1973 Plymouth Satellite Road Runner

The 1971 through 1974 Plymouth Satellite, Road Runner, and their Charger and Super Bee stablemates at Dodge wore sleek, NASCAR-optimized bodies during the final years of mid-size muscle from Chrysler Corporation. These potent B-Bodies were offered with a wide range of powertrain options including the Road Runner GTX trim of which approximately 1,800 examples were built in the entire 1972 through 1974 production (749 constructed in 1973). By 1973, the 440 CID V8 V8 with four-barrel carburetion, along with most other engines, had been stripped of much of their power, with the 440 rated at 280 (SAE Net) horsepower, less than the 440 'Six-Pack' of the previous year that offered 330 horsepower. No 440 CID V8's were paired with the four-speed manual after 1972. The biggest engine with the four-speed was the code E68 400 CID V8 with 260 horsepower. The 440 CID was only paired with the 727 TorqueFlite automatic, with 3.55 sure-grip 8 3/4 rear axle gearing available.

The 1973 Plymouth Road Runner was a 2-door hardtop coupe that listed for $3,110 and attracted the attention of 19,056 buyers. This was a rather impressive increase from the prior year's 7,628 sales. Power was from an overhead valve V8 engine displacing 318 cubic inches with five main bearings, hydraulic valve lifters, a two-barrel carburetor, and delivering 150 (SAE) horsepower. It came standard with a three-speed manual transmission although a few were built with the TorqueFlite option. It had rectangular taillights and a grille that was similar to the Satellite and Sebring models with two round headlights flanked on either side. Styling continued to progress away from the aggressive and sporty persona while the industry continued to adapt to safer and luxurious standards. Like other models in the Plymouth lineup, the bumpers were built to conform to federal impact standards. Steel beam door construction was added mid-year.

All Plymouth engines for 1973 featured a new EGR (exhaust gas recirculation) system, offset spark advance, and electric choke.

By Daniel Vaughan | Jul 2015