The performance car craze was in full swing by the mid 1960s, but as the genre advanced, the feature-content rose – and so did prices. Compounding the price problem, larger engines were ringing alarms at insurers, who began charging premiums for big block cars. To appeal to the youth market, Ford had the reasonably-priced Mustang, attracting droves of youngsters to the brand. Plymouth offered a roster of hot cars – the GTX, the Fury, the Barracuda. But its low-end niche was barren. That all changed in 1968, after Jack Smith ushered the Road Runner to production. Based on the Belvedere, the new model gave buyers only the basics in the cabin and a single body style – but it had all the right stuff under the hood: a 383 cu. in. V8 with a four-barrel carburetor pumping out 335 hp. Progressing years brought more engine, trim, and body style choices. Here on eBay is this 1971 Road Runner, said to be one of three clothed in Petty Blue in ’71, priced at $52,000 OBO. This car is located in Black Canyon City, Arizona.
This car has been treated to an eight-year restoration to factory specifications. The date-correct 383 cu. in. V8 engine is not numbers-matching, but the floor-shift three-speed manual is original to the car. It has a new Center Force clutch and pressure plate, new polyurethane bushings (will squeak forever); and the tires, gas tank, brakes, wiring, driveline and u-joints have been replaced. I am a stickler for stock, so if this car were mine, I’d find a Coyote Duster air filter housing – because it’s a work of art! The Road Runner sold well right out of the gate, exceeding Plymouth’s expectations by a mile, though as horsepower fell and competition rose, the model’s popularity waned. Production lasted through 1980.
The first Road Runners didn’t even have carpet. By ’71, a roster of options were available to dress up the interior, including adjustable seats, a rally gauge cluster, and air conditioning to name a few. This car has AC but the unit is disassembled, and the speedometer is not working. Other than those items, just about everything in here is new. The seller notes that the windshield has been replaced, but the rest of the glass is original. The trunk is gleamingly clean.
We’ve all seen plenty of Road Runners at car shows and perhaps even in the wild … we don’t think twice about the car’s name or that bird its flanks. But in the day, the name of the car and its logo were a big deal. First of all, it wasn’t Plymouth’s fancy ad agency that came up with the name: it was Jack Smith’s assistant, who had young kids. They watched the Road Runner outwit Wile E. Coyote every Saturday. The name was perfect. Plymouth even obtained rights to use the Road Runner graphic from Warner Brothers, but the car’s designer banned the bird from “his” car. Early Road Runners were sold with adhesive stickers so buyers could affix them at will; later, the logo was applied by the factory. This example sports a high-quality two-stage paint job, sparkling even under the hood. Despite appealing cosmetics, rarity, and a decent configuration with that manual gearbox, my guess is this seller will need to discount his price to find a buyer. This example sold for $44k recently, and it has a four-speed. What do you think?
Excellent again, Michelle. Talk the seller down to a reasonable price, replace the needed bits, put a TREMEC 6 spd behind it and drive the heck out of it.
Per Wikipedia (it must be true, right?), Plymouth paid Warner Brothers $50 K for the rights to use the cartoon image, name and the “beep beep” sound for the horn, which Plymouth spent an additional $10 K on to develop (but that you can buy for $90.00 at Walmart, although I understand that Acme makes one for significantly less money).
Proving the last mile is indeed the longest mile… Top ask at $52 large, and the speedometer and AC aren’t working, and the new owner has to source an OEM air filter housing. Quibbles aside, REALLY neat Plymouth. Three speed is cool!
3sps were standard and obviously far cheaper, and are fine for a slant six or 318, but why would you not want that four speed in a performance car? Harold, just save a few more months son and get the car you really want!
Sounds like someone who started a resto, made it almost all the way through, and is out of time/money/ambition to complete it. At 52 large for this car, a buyer shouldn’t have to do ANYTHING to it.
Get rid of the tacky valve cover emblems, fix the AC correctly, source and install a correct air filter housing, and drop about 15k off the ask and it’ll probably move.
For 50 large I want the speedo and ac to work
Unfortunately the seller is dreaming to get 50k for a non matching 383, rare but undesirable 3 speed. Sounds like there was quite a bit of rust repairs and the paint bubbles will surely be showing their ugly face soon. Factory air cleaner missing and missing air conditioning components don’t help either. Good luck!
So the overpriced game begins on Monday, how fitting…..way over priced, non-desirable half vinyl roof, lousy 3 speed (who wants a 3 speed in a muscle car) the tacky 383 emblem glued to the Valve covers, the A/C not working (not a cheap fix) who knows how many miles on the car/chassis/driveline????…..maybe $35k buys the car, not with my monies…..supposedly all original?…..not with that air cleaner….
Sorry Mr. Seller but I’m thinking $40K tops. It’s in Great condition but the Petty Blue isn’t that appealing. Maybe you could find out how many of this color combo/Drive train were made. I’ve never seen one before. Good Luck With Your Auction! BTW…A nice shiny set of “Magnum 500’s” would really make it Pop. Keep those factories in the garage.
In all probability the number of Road Runners built like this in 1971 is zero. TB3 (which is actually Chrysler’s Corporate Blue, not Petty Blue, and was called Basin Street Blue on Plymouths once it became a production color) wasn’t a production offering until 1972. If the fender tag on this car doesn’t show 999 (special order paint) as the paint code, this wasn’t the original color.
I have no idea why but The website will never accept/allow me leaving a “Thumbs Up” comment. Anyway great comment. I’m with you!
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It looks more difficult than it actually is.
Along with everything else mentioned above, this Road Runner could also use a set of 15″ Rallye wheels in place of the 14″ versions shown here…….Dreaming at the $52K price ask
That is a lot of blue.
Could have swore both my 1968 RR’s had carpet…..but heck that was back in the 70’s…..my late 68 1/2 here……
Better pic….
One thing that the madmen of Mopar don’t like. The behind the grill area is always flat black. I agree with comments. Add the Trenec and you have fun ride.