SUMMARY
500 cubic inch big block V8We're all familiar with the term 'resto-mod' and how it gets thrown around to describe cars which 1) haven't been restored all that well and 2) haven't been modded all that much. But, simply put, the true theme of the resto-mod movement is: the best of everything. And if there was ever a textbook example of a true-to-form resto-mod, this Plymouth Road Runner has to be it. Showcasing the hard work of very skilled enthusiasts who understand how to enhance the best attributes of a slick, frame-off restoration, this exemplary coupe features a slew of top-shelf modifications. If you're in the market for an incredible classic that can be shown and driven with the best muscle cars on the road, we've got two words for you: "Beep! Beep!"
BODYWORK/TRIM
After spending most of its life as a clean driver, this awesome B-Body was the perfect starting point for a professional, rotisserie restoration that mixed a killer engine with classic MoPar attitude. The car's straight body was stripped to bare metal, fitted to a few floor pan patches and finished with a fresh trunk pan. Once those planes were completely clean and fully prepped, quality PPG basecoat was detailed with custom Road Runner graphics and sealed in glossy clear. And today, this primed and polished Plymouth sits as one super slick road warrior that features a perfect combination of no-nonsense looks and vicious street manners.
Admittedly, the Road Runner was a little more ambiguous than its Dodge-branded siblings, but a lot of people like that contrast and dig the model's super clean looks. At the front of this coupe, a black-trimmed, body-width grille hangs four H4 headlights above a mirrored bumper and clear parking lamps. Above that grille, a familiar A12-style hood flows to like-new glass that's sandwiched between fresh stainless trim, silver stainless wipers and filled cowl. At the sides of that hood, subtly sculpted panels hang a chrome driver's mirror above shaved fenders, shaved doors and sectioned quarters. And at the back of those panels, a clean decklid centers a color-keyed wing above factory-fresh taillights and a second mirrored bumper.
ENGINE
What do you do when you have a sweet MoPar muscle car that needs a heart transplant? You call Alpharetta, Georgia's Grimes Automotive Machine and order something akin to this Plymouth's 500 cubic inch Chrysler big block. According to 2013 dyno results, that mill, essentially a bored, stroked and built 440, moves to the tune of 579 dyno-proven horsepower and 625 lb./ft. of tire-spinning torque! At the top of the block, a K&N XStream air cleaner forces wind in to a big Holley carburetor that's cinched to braided fuel lines. At the base of that carb, a MoPar intake feeds air and fuel to Edelbrock Performer RPM heads, which have been ported, polished and treated to a multi-angle valve job. Beneath those heads, forged internals, which include an Eagle crank, Scat rods and Wiseco pistons, combine with roller lifters, roller rockers and a custom-grind Comp hydraulic roller cam to create stout 10.5 to 1 compression. That compression is sparked by an MSD Pro-Billet distributor, which sequences fire between an MSD Blaster 2 coil and MSD Super Conductor plug wires. When that fire flashes, Hooker Super Competition headers ensure the engine breathes well. At the front of those headers, snazzy March serpentine components spin a billet power steering pump and polished Powermaster alternator at the sides of a quality Edelbrock water pump. At the front of the engine bay, a proven Griffin radiator makes good use of dual SPAL puller fans. There's an impressive roster of hardware that includes, but isn't limited to, a Milodon windage tray, a Wilwood master cylinder and tough ARP bolts. And aesthetically, the Jet Black mill provides an excellent contrast to the car's bright red fenders, with details like tubular chassis supports, color-keyed Mopar Performance valve covers and intricate breathers supplementing power with polish.
DRIVETRAIN/SUSPENSION
Like its slick exterior and clean engine bay, the bottom of this coupe is a great combination of past and present. The powerful engine sends thrust to a Keisler-sourced Tremec TKO600 5-speed that enables the car to comfortably attain highway speeds. That proven transmission twists a tough Keisler driveshaft and familiar 8.75-inch axle, which spin a posi-trac differential around big, 3.91 gears. That awesome drivetrain rides between beefy sway bars, Fatman drop spindles, modern coil-overs, small lowering blocks and Competition Engineering shocks. Turns come courtesy of factory-style power steering. Power-assisted Wilwood calipers provide stops. 3-inch exhaust employs electronic cutouts in front of dual-chamber Flowmaster mufflers. Torque meets the pavement through polished Billet Specialties SLGs, which spin 245/45ZR18 Nitto NT555 Extreme ZRs in front of 295/45ZR18 Nitto NT555 Extreme ZRs. Naturally, the car's painted frame and undercoated floors are solid and display no signs of major rust or serious weathering. And yes, in typical resto-mod fashion, there's a roster of great finishing components, including stainless fluid lines, polygraphite bushings and sturdy subframe connectors.
INTERIOR
Pop this Plymouth's tight-fitting doors and you'll find a custom leather interior that plays on the car's incredible aesthetic. An attractive bucket and bench combo has, like the rest of the cockpit, been decked in clean, silver accents that do a great job of mimicking snakeskin. In front of those mitts, a custom, color-keyed dash hangs Auto Meter Ultra-Lite II telemetry beside an MP3-compatible Pioneer head unit that controls Kicker speakers, a Kicker amplifier and Kicker subwoofers. At the base of that dash, a custom console centers a TKO Pistol Grip shifter in front of a broad armrest, a small fire extinguisher and metal cupholders. Beneath that console, tight carpet bridges the gap between machined foot pedals, stainless sill plates and body-matched doorjambs. At the edges of that carpet, custom door panels hang polished handles between glossy frames, snakeskin armrests and small switches for modern power windows. In front of the driver, a polished and half-wrapped Billet Specialties steering wheel was specifically chosen to match the car's rolling stock. And behind the Dynamat-wrapped cockpit, a custom, Road Runner-themed trunk features plenty of room for car show supplies.
OUR SALE INCLUDES THE FOLLOWING DOCUMENTATION AND ACCESSORIES
Restoration photosAre you looking for big power, great handling and a tailored appearance that's fit to impress? Congratulations, you've found your next classic! Fully sorted, road-ready muscle cars don't get much nicer than this awesome Road Runner. And, whether you choose to drive it or show it, this is one no-excuses MoPar that's sure to turn heads!