity,, so I won’t post it, but it’s pretty funny. I think Seth McFarlane is one of the most perceptive comic writers around today.
This? While a mere shred of the original, it should be saved, if for no other reason, to honor the late, great musclecar. From a time when the paperboy( or girl) could have some fun. This was the tail end, and while it was probably the worst car Chrysler ever put out, the name( and graphics) alone, were enough to sell this car. I always liked the Volare/Aspen, whether future generations will know, or care where the moniker came from can be debated. There’s still enough old farts from that time that would like this, and guaranteed a smile from anyone over 50, when “Looney Tunes” was the pinnacle of entertainment. It’s amazing we can think at all from watching those cartoons, which, btw, are deemed racist by some now.. It’s a good find, now where can I find an anvil?.
Yes Stan, the Volare-based RRs did have a “meep meep” horn. My ’79 black/gold one did anyway.
Thanks Dallas right on man 👍
My Dad gave me this car in early 90’s it had
T-tops black interior LuVed the Orange he bought it Brand New off Show room floor in City of Alhambra in SoCal in ’77 car that I grew Up in Great Memories for Sure . .