40 years ago today ....

bbeep79

Active Member
Joined
Jul 19, 2018
Messages
35
Reaction score
43
Location
Lake Mills, Wisconsin
Forty years ago today, I bought my '79 road runner new from Kennedy Motors Chrysler Plymouth in Watertown, Wisconsin.
I laid out a whole $6064.00 for it. I still have the car, 318 Thermoquad, Lean Burn and all, and about 108k miles. Never driven in the winter, not restored, The picture is from last summer.
1979 Road Runner 1.JPG
 

Aspen500

Well-Known Member
Joined
Feb 14, 2015
Messages
7,030
Reaction score
2,759
Location
Rib Mountain, WI
Nice car! Cool that it's you bought it new and still have it.:cool:

Not to steal your thread but, I kind of forgot my car's birthday that happened a few days ago when it turned 40. Build date is June 23, 1979. Dang, hard to imagine it's 40 years old and I've owned it since it was a young pup of only 7 years old.:eek:
 

MBDale

Well-Known Member
Joined
Aug 20, 2015
Messages
321
Reaction score
84
Location
Winnipeg Manitoba Canada
That’s a great original. F-Body Mopar taking off in popularity like a wildfire lately. Maybe I can join the anniversary party. My Aspen R/T is a ‘79 as well. Where on the fender tag do I find production date?
 

Aspen500

Well-Known Member
Joined
Feb 14, 2015
Messages
7,030
Reaction score
2,759
Location
Rib Mountain, WI
I don't have a pic of the fender tag handy but, the second line from the bottom has the month and day. It'll be the 4th number sequence from the left. Mine is '623' where 6 is the month (June) and 23 is the day. The year is right below it, center number of the three which is, of course, part of the VIN.
 

DCAspen

Well-Known Member
Joined
Sep 27, 2011
Messages
1,420
Reaction score
337
Location
ct.
No,that is your order number,608 is your build date,June 8th of 1979
 

old yellow 78

Well-Known Member
Joined
Aug 28, 2015
Messages
1,307
Reaction score
454
Location
near Allentown, PA
It was 41 years ago in May that I bought my first F. It was a '76 Volare Premier wagon in dark brown with no wood sides and butterscotch 60/40 interior in that woven vinyl that was offered only the first year. It had a /6, four speed, and no air. Much like OY only more trimmed out. I loved that car and drove it all around the USA in the summer of '78. I loved that car and I really wish I still had it. You are really lucky and smart to have kept yours. Beautiful car!
 

8T2TOP

Well-Known Member
Joined
Nov 10, 2016
Messages
242
Reaction score
32
Location
Phoenix
WHY watertown? You live there?
Hub or Milwaukee area dealers didn't have/order one?
This one was on the lot?
 
Joined
Jul 18, 2018
Messages
11
Reaction score
1
Location
Michigan
Beautiful 79 Roadrunner love that you bought it new. I have a 77 Super Coupe that I also bought new in 78 she has only 74,650 miles on her keep our F-body strong
 

old yellow 78

Well-Known Member
Joined
Aug 28, 2015
Messages
1,307
Reaction score
454
Location
near Allentown, PA
It's really hard to believe that these cars, even the later M's and J's, are SO OLD! :eek: I remember when they were everywhere! Where has the time gone? o_O
 

Billy007

Active Member
Joined
Feb 18, 2017
Messages
35
Reaction score
38
Location
Wisconsin
This is soooo cool! I wanted one when new too, but I was in college, a no go. Have any interior shots? Engine shots? Does it have air? What other options? Do you use it for vacations, etc? I bet it is a nice cruiser. I am so glad I restored my 83 Mirada, taking her to Iola on Friday of next week. Will you be there?
 

bbeep79

Active Member
Joined
Jul 19, 2018
Messages
35
Reaction score
43
Location
Lake Mills, Wisconsin
WHY watertown? You live there?
Hub or Milwaukee area dealers didn't have/order one?
This one was on the lot?
This one sat on the lot from January until June of 79 when I bought it. Watertown is about 16 miles from my home, I was a senior in high school and drove over every weekend to see if it was still there. I worked nights and weekends all through high school to have the cash to buy a road runner, and this turned out to be the one.
 
Last edited:

bbeep79

Active Member
Joined
Jul 19, 2018
Messages
35
Reaction score
43
Location
Lake Mills, Wisconsin
This is soooo cool! I wanted one when new too, but I was in college, a no go. Have any interior shots? Engine shots? Does it have air? What other options? Do you use it for vacations, etc? I bet it is a nice cruiser. I am so glad I restored my 83 Mirada, taking her to Iola on Friday of next week. Will you be there?[/QUOTE

1979 Road Runner 5-7-2015 6.JPG


1979 Road Runner 5-7-2015 7.JPG


Window Sticker 79 Road Runner - Copy.JPG

The car was ordered by the dealer, build date of Jan 5, 1979. 318 4bbl, HD suspension with sway bars, aluminum wheels, buckets, console, AM/FM. fairly plain. Have taken it on vacation to the Tennessee,N.C. Kentucky region a couple of times. the 2:40 gears help me get 20 mpg on the highway if I keep it under 70, so the secondaries don't open up. Wanted to post a better image of the window sticker and build sheet, there is more information under my profile in the Gallery/Photo Garage. Don't hesitate to post pictures of your car here !!
 
Last edited:

8T2TOP

Well-Known Member
Joined
Nov 10, 2016
Messages
242
Reaction score
32
Location
Phoenix
Never knew 318 4bbls were available,until 81 and later when 360 went away.
Awesome car,story and from sconnie a+..
 

Billy007

Active Member
Joined
Feb 18, 2017
Messages
35
Reaction score
38
Location
Wisconsin
View attachment 35524

View attachment 35525

View attachment 35526
The car was ordered by the dealer, build date of Jan 5, 1979. 318 4bbl, HD suspension with sway bars, aluminum wheels, buckets, console, AM/FM. fairly plain. Have taken it on vacation to the Tennessee,N.C. Kentucky region a couple of times. the 2:40 gears help me get 20 mpg on the highway if I keep it under 70, so the secondaries don't open up. Wanted to post a better image of the window sticker and build sheet, there is more information under my profile in the Gallery/Photo Garage. Don't hesitate to post pictures of your car here !!


That RR is in fantastic shape, I love it!! Those wheels are pretty rare too. Also, I always thought the 4bbl 318 was only for California, glad to see I was wrong all these years. /// I have posted here before, but I think not this shot. If anyone is going to Iola, WI next week, I will see you there!

Capture Mirada right side.PNG
 

bbeep79

Active Member
Joined
Jul 19, 2018
Messages
35
Reaction score
43
Location
Lake Mills, Wisconsin
Beautiful Mirada !
The 318 4bbl in my car came with the California emissions package, which included an air pump. I believe that was the only way to get that engine/carb combination. Also, I think ‘79 was the first year it was available.
 
Last edited:
Back
Top