Back in 1968, The Band released an album entitled, “Music From Big Pink“. Spying this 1971 Plymouth Road Runner makes me wonder if hearing it idle would emulate the title of that iconic album. Certainly, this Road Runner is a pretty good-sized car, and it’s surly pink, very pink actually, so let’s see what’s here. Found in Cuero, Texas, this Road Runner is available, here on eBay for a current bid of $18,100, reserve not yet met.

Considered a high-impact color, Chrysler Corp introduced Panther Pink at the beginning of the calendar year 1970 and offered it on various performance models. It’s an unmistakable hue but is still considered an enhancing asset, even on a wreck of a body such as this ‘70 Challenger. Our subject car was originally finished off in black but was resprayed pink several years ago and still presents well. That said, it would seem to have been a quickie job as the door jambs and trunk channel are still black. The finish appears to have been well applied and is showing no sign of fade though there are some scratches and contusions in places. Other than a scrape/dent in the passenger side fender, the fuselage-styled body shows well. There is no visual indication of rust but the seller does state that there are corrosion issues in the lower quarters and a “few other places“. Hail damage is also claimed as one of this car’s exterior maladies but the images aren’t very revealing. Note the centerline wheels – they’re a throwback to another time!

This Road Runner is one of the few that came originally equipped with a three-speed manual transmission but has since been upgraded to a four-speed running through a 3.91 differential gear set. According to the seller, “There were only 3703 manual transmissions built-in 1971 with maybe a handful with 3-speed manual shift“. The gearbox is attached to a 383 CI V8 but it’s not the original motor as it dates to 1969. The seller adds, “This is a running driving car, will need restoration“.

The interior has seen better days. It’s not terrible mind you, but the black vinyl upholstery looks crunchy, the carpet is damaged and/or missing in places and the door/kick panels are faded. As near as can be seen, the dash pad and instrument panel look OK. Moving the interior up a notch or two won’t be a huge job but will involve some effort ad $$$’s.

This Road Runner makes a visual statement, there’s no way it couldn’t in Panther Pink. It’s not a value enhancer since it’s not the original shade or the correct model year. And the non-original engine further debits the value. But all in all, this Road Runner, with its four-speed manual transmission, seems like a good basis for an improvement project. It would be nice to know more about the rust but the description and extensive images do not present a significant impediment to restoration. So, music from Big Pink? It’s got headers and an older high-compression engine, so I’d say yeah! Dig it, right?