Plymouth developed the Roadrunner as a more affordable option to their more elite GTX model. They paid Warner Brothers $50,000 to be able to use the Roadrunner name and general likeness. The cars are said to be a fun cruiser with some power. The example at hand is in pretty rough condition as-is and will absolutely need some work. This 1974 Roadrunner has just under 64k miles and is listed here on craigslist in Fountain Valley, California for $7,800. Thanks to zappenduster for the tip.
This Roadrunner’s exterior is in rough condition with visible paint damage, and frame rust throughout. The car has a massive trunk and is gigantic for a two-door which isn’t out of the ordinary for the ’70s. The next owner will need to put some significant time and money into the exterior of this Roadrunner for it to be back to its original state.
The car’s interior appears to be factory plaid, however, the owner has put seat covers over the front seats. The rear seats appear to be in much better condition than the front. The entire cabin needs to be redone for the car to be like-new. The Roadrunner has been sitting for 20 years so it’s not a surprise that some significant decay is present.
The Roadrunner is powered by a 318ci V8 engine which sends power to the rear wheels via an automatic transmission. The car is said to start and run with a portable fuel can. The car has recently received an oil change, a battery, a control module, and a ballast resistor. It will need a new brake system to be driven and currently is being stopped with the parking brake. This Roadrunner will need a good deal of work and money to be in decent condition and even more to be in prime shape. If you are interested in taking this project under your wing contact the seller via craigslist.
Looks rough..
I like these models even though the ponies were pollution reduced.
It’s a Cali car but the rockers, trunk and rear window shows much rust .
I hope it gets put back but the price is high and needs negotiated down .
That’s the type of rust you get out here, the nighttime condensation pools at the bottom of the rear window, rusts out the channel, then takes out the trunk, which becomes a sauna if parked on the sunny side of a building.
This car is pretty rough, it has some nice options, but the asking price is really aggressive, hence the listing that’s been up for more than a month.
Steve R
A 318 powered Road Runner? I knew that big blocks went away and 340/360 small blocks were around, but never knew that a 318 was available in a Road Runner. That’s kind of an insult for a car that used to be a base 383 in 1968.
If it has documentation that proves it’s a 318 car, that would lower the value for me. The 318 was a great motor, just not for a Road Runner.
The original engine size incorporated into the VIN, they document themselves. By the point in time the Roadrunner was built it the option was little more than a cosmetic package.
Steve R
Yep, reality of the times.
The same year ‘Cuda could be had with a 318.
Sacrilege.
Junk.
I had a red 73 Roadrunner with the 400ci truck motor. It spun it’s n50 tires pretty easily, but was much slower than my 383 69 Roadrunner. I liked the style with the white stripes on red exterior combo. I think in 1981 I paid $1400 for it.
Two words: Road Runner.