1980 Plymouth Road Runner

-

Automatic

HL29GAG185260

Clear

Gasoline

Best of Show Automotive, LLC 7700 Tyler Boulevard Mentor Museum of Speed, Mentor, OH, 44060, US Phone : 440-350-1480 Email : joseph.carroll@bestofshowautomotive.com Rare 9,290 Actual Mile 1980 Plymouth Volare Road Runner Give the guys at Plymouth credit?they kept stepping up to the plate long after the government shut off the field lights and told everyone to go home. By 1980, America had pretty much written off the concept of the muscle car for good, and small cars with small engines were the wave of the future. The base Mustang engine was a 4-cylinder, the mighty Corvette wheezed out 170 horsepower, and the Mopar guys had all but killed off all the great names like Challenger, Charger, Barracuda, and GTX. However, this 9300-mile 1980 Plymouth Road Runner is proof positive that real car guys never die, they just work quietly behind the scenes, and the guys at Mopar, even during the dark years, were true car guys. Yes, you read that correctly, this car has just 9290 original miles and is in 99% original condition. The interior is amazing, and Marlon in the detail shop brought out a shine in the 30-year-old black paint that wasn't even there when it was new. Survivor? Absolutely. Aside from a small touch-up on the passenger-side quarter panel, this car sports factory paint everywhere you look, plenty enough to qualify for "survivor" status with almost any club you'd care to join. Body panels are, of course, all OEM (nobody makes reproduction Volare sheet metal), and the paint is as the factory applied it. Panel gaps are decent?again, like the factory did it?and out back, the ducktail spoiler is undamaged save for signs of age in the paint. For 1980, Plymouth dressed up the Road Runner with blacked-out trim, including the grille and a lot of the trim, giving the car a more sinister, cohesive look that actually looks pretty good. I like the square headlights instead of the round units in square housings from earlier years, and the taillights are big pieces that remain in excellent condition. And while the Pontiac guys up the street were going crazy with their stripes, decals, lettering, and birds on the hood, Plymouth kept it simple with red accents on the fenders, hood, and around the windows. It's enough to let you know that this car is not your run-of-the-mill Volare, but not so much that the car becomes a parody of itself. The bright "Road Runner" decals on the fenders and doors force viewers to remember the great years of Mopar muscle, although the Warner Brothers bird emblems are notably absent?by 1980, the Road Runner had grown up. Power comes from Chrysler's evergreen 318 cubic inch V8, now generating 120 horsepower thanks to a 2-barrel carburetor and single exhaust. Nevertheless, it moves the relatively lightweight car pretty well, and makes good V8 sounds while doing it. Aside from basic service items, the engine bay is 100% stock, and while it may not be sparkling show quality, a little elbow grease will go a long, long way on a survivor like this. The only major replacement part, aside from the battery, is the new radiator that we just ordered and will have installed within a few days. No, it's not beautiful, but it is authentic and original, and thanks to the restored cars we're all used to seeing, you can be forgiven for thinking that all cars came from the factory sparkling clean and new. This one has been undercoated since new, so rust is not an issue, but it does collect debris a lot more easily than simple painted panels might. Either way, if you owned this car in 1982 or so, this is exactly what it would look like, and it remains an outstanding benchmark for anyone interested in preserving and restoring these cars. Underneath it's solid and clean, but like the engine compartment, not quite ready for show. The original TorqueFlite 3-speed automatic clicks through the gears easily, feeding a 2.47 rear axle. There are no rust issues, all the components are still present, and it all works properly. The exhaust looks original, right down to the single catalytic converter, the shocks are OEM, and I am inclined to believe that even the FR70-14 Goodyear Eagle ST tires are original (and showing their age?they're for show only, not driving). The wheels are surprisingly cool-looking pieces that recall the old Rallye wheels of the '60s, painted red with chrome accents and a polished outer trim ring, and they're in great shape, befitting wheels that have never even seen a tire changing machine. The interior is as close to new as a 30-year-old interior can be. Is it leather? No, but it sure looks good, doesn't it? L6M6 buckets were part of the package, and they are incredibly well preserved today. The carpets are very nice, with that luxury pile that automakers were so fond of during this era. The dash is Plymouth's last gasp at a performance look, with a sporty brushed aluminum appliqué around the rectangular instrument binnacles. A console separates the seats, and is undamaged by wear or time, including the woodgrain border. The steering wheel is wrapped in matching red leather, and looks a lot like the old Tuff Wheels of yore. The door panels, headliner, and rear package shelf are time-capsule items, and the AM/FM radio with a rear speaker works properly, including the optional rear speaker. Other options include an electric rear window defroster and factory floor mats. The trunk is original, and features a full sized spare, which was a $36 option. On survivors like this, documentation is often part of the package, and you won't be disappointed here. We have the original window stickers (two of them) for the car, the original invoice from DeLuca Chrysler-Plymouth in Bedford, Ohio, and copies of the original title and registration. These are all things you'll want to have to place your car in competition in a survivor class. My research suggests that this is a fairly rare car, too, with only 496 Road Runners being built in 1980. Believe it or not, the Volare Road Runners are gaining popularity as collector pieces. The old saying that a high tide floats all boats applies here?prices of Mopar muscle continue to spiral upwards, and budget-conscious hobbyists look for ways to have fun on a smaller scale. No, it isn't a Hemi 'Cuda, but it costs a fraction as much. Unusual cars like this, especially when they have less than 10,000 miles on them, always cause a stir at car shows, so you can be the center of attention not because you spent a million dollars, but because you bought something very few people have ever seen before. Car clubs are working hard to incorporate standards for survivors into their judging rules, putting cars like this at a premium for historians. If you're looking for a fun, inexpensive way to attend the next Mopar Nationals, look no further. Call now! FACTS & FIGURES Year:1980 Mileage:9290 VIN:HL29GAG185260 Transmission Type:Automatic Type of Vehicle Title:Clear Number of Cylinders:8 Primary Color:Black Interior Color:Red About this auction & Best of Show Automotive, LLC As the world rushes into hard assets ahead of collapsing paper money, sales of top notch classic cars are exploding. Remember, they aren't making anymore #1 condition 1958 Chevrolet Impala Convertibles! In times of economic uncertainty, capital flows to the highest quality assets which contain the least amount of risk and the classic car market is no exception. The lesson is simple: buy the very best you can find! Please note that all sales are binding and final. Our cars are sold "as-is" with no warranty expressed or implied. Please carefully read the terms & conditions of the sale before bidding. Winning this auction does not entitle you to come inspect the car and decide if you want to buy it, but obligates you to complete the purchase! A $1000.00 deposit via PayPal is due within 24 hours of the auction close ... NO EXCEPTIONS.We do not release our reserve prices, as this would be unfair to the other bidders, so please don't ask!Note that our cars are on display in our showroom in Mentor, Ohio, in national print advertisements, listed for sale on our website, and listed for sale in multiple, nationally known, online dealer showrooms at all times. Since our cars are for sale in a number of other mediums, we reserve the right to cancel the auction at any time.Best of Show Automotive sells 30-40 cars each and every month to collectors worldwide. Each and every one of these cars is listed on Ebay, but only one sale, on average per month, actually occurs on Ebay. Accordingly, if you see a car you like, don't wait! Call us! When you see it disappear, it means that it sold to someone who saw it somewhere else.If you have ZERO feedback on Ebay, please call or email us to request our authority to bid on our vehicles. This car can be inspected at our 60,000 square foot office complex and showroom facility, operated as the Mentor Museum of Speed, located at 7700 Tyler Boulevard, in Mentor, Ohio, six days per week. Museum hours are 10 am to 5 pm daily, Monday through Friday, and 10 am to 4 pm Saturdays. You may stop in at any time during museum hours to view our collection. If you would like to make a sales appointment (and avoid paying the ten buck admission fee), we would be happy to schedule a personal appointment with you. To do so, contact Joseph Carroll below. For those of you who need to fly in, we can provide transportation to and from Cleveland Hopkins International Airport. We can also provide accommodations within walking distance of our facility.We can transport your new vehicle to you in one of our enclosed car haulers. Cost depends on mileage and location. Our Transportation Manager, Greg Chismar, stands ready to help you with your transport needs. For a quote, call Greg at: (440)350-1480. Greg's direct email address is: Greg.Chismar@bestofshowautomotive.com.For those international buyers, note that we've shipped cars to collectors and classic car fans world-wide for years. You can feel confident in our representations, and post-sale service. Our Transportation Manager, Greg Chismar, stands ready to help your transport & shipping needs.A common question we receive is: "do you accept trades"? We do accept trades, but will only consider #1 or #2 condition vehicles. If you would like us to review a trade, please send detailed pictures of the entire car, including the underside. Also send a detailed description which includes all specifications, facts, figures, history and documentation present with the car. Lastly, give us a clear idea of what you are seeking in trade value. Email information on your trade directly to Joseph Carroll. Joe's email address is: Joseph.Carroll@bestofshowautomotive.com.Best of Show Automotive, LLC has a valid Ohio Used Car Dealer's License. Our showroom, located at 7700 Tyler Boulevard, in Mentor, Ohio, is open to the public from 10 am to 4 pm on Saturdays, with viewing by appointment only Monday through Friday. We 100-140 incredible cars on display, and there's always something new. Feel free to stop in and meet our staff, and, more importantly, see the Greatest Showroom on Earth! Each and every one of our 25 member staff is an absolute car nut and we do this because we love cars!In addition to our main showroom in Mentor, Ohio, we own a full restoration mechanical/assembly facility and a restoration body/paint shop. We perform complete restorations for classic car fans around the globe. Best of Show restored cars have won numerous national weekends and our cars won their classes at both the 2009 Mopar Nationals and 2009 Pontiac Nationals. We own all of our facilities and have a significant investment in our business. We stand behind our work and value long-term relationships with our customers! For information on your restoration project, contact Joe Carroll at 440)350-1480. Do you want your car customized? New wheels? Air conditioning? We have a full service shop staffed with veterans who have been there and done that ?we can give you what you want! For a quote on customizing or add-on products, contact Greg Chismar at: (440)350-1480. Greg's direct email address is: greg.chismar@bestofshowautomotive.com.Check out our feedback from other customers who have purchased cars from us in the past. Here's what some of customers have to say: http://www.bestofshowautomotive.com/testimonials.html. We pride ourselves on describing our cars accurately, and, our cars really do look better in person than in the pictures! Bid with confidence!For general information, call us at: (440)350-1480. You can send an email directly to our President, Joseph Carroll, at: joseph.carroll@bestofshowautomotive.com. Joseph M. Carroll President/Sales/Purchasing 5782 Heisley Road Mentor, OH, 44060 Best of Show Automotive, LLC Phone : (440)350-1480 Fax : (440)350-1638 Mobile : (440)313-8091 joseph.carroll@bestofshowautomotive.com Greg Chismar Transportation Manager 7700 Tyler Boulevard Mentor, OH, 44060 Best of Show Automotive, LLC Phone : 440-350-1480 Fax : 440-350-1336 Mobile : 440-840-4081 greg.chismar@bestofshowautomotive.com Frank Carroll Vice President of Sales 7700 Tyler Boulevard Mentor, OH, 44060 Best of Show Automotive, LLC Phone : (440)350-1480 Fax : (440)350-1638 Mobile : (440)413-0871 frank.carroll@bestofshowautomotive.com Classic Cars Delivered Worldwide in 2009 : --> quick links View Our Showroom Contact Seller View Our other Auctions Email to Friend Best of Show Garage Copyright © All rights reserved.