From reports I’ve read online, this 1978 Plymouth Road Runner is one of just 1,357 built in 1978. While it was not the fire-breather that its forbearer was, it’s still an interesting piece of kit with some upgrades that at least make it look more intimidating that it was. It does have the optional 360 V8 under the hood, which was an upgrade over the standard 318. The seller doesn’t provide much in the way of details, but the condition looks clean enough to assume it’s at least worth calling on. Find it here on craigslist for $8,500 near Spokane.
This particular Road Runner also appears to have what is known as the “Super Pak,” which got you the rear spoiler and fender well extensions you see here. This particular car is missing the louvers on the rear passenger windows but I could easily see those going missing or just removed by an owner that didn’t like the looks; it’s harder to see if the front chin spoiler is still present, but that, too could have been lost to a parking lot encounter with a spot barrier. The black interior looks quite sharp and I don’t see any need for upholstery work from here.
The dashboard is clean with clear gauges and handsome fake wood trim. The mileage is listed as 75,432, which seems believable considering how clean the Plymouth otherwise is. There was nothing particularly exceptional about the Road Runner interior, although this one does come with T-tops. No mention is made as to whether the air conditioning still works, but this being the Pacific Northwest, I don’t know if it would be a priority to repair if it wasn’t still blowing cold.
The fact that the decals are still present is a bit of a miracle, and while there’s a good chance they were re-done, they also appear to be correct when compared to an original, low mileage car. The wheels, however, are not original and I would find some OEM replacements ASAP to give it even more eyeball appeal. While not a muscle car in the truest sense of the word, this Road Runner is a neat slice of Mopar history that appears to be in good condition and ready for some spit-shining by the next owner. Thanks to Barn Finds reader Lee for sending it in.
cute little cars,when they were new i had numerous run ins with mostly 40 somethings in em in my “slightly ” ratty 70 RoadRunner as a 16 year old, they actully ran kinda ,sorta ok but after i grabbed 2nd they got really small in the rear view REALLY quick i guess the 375/440 was a little too much for em ,but in all honesty there really wasn’t anything new sold that was really quick with the possible exception of the “little red express” pick ups that had not yet got strangled with emissions controls due to the GVW. But as older “muscle” cars get priced out of range for most of us these mid and late 70s cars become more attractive and will soon come into their own. A well-built 360 or a nice 400 will really wake em up..
No side/rear window louvers?
My buddy had one that had a dual four 440 in it. It was quite fast for a ninties street car.
The Road Runner package, Super Pak, a 360, and T-tops make this the ultimate Volare. What that’s worth, I have no clue. I’d probably pay $8500 for it, though. It’s not that much for a clean, mid-70s, stickers-only muscle car (with a little muscle).
T Tops r a nice touch if they don’t leak.
Wheels would be the FIRST thing to go though, Ugh!
Those are as sad as the 4 door Chargers now-a-Days!
The modern Chargers r FASTER and handle MUCH better than the old ones.
They’re 4 doors, Blasphemy to the Charger name. :)
They did a good job making a 4 door look like a 2 door with the lines though.
They actually had a Charger concept car that was a 4 door with 2 small rear doors, but truly looked like a 2 door. I was hoping for production of it, but got what we got.
I like the looks of this car. For this money it will sell. It can be a nice cruiser, sound good and, probably, ride decently. Why not?
What a faux Roadrunner. That’s a Volare.
All it needs is Dean Martin as a passenger. lol
And the first gen Roadrunner was a Belvedere , what’s your point ?
A real peach with that 360
True, but a 3G Hemi would surely warm it up a little
I am going to enjoy owning it…it has Side Louvers but not attached.
Another Washington/Oregon car how rare! 😆
I had a 76 with the 360. It ran good but could not keep up with my roommate 74 Trans Am with a 400 and his crazy driving. It was B5Blue with the white interior and a sunroof. I always bumped my head getting into T-Top cars.
My 77 Road Runner was not as fast on the straight away as my friends Firebird
…but in any kind of a turn he would spin…I beat him every time.
John D.
Do you happen to have any pics or info on your old B5 car?
I wish I did. I was changing cars pretty frequently then and never thought to record them. My family had a Chrysler Plymouth dealership so I drove a lot of new cars that I got to order. I ran across it in a body shop about a decade later and then a classified for it but couldn’t afford to buy it. I already had a small collection, so I was also out of room for it. It would have been one to keep.
Jeff Lavery….can you send me the contact for Lee who bird dogged this one?
thanks