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Re: 1979 "Road Runner" [Re: roadntrack] #2944882
07/19/21 04:05 PM
07/19/21 04:05 PM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,343
west palm beach, florida
modelmakerinc Offline
top fuel
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top fuel

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west palm beach, florida
it was a trim package, had the slant in plenty of them. it usually was ordered by the dealer for their inventory with the 318 but some had the slanty


Exceptional Architectural, Yacht and Automotive scale models. e-mail modelmakerinc@att.net for a portfolio review. www.modelmakerinc.com
Re: 1979 "Road Runner" [Re: modelmakerinc] #2946445
07/23/21 07:02 PM
07/23/21 07:02 PM
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 4,791
Castlegar, BC, Canada
That AMC Guy Offline
master
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Castlegar, BC, Canada
I guess never having lived through the muscle era, I don't quite understand the disdain for the "Disco"-era cars. Specifically: Cobra II, Hornet AMX, Volare/RoadRunner, Aspen R/T, Monza Spyder.
They're all pretty cool cars and are very much a sign of their times. Are they fast? No. No question about it. But there are a lot of 50's and 60's cars out there that aren't fast either and they're more popular than ever!! Not every vehicle needs to do a 9-second quarter mile. Some people just like to drive and have a funky car to drive in.

My name is Darrin. I like wire wheel covers, vinyl tops, tan interiors, fender flares and 8-track players. I'm here because I've been told I have a problem. laugh2

Last edited by That AMC Guy; 07/23/21 07:03 PM.

Bloody Mary, Full of Vodka, Blessed art thou among cocktails....

Re: 1979 "Road Runner" [Re: That AMC Guy] #2946499
07/23/21 09:54 PM
07/23/21 09:54 PM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 10,525
Freeport IL USA
poorboy Offline
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Freeport IL USA
Originally Posted by That AMC Guy
I guess never having lived through the muscle era, I don't quite understand the disdain for the "Disco"-era cars. Specifically: Cobra II, Hornet AMX, Volare/RoadRunner, Aspen R/T, Monza Spyder.
They're all pretty cool cars and are very much a sign of their times. Are they fast? No. No question about it. But there are a lot of 50's and 60's cars out there that aren't fast either and they're more popular than ever!! Not every vehicle needs to do a 9-second quarter mile. Some people just like to drive and have a funky car to drive in.

My name is Darrin. I like wire wheel covers, vinyl tops, tan interiors, fender flares and 8-track players. I'm here because I've been told I have a problem. laugh2


You see, the problem was, in the late 60s and into the early 70s the muscle cars were actually fast, and powerful. Very fun to drive, and consumed a lot of cheap gas. Then in 1974, Insurance companies were trying to kill performance cars, the EPA started choking them. gas prices more then doubled overnight, and we actually ran into a time when there were days we couldn't even buy gas, even at 2x the price it was 6 months before. Most family budgets couldn't fund feeding the muscle cars, the new car sales tanked, everyone that was buying a new car wanted something that got better gas mileage. Detroit (The center of the car industry at the time), responded, but it took a couple years before the response actually hit the show rooms. By that time, most of the muscle car problems were history, except the now powerful insurance industry, and the newly empowered EPA.. Unfortunately, all Detroit had to offer were choked down (thanks to the EPA), lower power cars that got slightly better gas mileage. Those new cars were not fun to drive, compared to the cars offered only 2-3 years before. New car sales still were pretty low.

Detroit, in their infinite wisdom decided that reviving the not so long gone muscle car names would bring people back into the showroom. It did to a certain level, but those new car buyers soon learned that the new version of the old muscle car name plates were not the muscle cars of recent history. Some were content with having a muscle car nameplate on a new car that got slightly better gas mileage, and were slightly more powerful the the non-muscle car name plate editions of the same car, but it was a hard sell to the real performance car guys. It took several years before Detroit could muster much more power out of the new era of performance cars, and most of those were downsized turbo charged versions with again revived muscle car name plates..

The real performance minded guys that lived through those times never really accepted the late 70s disco era name plate muscle cars, nor did many accept the 90s downsized turbocharged muscle car name plate cars. Its gotten to the point that every time the car companies revive the muscle car name plates, most of the guys that lived through the disco era think "Here we go again!"

Its kind of like the response from most of the guys here when some speak of the current name plate performance electric cars. Acceptance may never fully come from those that remember the original muscle cars, or those that enjoy the current Hell Cats and what ever durative they come as. If the current crop of performance cars disappeared next year, and it took 5 years before something came along at 1/2 the power, with the same revived name plate, how do you think the guys current owners would respond to the new version? Gene

Re: 1979 "Road Runner" [Re: poorboy] #2946730
07/24/21 06:28 PM
07/24/21 06:28 PM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 28,596
Shopping @ HoBo Fright
340SIX Offline
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Just a,FYI the guy who loved across from.my dad's home bought a 4 door F body slant super six as it was a beer deal than the 318.
Salesmen and Dealer wanted it gone so he got a smoking deal.
He always bragged on how it ran well.

Last edited by 340SIX; 07/24/21 06:41 PM.

[img]https://i234.photobucket.com/albums/ee87/fast340six/sig%20pics/2840886-340SIX-1.jpg[/img]
VP of the MPM in New Orleans
73 Dart Sport 340/ 70 challenger vert. That may still get built, If I live long enough
Re: 1979 "Road Runner" [Re: 340SIX] #2946754
07/24/21 07:08 PM
07/24/21 07:08 PM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 20,158
Park Forest, IL
slantzilla Offline
Too Many Posts
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Park Forest, IL
Originally Posted by 340SIX
Just a,FYI the guy who loved across from.my dad's home bought a 4 door F body slant super six as it was a beer deal than the 318.
Salesmen and Dealer wanted it gone so he got a smoking deal.
He always bragged on how it ran well.


The Super Six motors did run nicely, as long as you didn't get one of the infamous porous 2 piece intakes. Those led to vacuum leaks that were almost impossible to find.


"Everybody funny, now you funny too."
Re: 1979 "Road Runner" [Re: That AMC Guy] #2946760
07/24/21 07:16 PM
07/24/21 07:16 PM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 10,637
S.E.Ohio
Magnumguy Offline
I Live Here
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S.E.Ohio
Originally Posted by That AMC Guy
I guess never having lived through the muscle era, I don't quite understand the disdain for the "Disco"-era cars. Specifically: Cobra II, Hornet AMX, Volare/RoadRunner, Aspen R/T, Monza Spyder.
They're all pretty cool cars and are very much a sign of their times.


You forgot one in your recital........

Force n GT.jpg

"Multiple Magnum owner since 1978!!"


https://www.facebook.com/groups/146952895354657/
Re: 1979 "Road Runner" [Re: roadntrack] #2947256
07/26/21 10:32 AM
07/26/21 10:32 AM
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 801
central CT
cudazappa Offline
super stock
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super stock

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Posts: 801
central CT
Originally Posted by roadntrack
Seller claims it is an original Road Runner
225 /6
sent me this photo!
Looks like b.s. to me but I dont know these cars that well


In 1979 the Road Runner package required the 318 2bbl with the 360 4bbl optional.
In 1980 the Road Runner package came with both the slant and 318 (the 360 was no longer available)


1971 Challenger
Re: 1979 "Road Runner" [Re: cudazappa] #2947310
07/26/21 12:44 PM
07/26/21 12:44 PM
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 6,095
Valencia, España
NachoRT74 Offline
master
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Valencia, España
Originally Posted by cudazappa
Originally Posted by roadntrack
Seller claims it is an original Road Runner
225 /6
sent me this photo!
Looks like b.s. to me but I dont know these cars that well


In 1979 the Road Runner package required the 318 2bbl with the 360 4bbl optional.
In 1980 the Road Runner package came with both the slant and 318 (the 360 was no longer available)


it seems to be true


http://www.oldcarbrochures.com/stat...ure/b_1980%20Plymouth%20Volare-10-11.jpg


With a Charger born in Chrysler assembly plant in Valencia, Venezuela
Re: 1979 "Road Runner" [Re: NachoRT74] #2947313
07/26/21 12:50 PM
07/26/21 12:50 PM
Joined: Aug 2019
Posts: 9,388
Super Spudsville
Mr PotatoHead Offline
Half Baked
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Super Spudsville
This is sad, its like saying I took the fat ugly girl to prom because all there was were fat ugly girls so we made the best of it. But at the end of the night, you still had a fat ugly girl on your arm.


STOP POTATO HATE!
Re: 1979 "Road Runner" [Re: Mr PotatoHead] #2947334
07/26/21 01:23 PM
07/26/21 01:23 PM
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 7,363
Iowa
burdar Offline
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Iowa
Quote
ne thing I think we can agree on, 75 was not the high water mark for RR's.


What, am I the only one on here that likes the 75 Road Runner?

75RR.jpg
Re: 1979 "Road Runner" [Re: burdar] #2947484
07/26/21 06:59 PM
07/26/21 06:59 PM
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 257
Alberta
4
440_Offroader Offline
enthusiast
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Alberta
I always thought the '75 "Star Wars" style graphics were pretty cool...

Re: 1979 "Road Runner" [Re: 440_Offroader] #2947569
07/26/21 09:56 PM
07/26/21 09:56 PM
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 18,493
Granite Bay CA
Kern Dog Offline
Striving for excellence
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Posts: 18,493
Granite Bay CA
It is clear that by the time the Road Runner name was applied to the Volare, the game was over. The entire principle of "Road Runner" was a stripped down mid size car with a potent mid sized big block V8.
I never warmed up to the 71-74 B body cars. The 1975 Road Runner looked like a Chevy Monte Carlo to me. The Volare Road Runner could have been a decent car if it would have had an E58 360 4 barrel and dual exhaust.
Add 3.55 gears and a Sure Grip diff and it would have been serious competition for the Trans Ams and Camaro Z28s of the day.

Re: 1979 "Road Runner" [Re: Kern Dog] #2947621
07/26/21 11:49 PM
07/26/21 11:49 PM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 10,525
Freeport IL USA
poorboy Offline
I Live Here
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Freeport IL USA
I liked the 75 Road Runner, There was one big block car (400 4V) I bought and sold 4 different times. I made a fortune off of that car, at a time when money was tight. Then a 73 Challenger 360 4 v got involved with the Road Runner deal and, between the two I made even more money! That was a great coupe of years.

My experience with a 76 or 77 Volari Road Runner was I killed the rusty hulk on the local dirt track in 3 weeks. Someone going faster then I was going into turn 3 caught the front bumper and pulled the left front frame rail away from the trans crossmember. I lost the steering & brakes, and fortunately it broke the dist cap and killed the motor. I was pinballed from one car to another through the entire 3rd & 4th turns. I think everyone behind me hit me. finally the car came to a rest backed up against the front straight wall. I was looking right at the cars coming around the curve heading right towards me. That was a fun night! It was also the night I decided I was a better car owner then I was a car driver. Gene

Re: 1979 "Road Runner" [Re: poorboy] #2947622
07/26/21 11:51 PM
07/26/21 11:51 PM
Joined: Aug 2019
Posts: 9,388
Super Spudsville
Mr PotatoHead Offline
Half Baked
Mr PotatoHead  Offline
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Super Spudsville
They are OK, like a honda 50 @ the age of 50. A lot of fun till your friends see you on it.


STOP POTATO HATE!
Re: 1979 "Road Runner" [Re: Mr PotatoHead] #2947926
07/27/21 08:37 PM
07/27/21 08:37 PM
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 15,806
Central Florida
larrymopar360 Offline
Stud Muffin
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Central Florida
Originally Posted by Mr PotatoHead
They are OK, like a honda 50 @ the age of 50. A lot of fun till your friends see you on it.
laugh


Facts are stubborn things.
Re: 1979 "Road Runner" [Re: larrymopar360] #2947930
07/27/21 08:40 PM
07/27/21 08:40 PM
Joined: Aug 2019
Posts: 9,388
Super Spudsville
Mr PotatoHead Offline
Half Baked
Mr PotatoHead  Offline
Half Baked

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Posts: 9,388
Super Spudsville
Ya know what sucks? I had two honda 50-s as a kid, loved them.... why do I want one these days to tinker on? I have no clue, so I understand the love for these cars.


STOP POTATO HATE!
Re: 1979 "Road Runner" [Re: Mr PotatoHead] #2948554
07/29/21 02:33 PM
07/29/21 02:33 PM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 5,386
Pikes Peak Country
T
TC@HP2 Offline
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T

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Pikes Peak Country
Through the 80s I never gave the F bodies and later B bodies any consideration. The classic 62-72 cars were still cheap and plentiful. As the cheap supply began drying up and things started getting expensive, I gained an appreciation for the less popular, but still traditional V8/RWD platforms of later years. Now I kind of prefer them because one will get less crap from observers about cutting up an uber rare or classic mopar. How many restored '69 Road Runners can one really enjoy looking at anyway. I'd prefer to look at something less mainstream.

Re: 1979 "Road Runner" [Re: Kern Dog] #2948586
07/29/21 04:26 PM
07/29/21 04:26 PM
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 2,914
Calgary, Alberta Canada
a12rag Offline
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Calgary, Alberta Canada
Originally Posted by Frankenduster
It is clear that by the time the Road Runner name was applied to the Volare, the game was over. The entire principle of "Road Runner" was a stripped down mid size car with a potent mid sized big block V8.
I never warmed up to the 71-74 B body cars. The 1975 Road Runner looked like a Chevy Monte Carlo to me. The Volare Road Runner could have been a decent car if it would have had an E58 360 4 barrel and dual exhaust.
Add 3.55 gears and a Sure Grip diff and it would have been serious competition for the Trans Ams and Camaro Z28s of the day.


I had a 76 Road Runner, orange with the spoilers/louvres, stripes, etc . . . 318, 4spd OD, fold down rear seat. Was original with 57k miles on it. Needed a bit of tlc, but got it up and running, and looking great. Have to admit, it got the looks for sure. Drove it to Mopars at the strip and they didn't even have F body category that year !!! LOL . . . not fast, but it was what every manufacturer was doing then, graphics to "wow" you. The super coupe package in 77/78 (??) with the E58 360 was as good as it got. Gotta remember what was going on at the time, and Mopar was doing what it could to try and keep the performance alive - heck, look at "The Little Red Express" - with E58 360, was faster than factory Corvette !!!

The F body is totally overlooked, kinda "orphan" machine, but even they are starting to get some respect and prices coming up. I am amazed at A body prices these days !! . . .

Still think the 75 RR is cool . . .specially getting it as Big block, swap out for 440 and some performance gearing . . . go baby go !!

Re: 1979 "Road Runner" [Re: a12rag] #2948589
07/29/21 04:30 PM
07/29/21 04:30 PM
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 10,228
Colleyville
3hundred Offline
I Live Here
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Colleyville
Don't I recall you saying it'd knock down 25 MPG on the highway? FWIW, that's the highway rating of my '16 300


'68 Fury Convertible
'69 300 Convertible
'15 Durango 5.7 Hemi
'16 300 S Hemi
Re: 1979 "Road Runner" [Re: Mr PotatoHead] #2948590
07/29/21 04:31 PM
07/29/21 04:31 PM
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 4,663
Wichita
G
GY3 Offline
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GY3  Offline
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G

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Wichita
Originally Posted by Mr PotatoHead
They are OK, like a honda 50 @ the age of 50. A lot of fun till your friends see you on it.


Hey, I resemble that!


'63 Dodge 330
11.19 @ 121 mph
Pump gas, n/a, through the mufflers on street tires with 3.54's. 3,600 lbs.
10.01 @ 133mph with a 250 shot of nitrous an a splash of race gas. 1.36 60 ft. 3,700 lbs.

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