1971 Plymouth Road Runner

Description

SUMMARY

• Highly original survivor that's logged only 11,149 miles
• Original 426 cubic inch Hemi V8
• Original Gold Metallic paint
• Correct A833 4-speed manual transmission
• Correct Chestnut interior
• Correct Dana 60 Track Pack rear axle / Correct 3.54 gears
• Correct Chrysler Multiplex stereo
• Correct power front disc and rear drum brakes
• Factory power steering
• 15-inch Rallye wheels

----------

We've all heard the Cinderella stories about fully documented survivor cars that one owner fastidiously preserves and another owner stumbles upon and turns into gold. The problem is, most of those fairy tales involve models that are very common in collector car folklore and, despite high five or even six digit price tags, almost always have equally impressive peers. Well, as you all know, the dedicated staff at RK Motors Charlotte specializes in both rare AND unique automobiles. And our latest one-of-a-kind offering, this 11,149-mile Road Runner, is one of the coolest MoPars we've ever seen! Think about it: an authentic second generation B-Body that wraps a numbers-matching Hemi/4-speed drivetrain in correct Chestnut vinyl and original Gold Metallic paint. In the muscle car realm, it doesn't get much more unique than that. And if 'unique' is the name of your game, this old school Plymouth is the ideal investment grade head turner to enhance your authentic collector car ownership experience!

BODYWORK/TRIM

Born on October 23rd, 1970, this sedate classic makes a distinct styling statement from virtually every angle. Assembled in St. Louis, Missouri, and subjected to a good mix of low mileage and fastidious preservation, the car has remained largely original for close to 45 years. Its characteristical profile reflects original Gold Metallic single-stage that puts a sophisticated spin on Chrysler's famous Hi Impact era. A correct hood stripe, black “HEMI” call-outs and a color-keyed spoiler highlight intricate emblems and classy brightwork. And, as far as we can tell, this coupe has never been fully disassembled, with the aforementioned owners choosing to wear the car's weathering as a badge of honor.

ENGINE

Lift the car's long hood and you'll find an original, 426 cubic inch Hemi V8 that's authenticated by a famous 2468330 casting number and matching partial VIN. As Plymouth's top option for power hungry gearheads, Chrysler's legendary elephant block utilizes cast iron heads, an oversquare bore, a forged steel crank, forged steel rods, forged aluminum pistons and a hydraulic cam to twist stout 10.25 to 1 compression into a stated 425 horsepower and 490 lb./ft. of torque. All that high performance hardware spins in a familiar Hemi Orange block that hangs requisite Organisol-coated valve covers over correct, low-restriction exhaust manifolds. Cool air is supplied by a correct Fresh Air Hood, which centers a fresh Coyote Duster filter on a correct aluminum intake and correct Carter carburetors. Compression is sparked by fresh Packard Silicone Suppression cables, which are snapped onto a correct points distributor. And combustion gets cooled by a correct, 26-inch radiator that's fitted with pliable hoses via old school squeeze clamps. Visually, the gold engine compartment is surprisingly clean given its age. Thanks to impeccable upkeep, the big mill cruises just as well as when it rolled out of the showroom. And naturally, a roster of correct ancillaries includes items like factory decals, a reproduction MoPar battery, an old school washer reservoir and a purple Road Runner horn.

DRIVETRAIN/SUSPENSION

This Plymouth's chassis specs leave little question as to why Chrysler's B-body architecture was such a huge hit with performance car fans. Step under our lift and you'll find a tough ol' stoplight skeleton that's brazenly withstood 44 years of road time. Behind the exclusive Hemi, a stalwart A833 4-speed twists power to moderate 3.54 gears that are part of a correct Dana 60 Track Pack rear end. Below that proven drivetrain, a familiar front torsion bar and rear leaf suspension mixes factory power steering with power front disc and rear drum brakes. Opposite that chassis, solid floors appear to have survived the worst Mother Nature had to offer. Exhaust is handled by fresh, 2.5-inch pipes, which jettison cooked dinosaurs through an H-shaped crossover, throaty turbo mufflers, small resonators and slotted stainless tips. And power meets the pavement through silver Rallye wheels, which spin G60-15 Goodyear Polyglas GTs around bright trim rings and charcoal center caps.

INTERIOR

Grab a seat inside this Road Runner and you'll find a correct Chestnut interior that's detailed with tasteful wood accents and bright stainless trim. The first thing you'll notice is the car's quality bench seats, which feature comfortable pleats on top of straight frames and firm foam. The second thing you'll notice is a straight dash, which wraps stylish wood applique around clean instrumentation, a correct tachometer and a correct Chrysler Multiplex stereo. And the third thing you'll notice is fade-free carpet, which is topped by a Hurst Pistol Grip shifter. At the sides of the car, full door panels found chrome door handles behind chrome window cranks. In front of the driver, a Chestnut steering wheel laps a requisite Road Runner centerpiece. And behind the passengers, a roomy trunk sandwiches a correct jack and full-size spare between a vintage decal and correct mat.

HISTORICAL INFORMATION

The car's original fender tag breaks down as follows:

• E74: 426 cubic inch Hemi V8 that utilizes two 4-barrel carburetors to create 425 horsepower
• D21: A833 heavy-duty 4-speed transmission
• R: Plymouth Road Runner
• M: Medium
• 23: 2-door hardtop
• R: 426 cubic inch Hemi V8 that utilizes two 4-barrel carburetors to create 425 horsepower
• 1: 1971 model year
• G: Assembled in St Louis, Missouri
• XXXXXX: Production Sequence Number
• GY8: Gold Metallic body paint
• H: High trim grade
• 2: Vinyl bench seat
• T7: Chestnut interior
• GT8: Tahitian Walnut Metallic door frames
• A23: Assembled on October 23rd, 1970
• 160818: Order number
• GY8: Gold Metallic roof paint
• U: Built to United States specifications
• A01: Light Package
• A33: Dana 60 Track Pack axle that's fitted with 3.54 gears
• A87: Road Runner Décor Package
• B41: Front disc brakes
• B51: Power assisted brakes
• G11: Tinted glass
• G33: Chrome, manual driver's mirror
• L31: Hood/fender-mount turn signals
• M21: Roof drip rail moldings
• N41: Dual exhaust
• N42: Chrome exhaust tips
• N85: Tachometer
• N96: Fresh Air Hood
• R35: Multiplex AM/FM stereo
• V21: Performance Hood Treatment
• 26: 26-inch radiator
• END: End of codes

If you're a fan of '70s Detroit muscle that's as pure as the day it left the assembly line, it doesn't get much better than this solid gold Plymouth! Highly original classics are becoming increasingly hard to find, and this second generation Road Runner is one of the rarest of the bunch. If you're in the market for a one-of-a-kind car that'll be a blast on the road and a hit at the show, your search is officially over!