1972 Plymouth Road Runner Project

Life can deliver some pretty disappointing moments, and such is the case with the current owner of this 1972 Plymouth Road Runner. They purchased the car on the strength of photos supplied by the seller, who stated that it had a few paint blemishes. However, when it arrived, the owner discovered that the paint was basically one big blemish. Disheartened by the discovery, they have decided to cut their losses by sending the Plymouth to a new home. Even that is proving a challenge, since this is the fourth time they have listed this classic. They have repeatedly lowered the opening bid figure and, for the first time, there has been action. You will find the Road Runner listed here on eBay in Knoxville, Tennessee. The current bid of $20,000 is below the reserve.

This Road Runner makes a positive first impression, with most images suggesting the car presents well. However, the closer inspection reveals the truth, and it isn’t pretty. The Trim Tag confirms that the Code B3 Basin Street Blue is the correct paint shade, which the seller refers to it as Petty Blue. It shines nicely, although the close-up shots reveal severe orange peel and other imperfections that appear to be beyond wet sanding and polishing. With many of the problems seemingly below the surface, it suggests poor surface preparation. Therefore, I feel that the winning bidder must strip away the paint to achieve a better result. I can’t spot any evidence of rust, proving that every cloud has a silver lining. Most of the trim looks acceptable, except the back bumper, which requires a trip to the platers.

Plymouth performed a few changes below the surface when it released the 1972 Road Runner. New for that year was the 400ci V8, replacing the iconic 383ci powerplant. This car features the 400, a four-speed manual transmission, and power brakes. Plymouth didn’t quote official power and torque figures in its 1972 sales literature, although several reputable sources state that 255hp and 340 ft/lbs will be close to the mark. The seller confirms that the Road Runner runs and drives, although they haven’t ventured onto the open road. They decided to sell the car as soon as it landed in his driveway, chosing not to insure it for road use. However, it should be a turnkey proposition.

This Road Runner’s interior, trimmed in Blue vinyl, looks far better than the exterior. I believe that the seatcovers and carpet might be relatively new, showing no evidence of significant wear. The dash looks crisp and clean, and the pad is crack-free. However, it isn’t perfect. The seller received another nasty surprise on delivery, discovering that the tops of both door trims had been repaired rather poorly. Therefore, the buyer would need to source replacements to maintain consistent presentation.

In previous articles, I have discovered the wisdom of in-person inspections, and this 1972 Plymouth Road Runner demonstrates how easily a buyer can be bitten when their purchase doesn’t meet their expectations. The seller’s images suggest that its cosmetic shortcomings are quite extensive, and the only solution will be to strip the panels and start from square one. That will be a long process, but it will be rewarding. The Road Runner has attracted two bids, and thirty-eight people have added it to their Watch List. We can speculate on the reserve, but what do you feel would be a fair price for this classic?