From Craig W – Hey folks, firstly just wanted to say I really dig your posts. Seeing your daily misfits roll onto my email every day has become one of the the highlights of my day. Just thought You might like this early 70s Road Runner I saw while grading a site next door. It appears to be all original and, according to the owner, he has the original 426 in the garage ready for rebuilding. It’s not for sale, but he says he’ll entertain offers. LOL!
Thanks for sharing with us Craig! That had to be an exciting machine to spot out there in the open. This was the last year for the 426 Hemi and there weren’t many built. According to one source there were only 55 Hemi-equipped Road Runners produced in ’71!
That means that this poor field find could be extremely rare and valuable! Hagerty values a #4 at $70k and a #1 at over $120k! What do you think guys – could this be the real deal?
If you see anything like this while out and about please send it in so we can share it with everyone!
If that could be verified, it would be a nice one to get a hold of for sure. I would not care if it was the original elephant motor or not.
A classmate of my sister got one for high-school graduation.
Yea, those were the days…..
A Hemi? Not very practical car to take to college, or work. Do you mean she got a 71RR as a present, or one with the Hemi?
I got a $50 bill for high school graduation in 1979. Equivalent of $182 in 2018. A car would have been nice but my parents did not believe in (or were able to afford) extravagant graduation gifts. The $50 was fine with me.
I really like this year RR.
All six of us kids got the same high school graduation present.
One last free trip to the dentist and any work that needed to be done. My Dad always said the only thing guaranteed to us was a high school diploma and a good set of teeth….Anything in life past that is up to us.
Karl. I like your dads thinking
Fresh off the showroom floor. Choosing the RR was his answer to the promise that he could have any car he wanted, if he graduates. He wasn’t someone I knew until I took a job at his dad’s service station. The HS transportation had been a ’64 409 Chevy with a 4-speed, driving that when I first met him.
Oh, and I got an Accutron watch, about $110 at the time, a real extravagance, and I was elated. Sadly, stolen in a home break-in circa 1990.
I guess if you can give a kid any car he wants, then you can also afford the insurance premiums of a Hemi. And to think, all it cost the kid was D+’s in high school. I aced my HS learning and way beyond that, and all my folks could afford was a pat on the back and them telling me how proud they were. Funny thing is, I bet that under achiever had a damn fine life that he didn’t earn on his own, am I right? Luck of genetics.
Have no idea, haven’t seen him in more than 40 years; would be pure speculation.
BTW, I *did* see the car about a decade later, at a show where it was already recognized as something special. The owner at the time had no complimentary words regarding the mechanical condition it was in when he took possession. Based on the ownership track it was in even then, I’d assume that it is one of the cars which is known and still in good condition, unlike the subject of this story.
I dated a girl for a while, her father owned a very successful Dodge dealership in the wealthy Washington DC suburbs. First time I went to pick her up on a date, arriving in my 1948 Packard Super-8 sedan, I saw her “demo” car; a bright red 1967 Charger with 426 & 4-speed. I wanted to park the Packard in the driveway and take her car [me driving], but she fell in love with the old “bathtub” Packard and insisted we take my car.
Sadly, there was no “spark” between us, but I did stay friends with her dad, who let me keep my Packards on the back lot of the dealership while I was still in high school.
I remember the 71’s had block “hemi” decals over the front side marker lamps, not the 426 on the hood.
They had both!!!! But I believe it said Hemi on the hood NOT 426!!! Although the 340-383-440-440+6 were all displayed on the hood.
71 B body Hemis had air grabber hoods. The Chargers had the 426 Hemi badge on the hood, the Plymouths nothing on the hood, but HEMI above the front side lights.
Growing up I knew someone who had one. He didn’t have fancy wheels or anything extra. It was original. Back then, I told him he should but Cragers and other extras on it. But, now that I’m much older, and an owner of a pristine 2000 C5, that is all original, I can appreciate that it was all original.
The what looks like a AMX in the background though😮👌🏽
Think you might be right well spotted!
My guess would be a 68-69 Javelin, with a modified 1970 ram air hood on it
That is not the hood that would come on a 71 Hemi Roadrunner, they had air Grabber hoods. I’d like to see the VIN to verify it
Like this?
This is what we all dream about, especially us Mopar folk, finding a Hemi in a barn/field/carport.
It would be a sweet ride and to see it like this…what a crime.
At least it appears to be a dry region, wherever it is… I’d hate to know that such a rare and precious car is left to the elements long term (“I intend to restore it someday”) anywhere in the eastern half of the continent.
Also, FWIW… now there’s no more than 53 of those still unaccounted for (and maybe less, I didn’t really look that much yet)
https://www.hemmings.com/magazine/mus/2014/03/A-Breed-Apart—1971-Hemi-Road-Runner/3735871.html
Andrew – that is a beautiful car in the Hemmings link, thanks. I am confused though. The Hemmings article says the last year for the 426 was ’71. I was confused by the hood on the car above. Is that a ’72 hood? Is the car a ’72? The Hemmings article says that all ’71 426 cars had the air-grabber hood. This article -http://www.hotrod.com/articles/check-out-the-1972-plymouth-road-runner-gtx-4406-chrysler-swore-never-existed/ says the same – “It was in 1971 that Plymouth offered the GTX as a separate model for the last time. It was also the last year for the 426 Hemi.” So how does the hood in this car belong?
Chuck in Kansas
Scenario repeated a zillion times world-wide and, basically, what Barn Find is built on. How many times has this played out:
Q: “Hey, wanna sell your [insert car name here]?”
A: “Not really, I’m going to restore it bit I’ll listen to an offer.”
Q: “Would you take [an offer of what the car is worth]?”
A: “I’ll just keep it for that.”
Q: Let me know if you change you mind.”
A: “OK.”
Unfortunately, this is a car that is headed to donor status or worse. If the car was going to be restored, it wouldn’t be sitting in a dirt field exposed to the weather it would at least be covered. Reality is that the car is rotting away and the present owner hasn’t the money (to even buy a tarp) nor the time or motivation. He is probably a little delusional as well.
That being said, what a marvelous piece of history and I’m kind of stunned that something like this is still around in this depreciated condition. Only 55 built? Wow.
That style hood came with the 383 and the 440 engines.
I found some pics of this hood being used with the Hemi and also the Air Grabber hood.
2
I helped a friend pick one up in Chicago 18 years ago in a barn not sure of year it was but was a Mr norm car but didn’t know that till got home and most of the dust washed off now have the glove box signed by Mr norm its still getting built
Great post and nice sentiment!
I was born on 4/26/71 and I will be the first to offer $20grand if it all lines up. Would be a keeper 100%. Gracias
Dan H
I wonder how long that car has been parked out there like it was just an old piece of worthless junk.
Or why.
I get that the huge majority of new car buyers in ’71 never even considered the 426 hemi as an option for their shiny new car, and at one time they could be had for cheap, but the value on these hemi cars has been high for quite some time now. Hopefully this one will be saved.
If that’s the original hood it wasn’t a factory Hemi car. It would have an air grabber hood. To tell for sure the 5th digit of the VIN would be an R.
I believe the Air Grabber was still just an option on the Hemi cars?
Wasn’t everything an option on these Mopars? That’s why so many are 1 of 1.
Not a 1971, it’s a 73 or 74 and the Hemi was no longer an option. But still a nice car!
It’s definitely a ’71. Front headlights and grille were different in 73 – 74. THis pic shows a ’71 and has the same side marker lights and RR emblem.
That is NOT a 73-74. I had a 73 340 auto, TOTALLY different body
I believe the Air Grabber was still just an option on the Hemi cars?
My understanding is ALL Hemi cars got the air grabber. Never know with Mopar though. People forget, they were one of the few manufacturers that would build them however you wanted.
I believe the Air Grabber and/or Shakers were a option, not standard equipment.
You have to be careful with stereotypes, but this guy is never, ever, going to restore either of these cars. He bought them for a low price years ago. He then dumped them in his yard along with his old camper shell, some pallets, and who knows how much other junk. He knows just enough to be dangerous to both cars, and is without the financial means to store them properly, let alone restore them. Well intentioned perhaps, but won’t sell unless he gets absurd money. Could have it all wrong, but it looks typical of this scenario.
They would have had “Air Grabber” hoods only if equipped with the “Air Grabber” option. Also, my 68 GTX had the word “HEMI” spelled out in block letters on the hood inserts.
Hasn’t been outside very long as orange fades as quick as butter melts. It appears to have been inside longer than outside. Nice find.
Thats def a ’71’. I bought a 71 in 75 showroom car with 383 but not a hemi… I have a 72 now, all original
I really love the look of the 71 & 72 and my head always turns upon the rare sight of one.
The RR is great, but I’d take a Sebring too.
Hey Sally – cool pic…and I loved Kingman! I used to work for Goodyear Tire & Rubber in Akron and had reason to work at each of the US plants (and a few overseas). Kingman is where many airplane tires are made and retreaded. I had a great time there – and of course driving Rte 66. Rumor was always that the movie “Cars” was based on Kingman.
Thank you! This was a pic of one of our guests from our Airbnb, we took him on a ride in Pepe!😁🤠. And I believe you are correct on the Cars 🚘 movie.
We love being here and its always fun at the car shows that we have !
Giving a kid a fast car or even a nice one for graduating HS isn’t a great idea. My girl cousins each got a nice new car for graduating. One was a white Firebird (one with the blue bird graphics on the hood, T-Top and Spoiler). Another was a red Supra. The third was a white/white leather Cadillac Seville! Within a few years, the cars were trashed or sold. An old girlfriend of mine got a new ’68 Firebird for Graduation. Within a couple of years she blew up the motor. What a waste of their rich Father’s money!
My Dad gave me a small RCA radio for graduation. I bought my own first car, a used ’59 Beetle.
Around 1980 I had a 1968 Mercury Cougar GT-E with the VERY rare [just 37 made] 428 Ram-Air motor and automatic transmission. Red with silver lower sides. Just lightly stepping on the gas pedal could break traction.
Sold it to a family in Northern Virginia, who were determined to give it to their son on his 16th birthday as it was exactly the car he dreamed about. I actually tried to talk them out of buying the car for a 16 year old kid, but they had the cash and wanted the car.
On the bill of sale I wrote; “This a very powerful high performance car, not suitable for inexperienced drivers”, as I feared the combination of that car and a young driver would create problems.
About 6 months later I get a letter from an attorney, because the family of a passenger in the car was badly injured. They claimed I knowingly sold the other family a dangerous High Performance car that the son wrapped around a phone pole or tree [I don’t remember which], resulting in the serious injuries. I wrote back, telling him to look at the bill of sale, then let me know if he had any questions. Never heard anything more.
That’s actually ingenious to write that on the Bill of Sale. Unfortunate about the car and the passenger.
My high school years were in the early eighties, one rich pretty girl got an all new ’82 Z28 for her birthday but us car guys knew it was pretty much a “look at me” car, nothing like the older Z’s we all loved. She drove it responsibly all through school, no issues.
One kid got killed flying down a hill and losing control of his fairly new Honda crotch rocket motorcycle one night, he was sixteen at the most. It was a devasting accident, or negligent collision really. How he got that speed bike I don’t really know, so I can’t honestly put the sole blame on his folks. It made me think long and hard about how dangerous reckless and carefree driving could really be, especially when on only two wheels.
Hey Troy, I hear ya about losing friends like you did to the M/C accident. My experience with sports cars, riding motorcycles, and scuba diving is people die because as Clint said, “a man’s gotta know his limitations”. I’ve seen people think they can dive to 100 feet cuz they got their certification. I watch the kids on their crotch rockets fly between cars and run 90mph just to get to the next red light while ignoring the semi in the midst of a lane change. I’ve seen…..the list is too long. I like an adrenaline rush as much as anyone, but it’s not worth my life.
I got nothing for graduation and I didn’t care. I just wanted the hell out of there.
So where is the car located?
Would they have put a column shift with a hemi?
Good eye. Somethings fishy.
Yes. Friend has a bench seat, column shift Hemi ‘Cuda. Ordered that way
71 RoadRunners (all basic RR’s, Cuda’s, Super Bee’s, came with buckets and column shift autos. except 4 speeds,obviously) remember, these were meant to be the ” common man’s ” affordable muscle cars. I believe in 71 you could still check the boxes for individual options. So the column shift would be standard. The hood callouts I’m not sure of. Ma Mopar did strange things back in the day. I used to do a lot of the dealer prep and delivery inspection for my dealers performance cars back then. Got a new 68 RR one time with the whole steering column laying on the front seat with wheel detached from it as well. The stories one could tell, lol.
MoPaR quality control in the 1969-73 period didn’t exist. I remember seeing a brand new, unsold, Plymouth Fury 2-door hardtop, sitting on the back lot of the local Chrysler-Plymouth dealership. It was blue with blue vinyl roof.
Problem was it had a 100% complete GREEN interior from a Dodge Polara. Yeah – carpets, seats, door panels, headliner, complete dashboard, all for a green Dodge Polara.
Dozens of factory line workers had to have seen the mistake, yet it was fully finished, THEN SHIPPED to the dealership. No one cared.
Bill, yes the stories one could tell. The one that comes to mind is when inspecting a late 60’s Fury it had a terrible rattle in the pass. front door, pull the panel off, found 1/2 eaten sandwich, 3 beer empty bottles, and a paycheck. ( Guy made damn good money, don’t t remember exact amount but far more than I was making as a technical engineer ) Missing or different from on each side, Plymouth and Dodge nameplates on same car, etc. But to be fair, dealer also had the Ford dealership and they were not any better.
Absolutely correct Jon. Pretty much everything was an option. Bench seat, column shifted autos, no console manual shift, no Air Grabber or Shaker, stripped out go fast machines. GTX got you more but still had options. No a/c in any post 50’s Hemi car, period. I can tell stories of missed Hemis, Superbirds,etc. they were just gas guzzling high insurance used cars that outlived their usefulness. Dodge built two 66 or 67 Hemi four door Coronets, one white, one red. The red one sold for $660,000.00.
Without more info is all speculation.
Looks like an add on fake hood.
Probably not an original Hemi car.
These have always been one of my favorite Mopars. However whenever I see one. I always want to COMPLETELY fill the fender wells with tire. Just like early 70s AMCs
Sad to see as is but a cool car. My father had a 71 Satellite Sebring Plus in HS and I grew up with the glue-together model version. I’d love to have one some day.
Orange repaint, you can see white peeking out from under the hood and behind the right headlight. Decals are probably repops from Phoenix graphics. Could have been a big block Satellite, but if we didn’t like to dream this site wouldn’t be here.
It isnt a hemi. I know because I bought this car and she is sitting in my garage. Those 426 inserts are fake. The previous owner ripped the car apart and there are 383 inserts that originally came with her. I have the door tag as well which shows she was a 383, and unless the guy had another motor, the stock one that I got with her is a 383. I wish she were hemi haha but still an amazing find and buy. I am currently doing a full rebuild, suspension is first. If you want more info hunternapier@gmail.com
Ha,Ha. Like the guys that tossed a station wagon 440 into a Dodge and stuck R/T badges on them.