1971 Plymouth Road Runner With a 440 and a Five-Speed

With a transplanted 440 under the hood, a five-speed transmission, and heavier-duty suspension added, and a color change to a High-Impact hue, this 1971 Plymouth Road Runner outperforms its stock 383-powered counterparts, while further enhancing its firmly established muscle car image. I've owned this car for 12 years, . A cosmetic and mechanical restoration was done about 15 years ago, and it is driven about 100 miles per year for a total of 1,209 miles since it was finished. It is stored inside when not driven. This Road Runner has won awards for its paint quality, as well as one for 'Best Plymouth.' Nevertheless, I'm 84 years old now, and my children and grandchildren have no interest in the car. E65 on the fender tag and N in the VIN indicate that the original engine was a 383 four-barrel, but the 440-cu.in. OHV V8 that's in the Road Runner now was bored .030-inch over and fully rebuilt to 1970 HP specs, according to the restorer. It features forged Six-Pack pistons; an Edelbrock 850-cfm carburetor with an electric choke; a new fuel tank; Holley electric fuel pump; a Mopar Performance electronic ignition system and aluminum rocker covers; a Denso starter; and 2.5-inch diameter TTI exhaust with 40 series Flowmaster mufflers and polished, stainless, slotted tips. A Be Cool aluminum high-capacity radiator with dual electric fans was installed, as was a Classic Auto Air R-134a A/C unit to replace the factory system, and a new firewall-forward wiring harness. The engine runs very well after a cold start, doesn't smoke on startup, and doesn't leak, . A complete Keisler Engineering Tremec five-speed kit with a hydraulic clutch, titanium-alloy bellhousing, and polished stainless-steel Pistol Grip shifter was bolted in, and the transmission shifts well through gears, he notes. An 8¾-inch rear axle is outfitted with a 3.55:1 gearset and a Sure-Grip differential. Originally code-EL5 Bahama Yellow, the Road Runner was repainted 1970 Lime Light using a modern basecoat/clearcoat system. Its 15-year-old finish is still excellent with no swirls, blemishes, scratches, dents, or chips, the seller asserts. Except for part of the left fender, the body panels are original to the car, the restorer states. An Air Grabber hood, correct 1971 spoilers and hood pins, rechromed bumpers, and all-new decals and trunk mat were installed. The glass is in very good condition, and the seals are good and don't leak, the seller comments. All the lights work - The code-M2T7 tan bench seat cabin has been exchanged for black via a carpet, door panels, headliner, and rear seat cover from Legendary Auto Interiors, and the addition of cloth-upholstered Corbeau bucket seats. A Grant GT wheel steering wheel was also bolted on. All the gauges, including the factory tachometer, function properly, as does the radio, and the trim is complete. - Back when the car was restored, a 440 skid-plate-equipped K-member was installed, according to the restorer. All suspension parts were media blasted and powder coated, Mopar Performance torsion bars and the correct 440 leaf springs were installed, and the system was rebuilt with a Just Suspensions kit.  A Master Power front disc brake upgrade was done, and polished aluminum Torque Thrust II wheels (15-inch front and 16-inch rear) with BFGoodrich Radial T/A tires were mounted. The tires are now said to be 15 years old, although DOT date codes to confirm tire age are not visible in the images provided.   About 700 miles ago, the suspension was serviced and lubed, and the shocks and bushings were determined to be in good condition. There are no issues with brakes, the seller reports. No vibrations are felt at highway speed, there's no play in the steering wheel, and no leaks in the power steering system, and , the steering wheel points straight when driving straight. This car's ride is comparable to any automobile manufactured in the early 1970s, he concludes. This 1971 Plymouth Road Runner has been restored and upgraded in the right places to create a flashy, quick, and comfortable Mopar.