1971 Plymouth Roadrunner

A perpetual work in progress, I've owned this car since the mid 90's when my dad and I paid $200 and pulled this project out of a field in Illinois. It was a mess - multiple coats of paint and primer over dented body panels full of bondo, but it was still a rare find in that it was a rust-free car from South Carolina that somehow ended up in the midwest. Needless to say, it's come a long ways...


When it left the factory, it had the following options:

Decoded Fender Tag
RM23: Plymouth Road Runner, 2 Door Hardtop
N1G: 383 300HP 1-4BBL 8 CYL, 1971, St. Louis, MO, USA
133016: Sequence number
E65: 383 cid 4 barrel V8 300hp
D32: Heavy Duty Automatic Transmission
GA4: Light Gunmetal Poly Exterior Color
M6X9: Trim - Opt. Decor Group, Vinyl Bucket Seats, Black
TX9: Black Int. Door Frames
A21: Build Date: October 21
053911: Order number
V1X: Full Vinyl Top, Black
U: USA Specifications
A87: Road Runner Decor Package
B41: Front Disc Brakes w/Standard 10in RR Drum
B51: Power Brakes
C16: Console w/Woodgrain Panel
C55: Bucket Seats
M21: Roof drip rail moldings
M31: Belt Moldings
N41: Dual Exhaust
R11: Radio Solid State AM (2 Watts)
V21: Performance Hood Treatment

Since it was so far gone, we decided to make it our own. A lot of work was done to get the car road-worthy. As part of the initial restoration in the 90's, we replaced nearly every body panel on the car, had it painted blue, installed a brand new interior from Legendary Auto, and dropped in a mild build 383.

In more recent years, the Roadrunner has had several major upgrades, including converting it to a 4-speed manual car, installing Electronic Fuel Injection, and some chassis and suspension work. Of course, there are more plans in the works. Here are some of the more major recent upgrades:

Engine
383, 0.040 over (1968 block)
Mopar purple cam 272/272 duration .455/.455 lift
Holley Terminator EFI System
Holley Hyperspark Ignition System
1-7/8" ceramic coated TTI Headers
2.5" dual exhaust w/ h-pipe
Dynomax-VT mufflers

Drivetrain
Passon Performance A833 4 speed OD transmission
McCleod 10.95" Clutch
3.91 geared 8 3/4" rear with Eaton True Trac Posi

Steering and Suspension
USCT Subframe Connectors
USCT Torque Boxes
Firm Feel Tubular UCAs
Firm Feel Stage 3 steering box w/ fast ratio pitman and idler
Hellwig 1-1/4" hollow front sway bar
Hellwig 7/8" rear sway bar
ESPO HD 1" drop rear springs
1.06" torsion bars
RCD Bilstein shocks

Wheels and Tires
Hot Rod by Boyd's Smoothie 3 wheels w/ silver ceramic coating
Fronts: 18x8 (4.5" backspace)
Rears: 20x10 (5.75" backspace)
BFGoodrich g-Force Sport COMP-2
Fronts: 245/45ZR-18
Rears: 275/40ZR-20