The Plymouth Road Runner is a midsize car built by Chrysler from 1968-80. Plymouth developed the car to market a lower priced, basic trim model muscle car to its upscale GTX models. Plymouth licensed the Road Runner name, likeness and “beep, beep” sound from the popular Warner Bros. cartoons to use on its cars. In 1971 Steve McGeary, a high schooler at the time, was cruising in Southern California in a Road Runner. The newer, more rounded body style was known as the fuselage design and was quickly gaining popularity among Mopar fans.
The 300-horsepower, 383-cubic-inch engine with a three-speed automatic transmission with a 3:23 rear was a popular combination for a muscle car of that era.
Over the winter Steve began searching for his dream car on Craig’s List and Cars on Line. He located a beautiful B-5 blue Road Runner in Milwaukee that passed inspections as a solid car with lots of love and pampering in its past. After some serious negotiations he was off to bring home a car that would stir the memories of early days in his youth and renew his love affair with the Road Runner.
After 1971 the horsepower of these cars was continuously rising, as well as the insurance premiums. These factors began to slow down sales and soon the gas shortage of the mid-1970s seriously impacted the muscle car markets for years to come.
This Road Runner was listed at just over $4,200 when new. Today, a good one in show condition would be fairly priced at $30,000. Steve shows his car at cruise-ins and car shows around town. Until next time, happy cruisin’!
The 300-horsepower, 383-cubic-inch engine with a three-speed automatic transmission with a 3:23 rear was a popular combination for a muscle car of that era.
Over the winter Steve began searching for his dream car on Craig’s List and Cars on Line. He located a beautiful B-5 blue Road Runner in Milwaukee that passed inspections as a solid car with lots of love and pampering in its past. After some serious negotiations he was off to bring home a car that would stir the memories of early days in his youth and renew his love affair with the Road Runner.
After 1971 the horsepower of these cars was continuously rising, as well as the insurance premiums. These factors began to slow down sales and soon the gas shortage of the mid-1970s seriously impacted the muscle car markets for years to come.
This Road Runner was listed at just over $4,200 when new. Today, a good one in show condition would be fairly priced at $30,000. Steve shows his car at cruise-ins and car shows around town. Until next time, happy cruisin’!
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