Peak Muscle Car - A Detailed Look At This Very Special 1971 Plymouth Road Runner With Rare Options
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- Опубліковано 7 вер 2024
- Dick Hergert has been looking for a "rubber bumper" '71 Road Runner for many years. In fact, he has tracked the movements of this very car through past sales across the country. He finally got the chance to buy it, and his son Tom with @rocketresto drove a couple states over to inspect it and seal the deal. The optional "elastomeric" painted bumpers in particular were a special option available on various muscle-era Mopar B and E bodies that completely transform the look of these cars, and the Road Runner took that to the extreme. There is one thing I really don't like about the car, though - and it's hiding under the beautifully restored front sheet metal. Let's take a look.
At request from Jamie. 1972 was the last year for the 150 speedo in the roadrunner. Debunked with a pic of mine. 😂 As for the aftermarket suspension that needs to go. Agreed. Stock with a sway bar for the win. Air grabber set ups were actually a satellite hood with the air grabber add on. Put a few on satellite hoods do to Minnesota salt and mouse pee eating up hoods. Nice car btw. Rare as hell.❤
My brothers 72 Roadrunner had 150 speedometer as well. I remember well as I got up to 130 a couple times.
What engine/trans combo?
@@cobramike13bravo63 well my speedo was straight down more than once so how fast is that. Lol
Interesting how none of the so called advantages of that suspension are not utilized. Big header clearance and room for a rear sump oil pan. One word sums up the suspension WHY?
@@DontCryAboutIt 383/727 3spd 8-3/4 diff
My younger brother had a 1972 Roadrunner 340 with a 150 speedometer. It was yellow with black stripes. Awesome car.
I had a 73 340 with the 150 mph Speedo. Not that the Speedo worked when I owned it.
Jaimie, there are a lot of people on youtube who like to prattle on about everything and nothing. You are one of very few who really know what they're talking about, have a direction and do not bore us with how wonderful you are. And you ARE wonderful just for that! I'm sure I speak for many when I say how much I love your videos, the way you explain everything as though we're right there with you! You are right on when you call out the few who dare cross your path without warrant and set them straight. I look forward to any and all videos you put up and same goes for your brother Tom. Although he's a little dry, I still give him a thumbs up just because he's your Bro! Keep up the great work and never stop being the best you can be. I get a kick out of your sense of humor and giddy laughter!
Thank you! The sentiment is *much* appreciated. And I’m happy to do it.
I love Jamie's dry sense of humor, especially when he is being critical about something he is not a fan of. After watching many of his videos, I have found that we have very similar tastes and distastes.
I'm not one for modernizing an old car... you literally kill the character.
Exactly!!
Agreed
Ayuh! (That means "I agree " from the coast of Maine).
No one in their right mind would want to kill the character of a vintage MoPar!
Nice nice nice. These have aged well. I remember them being held in low regard when they were new.
I agree. At the time, nobody looked at these. In 2024, they somehow now look EXCELLENT!
Two 71 Road Runner videos in one day! What a treat!
I wish I could of took a pic at my buddy’s shop here in Canada it was a beautiful thing I like it especially without the strobe strips it made it diff but out of respect to owner and my friend that works on a lot of high end mopars I couldn’t take a pic if it was me and someone took a pic of a showroom condition original hemi 71 runner I wouldn’t want people taking pics with out my permission I’m telling you this car was probably the finest original 71 hemi runner to be found it’s b5 blue and it has no strobes down the back no wing just them nice white hemi letters on top of fenders my friend says at least 200 thou that just out of his head we live her in on can he’s a well know mopar guy Dwight VORSTEVELD the fasted little red express in the world other than the diesel one he did tranny 10 years ago and this guy races nonstop so old Dwight knows his stuff transmissions to HEMIS he does it all but he’s retiring in sept he’s 70 years old he’s good friends with Tim banning who bought Keith black for HEMIS only he used to be from Bewldley on rice lake area for the fisherman
Been a Mopar fan since I came out the womb and my father buckled me in the back of his 73 cuda (probably didn’t buckle me). In 79 I watched his self bondoed passenger door sag on the hinge to the ground and saw the results of his Maco paint job before he traded it on a wood grained green Plymouth station wagon. I learned things about this Road Runner from you today that I never would have spotted in the wild. Thank you and keep up the good work.
I have seen this car in person several times and it is awesome. I had a chance to buy it 3 or so years ago and I definitely should have. 😃
I know that feeling. In the late '70s, I had a chance to buy a '71 Hemi GTX with a 4-speed for $2500. The car was used as a daily driver in northern Ohio, so it needed some minor body and interior restoration. I let it slip by. I had no idea at the time how rare it was.
I was at the 1983 Buffalo Clutch Artists Autorama. The Landers sisters were there signing autographs. There was a perfect burnt orange 71 Hemi Cuda with 10k miles for sale for $10,500. I shoulda bought it and stayed single!
Jamie is absolutely correct about the mechanical underpinnings of these cars. I worked on them as a pro when they were less than 10 years old and in daily service. The torsion bar set up, beginning in the '50's, was head and shoulders above the other makes (and I am a GM guy) and remains so on these cars today. To remove a torsion bar set-up and replace it with off shore 'upgrades' is mis-guided. And criminal. Many unexperienced folks assume that original older cars cannot operate on todays roads. They did it then, they can do it now.....as long as they are maintained to factory standards. Simple as that. In the day, I would see these cars with 60 series bias ply tires on the front end, 50 series in the back, with air shocks, etc. and worn out tie rod ends and loose steering boxes. All due to lack of maintenance and abuse. These cars, if left alone, remain viable, safe, and sporty rides 50 years later. Excellent video, as usual! My newest car is a '67 GTO with 260,000 miles on the clock running the original carb and points distributor. Still a daily driver.
I *completely* agree. Well, I might stop short of calling these swaps criminal, because that implies rounding up and incarcerating the people responsible 😅 But I absolutely think they are misguided and unwise.
I had a 1972 Roadrunner that developed a suicidal quirk, a sudden and unpredictable tendency to turn hard right while driving in a perfectly straight line - it was discovered , the torsion bar socket on the left lower control arm had broken loose, and scared me terribly the first time it happened, nearly putting me into a bridge rail. And - slightly off subject - the N code '71 383's were down rated to 300 hp by a compression drop. The hot start problem - pull the carb, loosen all four butterflies, and shut them firmly in their bores - then re-tighten - if they don't seal perfectly, it can create a vacuum leak and cause fuel to drain from the fuel bowl into the intake after hot shutdown( with resultant flooding). Thermoquads were bad for bowl cracks which would create the same thing. BEAUTIFUL CAR !!
Great encouragement to keep my 66 Fury 3 original. Also much cheaper just to work with what I have. 👍
This is got to be my favorite B-body body style. It holds a special place in my heart. I had a '72 Satellite Sebring in high school. Green, black vinyl top, green interior, 318-2bbl auto. The one car I regret selling.
It’s a sweet car, so many mopars, so hard to pick a favorite
I have 2 1971 Road Runners and they're dam good handling cars and well Engineered , i would Shit Can that after market front end and go back to the factory set up , nothing better ! Btw , Shit Can the after market a / c set up to which should have a 26 " radiator . That car does have some rare options just by looking at it . Thanks for sharing !
When the 71s first came out I wasn't sure about the styling. It became my favorite and I owned one. Wish I still did.
*Life could be worse not having a 71 RR to tackle......SMILE, you have 1!*
Beautiful car! Definitely needs to be put back to all original hardware under the hood!👍
We’re on it!
1971 was my favourite year roadrunner. The 383 was a strong engine. Such a beautiful car. I’m literally drooling.
Ashamed to admit how long it took me to come around to these amazing 1971+ Mopars. Loved the previous body styles so much that I added the new look of these Plymouths and the ‘71+ Chargers. Now I’d love to own any of them!
I really like the car. I know things are not perfect, but that makes it a little more affordable. Prices are insane right now! Thanks for the history lesson.
A top 5 Mopar imo. Love that body style.
I had a 1967 Coronet R/T. 440, 727, 3:55 posi 8 3/4, PS, and 4 wheel manual drum brakes. It was an Oklahoma car with zero rust. Silver with a red interior. I put Gabriel adjustable E shocks and 15 x 7 magnum 500's with H70 15 Goodyear Polyglas GT tires. Having had a couple of Z28's ( 67 and 71 ) I have to say the handling of this car really surprised me. It would corner very flat and really stuck to the road. Also had a 1968 318 Dart that I did a lot of suspension mods to ( sway bars. poly bushings, Bilstien shocks and such ). It was a very good handling car. So yes, I think the factory style mopar suspension works very well. Love the channel.
I really love your commentating. Accurate and humorous.
My older cousin had a 71 Roadrunner. Close to this one but he had a black strobe f stripe coming over the roof. And his front bumper was chrome. He had the air grabber and a 440-6 barrel with a 727 Torqueflite. 8 3/4 rear end with 3:55 gears. Ahhh. The memories of the few times I was offered a ride in it. A memory comes up when we were cruising town one evening and a 70 Mach 1 revved at the stoplight challenging. My cousin switched the air grabber up and waited for the light to change green. The Mach 1 took off at regular speed. Seems the air grabber and 440-6 decals made him reconsider. We rocketed off at a brisk pace. I wish I had the chance to buy that RR. But the insurance would have been high for a 17 year old. But the 72 Orange Duster I ended up with as my first car. Had a lot of ques from that Orange RR. He also had a cool slapstick console that sure made up shifts exciting. Interior looks like his. Black with orange inserts. What a cool car Jamie. You have my dream job. 😂
Body coloured rear window louvers, didn't know that, thanks, I learned something new today 😊
I learned a few things from this video. You raised my opinion of 71 Roadrunners. I previously thought that 70 was the last year they were really nice. Now I understand that the body style I wasn’t crazy about has some aerodynamic advantages.
I’m primarily a Chevy guy but my brother is a MOPAR guy and I do like some of them. The Chargers, the Roadrunners, the Challengers and the Cudas are nice cars. The Monacos are pretty nice too. Not muscle cars but some of them are still pretty muscular. They’re solid and quiet too.
When I was a cab driver in Seattle I had a 74 Monaco and it was one of, if not THE nicest cab in Seattle. It had a plush interior, a nice stereo and it looked great with the silver and red color scheme of the Greytop taxi company *(much nicer than the lime green Farwest taxis).* People used to request my cab for longer trips and I made pretty decent tips. I loved driving that car. I always kept it really clean, inside and out and it didn’t stink like a lot of taxis. People appreciate a clean non stinky cab.
I had a '74 Monaco 2 Dr HT. They were spacious cars. It had the 400 4 bbl and would cruise effortlessly at 110 mph.
@@phillipcramer7936
They’re nice cars.
O the memories....my brother had a 71 rubber bumper Roadrunner. It was sassy grass green with black interior. 383 4 speed. I turned 16 while he had it and learned how to drive a manual shift in this baby... Loved the Beep! Beep! horn. Wish he would have kept this one...
I'm with you, Brother. Those engineers went to school for a long time to learn all that suspension stuff, not easily bettered by stuff sold in the back of a magazine....
I watched Tom's video yesterday. Thanks to both of you, I've learned a lot about these bodies I never knew. The original engineering continues to impress me. I like the car. Likely we can thank NASCAR for much of the exterior style.
Regardless of some of the things not being correct, this is still a nice car. I'm sure you guys will make it all right.
Too many people buy into the manufacturers hype on those front suspensions. I looked into them, and after some research (and some knowledge of suspension design) said no thanks. The dragging you're hearing on tight turns is probably the Ackerman being wrong. You can also see how little suspension travel there is. I've seen video of the QA1 version going full coil bind on mid-corner bumps.
Brakes... I've run the numbers for all the commonly available systems up through the Wilwood 14" with 4 piston calipers. Best brake torque... the factory FMJ 11.75" rotor/caliper. And it's not even close. For track use the larger rotors may be of use, but for street it's just expensive bling.
Gorgeous car, I hope my '71 Satellite looks that nice eventually.
Yes, I couldn’t think of the word Ackerman when I was filming. lol. I completely agree.
I know a lot of people didn't like that bodystyle, but I thought it was one of the most beautiful cars they ever made.
I really think they’re fabulous looking. But I also like late Chargers, so maybe that’s just me.
The 71 was one of my favorite Chrysler body styles! She needs corrections but luckily Jaime is the right person for the job.😎👍
Another great review! Fantastic car, too. 71/72 PLYMOUTH B-bodies are right up there in the discussion of best lines on a muscle car. 71/72 Chargers and Bees are great, but Plymouths are next-level.
I agree. The Plymouth is Superior to the Chargers and Superbees in 71 and 72.
Beefy !! That's how I started describing this body style 40 years ago as a car crazy high school kid. Such a tough call on favorites in the Mopar lineup from the mid sixties thru the early seventies, just one great body style after another....The styling department really had it together. I couldn't agree more on the aftermarket underpinnings...... Heck, even recent Jeep Wranglers (JK) have terrible ackerman geometry right from the factory, scrubbing tires terribly in parking lots..... I don't understand why they can't get it right on a production vehicle !!!
You are absolutely correct about the factory Mopar suspension (and brakes for that matter) I've never driven one of the modern suspension modified mopars. I have driven a stock Mopar to hell and back with no complaints. I don't know why you would remove the originally and character from one of these cars unless you were trying to be something you're not
The sound I love the most during pre-ignition is the clanking of the steering column release lever and the Chrysler starter.
Such a lovely car, can’t wait to see her returned to her former torsion bar glory!!
What a nice looking car I love it. I’ve been a blue oval guy for over 30 years but my hod these mopars are growing on me so bad.
You should see my ‘71 Plymouth GTX…btw I’m Italian as well, 😊 of course my mother is full blooded and I get my father’s last name who was American G.I.
This is a very cool car, and I am with you 100% on the front suspension. I have a 73 340 RR, and it is very similar to this one, and almost identical interior - bucket seats, slap-stick shifter, rallye gauges (all stock). It has completely stock front suspension, and the handling is actually very good. I have factory sway bars front and rear, and with the small block it is a very nicely balanced car with very little body roll. The only criticism I have ever had is the zero road-feel in the power steering, but I am kind of addicted to it. It's just a trademark classic Mopar thing. Also, I agree the strobe stripe needs to be black against the orange. White just doesn't look right.
This car is also very much like the 71 GTX a neighbor had way back in the day. It was "curious yellow", a very cool color, and it had a 440 6-bbl with a pistol grip 4 speed, and I think it had the same air grabber hood.
Absolutely! The sway bars make all the difference. And the stock power steering box gives zero road feel. This is why we go for the Firm Feel Stage II box. It works great. In an A body I love manual steering, but that’s a handful with these when trying to park them. The Firm Feel is the way to go.
That's a beautiful car.
This body styles is awesome a friend of mine had a triple black 71 RR with a 340 4spd
That may be my absolute favorite Mopar. I really dig the straight lines on the part right above the wheels. I like some other stuff about it also but I'm starting to appreciate the Mopar stuff.
These cars were designed with the torsion bar crossmember carrying part of the weight of the car, with coilovers you eliminate this and more stress is put on the front rails.
If you look at coilover cars like for example the mustang, the front rails are shaped different, with sort of a box section where they meet the cowl.
Some cars with coilovers of the era have a lot beefier front ends, some even have small framerails on top near the coilovers.
On some mopars, if you jack them up under the k-member (so the torsion bar crossmember is not carrying any of the weight through the t-bars) you can actually notice a slight difference in how the doors close.
I am not a fan of coilovers, and I could be wrong, but I think if you install them without adding strength to the front and actually drive the car often, and drive it hard, you could do some damage.
Nice car though.
Oh, I’m familiar. Putting them on a lift can be even worse, depending on the car.
Very nice car. I agree. I would keep something like that as stock as possible.
Jamie I saw an article with Dick Teague where he said that the 71 design of the Roadrunner was his favorite. As an owner of a 71 Superbee which was also of the new design I have to agree.
Sweet car, I can't wait to see what you do to it.
Had a 71 blk on blk satellite r r, no ac, lol , loved that car !!!! Had it in late 70's !!!!
Had to watch immediately, of course seeing a 71 Roadrunner like mine I had no choice
Wow… after watching the video I’m really amazed at the direction they went with their aftermarket additions… mine handles way better being stock (agreed…throw that crap away) Love my bench seat, white with black interior-4 speed with BLACK STROBE! Why did they use a white one ?? I would have waited if they were out… a/c that look’s thrown in and doesn’t work? mines a tach dash and my 383 run’s great.. I do wish I could afford the Air Grabber 😢 (I’m poor)
I remember my Dad talking about his 68 383 road runner he had in high school it was blue column shift bench seat he said with headers tuning and traction bars he was pretty competitive at Detroit dragway in the early 70's
Yup nice car ...thanks for the content....🔧🔧🐐👍
Omg you finally got a 71-72 Plymouth b body in your shop. So underrated. I love my 71
I had to go out to the garage to check my gauges. My 1971 Charger 500 has the exact same cluster as this roadrunner, cool!!
Nice!
Your right about the slant six A-body cars do have lots of body roll but when your showing that your six can get up and go it’s fun to scare the hell out of people not expecting that
That’s just a beautiful body design awesome!
I owned an In-Violet 71 Roadrunner. It was my all time favorite car. It was a console with the take player and microphone. Air Grabber 383 and 4-spd. I'm pretty sure it had a tach as well. One thing I noticed is that the blackout paint on the Air Grabber should continue on back to the windshield.
I imagine Tom knows that, but I will bring it up just in case. There are lots of them painted just like that (wrong) online, I noticed. But I found plenty of shots of the correct paint treatment for reference.
I never minded the front end of those cars or the view straight down the side as they had a nice bulge, there’s just something about that rear roofline/ window area and the rear end that just don’t do it for me. Still very nicely done, beautiful paint! 👍
Edit: I don’t hate the window louvres on this one, that kinda snazzes it up.
I watched Tom’s very detailed “the lift don’t lie” video. Excellent content and coverage. 🤘🤘
I had a Petty blue 72 Satellite Sebring Plus with a steel wraparound bumper! It had factory Air with a 318.
Those were great. That 318 was deeply underrated.
I agree the 71-74 b bodies are really great riding and handling cars. My 73 2 door gran fury is really really great
Absolutely love that car, there was something “off” that for some reason I couldn’t put my finger on until you did-the white strobe stripe! Thank you 😂; fix that and the appearance is A+! Cool tach, cool seat inserts imo🤷🏻♂️, lots of nice touches for sure. I’d be interested to see how well the suspension performs in an actual slalom road course but I have a suspicion the aftermarket suspension itself needs a lot of work to be correct for the vision they had-if it was to be truly viewed in a comparison. It’s really hard to beat the original equipment though😁. Thanks Jamie
I had a 73. I remember that car handled quite nice. Alot better than the 71 Challenger I also had.
That front suspension upgrade is far from being an upgrade and in my opinion is a detriment. The stock suspension on them handled fine.
Thanks for the tip on "hot starting " the big block. 👍
My favorite year for Road Runner. Great looking machine. Had those same wheels on my '73 Challenger and Satellite. Chrysler definitely got good use out of their parts department!
Torsion bar front end with new bushes, swaybar and gas struts are great. That abomination of a front end should not be legal! Awesome car.
Little known is that the 71 & 72 road runner/sebringhad a different suspension set-up. The 72 had a rubber mounted K member. The 71 had a welded in K-member. Having the oportunity to drive both, the 72 was definitly quieter, but the steering felt more positive in the 71. Served my apprenticeship starting in 1974 and had the opportunity to work on all the performance mopars(except the 426 hemi or wedge)
No, it didn’t. All B-bodies got the isolated K-frame for 1973. 🙂
Love the 71 and 72 Road Runners. Very cool cars. Never saw those plastic bumpers though pretty cool.looking.
In 1971, the 383 had 300 hp, not 335 hp. Beautiful car.
I think you’re right, and now that I’m thinking about it, I’m pretty sure 383 automatic in ‘71 should have a cast crank. Lots of places online say it’s still 335 horsepower. The right thing to do would be to consult the book, but I’m not near those today.
@DeadDodgeGarage Even though Chrysler Corp. was still in the performance game in 1971; they made some consessions. Lowered compression ratios, although slight, were pretty much done across the board on their high-performance engine lineup. My 1971 Dodge Charger Super Bee's 440 six pack engine retained all of the heavy-duty internal components, but its compression ratio was lowered to 10.3 : 1, from 10.5 :1 the previous year. Due to this change, the horsepower rating was lowered by 5 horsepower, to 385 hp, from 390 hp the previous year. This change might have been accomplished, with the installation of thicker head gaskets. As far as changing to a cast iron vs. forged crankshaft in the 1971 383 high-performance cars fitted with automatic transmissions goes, I'm not sure. I do know that after 1971, many more changes were made to the internal components of all high-performance engines in the Chrysler line-up. By 1972, it was already clear that things were never going to be the same. It was fun while it lasted, and I was fortunate enough to get my hands on some really great cars during the mid 1970's. Love your channel, by the way. ❤️
@@DeadDodgeGarage In 1970 the high performance 383 with automatic got the standard performance cam, while 1970 manuals got the high performance cam. In 1971 the compression ratio dropped even more and the camshafts were ground 4 or 6 degrees retarded, reducing the cylinder pressure even more. All 383 4-barrel engines got forged cranks, "Some" 1971 2-barrel 383 engines got cast cranks, but most still got forged cranks. Plymouth called the 1971 engine "383 Four Barrel" and rated it at 300 horsepower. Dodge called the 1971 engine "383 Magnum" and some Dodge literature listed it as 330 horsepower and some as 300hp, maybe before it was decided to lower the compression. There is some question as to which camshaft the manual 383 cars got in 1971, with the low compression and retarded cam timing. The automatics certainly got the standard performance cam, retarded. The 1970-1971 intake manifold is supposed to be better than the 68-69 intake. in 1972 all 4-barrel 400's got forged cranks, while 2-barrels got cast cranks. In 1973, only manual 400's got forged cranks and in 1974 all 400 cranks were cast. The police 383 always got the standard performance cam, while the police 400 got the high performance cam in 1974 and newer, with the small torque converter, externally balanced, with the small flex plate, while 72-73 police 400's got the standard performance cam and big torque converter. The 1974 police oil pan was for a 6 quart system, while the 1975 and newer versions got 6 quarts and an internal slosh baffle, in addition to the windage tray. The 1971 AMC Madador with the early 1971 high compression 401 engine was faster than the 1971 383 Satellite police cars, in LAPD testing. Soon afterwards, the 1971 AMC 401 switched to a low compression ratio, but was still a more modern engine than the 383.
Another very informative video big point. (If it ain’t broken don’t fix it) ours sons Chrysler 300 440 floats down the road it’s so much smoother than our British stuff . Not moaning about our small MG s as they have character.Regards Roy
Very nice Plymouth! Its very similar to my 71 V code Roadrunner.
That is a beautiful car
What a beauty
When people whine about how a b body drives they either have a worn out front suspension without any sway bars or a seriously wasted steering box. When you do poly bushings, tubular uppers, boxed lowers, front and rear sway bars ball joints and tire rods this 50s era suspension becomes a monster in the corners that can keep up with new performance cars without a doubt.
Bingo!
Had to laugh at "one less thing to throw away". Keep it real bropars.
Good video
I own that exact car with the 340 that came out middle of 1971 I have the same bumpers and same white stripe one thing that is missing is the blinkers on the outside finders beside the hood awesome feature
By the way I don’t have them shocks it’s original way it came and I also don’t AC on mine I can’t stand the after market AC either!!! I don’t have fins on back window not my thing either I have the upgraded rims that came in 71 original spare tire with those rims and bump jack that came with it’s a awesome car my favorite car ever made!!! Awesome video on this car!!!!
I was just at my buddy’s shop he has a 71 hemi runner with 4000 original miles it don’t have the strobe strips down the side but its absolutely spotless nicest runner for the year the only giveaway of the hemi is on the two front fenders and it’s got the air grabber hood it’s absolutely beautiful b5 blue his has the same body colour I wouldn’t take a picture of it with out owners permission what I thought was a little diff was no strobe stripes down the sides it’s pretty plain looking but like I say probably the best road runner of the year out ther wish I could send a pic 4000 miles not a spot or scratch anywhere you would think it was a rotisserie but nope all original above my pay grade
I was really starting to like this car until you showed the front end suspension……I’m not a hardcore purist but I don’t like complete redesigns on major components like those aftermarket kits, they worked just fine they way they were. Not a Chevy guy but I kinda had to save a 72 Monte Carlo and after going through every inch of it now I gotta say I’m kinda impressed with their suspension. Factory 4 link of sorts in the rear end with beefy sway bars, it handles excellent with no wheel hop or body roll. It has some old air shocks in it when I bought it but I put new factory style shocks and new factory height coil springs and I couldn’t ask for a better ride out of it.
It would be one thing if spending all of that money got you a setup that actually fits right and actually works. Four link is great, and you won’t hear any argument from me on whether or not it is better than leaf springs. But you also won’t see me building one. Haha. Anyway, we’ll be putting this back to stock type stuff sooner or later.
Cool car!! I almost bought a purple on back in 1995, but it wasnt completely painted and the 440 didnt run right
I had the Dodge Version 1971 Charger RT/ 440 6 pack Ram charger hood . Tor red with White interior Pistol grip shifter rear trunk spoiler had the 8 track with cassette recorder and Microphone, wish I still had it from what I understand looking at numbers it would be a very rare car with that combination of parts The guy I purchased it from put 3.73 in the dana 60 .Sold the car in 82 I'm sure its restored somewhere, the only rust spot was driver front fender behind the wheel had just started. Also remember it was made in Canada.
Third video this weekend with the car woo hoo........... love it !
I remember the ads back then with a very similar car on them. There are a couple odd things on the car, has the machine gun exhaust tips but looks like a regular dual exhaust valance and seems well optioned but has a standard steering wheel. I also never saw the rare rear window louvers painted body color? Still a super cool car.
The louvers could be body color in four different colors, or flat black. As far as I know, there is only one dual exhaust cutout valence for 71-74 cars. I’ve been wrong before. The standard wheel is correct - incidentally, the owner wants to switch to a tuff wheel, or however they spelled that.
Beautiful 👍
A beautiful Road Runner.
I have a 1972 one of those. The air grabber is very cool. Factory wing on the back is weird. Mine has the 440 4 speed pistol, but not a ton of other options.
Gorgeous car that's only going to get better when you and Tom work your magic on it. I honestly don't mind the white strobe stripe though...IMHO without the chrome bumpers to provide some visual contrast you kinda need a second accent color to keep the car from looking too monochromatic. I'm guessing that's why they did it.
I had a 1968 Road Runner with factory A/C, bench seat, power brakes, power steering, map light and fender mounted turn signals. All of this was on the build sheet and fender tag.
Oh yeah. There were options. Buckets became available late in the year, as did the hardtop roof without pillars and with roll down back windows. What I was referring to was the original intent of the Roadrunner idea - zero frills, low cost, all engine.
I do not like the concept at all of the inner fender wells holding all the weight of the front of the car....but it sure is a pretty car. I have no doubt you and rocket will make it perfect.
The IMHO are the best looking Roadrunners. Wish it had a black strobe stripe to match the blacked out hood bump and black interior. Also, MOPAR had the best chrome exhaust tips, but one of my pet peeves is when they are installed to stick out way more than the factory set up - like this car.
My 440 Dart has an Edlbrock carb, it starts and runs excellent especially cold but I have noticed that it does not like the way start as well when hot. Nice to know that's somewhat normal.
Yes, absolutely normal with today’s fuel. I just hold the pedal down and crank, and that always works within a few seconds. Other than that, they work great.
They do those styling cues like the grill openings from an old to new design to allow some familiarity for the customer. The F-150 does that a lot...
I’m familiar
My mistake Jamie, it was John Herlitz he was the design chief at Chrysler who made the comment. Dick Teague was at AMC. And yes, the other guys were right 71 383 HP four barrels were down to 300 HP.
All of your cons on this awesome car are what I thought too.. I have never seen one with the color matched bumpers... I gotta say I'm not a fan.. Growing up seeing these cars brand new from the factory, they all had the chrome bumpers and that's what my brain wants to see! :)
Those bumpers remind me of what happened to cars starting in the mid 70's with no more metal chrome bumpers..
That is just a sin what they did with the front suspension... Agree with everything you said and that's all I have to say about that..
Hey, I wouldn’t have ordered mine with the colored bumpers either. And it wouldn’t have been orange. Haha. But it’s something a little different. And it seems to be quite popular. No worries on the suspension… we’re on it.
Sweet ass RoadRunner. Definitely should have gone black with the strobe stripe 😎
I have one of these cars. Numbers match 383 bench seat, column auto. with the unique Chestnut interior option (brown and biege two-tone seats, brown headlliner, brown window trim in rear, brown carpet, black door panels). If I'm still here when we finish putting the power steering in, I will send some picks. It is painted in the Gold Leaf Poly color (needs to be repainted.).
had a 74 with a 318 3 speed manual....loved it
I Love 71 & 72 Roadrunners. Definitely trash that Magnumforce garbage. I dig the seat inserts and white strobe stripe though.
Jaime STOP!. Please I'm trying to get one of these and if you keep telling everyone how awesome and beautiful and unique, and perfect these cars are the price and availability will just keep going up all the good ones will disappear. I wish I could've gotten one a couple years ago when no one worth their salt was talking about them. Now you can't even find a Sebring and make a clone. These cars are still under rated. Since this platform was the newest of the old some magick is still possible. Do you know if they make body panels for these yet? Hell if one can buy almost a whole E body out of a catalog these gotta be coming soon. She's a true gem. Thnx for showing her off. Hope to see that terrible rack ripped out, for science of course.
I apologize for any inconvenience this may cause 😅 I don’t think they are making any panels… I don’t think they will ever reach the level of popularity that makes insanely rusty cars worth fixing as the ‘Cuda and Charger have. But I could be wrong.
I like the white strobe stripe. I think it stands out more than the black one will.
I can definitely see it. It doesn’t look bad, it just doesn’t match to my eye.
Larry Shepard from Akron Ohio that owns Hemi’s Only machine shop has one similar to this, complete with color coded bumpers…Hemi, automatic…3,000 original miles, all numbers matching