1975 Plymouth Road Runner

The 1975 Plymouth Road Runner, part of the Fury Group and intermediate-size line of vehicles, was priced at nearly $4,000, and just 7,183 examples were produced. The base engine was an overhead valve V8 engine displacing 318 cubic inches and offering (SAE) 145 horsepower. A 360 cubic-inch four-barrel V8 engine was available for an additional $202. The Road Runner was actually an option on the Fury line. It added rear deck graphics which spelled out the vehicle's name on the back of the car, along with roadrunner emblems.

Plymouth had introduced the mid-sized Road Runner in 1968 and it would remain in production through 1980. From 1968 through 1970, its wheelbase measured 116 inches and it had a length of 202.7 inches. In 1971, with the arrival of the 'Second Generation' of styling, the Road Runner's wheelbase shrunk slightly to 115 inches, and its length grew to 212.4 inches. This generation of styling, continuing through 1974, had a more rounded 'fuselage' design with a steeply raked windshield, deeply inset grille and headlights, and a hidden cowl.

All-new styling arrived in 1975 with a more formal stance, B-Body platform, and could be optioned with a luxurious interior. Styling was similar to the Fury, distinguished by a blacked-out grille, special stripe treatment, and Road Runner nameplates. It had a heavy-duty suspension with front and rear sway bars, Rallye 15- or 15-inch wheels, a standard 318 CID V8, and a three-speed manual or three-speed TorqueFlite automatic. The 360 CID V8 (Code E58) with 220 horsepower and the three 400 CID V8s were available with the 3.21 axle ratio gearing.

Just over half of the 1975 Road Runners were built with the 318 engine.

By Daniel Vaughan | Jul 2015