While this 1973 Plymouth Road Runner is a striking looking car, it is by no means original or standard. However, it is a really nice car, and its performance should be more than enough to put a smile on your face. If you would like to lay your hands on a classic car, but you don’t mind the idea of it being modified, then this might be a car worth considering. It is located in Erie, Pennsylvania, and is listed for sale here on Craigslist.
There is no doubt that it is a striking looking car, but it is also pretty obvious that it isn’t standard. The paint isn’t original, and in the advertisement, the color is referred to as “custom.” Apparently, the paint was applied to the car 28-years-ago, and it seems to have held up quite well, while the factory decals contrast well against the custom paint. The car is also fitted with an aftermarket sunroof, which is one of those items that I could take or leave. Overall, the presentation is very good.
Under the hood is a 340ci V8, which was rebuilt in 1990 while the rest of the car was getting its custom treatment. That is a genuine 6-Barrel intake and carburetors hiding under that air cleaner, which really should get the car shifting along quite nicely. Coupled to that engine is a TorqueFlite transmission, with the owner saying that the car runs and drives nicely. Recently the car has been fitted with a new gas tank, new fuel lines, a new radiator, and a new master cylinder. The owner also has a good collection of receipts dating right back to when the major work was performed on the car in 1990.
The interior is another area where the Plymouth has received the custom touch. The seat upholstery is a mix of cloth and vinyl while hiding somewhere in there is an aftermarket stereo, as speakers can be seen fitted to the front doors, and in the rear parcel tray. The rest of the interior is largely standard, but there are a few things that will need to be addressed to bring the interior up to a higher grade. There is a seam separation visible on the driver’s seat, but this should be easy to fix. More obvious and more difficult to fix will be the multiple cracks in the dash pad.
Given the extent of the modifications performed on this Plymouth, I guess that the normal rules surrounding the value of a classic don’t apply as rigidly. There is no doubt that it would be possible to return the car to original condition, but I’m not sure that I would. The work that has been completed on the car appears to be of a high standard, and I suspect that the next owner is going to drive this around with an enormous grin on their face. The owner has set a price of $16,500 OBO for the car, and I suspect that they will probably get their price for it.
Homer Simpsons teenage car. Chain link steering wheel and a “Disco Sucks” bumper sticker, and you’re all set.
The original engine choices could best be described as anemic. Assuming that the 340 has a decent build with a set of good heads and compression ratio this RR should be quite well mannered and drivable anywhere. Thumbs up!
If that’s not enough just drop a modern Hellcat in it.
Dad had a 72 with a 440 6-pack, hooker headers, and the automatic hood scoop. He bragged about that car my entire life (I’m 42) until one day when I showed up at his cottage in a 98 BMW M Roadster that was tastefully modified to do about a 13.2 quarter mile. Dad’s best friend was there and after a beer or four around the campfire I asked my dad’s friend just how fast was the roadrunner. He laughed and said it was a 14 second car.
Dad has been humble about it ever since.
If I had the extra cash this one would be off the market tonight. Nice car!
If any 440 car was a 14 sec car someone did not know how to launch it. Had a 71 340 Demon that ran 14.0-14.10 all night long. I could be exactly wrong but wasn’t 71 was the last year for a 6-pak on a Dodge? Not exactly sure I understand the brag of humbling your Pop. But many family relationships elude me.
One of the better styled 70’s cars.
As a kid, I was really bummed when Daisy Duke’s ’73 Road Runner got destroyed…never thought the Jeep replacement was as cool!
This car is pretty interesting—I’m digging on the carb setup—and the price seems reasonable. I would probably lose the cloth seat covers but that’s an easy fix. I wonder what color this was originally?
Here’s the “Georgia” 318-powered Road Runner (no engine size callout in the hood bulge stripe; 340, 360, 400, and 440 cars had callouts).
Hmmm…no surprise from this photo that Catherine Bach had her legs insured for a million bucks back then. True.
No aftermarket sunroofs for me! It has the amber light to the left of the glovebox, that normally would be the reverse indicator for a manual car?!? Otherwise, a nicely done car! :-)
Up to 73 it was than in 74 it was warning light for passenger for the seat belt/ starter interlock system
A ‘71 Road Runner 340 just hammered for 30G’s on Barrett-Jackson,this one looks equally nice! Beep-Beep!
Actually, it was a ’71 Satellite made to look like a ’74 Road Runner. The original ‘Runner was used only in the five “Georgia” episodes, and when they moved production to California, they painted a Satellite yellow with a black Road Runner-style stripe, and added chrome “wagon” wheels.
I prefer the 71 – 72 look, but wow, this is nice.
Take it to a car show, park next to the Chevelle SS’s, pop the hood, and see which car gets noticed.