Introduced for the 1968 model year as a more affordable proposition to the GTX, the Plymouth Road Runner became a big hit. The nameplate moved 44,303 units in its first year on the market and a whopping 81,105 examples in 1969. And even though muscle car sales dropped significantly in 1970, the Road Runner still managed to deliver 36,861 units.
1971 was the final model year for Chrysler’s high-compression V8 engines. With these high-performance mills on their way out due to new emissions regulations and high insurance rates, people did not rush into showrooms. Plymouth sold only 13,664 examples.
Sales decreased even more in 1972, but the 1971 version remains the rarest of the golden-era bunch. The Hemi variant is the scarcest and most sought-after, with only 55 produced. The 440-cubic-inch (7.2-liter) Six-Barrel is also rare, with only 246 made.
Naturally, the 383-cubic-inch (6.3-liter) V8 was the most common choice. Chrysler’s ubiquitous engine, which came standard in the Road Runner, was selected by 11,682 customers (that’s 85.5% of the entire production run). But these weren’t the only engines available that year. Unlike its predecessors, the 1971 Road Runner was also offered with a 340-cubic-inch (5.6-liter) small-block unit.
It was the smallest and least potent V8 of the bunch at 275 horsepower. Plymouth advertised it as a more fuel-efficient, high-performance option. The small-block V8 was ordered in 1,681 cars. It’s much rarer than the 383 V8, and it’s getting increasingly harder to find nowadays. Especially in unrestored survivor condition, like the green hardtop you see here.
Featured by YouTube’s “Poor Boys Garage,” this Road Runner was a one-owner car until recently. The story goes that the original owner also had a 383-powered 1971 Road Runner and a Hemi rig of unknown nameplate. Our host says the guy received an offer for the Hemi and agreed to sell it only if the buyer also purchased the two Road Runners. He did just that and immediately sold the Road Runners to get some of his money back. The 340-powered hardtop was purchased by our host’s friend, who brought it in for a revival.
The Mopar has been sitting for over 20 years and spent much of that time outside, under full exposure to the elements. Unsurprisingly, the vehicle is in poor shape. The green paint is weathered, there’s surface rust on every body panel, and the interior is pretty messy. However, it doesn’t look half bad for a classic that’s been neglected for over two decades. And it’s actually pretty clean for a 1971 Mopar as far as rust goes.
There’s even better news under the hood because the original drivetrain is still in place. It looks like the old 340 V8 got a few mods, but the important bits are still there. The mill mates to a three-speed TorqueFlite automatic, making the Road Runner one of 1,243 examples equipped with this combo. The odometer shows only 41,000 miles (65,983 km).
Our host cleaned the car inside and out and tried to fire up the engine. Unsurprisingly, he discovered a host of issues preventing the V8 from idling on its own. But the unit eventually agreed to start. It probably needs an overhaul, but there are signs that the small-block V8 wants to live.
It’s unclear whether this Road Runner will get a proper restoration, but I wouldn’t mind seeing it back on the road as an unrestored survivor. For now, it’s time to celebrate yet another rare Mopar saved from becoming a rust bucket. Hit the play button below to see it fire up for the first time in decades.
