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1975 Roadrunner, the last real runners - anymore out there?

Micah Pohlman

Micah Pohlman

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The last of the real Roadrunners, let me explain (if you don't understand and/or are upset at that). We've all heard the disrespect given to the 75 'runner, mostly it's just a Fury, it's not a real muscle car etc. Consider the following: It's not just a Fury with a RR package, it specifically is NOT a Fury it has it's own VIN designation, 'M', it is still a big block capable B-body. Unfortunately that cannot be said of the 76 and up. It is a as much of a muscle car as a 74. Other than a 4 speed or a 340 every thing else was still available. (theoretically a 440 was available if you knew the right people). Depending on the source you read the 75 HP400 has the famed Magnum 383 camshaft in it, sounds kinda muscle car to me. It's literally the same platform as the 2nd gen 'Runners, floor pans are the same, firewall is almost the same, etc.

I have that off my chest and you have some ammo to defend them if someone rips on them.

The question on my mind now is how many more are out there? And here's a little more about mine. It has a heart that beats with a 400HP. According to my show room option book the specific blue (KB5) on this car was not available on Fury body (i.e. Roadrunner). But I have come across one other 75 Runner this same color blue, so it must have been added as an option later. Here’s the real rare find clincher; this one is labeled for export! Biggest engine available and labeled for export, that's gotta be close to a 1 of 1?
left front.JPG
left rear.JPG
right front.JPG
9-14-2009 interior 2.JPG
9-14-2009 motor 2.JPG
 
I almost bought a yellow one with a 360 in it 40k mi
off a used car lot
I ended up with the triple black 76 doba 400 22k next to it
this is in 1979
 
I used to service those at Budget rent a car.
 
I agree, last of the road runners. They should have been b bodies only.
I have to admit, I always liked them from the back; not a lot different from a '74 except for reshaped tail lights. I just wasn't crazy about the Chevy Malibu front end they tacked on, I was fond of four headlight front ends. But I'm used to the look now and have come to like the whole package.
left-rear-jpg.jpg

dn0716-248937_3@2x.jpg
 
I'll take up the argument that the F-body Volare and Aspen were capable of representing the performance associated with the Roadrunner and R/T designation every bit as much as your 75 Roadrunner.
I had a brand new 79 Aspen R/T. It was an absolute DOG for performance stock, even with the "police pursuit" E58 option 360 that I ordered it with...
BUT
I ran it in stock form against the Trans Ams, Hurst/Olds, and other similar stock "performance" cars of that era and bested most of them.
I installed headers, intake, Crane "Fireball" cam, Direct Connection electronic ignition, Holley 650 4bbl, and a 8 3/4 rear axle out of a 73 4 speed 340 Dart I bought (the entire car) from a junkyard. It still had crappy low compression. I also ran no cat real dual exhaust.
Those mods really woke it up!
I had a set of 2.02 340 heads for it w/purple stripe springs, and I began a conversion to a 4 speed manual transmission (the trans came out of an earlier F-body).
My dad's 82 Collector Edition Corvette (another DOG for power) came available, so I sold the R/T and got the Vette.
At one point when my 79 R/T was still stock and relatively new, I tried to trade it for a 70 Plum Crazy 440 4bbl 4 speed Super Bee, and I almost made the deal, but the guy backed out. At the time it was a fair trade.
 
the Doba I had didn't last long as a daily
couple of years
great riding car but
slow and a gas pig doing it.
traded it in on a brandy new 82 yoda pick up
as a daily as I commuted long distance and needed mileage
and in 81 I went backwards and got a 69 B7 383 Bee
which put the Doba to shame..
 
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To the OP, you're really not telling us anything we don't already know. I like the model, I think your color is beautiful ! That car deserves a resto. You don't see these cars, I'd love to see this one done !
 
75’s are Real?
 
Last edited:
biomedtechguy said:
I'll take up the argument that the F-body Volare and Aspen were capable of representing the performance associated with the Roadrunner and R/T designation every bit as much as your 75 Roadrunner.
I had a brand new 79 Aspen R/T. It was an absolute DOG for performance stock, even with the "police pursuit" E58 option 360 that I ordered it with...
BUT
I ran it in stock form against the Trans Ams, Hurst/Olds, and other similar stock "performance" cars of that era and bested most of them.
I installed headers, intake, Crane "Fireball" cam, Direct Connection electronic ignition, Holley 650 4bbl, and a 8 3/4 rear axle out of a 73 4 speed 340 Dart I bought (the entire car) from a junkyard. It still had crappy low compression. I also ran no cat real dual exhaust.
Those mods really woke it up!
I had a set of 2.02 340 heads for it w/purple stripe springs, and I began a conversion to a 4 speed manual transmission (the trans came out of an earlier F-body).
My dad's 82 Collector Edition Corvette (another DOG for power) came available, so I sold the R/T and got the Vette.
At one point when my 79 R/T was still stock and relatively new, I tried to trade it for a 70 Plum Crazy 440 4bbl 4 speed Super Bee, and I almost made the deal, but the guy backed out. At the time it was a fair trade.
Click to expand...
I never said anything about performance. I was making the point of original construction, VIN and platform. But if performance is the issue then consider the fact the the 75 and older RR was not available with a slant 6, 76 and up yes (I've never seen one but I'm not that into the F-bodies). The A21 was simply a decor package and could be ordered without A57 or A66 that were the performance RR packages.

Also Mopar NEVER NEVER NEVER NEVER NEVER NEVER NEVER NEVER NEVER NEVER NEVER had an option called police 'anything'! Those are Ford terms from back in the day. The E58 is simply a 360HP and all the goodies that came with it. This is an annoying to me as people saying that their Mopar has a Posi.
 
Have you seen the Feb issue of the Mopar Collectors Guide? Here is Goldie struttin’ her stuff on the Rapid Transit Tour this past July.

BF881D50-7B96-4206-879B-9B2DFB92DF44.jpeg
 
What is the Fifth digit of your vin? P is the hp engine for export with no cat converter. N is for USA
 
Micah Pohlman said:
Also Mopar NEVER NEVER NEVER NEVER NEVER NEVER NEVER NEVER NEVER NEVER NEVER had an option called police 'anything'! Those are Ford terms from back in the day. The E58 is simply a 360HP and all the goodies that came with it. This is an annoying to me as people saying that their Mopar has a Posi.
Click to expand...
Wow...forward to 1:55:


Well, if that phrase sets ya off like a cheap Chinese firecracker, this one oughta really get you going:
"Malaise Era"

You're welcome. :)
 
pretty sure P code 400's were USA engines as well

must disagree with "not much different than 74", unless you count every body panel and interior (except possibly the roof)

...and there is no way possible to know how many "are left"

Nice car, and I LOVE KB5!
 
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Congrats Harold, well deserved.

There is a local '75 road runner for sale. Don't know what the asking is. Looks pretty good from the road.
 
I agree with most of your comments, but our old Mopars are victims of their times.

As far as the Volare RR package, the E58 engine, it was as good stock as was allowed for its time. That 360 was the fastest of them all back then. Smogger that it was. A victim of the govn't.

One thing that hurts stock performance is the highway gear. Put that same gear in a 69 383 RR and see how it goes!!!

Take the F body for instance, not fast enough? Just basic hotrodding makes it all you ant it to be. Same goes for the 426 hemi, the 400, the 383, 360, etc
 
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