1973 Roadrunner Project

[Jacks_Runner]

Greetings from Long Island. Finally got my barnfind home 4 months after I found it. Rough winter. It's been stored under a cover for over 30 years by second owner. It was a former drag car and its showing a believable 13,000 mile on clock. Original paint, stripes and interior in pretty good shape with expected patina. First order of business when I rolled it out of the trailer was to search for broadcast sheet which I was lucky to find intact under rear carpet. Original 340 car but has no drivetrain. I already found an aluminum head 440 and built 727 fo it. Looking to clean it up and preserve it. Will be looking for tips on how to get it into shape without compromising originality. Will post as I go along. Thanks.

 

[bigbear]

Niiiiiiiiiiiice !

 

[HYRDGOON]

Wow!! What a find!!

Like to hear more of the story of how you came across this beaut!

 

[Mywifehatesmyhobbie]

amazing find. I wish a 72 would land in my lap like that one.

 

[MT_Mopar]

Wow Jack, that car is awesome, keep us up to date on the drivetrain progress.

Nice

 

[roadrunnerman]

MAN!!!!!!!!!!!! Is that a nice car. A little wax and buff and it will shine like new,

 

[Photon440]

That!!!

Sure is nice to see such a fine specimen come out of hiding. Congrats on a great looking car, and good luck on getting it running again.

 

[Jacks_Runner]

I would like to thank the car community at-large for relegating the 73 to the undesirable list compared to the earlier cars. I have benefitted greatly by buying a car that I like for realistic money. I love my green-headed stepchild. Seriously though why are these cars still so under valued? If this thing were a 71 440-6 it would probably be 45k as it sits. I understand collector car values as a whole but this post 72 negativity seems way off to me. Anyway, I'm happy with my purchase, and I know it because I didn't have that sinking feeling of buyers remorse when I got it home and started poking around it. Looking forward to building it. Commentary welcomed. Jack

 

[Jacks_Runner]

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Could not help but mock up the factory exhaust tips that came with the car. I had purchased these 1973 NY plates complete with nice 73 sticker at an antique shop last summer long before I knew I would be buying a 1973 car. What a great fit.

 

[old_skool]

Nice find....Long Island has barns?imp4:

 

[barnfind]

Im just Droooooooolnn

 

[Jacks_Runner]

Nice find....Long Island has barns?imp4:

LI does have barns, but they are certainly all picked clean of anything good. This came out of Upstate NY near Syracuse. 14 hour round trip to fetch it. I also found my 40k mile original 79 Z28 4 speed from same area a few years ago.

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That's interesting, new definition of flipping a car...

 

[steved033]

wow! great find! 71-74's are my favorite. I'd keep it "pure" and put a built 340 in it.

sjd

 

[roadrunnerman]

LI does have barns, but they are certainly all picked clean of anything good. This came out of Upstate NY near Syracuse. 14 hour round trip to fetch it. I also found my 40k mile original 79 Z28 4 speed from same area a few years ago.View attachment 181561

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That's interesting, new definition of flipping a car...

Is this the car they were thinking of using first in the Men In Black tunnel scene?

 

[Jacks_Runner]

Not a fan of MIB, but it is very black.

Started cleaning underside of RR over weekend and happy to find only surface rust. Does anyone know if Canadian cars were factory under coated? Its coming off in sheets in places so I think I can successfully remove all undercoating. I would like to stay factory correct on underside but don't want to have any undercoating. I removed the gas tank and it seems everything was sprayed a flat or semi gloss black first then undercoating wherever they could hit. I'm assuming in 73 they stopped body color on the underbody, can anyone confirm that, or is each car and factory different in treating underbody. I would be happy with a clean black underbody when done. Can anyone suggest what flavor of gloss would be close to factory? I'm thinking matte or satin. Also could use suggestions for other underbody finishes like springs, rear, center section, k-frame etc. Thanks.

 

[roadrunnerman]

Not sure about Canadian cars. I think that was left up to the dealer and the person buying/ordering the car. If I remember correctly, my 74 had undercoating and was used for a local cop car so they might have had it done. It was not painted body color.

 

[747mopar]

Wow, very nice. I've always liked that dark green too.

 

[73Bitterbird]

theres still a good amount of barn finds in upstate ny. thtas where I found my 73 lemon twist. jack that is one beautiful mopar u have.

 

[Jacks_Runner]

Dirty work underway...

Pretty happy with solid sheet metal on car. Stripped undercoating and cleaning up surface rust, preparing to paint. Any 73 owners out there with original undercarriages? I am fairly certain they used a flat black on the underbody from factory as it was pretty well preserved under gas tank. Anyone know correct paint to use? I am probably going to use Rustoleum Pro Flat black on sheet metal and semi-gloss/satin on k frame and cross members. I will preseve any of the factory green on frame rails. Have all new stainless lines and new gas tank ready to go in. Carlisle was awesome, came home with lots of goodies for project. I guess game is on...

 

[snakeyes]

wow nice car looks nice and clean ,see you have been working away on your bird looks very nice thanks for the updates great pictures :headbang: