Based on the rust and the old Ohio license plates, this 1971 Plymouth Road Runner has been off the road for a while, but unfortunately the salt used in the North has taken its toll. Thankfully, the seller is including a second car with a solid body! They are found in Galion, Ohio and are listed here on eBay at no reserve. As I write this, 20 bids have pushed the price to $5,000.
The seller makes note that this is an original “N96” car, and shows a picture of the fender tag to prove it. By looking at this page, you can decode the entire tag, and the N96 code is for this Air Grabber hood, which the seller states is fully operational. There were a lot of other neat options on this car as well, including code E65, which is a 383 cubic inch V8 with a four barrel carburetor and 300 horsepower. The seller believes that is the engine still in the car.
Make no mistake, this is a rusty car, including the inner fenders under the hood. The seller makes sure you know that. However, it’s nice to see an engine compartment looking as original as this one does. The Ohio plate on the front dates from 1984 or 1985 according to this page, so we know it’s been off the road for a good while and will undoubtedly need some reconditioning. The seller does state it doesn’t run, but no other information is provided.
Here’s the other car, which is said to be a solid body with little else attached. Both cars have titles, and here’s where the dilemma begins. Obviously, the seller planned on using the white shell to re-body the red car. However, the white shell is an original four-speed car, and therefore I think would probably merit reconstruction on it’s own–so the winner bidder will have a choice to make. There are plenty of suppliers that will sell you the rust repair parts to repair the red car, but is it worth the effort to do so? What would you do?
i don’t
understand these geniuses – there is a provision to post up to 12 pictures on ebay and even more on craigslist but yet those options are rarely done-WTF
Same Road Runner from October 27th, 2015. Looks like he picked up a good body since then but ran out of funds, time, or interest. Guess he’s trying again now that tax refunds are coming in and spring is here.
You’re right, Red — the second body threw me off! Here’s the link to the original story if you’re interested:
http://barnfinds.com/beep-beep-1971-plymouth-road-runner/
Let Me preface by saying that I have owned many makes over the last 40 years… These are the first of the “Orphan Road Runners” followed by the Volare’ RR package being the Red Headed Step Children of the Satellite family lineage. Granted, there will be many who disagree (i’m braced for it), but in My opinion, there will never be a RR like those of ’70 and prior examples……Just as there will never be a replacement for a 68 Dodge Coronet R/T Super Bee, or the Shelby GT500 KR, the GTO, or the AMX. The sequel is rarely better than the original movie.
Don’t think anyone said that. But considering that ’71’s had superior handling due to their width, combined with yet to be entirely detuned engines… with the still available 440+6 or Hemi, it’s the pinnacle of performance for a RoadRunner. It seems those who think otherwise base their opinion collectively on the ’71-’74 fuselage bodies, rather than limit the discussion to ’71. The older boxes (’68-’70) compared to the ’71-’74’s are remembered better, but truly, the ’71 is the best of the breed… Some people don’t like the styling. But then, a ’68 Belvedere RoadRunner isn’t much to look at, either.
Hopefully, and I do mean hopefully, this Plymouth has not spent most of it’s life in Northern Ohio. If it has in fact always been in Ohio, I hope it grew up south of the ORBL….Ohio Rust Belt Line (south of Columbus….the Mason-Dixon Line of rust in Ohio). Being in Galion,Oh., it’s a 50/50 shot (Google Galion-Lincoln Highway). In defense of the seller, I’d like to say it’s a tolerable piece for restoration but from a restoration standpoint…..
it is a very desirable donor vehicle for a more advanced restoration project……MeepMeep.
Take it easy Duke… Unfortunately, they walk among us..
Nice find and you know the price will go over the moon..
Awesome car that will bring high dollars. These cars just keep going up in value and there following continues to grow. I think it will reach the twenty thousand mark and maybe more.
Sorry,but I just don’t see it. I have never owned any Chrysler or Dodge and probably never will. I know there are fans of the marque. There is just too many other products from the other American manufacturer’s I would spend my hard earned dollar for. I guess you just have to like their styling. I’ve just never been a fan.
AMC// Nahhh !!!
Wow ! Cool ! Two parts cars ?!….how much??….ummm,eerr, sorry, I have to go now.
Mama told me not to come….
“That ain’t the way to have fun, no”
Open up the window, let some air into this room….
Hasn’t ran since 1985 or so. Nylon cam gear teeth….umm…chomp chomp….
I’d like to know more about the fiberglass rear clip leaning against the wall.
Auction ended with the famous “Due to listing error” excuse.
Too bad, I am really interested in this generation of RR / Satellite Sebring lately.
This is not a project for me, but the prices on ones in this condition are an indication of where this model is heading.