My 71 Road Runner 340/727 F7

[71 Runner]

Well, the day has finally come around. Bought my 71RR my senior year of HS in 1976 for $1,500. The poor girl had engine trouble in 89 and I planed on restoring her back then and life got in the way. The usual of coarse, kids,grandkids, no place to work on her. When you have the time you don’t have the money and so one. She’s going to body and paint on Wednesday. The wife and I dated in this car and after 45yrs I told her it’s been to long and I put my foot down!
( Yeah, I got on my knees and begged pretty please)

 

[RRGTX]

good luck with the resto, keep us updated

 

[Darter6]

When you have the time you don’t have the money

I hear that !! Good luck with your project. I hope you have someone good doing the work and it doesn't end up in body shop "Jail".

 

[bandit67]

As sad a shape she had fallen into, at least you were able to hang on to her. And appears you kept most ALL the parts. That is half the battle to me not having to find reusable core parts. Do her well, she has been patiently waiting quite awhile for you......keep us posted up on this venture....best wishes.

 

[PlymCrazy]

…and after 45yrs I told her it’s been to long and I put my foot down!
( Yeah, I got on my knees and begged pretty please) …

Spoken like a true veteran of marriage.

Love the story. One of success IMO and glad to see you’re making the resto happen. Any pics you can share of the ‘71 in her yester-years? And Congratulations!

Greetings sir, and welcome to FBBO from NY!

 

[Runcharger]

Congrats on keeping it all these years. That body should easily be painted in a month in that condition. You're at the place eastern guys are after about 3 years of looking for panels, welding and grinding.

 

[ct71rr]

Congrats on keeping it all these years. That body should easily be painted in a month in that condition. You're at the place eastern guys are after about 3 years of looking for panels, welding and grinding.

Yes, very true!!!

Nice project you got there and another ‘71 RR, yes!!!!! Please keep us posted on the progress. Originally green?

 

[71 Runner]

Thanks for all of the positive support. It has just broken my heart to see here in such sad shape. The wife tried to get me to sell her off for years but I just couldn’t do it!! My high school sweetheart became a women in that back seat and still have both!

Oh she is defiantly going to a very good place for the core refresh. She’s a complete car but I am dropping in a stronger heart. Going to put a 440 in her.

DIVINE 1 CUSTOMS

 

[Rusty34]

A huge plus here is you are doing this job right now when interest in them is at an all time high and there is now lots of support and parts sources for these cars!

 

[JDmac72chrgr]

LOOK HOW CLEAN & RUST FREE THEM FLOORS ARE!!
Great story, GREAT shape start of project!! GOOD LUCK

 

[71 Runner]

Well, it has been a while since I pulled out the interior and hauled her to the shop to get in the Q. The day has finally arrived. She went inside and on the lift yesterday 3/5/24 for her journey to begin. I didn’t realize how much time has passed since I dropped her off and waiting for this day to come. The guys are getting after it!

 

[71 Runner]

The engine is at the speed shop for a stroker build and should be done in a couple months.

 

[71 Runner]

I know most will not agree with some of my choices but this is the plan.

I am removing the 340/727 and replacing it with a 440/505 stroker and Holley Snipper. Converting the auto trans to a Tremec 6 speed with hydraulic clutch. I do plan on keeping the # matching 340 but the trans
was long gone in 78.

Putting on full QA1 suspension front and rear with adjustable 0”- 2” drop spindles front and 4 link coil over on the rear. It’s on the floor under the car in the second pic. Removing the 4 wheel drums and putting on 12inch 4 caliper Wilwoods I’m keeping the 8 3/4. Going to run 15/8’s on the front 15/10’s on the rear, American racing Cragar style wheels. I’m having them do a 2” mini tube in the rear.

I ordered the full top to bottom original color interior from Legendary. I wanted it to look just like it did when I bought it. The remaining pieces (upper door and rear panels) were delivered last week. It took them 416 days to complete my order It’s a non A/C car and I’m still on the fence whether I add it or not but I do live in Vegas

I am planning on spraying the F7 back on it even though it was repainted bright orange when I bought it. This picture is not my car but it is what I want it to look like, except the wheels.

 

[mpgmike]

I love that brown interior. I'm a fan of the dark green. There was a '72 RR with a gold rear strobe stripe I fell in love with. The gold would accent the brown interior nicely.

 

[71 Runner]

The new seats came out perfect!

 

[#41]

Congrats on getting this project going. Pretty cool to have had the same car for long

 

[71RRHI]

Nice project. I like them Green.

 

[71Beeper]

You should be able to get the look with factory suspension components.

 

[Cranky]

Looks like it has a nice set of bones! Has it been sitting outside in Vegas for a lot of years? Can't leave anything sit outside around here unless you like rust a corrosion....and sitting under a carport is better but not much.

 

[71 Runner]

Looks like it has a nice set of bones! Has it been sitting outside in Vegas for a lot of years? Can't leave anything sit outside around here unless you like rust a corrosion....and sitting under a carport is better but not much.

Yes it has for about 35 year. It’s had a tarp on it 30 of those years though but out in the sun. It did a real number on the soft parts but didn’t hurt the sheet metal very bad. We only average 2.5” of rain a year and very little humidity as well.