1971 Plymouth Road Runner 440 Super Track Pack. That name pretty much says it all, and if you’ve got a starting bid of $20K and a lot of time and money left over, you could resurrect this sad survivor, seen here on eBay. You’ll need to have this one rolled on and off a truck for shipping from Templeton, MA, where you have the promise of four tires that hold air.
And a brand-new gas tank and fuel lines. What? The engine isn’t even complete, lacking bits and pieces including cooling hoses. So why in the world is the gas tank new? It’s not like the no-transmission car was going to bump into gear and go down the road, though it does have a date-coded 440-CID V8 between the shock towers. The seller makes no claim as to its fitness, however, and the first thing you’ll do when you get this car is making a list of what it needs, rather than what it has. This is pretty much a shell, its promise of the biggest engine displacement in the model line (the Hemi, of course, is a 426) screaming at you for resurrection. Part of the appeal is that the carb setup was originally a six-pack. What’s there now is not clear, being covered by a plastic bag. How much will it cost to replace what’s gone? All the coins you can dig out of your couch, plus some.
There are other mysteries here. My first thought when looking at the images was that the car looked sectioned in the back half. Reading the ad, that’s exactly what the seller guesses, too. He has an unmounted dataplate shown, no doubt authenticating the various specs and options for those who are deep into the Mopar scene. But there’s no other paperwork except an Alabama registration. How’d the car get up to Yankee country? You’ll have to come up with a story that will satisfy your DMV clerk on that one.
Once you get past all of this and just plunge in and rebuild this shell, you’ll have a pretty cool car on your hands. Big, for sure, and with “fuselage” styling that’s not for everyone, but emerging from the shadow of its prior-generation (1968-70) fellow travelers to demand more in the market now than in the recent past. Once you’ve put it right, if you squint while you’re behind the wheel, you might imagine yourself as Richard Petty, who drove one of these to a Daytona 500 victory and many more wins in the 1971 NASCAR season. But you know what? You can get that effect more quickly and with far lower investment if you can be happy with a similar car sporting a 383-CID engine. There are some of those on the auction sites right now, in fact.
Just to clarify, I like the 2nd AND 3td iterations of the MoPar muscle cars.
That said, we’re I were to squint while behind the wheel of this thing I would be more inclined to imagine being Fred Sanford than Richard Petty..
No interior shots, no underside shots, no real paperwork on the car and opening bid of $20k. Have we seen lesser cars for more listed here & elsewhere?
Yes.
But that does not justify its price vs work/parts/skill/time/vulgar verbiage requirements in reconstruction of this shell.
I agree. The fuselage style up until 1972 is actually much more pleasing to me than the 1st gen especially when you compare it to the ugliness of the GM competition.
These were all butt-ugly from ’68 on. Not to mention cheaply made and they showed it. I guess black plastic interior is what “classics” are made of. The only exception was the ’68 Charger, the ’69 Charger a distant second. Give me any 60-67 Mopar however, especially Belvederes and Coronets. I’d gladly take an early Charger and Barracuda too..
since there were no 67 Road Runners , I’m guessing you hated all of them – I’m not sure if you’ve seen many cars from this era, but nearly ALL OF THEM had plastic interiors
And yet another example of big $ for scrap metal. I’m especially intrigued by the blue plastic wrap covering what’s left of the motor, gotta wonder what they’re trying to hide. I never cared for these anyway, the best Road Runners, were the first Road Runners.
This engine does not have a 6-pack intake manifold on it.
I don’t see $20K of anything. Missing more than it actually has. Sorry; my pockets aren’t that deep and I’m not that stupid.
My cousin had a 71 or 2 Plymouth satellite Sebring Plus that was an awful looking
Puke green color from the factory with a hood that said 440 magnum.Original engine trans and posi. Had a pistol grip shifter with an automatic and dark green interior buckets console. No rust .Ugliest car I ever saw .He couldn’t even get 1 k for it running great . This was 1982. Ending up getting 500.00 for it.The best thing about his was the M/T valve covers and Keystone aluminum slots.My mom even told me to buy it.Bought a 72 Caprice with 400 sbc for 400 , put headers and thrush hush mufflers on it and was a one tire fire motel on wheels for me especially with the huge back seat and cushy caprice interior.
They never offered a 440 of any kind in a satellite Sebring nor was there a pistol grip automatic shifter.
Yeah they did….. His was a Satellite sebring PLUS. The non PLUS versions you couldn’t. Google a dealer option chart and you’ll see. His also had the 440 with 440 magnum call outs on the hood on a slight angle on the hood bulge.Also had the 440 magnum sticker on the air cleaner..Also had the pistol grip shifter and a 727.
I’m not a MOPAR guy, but I graduated high school in 1970, in the heyday of the muscle car, and had numerous friends with MOPARS. I am 99.99% certain they never had or offered a pistol grip shifter for an automatic. Could someone have taken a pistol grip and adapted it to the automatic? Sure it’s possible, but they were not available as a factory option. IF they were available, they would be a popular upgrade to any console shift automatic today. Send a link to this alleged dealer option chart…
I’ve never seen nor heard of an automatic with a pistol grip shift either, but if there was, it would have to have had a park release button of some sort, so converting a manual handle a little hard to do.
I could have sworn it was an automatic, you guys are right. I know for sure it had a 440 magnum though.I don’t know how to send links but it’s easy to find.
No Maggy you could not get a 440 powered Sebring Plus from the factory. If you’re so adamant that you could then please produce this “dealer option chart” you speak of and prove us wrong.
You’re right….I’m wrong .My old eyes looked again and I already said I don’t know how to post the info. My cousins hood probably said 400 and not 440.Oh well you win. Last time I saw the car was over 40 years ago…You called me out and when you’re right you’re right….and you’re right. When I’m wrong I’ll admit it. I still think it was the ugliest car I ever saw in my life though ..lol.
Well in 1982, a ten year old car with a huge V8 wasn’t worth anything ; people at that time thought we were running out of oil . I had a 1973 340 Duster that I tried to sell in 81 or 82 , the car only had 48k on it, and I didnt get one offer on it because it was a gas hog. People were buying cars like Escorts and Muscle cars were dinosaurs.
It wouldn’t have had a pistol grip shifter as that was for manual transmissions ; it likely had a slap stick shifter
Your comment has a particular slant to it let’s say. Anybody smell what I’m cooking?
I guess it’s to each their own, but I can’t for the life of me figure out why Mopars of this period are in such high demand and priced accordingly. They were garbage then, they’re garbage now. If someone were to dump one of these “projects” from Barn Finds, Craigslist or eBay in my back yard, I’d call a wrecker and have it hauled away.
The high prices and demand only proves most don’t share your opinion on these beautiful cars. As for having it hauled away, I find that hard to believe knowing their worth you’d be foolish to scrap it.
I dont know why first gen Mustangs are in such demand , they aren’t any better than any other car of the era , and they are just dolled up Falcons , but you cant even touch a six cylinder car cheap anymore. But if people want them and restore them ,I’m ok with it -to each his own
That’s like saying the Barracuda was just a dolled up Valiant. Which it was. The Mustang had very little in common with a Falcon, only the platform, totally different body.
Sometimes your time is worth more than the completed project. This is a perfect example of “My life,my time” is better spent on something else. Best of luck to all.
This is a real 71 RR That came from the factory with 440-6, Hemi 4 speed and Dana 60 rear. Also hood scoop N96. The fender tag tells the story. But we know Mopars are not cheap to build. The 440 in the engine bay may not be a real 440-6. There is a difference between the 440’s. You can build a 440 to 440-6 to factory specs but it’s not cheap. If you invest time and money into this project you may recover your money or make a profit. This needs way way too many parts. I would look for a donor car AKA satellite same year. And strip it down and and use the parts only because it’s a six pack car. And with the n96 hood. I seen these done professionally for sale
north of six figures. Good luck to anyone who decides to buy this and make sure you get fender tag and any paperwork that goes with it. And I hope underneath the vehicle is in good shape. 🇺🇸🐻
You get “comment of the day” right here. Exactly.
Only 246 V code six barrel cars were produced in 71. Four speed,air grabber,great color.All the body numbers seem to be there. Great car to restore.Alabama was a no title state in 71 so there wouldn’t be a title just a transferable registration. Most people wouldn’t have the skill or ability bring this car back but for others it’s a diamond in the rough.
My first new car was a 71 Roadrunner 383 4 speed. It was walnut with white interior. 3.23 posi. Loved the body style. Looked like it was going 50 when sitting still. I could put the front wheels in the air if I dumped the clutch. I agree with the comments about a good 383 being a much cheaper alternative. I loved that car. Traded it on the biggest pos I ever owned- a 75 Runner. The yellow color should have been a tip off.
Like everyone said- I am a 64 Year-old Automotive Tech and started out in the 70’s- We considered Chrysler products of that era to be junk- every hear one turn over-“do wa dadadadadadada screech!!!” Rode hard-shifted hard-seized brake calipers-clogged manifolds- ballast resistors- plastic and poor fitment- But there are die hards for sure- watch “Uncle Tony” he is a good man and I respect his loyalty but….I was there….
It’s called a gear reduction starter. Seems you would know that since your an expert mechanic from way back. While all the other American car makers were having trouble keeping starters working Chrysler figured it out in 1961 along with alternators instead of generators. Hard shifting is because torqueflite are designed to be dependable unlike C4 and C6 trans. The GM 350 and turbo 400 were big leap over Powerglides. Then there was the new 1970s emission mandates that car companies had to live with. Suddenly 1960s technology wasn’t good enough. Lets talk about plastic. I read all the time someone complaining about it being used. What do you recommend, wood? leather? and where are you going to get all that from? What large undiscovered forrest or bovine herd?
Haha! Love it 🤣🤣🤣
So a transmission has to shift hard to be dependable? Lol. And they were sure as h@ll no better than a C4 or C6.
Just Mopar haters , you know, Fords and Chevies dont rust if left to sit for decades , their interiors are made of only the finest materials – seized calipers ?? Yeah, only Chryslers have calipers that go bad – lets not talk about the 351m Fords that died prematurely due to oil starvation in the top end , or the Vega , the only car that rusted away faster than the imports of the time ?
You know how many cars use gear reduction starters now ?
I’m in the EXCACT same boat as you! Im also a 64 year old auto tech and ALSO started with Chrysler Corp in 74 with Yellow Can then at a dealership until I went to Cadillac/Olds in 1980 through 1985 when I opened a repair shop.I now have a small resto shop. I did like some of the styles of some of these Chrysler products of the day but the problems with these and yes,cheaply built ad well as the poor workmanship.I for one cannot fathom the asking prices for these car especially in conditions such ad this one.I know firsthand the costs involved.I personally feel this madness needs to stop with these Mopars.But as long as people are paying these prices it won’t.Just like real estate! Keep healthy my brother!! Joe DiNoia, Swedesboro NJ
Gear reduction starters will still be cranking when an original equipment Gm starter gives up due to low battery. It’s funny, many of the manufacturers use them on their high-end cars and they’re being used on high performance (race car) engines. Thank you, Chrysler Corporation!
So, you’re saying a gear reduction starter will continue cranking after the battery drains down? Interesting.
I am not a fan of this body style, never was, BUT, they are starting to grow on me…
“but pretty sure the primered part was satilite or parts car it has original fender tag and vin ”
So what does that all mean? The shell is a donor or parts car and everything from the more desirable 440-6 has been transplanted, and it comes with that vin and tag? Or does the “comes with original fender tag and vin@ need more fleshing out? Doesn’t matter the auction is over. Beautiful car but that provenance would have me shaking my head a bit.
Auction ended with zero bids.
As my electrician said” Welll, THERE’S a shocker!!”
Not.
Seeing as the quarters still have rust in them I highly doubt this was sectioned. If anything the roof skin was either replaced or had a heavy amount of repairs on it due to a vinyl top….. And they just continued on priming down the quarters in an attempt to save the original quarters. Had to do similar repairs on a 71 GTX a while back that was well kept and spent the majority of its life in a garage and it still had a crap ton of rust underneath the vinyl top around the windshield area and the back window area. Not enough to justify a skin….. But a whole lot of cut and patch work for pinholed areas. Willing to bet if I decode this Vin it probably had a vinyl top. Just an educated guess, Lol!