Did the 1970 roadrunner come with a 440 engine option?

[69Coronetrt]

Good point. But if the cars on the lot and someone wants it but just not the way it sits. Just what happens? No sales and you continue paying to have it in inventory or mod it and make the customer happy.
Happy customers sell cars. That how one buys a 70 RR 440-4 in 1970.

Certainly plausible, but that makes it “not factory “ and reinforces the point Mopar didn’t make them.

 

[mopar 3 B]

Certainly plausible, but that makes it “not factory “ and reinforces the point Mopar didn’t make them.

Lots of things Mopar didn't make got sold new at dealerships. Lots came from the factory that according to factory info should not have existed.
With out the original build sheet who is really going to know how it was factory assembled. Don't tell me fender tags, the most unreliable source in existence.

 

[69Coronetrt]

Lots of things Mopar didn't make got sold new at dealerships. Lots came from the factory that according to factory info should not have existed.
With out the original build sheet who is really going to know how it was factory assembled. Don't tell me fender tags, the most unreliable source in existence.

I always hear that but to date, have only seen one confirmed "unicorn".
I read a lot of anecdotal stories based on memories from 40+ years ago, but people don't seem to be able to post documentation of things that 'didn't exist'.
Most of what 'didn't exist' was available but in such low numbers no one has seen one and since they've never seen one before, they 'didn't exist' or people haven't really studied what was available on what makes and models and when it was av available.

I'm sure things were done at dealerships but that proves that whatever modification was done at the dealership was likely not available from the factory meaning Mopar didn't offer it i.e. '70 440-4 non-Superbird RR.

I agree, fender tags are problematic. Most of the claimed 'unicorns' I've seen were based on bogus fender tags and no other documentation.

 

[70runner]

Simple to validate the 440-4 in a 70RR...U code on VIN. My guess, it was a V code that sat for too long on the lot, dealer modified to sell.

Long time friend bought a 69 Charger RT (now owned by my daughter!) from Crenshaw Dodge (LA) in Aug 1969. He tells the story that the dealer had a several hemi Chargers, some discounted, gathering dust on the lot. They tried to push him toward a hemi, but he wanted A/C - SOCAL. Dealer offered to install A/C on one of the hemis which would have made it a one of none like the 440-4 RR. He wanted a factory A/C system so bought the only RT they had with A/C.

 

[moparnation74]

 

[WileE]

Believe it or not some people would not have bought a 6 pack car. Remove the 6 pack and install a single 4 and out the door.

And it would still be a V code VIN.

 

[WileE]

Good point. But if the cars on the lot and someone wants it but just not the way it sits. Just what happens? No sales and you continue paying to have it in inventory or mod it and make the customer happy.
Happy customers sell cars. That how one buys a 70 RR 440-4 in 1970.

And it would still have the original engine VIN code for 383, 440+6, or 426.

 

[WileE]

So, the dealer is going to the expense of buying a 440 engine plus the labor to swap the engines ? It would be cheaper to buy a GTX !

 

[69Coronetrt]

So, the dealer is going to the expense of buying a 440 engine plus the labor to swap the engines ? It would be cheaper to buy a GTX !

I agree. The “dealer modified to sell” discussion falls short with me. If you are having trouble selling a car, why would you put more parts and labor into it and, potentially, void a warranty?

Discounting or even a dealer swap/return to sales pool makes more sense to me.

 

[moparnation74]

I agree. The “dealer modified to sell” discussion falls short with me. If you are having trouble selling a car, why would you put more parts and labor into it and, potentially, void a warranty?

Discounting or even a dealer swap/return to sales pool makes more sense to me.

 

[eldubb440]

maybe someone bought a 440/6 car and had the dealer swap out the 6 for a 4

 

[69Coronetrt]

maybe someone bought a 440/6 car and had the dealer swap out the 6 for a 4

What would be the parts and labor cost to do that vs buying a GTX?

 

[mopar 3 B]

When dealing with the new car end of things at the dealership anything was possible if the customer is willing to pay for it.

Were Mr Norms cars not under factory warranty?
How about the Birds that lost nose and wing?
Don't get me wrong I don't doubt the validity of factory sales info but we have discussed special orders before.

 

[WileE]

In our garage, we would throw out steel wheels to replace with mags. Add headers and other performance parts. Sometimes the car directly from the dealer. All of that, didn't make it a"factory option". That's where the term " Day 2" originates. A very, very common practice we did back when these cars were new. Although we never did it, as mentioned before, a plausible explanation was removing the 6carb setup for a 4 bbl. Any easy swap, and the 6 bbl setup easily re sold.

 

[YY1]

Again, the VIN would show the original factory installed engine size.

...and be federally illegal to tamper with.


I have seen a couple N96 cars with dealer installed A/C.

That does NOT make them factory N96 A/C cars.

Interestingly both had York/fomoco compressors.

 

[Derwud]

Seen to many freaks at Dealerships with more money then sense... If someone wanted a Road Runner with a 440-4bbl, Chrysler or the dealer could have or would have built it.. But again without the VIN, this is just bench racing.

 

[69Coronetrt]

Seen to many freaks at Dealerships with more money then sense... If someone wanted a Road Runner with a 440-4bbl, Chrysler or the dealer could have or would have built it.. But again without the VIN, this is just bench racing.

If the concept “if you have have enough money/ depended on who you knew the factory would build it” was true, then why don’t we find factory built and dealer sold hemi C bodies? 340 6bbl A bodies? 440 HP Imperials? Verified 440 HP four speed a/c B bodies?

If you take that position, then please post documentation these “unicorn” cars exit.

 

[Derwud]

If the concept “if you have have enough money/ depended on who you knew the factory would build it” was true, then why don’t we find factory built and dealer sold hemi C bodies? 340 6bbl A bodies? 440 HP Imperials? Verified 440 HP four speed a/c B bodies?

If you take that position, then please post documentation these “unicorn” cars exit.

Again anything without a VIN is Bench Racing.. I have spent to many years at Dealers and Manufacturers to not belive in Unicorns, but again, with out VIN and Build Sheet, it's Bench Racing..

 

[mopar 3 B]

1958 Chrysler 392 Hemi until the 413 became standard equipment. Then a big absemce untill the 300C.

 

[Tim Chavez]

Wouldn’t we be looking for an M in the vin for “Special order”