The 1972 Plymouth Road Runner is One of the Rare Classics
From CRO Member James Ballard
In our final installment this week of August 2016’s Ride of the Month we feature the 1972 Plymouth Road Runner presented by nominee James Ballard. Here is some general information about the vehicle.
Note: This is not information about the actual vehicle nominated for August’s Ride of the Month, just general information on the vehicle itself. Please check the link at the bottom of today’s article to view all the actual vehicles nominated for this month’s Ride of the Month.
The 1972 Plymouth Road Runner was similar in look and design to the 1971 model, with most of the changes in the engine due to new regulations at the time regarding auto emissions. Only about 7,000 of these cars were built, which makes them relatively rare on the roads today. The Road Runner gets its name from its horn, which makes the sound “beep beep,” much like the Road Runner on the Loony Tunes cartoon shows.
Performance of the 1972 Plymouth Road Runner
The 1972 Plymouth Road Runner came with three options for the engine block, including 340, 400 and 440 CID versions. The 4-speed manual transmission came standard on the Road Runner, with a 3-speed Torqueflite automatic optional package for the transmission. The V-8 engine had a 4 or 6-barrel carburetor system. The Road Runners were rated at 160 HP.
Styling of the 1972 Plymouth Road Runner
The 1972 Plymouth Road Runner had an aerodynamic style, as shown here. Low to the ground, the body had chrome detailing and a prominent front grille. The interior was outfitted with a steeply sloped windshield and a center armrest. The seats could either be separate buckets made of leather or a single bench. This car was designed with a two door, coupe style body. Automatic locks and deluxe wheel covers were standard on the 1972 Road Runner.
What Sets the 1972 Plymouth Road Runner Apart
The 1972 Plymouth Road Runner was one of the first vehicles to use an electronic ignition system. This improved the starting time and helped keep the engine tuned up for a longer period of time, according to product manuals released by the manufacturer. Thanks to the improved aerodynamics, the 1972 Road Runner was able to drive at higher speeds with optimal handling compared with previous models.
The 1972 Plymouth Road Runner was built on muscle and used for street races as well as real races on speedways. Today, car aficionados will be lucky to catch a glimpse of one of these birds at some of the premier classic car shows. For the first time in Plymouth history, the 4-speed transmission was able to be paired with any of the engine sizes.