73 Road Runner "Driveway Find" -- Thoughts on Value?

[T2R9]

Rad support and cowl under the weather strip above the master cylinder are the only two vin stamps on a 71-74 b-body body.

 

[DeltaV]

Rad support and cowl under the weather strip above the master cylinder are the only two vin stamps on a 71-74 b-body body.

The weatherstrip on the cowl is held in place with clips? Above the master cylinder or above the wiper motor? TIA

 

[T2R9]

The weatherstrip on the cowl is held in place with clips? Above the master cylinder or above the wiper motor? TIA

The stamp in normally above the master cylinder but can vary. The weather strip is held in with clips so its easy to peel it back and look.

 

[440 PHIXX]

The stamp in normally above the master cylinder but can vary. The weather strip is held in with clips so its easy to peel it back and look.

To me.., those “matching numbers” tell more about the cars past than a matching number engine block. The blocks aren’t any different on the performance models, (340 aside), and the internals have been updated in a lot of cases. I’ve seen several cars where the dash and fender tag were from another car that was either rusted or wrecked. Not necessarily a bad thing, just something to look for.

 

[wahya]

Driveway find. Like those Count guys out there. Knock on the door and come away with a great deal on a car.

 

[DeltaV]

If the current owner advertised the car for $5,000 on Facebook Marketplace it would sell in the blink of an eye.

Many of those cars on the this side of the country (southeast) have rust around the wheel openings, back sides of the bumpers, and under the entire car.

 

[mrmolding]

Yup I would climb around and make sure it is a 340 and all that jives before anything, but all depends on if you're gonna keep the car for yourself too. Don't mind being a bit backwards in a car if you love it and wanna keep it, but if its a flipper it gets tough.

It's for me and my son. I have a 70 and it has put me in the poor house but I am almost done and would love to keep working on something else. I've always enjoyed working on these so something I'm not familiar with but in the same family would be awesome.

 

[mrmolding]

If you have $, go for it.
No regrets.

I'd have to find it, but I think I can swing it.

 

[mrmolding]

For me I would want to know if the engine is seized.
You could possibly make an offer for seized or free and then have the owner agree to a test.
If it was the owner that left it in this state he likely has almost no ability.
A 340 roadrunner is worth something. But 73 is not a real popular one. If you really love it then it's likely a good one to pick up.

To be honest, an neighbor had one in Virginia and I'd never seen one before. We used to trade stares with my old 68 and his 73. I grew up on a 69 340 Dart Swinger that I used to love, so since I moved on to Road Runners, I love the idea of a different one with a 340 (I hope the seller can not read my responses until I'm done with the negotiation).

 

[mrmolding]

Driveway find. Like those Count guys out there. Knock on the door and come away with a great deal on a car.

My wife found it a few streets over last year because she made a wrong turn. Normally they are hidden from view -- there are so many classic cars tucked away in SoCal garages that you see whenever a garage door is up. But this has just been sitting there with wheel chucks.

 

[mrmolding]

If the current owner advertised the car for $5,000 on Facebook Marketplace it would sell in the blink of an eye.

Many of those cars on the this side of the country (southeast) have rust around the wheel openings, back sides of the bumpers, and under the entire car.

This has a little patina underneath, but nothing too major. I will take a serious look under the dash. That is always the last place people seem to fix and I have never seen a car without some there.

 

[idrivemopar]

I love my 340 RR, if that one is truly a 340 and its numbers matching, i would start at $3500, that is if the missing parts are in the trunk or somewhere, if not, maybe a bit less, if they are maybe a bit more. A bit less if the quarters are rusted out and/or full of bondo!

If i can turn my 73 from this

To this

That one you are looking at should be doable!

Good luck!

 

[mrmolding]

I love my 340 RR, if that one is truly a 340 and its numbers matching, i would start at $3500, that is if the missing parts are in the trunk or somewhere, if not, maybe a bit less, if they are maybe a bit more. A bit less if the quarters are rusted out and/or full of bondo!

If i can turn my 73 from this
View attachment 1187566

To this
View attachment 1187567

That one you are looking at should be doable!

Good luck!

Thanks! Looks fantastic!

 

[mrmolding]

Update from today:
1. The motor turned with a breaker bar.
2. 340 casting number on block
3. The last six of vin matched on core support.
4. Original vin decal on left driver door matches vin plate and has date of 7/73.

So no fender tag but we seem to have a real road runner. It needs a ton of work but I’m going to get it. Thanks for all of the help everyone!!!!

 

[Runcharger]

That sounds great. It looks like a really good car from what little we can see in the photographs.

 

[Builderguy]

Best of luck Sir with your project. I am just finishing up a 73 RR and have another one waiting for an open bay in the garage. Both with 340 engines so feel free to ask questions.

 

[mrmolding]

Best of luck Sir with your project. I am just finishing up a 73 RR and have another one waiting for an open bay in the garage. Both with 340 engines so feel free to ask questions.

Thanks! So are these casting marks correct for a 73 340? Looks like an 8 after 340. I guess I need to research casting numbers.

 

[Joe Palmer]

Nice find! we are currently getting my sons '73 on the road. Ours was somehow a rust free car also... we paid 5K with a freshly machined block to rebuild and no trans... Seemed like a good deal to me.

 

[Don Frelier]

Update from today:
1. The motor turned with a breaker bar.
2. 340 casting number on block
3. The last six of vin matched on core support.
4. Original vin decal on left driver door matches vin plate and has date of 7/73.

So no fender tag but we seem to have a real road runner. It needs a ton of work but I’m going to get it. Thanks for all of the help everyone!!!!

Did you rotate for 2 full revolutions?
A stuck valve will show up then.
Of course you could have faked that you were unable to budge it and then save a quick $1,000...
But honest guys like us wouldn't dream of such criminality.

 

[barbee6043]

Its not the price of the project so much... as how many $$$ and hrs. it takes to make it worth owning!!!!
Always try to buy the most compete and best project..relative to price!!! Cheap is not always cheap!!