The owner of this 1974 Plymouth Road Runner GTX claims that it is 1-of-2 Triple Green cars built. It is an original survivor, and the buyer will need to decide whether to retain it that way, or whether a cosmetic refresh might be the path moving forward. Adding to the appeal is that it is a numbers-matching vehicle in sound mechanical health. After 15-years in his possession, the owner has chosen to list the Plymouth for sale here on eBay. It is located in Bakersfield, California, and comes with a BIN of $40,000. If that’s a bit rich for you, there is the option to make an offer.
The Road Runner has never undergone any previous restoration or repair work. That means that the Frosty Green Metallic paint that you see gracing its panels is all original. It is now showing its age, and the instinctive reaction would be to treat the car to a repaint. However, I know that we’ll have readers who would resist that idea in a bid to preserve the vehicle’s originality. That’s a fair call, and I can understand the sentiment behind it. When you examine the Plymouth carefully, it has no immediate needs. There is some surface corrosion present, but there is no penetrating rust. The original graphics have deteriorated to the same extent as the rest of the exterior, but these are readily available if the buyer does choose to perform a refresh. The trim and chrome are generally in good order, as is the glass and the wheels.
The entry-level engine for the 1974 Road Runner was the 318ci V8, but this car is equipped with the “big daddy” of the bunch. This is the 440-4 barrel, which should be producing 275 hp. There was no manual option with this motor, so what we find is a 3-speed TorqueFlite. While emission laws were taking a big bite out of the performance potential of the American V8 at this time, the fact that the Road Runner could still storm the ¼ mile in 15.2 seconds remained pretty respectable. This is a numbers-matching car, and the seller says that it has been meticulously maintained. He also claims that it has a genuine 86,000 miles on the clock but doesn’t say whether he holds verifying evidence. He says that the Plymouth runs and drives well and is now mainly used for car shows.
The Plymouth’s Dark Green interior trim looks striking, and its condition isn’t that bad. The carpet is showing some fading, but the upholstery seems to be free from wear and tear. The whole thing would benefit from a deep clean, but I think that a weekend in the workshop would make a significant difference. I noticed that the speedometer needle appears to be stuck, which means that this classic is doing 115mph when it is standing still. That will require attention, but everything else looks okay. The dash is unmolested, the console is in good order, and while the car isn’t loaded with luxury items, it does come equipped with air conditioning and an AM radio.
For someone hunting for a straightforward restoration project, this 1974 Road Runner GTX has a lot going for it. The lack of rust problems is a plus point, as is the fact that it has a numbers-matching 440 under the hood. I have not definitively confirmed the rarity of the paint and trim combination, so that might be something that our knowledgeable Barn Finds readers can shed some light on. My instincts tell me that the BIN might be on the optimistic side, so if this is a classic that does appeal to you, it might be worth going in with an offer first. You never know, but today could be your lucky day.
A nice original car, it’s probably almost impossible to find one of these that hasn’t been molested or modified and retains all of it’s original bits. The interior needs some help as well as some under hood detailing. Personally, I couldn’t live with the worn out paint and weathered graphics; I’d want to give this beauty a fresh coat of paint and all new graphics. The ask seems pretty strong to me but as I’ve often said, what do I know.
The end for the musclecar was near, my friends, and the GTX was gasping for breath. I read, 1971 was the last year for the stand alone GTX, and in ’72-’74, any RoadRunner ordered with the 440 was automatically a RoadRunner GTX. I thought, the musclecar died with dignity with these cars. Even though, they were pretty cushy by then and it’s days were numbered, it still provided plenty of punch, and the styling was great. Another of you want something memorable to restore, in honor of the last musclecar, it doesn’t get much better than this, aside from their lofty price, that is.
You are incorrect. Had a 74 RoadRunner w/ the 440 high performance w/ 280 hp and no GTX package. Bought NEW in Richmond Va. Paperwork showed 2 different motors 440-275 and a 440-280 hp in my RR. YELLOW BLAZE W/ BLACK STRIPES AND INTERIOR. 3.55 POSI. X-tremely rare Sebring Plus interior. RM21U4G184054, currently looking for it since 1976.
Wow, that’s amazing and so cool. My first car was a 1974 Roadrunner RM22U4G. Supposed to have been an undercover car for the Illinois State Police. Silver with the red stripe. I’ve never heard of them making any GTX past the 1971 model year. But you learn something new everyday. I sold rmine to a friend that had a 1973 with a 340 , blue with a white stripe. He also had a 1965 Belvidere with a 426 wedge. I miss my car. It also had a blue split bench seat, A/C, rear window fan defogger, no tach, 3.23 limited slip axle and am radio.
From the ad: “has been maintained meticulously with great patina”; I’m sorry, maybe I’m overly so, but when I see dirty/dusty/non-vacuumed interiors and cruddy under hood conditions, “meticulous maintenance” is not what comes to my mind. At any rate, it IS a solid car although (IMO) a bit overpriced, as there are better examples to be found/available. GLWTA!! :-)
“….the seller says that it has been meticulously maintained…” and….”and is now mainly used for car shows.” I’m sorry, but this seller is an obvious liar.
I dont see a vin number, I own a 1974 GTX 440, and is apprasied at 50 grand, nut and bolt resto.I doesnt look like it has the roadrunner nameplate on the wood dash, instead it has the Satalitte nameplate.
I agree with Moparman completely, except on the “bit” over priced. This thing is priced at least double what I would offer, maybe more. This is a $15 to $20k in its current state in my opinion.
LOL! I legitimately asked myself what I’d pay (if I really wanted something like this over other investments). I came up with 20k, which would have been a painful top end. Welp…
These were a far cry from the ’67-70 440 Magnum beasts. 15.2 in the quarter was ok for ’74 but to put that into perspective, it’s like a typical full-size SUV like an Explorer. Decent, but not muscle car territory.
Must have been a cold day to need a blanket burrr
While indeed a very cool car, these are nowhere near 40k cars yet.
Barrett-Jackson-itis plus Covid-19 equals these cRaZy prices these sellers think their cars are worth…MAYBE if this was a 90 point car, but as-is not a chance..
Why would this car in ’74 still be avail with a 440, but not the ’74 challenger?!
Only a 318 or 360 & not even the slant 6 or a 400 for the Chally?
Makes no sense! Unless there was a shortage of big blocks?
https://www.american-muscle-cars.net/1974-dodge-challenger.html
No wonder poor sales!!
In the 70s, every engine/transmission/rear end ratio had to tested for 50k miles to prove the emissions controls would work that long. Two samples of each. That was the reason for restricting drive line options, pure cost benefit ratio.
Actually it was because Chrysler Corp. simply didn’t want to. This was the last year for B and E body cars and they knew that well ahead of time. The Challenger and ‘Cuda were small block (and slant 6 through 73) only after 71, it didn’t make sense to offer drive-trains few people bought. None of them were selling that well after 1971 so why would they bother. The 360 was a good engine engine.
Rare? yes. Original and rust free? Apparently so. 1 of 2? Maybe. Worth $40 grand? No way. This design hasn’t reached a large pool of desirability. I think the seller is testing the market and if is truly serious about selling the car will accept the first $25k offer that’s actually the cars real value. When and if it’s presented.
In this condition and post muscle car era its a $10,000-$12,000 car at best.
That’s not going to touch the car, maybe in 1995 it could be bought for that number. Let’s be realistic.
I’m sorry Chris but this is a car that is not of any particular significance and poor performance. In addition it needs a complete restoration. Lastly the colors in and out are not desirable.
I would rather put the money toward several Big Block Mopar models from ’68-’70.
— If — this car has 86,000 miles on it, then it was not “meticulously maintained.”
It’s also not entirely original. The Mopar Performance valve covers didn’t come from the factory, and it sure looks to me like the seats have been recovered; they sure don’t match the condition of the rest of the interior. My guess is they were so ratty they had to be recovered to make this asking price pass the hooting laughter test.
But for this body? Not a chance. Mopar ditched the audacious performance look that had been its hallmark and that people love in ’73, when they came out with this very pretty but not at all menacing design.
I can’t see it ever being in the big bucks league.
Hey Mike, I’m confused since the 73 and 74 RR models are almost identical?
Yeah. They came out with this design in ’73. As you say, being a ’74, it’s the same body. About the only difference is bumper extensions. When they went to this body, they made a decision to get away from the audacious muscular design of the ’71/’72, and make this very pretty pseudo-luxury coupe.
Pretty… Not a badass Mopar at all.
Barrett-Jackson Psychosis strikes again.
How can it be triple green with no vinyl roof?
Can’t pull off the cover for pictures? Yeah, I know, once the cover is off the car, it is IMPOSSIBLE to put back on the right way. Maybe they didn’t want it to touch the ground and get dirty?
For the life of me, I can’t figure out why someone would go to the effort of putting a car up for sale and not bother to completely remove the car cover. Perhaps they’re hiding something?
Recalling a similar model for sale many years ago, equipped with what seemed to be every option available. Car was Gold with a white interior and appeared immaculate. This was back in the day when I followed eBay, Mecum, Barrett-Jackson, etc. auctions religiously. I don’t recall the price but I still think about it. Read where the same powertrain was available through 1978, depending on where you lived and who you knew. Sadly, it was down to 255 BHP by then but still had no catcons as I recall (after 1974).
Mopar had two shades of green for 74, and both were awful ,IMHO. Deep Sherwood and Frosty Green do no favors for the 74 cars . The 73 and previous greens were much better shades . That being said, if I owned it , it would have been repainted in its original color ; I’m weird like that..
I also owned a 1974 Satellite – a Sebring hardtop (RH on the VIN) built at St.Louis. Purchased used in 1976. The one car I really regret selling.
Had a 318 V8 (I’m into cruising and not laying strips of rubber), and a black interior with the standard cloth and vinyl bench seat.
The car was painted the third choice of green for 1974 – J6 – Avocado Gold Metallic. A mid-green with gold metallic flakes.
No A/C, a rare option on the Canadian Prairies back then, and no cruise control, another rare option but one I wish it had. Handled nicely on the highway with acceptable gas mileage.
The bumpers with rubber blocks were carried forward from 1973 on Barracuda, Challenger, Satellite Sebring, and Charger as the Cuda and Challenger were in their last year and the rest were getting new bodies for 1975. Chrysler plead poverty to the Feds.
Hats off to mopar, this looks more the part than the 74 chevelle.
I’m having flashbacks. My first car was a ’74 satellite. Other than the fancy hood, it looks pretty much the same.
It’ll buff out!
One of two because it is stone ugly. Two idiots didn’t see it that way.
Not really, it is what was en vogue in that era. There were plenty of ’68-’70 Road Runners in this exact same colorway.
Yeah, they must have been idiots because tbe 74 chevys and fords were SO Beautiful!!
Well, I can say, I would love to have this beauty for sure. Can’t find gems like this very often so if I had the cash to toss around I would love to run this baby top to bottom with only the best shop in town. Good luck to the new owner and keep it the way it is but CLEAN it up so everything works perfect plus literally clean it so it smells love love.
Tough looking car just not ’69 1/2 six pack 440 RR tough….arguably the most factory pro-active street racer ever built. I wonder if this really could nail a 15.2 quarter, not now but when new. And what track preps were used by the journalist/enthusiast.
Good looking car in a so so color, the white stripe saves it a bit, nice interior….I’d leave it faded in green. Shiny bright green paint, no thanks. Its got the 440 which I’m sure was unleaded friendly by ’74, big plus.
Worth $12-$15k… It’s a 74?!?!? Rare doesn’t have to mean over-priced! Around here an Elephant tird is rare. I wouldn’t pay $40k for it!
$12-15K would be a steal…and I would buy as many as I could, in this condition, for that.
1 of 79 built…the rarest of the rare. These are the next big thing, just saying. It would behoove someone to snag this and either clean and preserve it or, restore it correctly. In a few years, I’ll say “I told you so!”
That being said, about $25-30K is the number I’d put on it, in this condition. Lots of pluses here, though, and the biggest is that it’s numbers-matching and, pretty much, unmolested.