New toy - '71 Plymouth Roadrunner

[Adam]

A good friend of mine who lives in Washington state, told me about a guy he knew, who had a Roadrunner that had been in storage since 2003. From discussions with the owner, he'd spent years on a rotisserie restoration and then drove the car around to car shows. It was pretty well known, apparently. Eventually, he fell out of love with it and mentally made the decision to unload it someday.

However, he left it sitting in the garage since 2003. He said he just drove it in and parked it. I wasn't even looking for this particular kind of car, but when the pics came through, all covered in dust and spider-webs, I couldn't stop staring at it! All the '70s kitsch and blazing Hemi Orange paint just had me in a trance... I'd just recently sold my 1960 Thunderbird, so we did a deal.

Now, I'm home in Australia, but my buddy reports that it runs and drives almost perfectly, which is surprising given it wasn't prepared before it was laid up. The tires are old, hard and cracking, so it needs new ones and he's going to check the fuel tank isn't full of rust (or syrup), change filters/plugs/oil etc, but it drove home flawlessly - with power to burn, a bellowing NASCAR soundtrack and surprisingly agile handling. Most of that would be due to it's huge footprint (265/50-14 tires all round). Anyone have any tips on what to replace these with? I want to keep the 14" wheels, but the tires are an odd size, which nobody seems to make anymore...

I know it's not exactly the most desirable of Roadrunners, it's still a very cool car, IMO. It's got a 4bbl 440 V8 with auto trans. Considering it hasn't been washed or polished since early 2003, it came up really well with just a quick driveway wash. I'm really looking forward to getting stuck into it, as soon as I can get it loaded onto a ship!

It's so damned ugly, that I think it's actually beautiful.











Anyone else got an old Roadrunner (or any other Mopar), or know of any good Roadrunner stories?

[HardDrive]

Mate, if you need ANY help with inspecting the car, I would be glad to put it through its paces for you.

Strap a couple 50 gallon full drums on the boot, and snarl, "I'll drive that rig".

[mikeesik]

Not fond of 70's cars, only particular of a very few.
The other would be a 71 RT Charger.
You have a beauty there. I am jealous.

Good for you Mr. Max.

[mph911]

Adam,
The big ugly seventies muscle cars are gaining some appeal, cool looking car you have there!!

I have owned a few Mopar's and love them.

You can get BFG tyres in those sizes from Antique Tyres in Vic.

Good luck with the beast.

[Bill Douglas]

Adam.

[Adam]

Thanks, Matt - Antique Tyres are literally the only ones I've found online that have them in that size (although they aren't with raised white letters), but they want ~$300/ea...

If I didn't care about keeping the '70s look, I'd put that money towards some American Racing 17" wheels and modern rubber. If I downsize to BFG's 245/60 (closest fit, but not ideal), I can get 4 of them for under US$400 shipped. It's just much more affordable to get them organized & fitted up before it leaves the US.

[mph911]

You could always get some original size rallye wheels, and go narrower and taller in tyre.
They would be priced well in the States.

[Heel n Toe]

Search results for: 'G70-14'

http://www.cokertire.com/catalogsearch/result/?year=1971&make=PLYMOUTH&model=Road%20Runner&q=215%2F70R14

[sc_rufctr]

Very sweet... I bet she's a lot of fun. Enjoy

[Oh Haha]

Sweet!! I wouldn't mind hearing a sound bite of that big ol' 440.

[Dan J]

A friend had one in high school. It was the light metallic green with a 3 foot long Hurst shifter
I remember 140 showing on the speedo many times. That thing was brutally fast. Of course he wrecked it. Totally cool car Mad Max better watch his mirror

[onewhippedpuppy]

Very nice, congrats!

[Eric 951]

Very sweet. Love all the RRs--my personal favorite being the 1970. Have fun with that beast.

[VINMAN]

Sweeeet! That is gorgeous. I briefly had a '72 , small block though. I was a huge Mopar freak years back.

[dad911]

Originally Posted by Adam Chaplin

....... Eventually, he fell out of love with it and mentally made the decision to unload it someday........

Anyone else got an old Roadrunner (or any other Mopar), or know of any good Roadrunner stories?

440 4bbl...... Maybe the PO fell out of love of filling it with gas! My '70 challenger with a 383 got a whopping 8-9 miles per gallon..... got into the low teens when I blew the motor and put in a 340.....

Enjoy, I had alot of fun with my mopar in the 70's.

[sammyg2]

The big question is, does it still go meep meep?

A buddy I used to work with had a 72 RR that he put a 440 in.
He dug up an old hot rod magazine that had an article that explained step by step how to build a 440 hp 440 IIRC. he followed every single step including machining, mopar part numbers etc.
That thing screamed.

He wasn't too excited about the 6 mpg on the highway tho .....

[VINMAN]

Originally Posted by sammyg2

He wasn't too excited about the 6 mpg on the highway tho .....

I think all my old muscle cars had the gas guage hooked up to the tach. They both moved at the same time...

[cairns]

Drive that down Mornington Pen and you're going to get noticed that's for sure.

[Laneco]

Originally Posted by Adam Chaplin

.

If I didn't care about keeping the '70s look, I'd put that money towards some American Racing 17" wheels and modern rubber. If I downsize to BFG's 245/60 (closest fit, but not ideal), I can get 4 of them for under US$400 shipped. It's just much more affordable to get them organized & fitted up before it leaves the US.

While you're in the vicinity - put some decent brakes on this thing. Alot of aftermarket available that is just bolt on. These cars are heavy and you'll quickly grow tire of tossing the anchor out of the window.

Nicely done car - congrats!!!

angela

[vash]

all my friends know people with crappy cars!!

that is sick? any motor pics. does that have the six pack carbs?