Help with my 71' roadrunner
#224696
02/14/09 05:10 PM
02/14/09 05:10 PM
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Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 583 San Antonio, TX
CurYellowBird
OP
mopar
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OP
mopar
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 583
San Antonio, TX
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How's it going folks. I am new to the website and learning about mopars basically. Well I scored big and found the mopar I've always wanted. I found a 1971 roadrunner that was taken off the road in 77'. This RM23 roadrunner is origionally a california car and I talked the guy down from 10k to 7.5k . Has numbers matching 383 4 speed and the car is origional to the point of having the factory exhaust . What I'm trying to figure out is the differences and specs between a regular 383 and the "N" code HP 383. Mine just so happens to be the "N" code. Another question I have is how often did 71' roadrunners that had the 383 4 speed come with AC? This car has the AC as well. Finally, this car has what I believed is called a Dictephone (cassette recorder) and had the black bikini vinyl top, origional color curious yellow. Are these options rare on roadrunners? There's just a lot of things on this car that shows that it was special ordered and not part of a bulk order made by the dealerships. Case and point, its a 4 speed with the bucket seats, console, etc. but has AC and has a Clock instead of the RPM Gauge. I'm not sure how rare the bikini vinyl top is either. But with the options this thing has, along with the dictAphone, I believe the origional owner was a doctor or something along those lines. He wanted to look badass in this thing with all the racing options but at the same time have the lucturies such as the AC, vinyl top, etc. As we all know, these things ordered in bulk were nothing but bare bone cars, and if any muscle car guy from back then ordered one of these, he wouldn't want the AC or other luxuries. Unfortunately, this car did have the build sheet but a rat or mouse made a home underneath the back seat and made some nesting out of it. I saved whatever scraps were legible. Here's the fender tag codes: first 7 vin # RM23N1G V8X 26 END M21 N41 N97 R36 V21 C55 G11 G36 H51 J45 L31 V4X U A01 A87 B11 C16 GY3 M6X9 TX9 610 040964 E65 D21 RM23 N1G Basically I'm trying to get an overall summary and outside opinions of this car.
Last edited by Pats71'; 02/14/09 05:33 PM.
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Re: Help with my 71' roadrunner
[Re: CurYellowBird]
#224697
02/14/09 05:50 PM
02/14/09 05:50 PM
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Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 2,592 None
71rm23
master
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master
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 2,592
None
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Hey Pat. Welcome to the site I have a '71 RR, buckets, Tor-Red, A/C, AND a cassette as well. Half vinyl roof as well. No stick tho. Anyway here is what I can tell you: "N" Is the engine size in the car, nothing more- If the block has a "HP" on the pad near the disributor and/or a symbol with it, then it is better than the standard 383. Not sure about the spcifics on the engine as to why. I think a better cam etc. Someone will chime in and clearify this better. E65 383 4BBl magnum engine D21- Stick shift RM23N1G-VIN number and the rest of the numbers would be the sequence(number what ever of what ever) GY#3"Paint color-Curious Yellow M6X9- Interior TX9- Black trim? 610-Build dat- Not sure when 040964 Order number I think V4X-Not sure U-Built to US specs-Not a export car A01-Light package A87-Roadrunner decor group B11-Heavy duty drum breaks C16-Not sure C55-Bucket seats G36-Not sure H51- Air conditioning J45-Not sure L31-Hood mounted turn signals M21-Bright drip moulding N41-Dual exhaust N97-?? R36: Thats the radio. If you have a cassette player, then the player is 1 of 137 made for that year, from what I've been told. V21-Hood performance treatment V8X-Strobe stripe reflective, black 26-26" radiator The ones I don't know about someone will decode for ya. I don't have all of my numbers with me right now. Post some pictures also. If your restoring her,, progress will be appreciated. Also, become a member of www.roadrunnernest.com. Thats a site for '71-'74 B-Body cars. A lot of info there as well Congrats on the car
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Re: Help with my 71' roadrunner
[Re: CurYellowBird]
#224700
02/14/09 07:29 PM
02/14/09 07:29 PM
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Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 3,691 MO
cdp
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master
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 3,691
MO
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That is a very cool find! I'd say you scored big! I love 71's. I've had 3-71-GTX's and still have one with a 440/auto/airgrabber. I think the 1/2 canopy top is a 1/2 year only addition that was added late in the year. C16-Console N97-California emissions (turn down tips more than likely) J45-hood pins It is very unusual to see a 4spd with air, but I've seen several. Console cassette is fairly rare too. Looks like you have a fairly easy resto. I suggest a body on if its nice and solid, which it looks to be, and make it a super nice driver. In this economy, a rotissery resto isn't a good idea and takes away from doing what that car is meant to do..... Shifting them gears! Finding exact #'s on the options will be pretty tough, but you could mail your info into GG and hope you might get an answer.
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Re: Help with my 71' roadrunner
[Re: CurYellowBird]
#224701
02/14/09 07:49 PM
02/14/09 07:49 PM
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Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 583 San Antonio, TX
CurYellowBird
OP
mopar
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OP
mopar
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 583
San Antonio, TX
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I've ran the numbers on everything in this car and it was born on June 10,1971 which means this was a late bloomer since production of 71' cars stops in july of that year, as do most autos in the industry. The motor, tranny, etc. is all numbers matching. So if your prediction about the vinyl top is true, well then this car is proof of it.
Project War Bird:
1971 Plymouth Roadrunner
383 4 speed with air conditioning
GY3 Curious yellow
All original
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Re: Help with my 71' roadrunner
[Re: CurYellowBird]
#224703
02/14/09 08:02 PM
02/14/09 08:02 PM
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Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 583 San Antonio, TX
CurYellowBird
OP
mopar
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OP
mopar
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 583
San Antonio, TX
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Well any info on these cars would be greatly appreciated. This particular RR has remained a mystery for a bit while I've been trying to run the numbers and fender tag. Does anyone know if a company out there is able to print out build sheets for these cars once you give them the vin etc.?
Project War Bird:
1971 Plymouth Roadrunner
383 4 speed with air conditioning
GY3 Curious yellow
All original
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Re: Help with my 71' roadrunner
[Re: CurYellowBird]
#224705
02/14/09 08:35 PM
02/14/09 08:35 PM
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Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 583 San Antonio, TX
CurYellowBird
OP
mopar
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OP
mopar
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 583
San Antonio, TX
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I did find the build sheet, or what was left of it. It was in the back seat but a rat or mouse used it as nesting. I kept what ever bits and pieces that were legible.
Project War Bird:
1971 Plymouth Roadrunner
383 4 speed with air conditioning
GY3 Curious yellow
All original
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Re: Help with my 71' roadrunner
[Re: cdp]
#224707
02/14/09 09:18 PM
02/14/09 09:18 PM
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Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 583 San Antonio, TX
CurYellowBird
OP
mopar
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OP
mopar
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 583
San Antonio, TX
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I guess I'm gonna end up looking under the front seats to see if there is an extra build sheet put in. It was just a rumor that there was a company out there able to pull up build sheets from the Chrysler archives.
Project War Bird:
1971 Plymouth Roadrunner
383 4 speed with air conditioning
GY3 Curious yellow
All original
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Re: Help with my 71' roadrunner
[Re: CurYellowBird]
#224709
02/14/09 09:29 PM
02/14/09 09:29 PM
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Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 7,833 east side of Ohio
basketcase
master
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master
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 7,833
east side of Ohio
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welcome to the site fellow road runner owner. that car looks great. If it's as nice in person as it is in the pics, I would only do what's absoulty necessary to make it safe to drive, and things like the tore seats, etc. These cars are only original once. keep the pics comming!
Dave
1981 Dodge D150 360 auto
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Re: Help with my 71' roadrunner
[Re: CurYellowBird]
#224711
02/14/09 09:38 PM
02/14/09 09:38 PM
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Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 3,380 KY USA
mopargem
master
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master
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 3,380
KY USA
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Hey Pat, very cool find! Look around, it's not unusual to find multiple build sheets, check the front seat backs too, under carpet or above glove box. I found 4 sheets in one of my cars once, but one sheet was from another car down the line. My 71 is an unrestored ragged out driver, but I still like it, here's a pic.
68 Polara 500...LL1 Y7 M6X 69 Hemi road runner...X9 X9 M6X 69 A12 road runner....R4 R4 M6X 69 ModTop FLORAL Super Bee...F6 M6W 70 AAR 'cuda...EW1 EW1 H4X9 71 Duster 340...FJ6 V24 L6X9 71 road runner FC7 V1X M6X9 72 Rallye Charger B5 V1W 74 'cuda 360...KB5 V1X A6X9 08 SRT Challenger #234
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Re: Help with my 71' roadrunner
[Re: RM23V1]
#224713
02/14/09 09:48 PM
02/14/09 09:48 PM
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Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 583 San Antonio, TX
CurYellowBird
OP
mopar
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OP
mopar
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 583
San Antonio, TX
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The paint job on this car is not the origional paint. Some jackass paint over the car with yellow spray paint and the other side has a lot of primer. The main problem is that I'm going to need to replace the passenger quarter. The previous owner mentioned it got into a wreck at some point and looks like it was t-boned, but with all the bondo on it you couldn't tell. The worst spot i found is right in front of the rear tire. THe filler there had to be at least 1.5in thick. I'm going to paint it back to the origional curious yellow and keep it as origional as possible.
Project War Bird:
1971 Plymouth Roadrunner
383 4 speed with air conditioning
GY3 Curious yellow
All original
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Re: Help with my 71' roadrunner
[Re: cdp]
#224714
02/14/09 09:59 PM
02/14/09 09:59 PM
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Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 6,343 SE PA.
QuickBpBp
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master
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 6,343
SE PA.
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Quote:
I think the 1/2 canopy top is a 1/2 year only addition that was added late in the year.
Yep the V4X is black canopy roof...
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