Never been a Mopar fan but... - Lateral-g Forums

booah · #1 03-20-2013, 06:26 PM

Its true, I grew up with Chevelles, Novas, Camaros now I have a 70 Mach 1 amongst other vehicles I've had. But....
Never really been a Mopar person, the sound of the starter just...I don't it wasn't right for some reason. Love the shape of the Cuda, Charger etc. but to actually own one, didn't think I would on purpose.

Along comes my uncle, Uncle Vinny. About 8 years ago I took the kids back to Canada to see the family, big holiday from down under and stayed at my aunt and uncles house. Second and last day were there just before we leave my uncle says "oh I should show you the current project in the garage" Till then we'd been in the sheds and looked at all the other cars he's horse traded and bought, vette, willies etc. So he opens the door to the garage and there sits this huge green thing. No idea what it is, partially put together no badges other than 383.

I gave him a hand to get the dash in and he tells me this story of how he and a friend drove down to LA from Calgary when they were young in a Roadrunner. Best holiday! So he bought one when he could and this is it.

Before I left I said to him that if he ever wanted to sell to give me a call. In Australia I thought, never happen, he won't sell this. 7 years go by and no call, didn't really expect one. Then I go to visit my parents vacationing in Yuma in Jan this year and my dad pipes up that Uncle Vinny wants to sell the car to me. So I give him a call, I think about the reality of getting it to Aus and the tiny little parking spaces we have and next thing you know I've said I'd buy it.

Now I start researching as you do and my uncle starts sending me more build photos etc and the excitement grows. I don't think I'll Pro tour it, its been put back to all original specs but that means I can do more to the Mustang and save the Roadrunner for the leisurely cruises, seat belts for six people.

Anyway just thought I'd share.

He's my favourite Uncle.

**camcojb** · #2 03-20-2013, 06:56 PM

My best friend in high school had a green 68 Road Runner, 383 4 speed. A lot of fun, and could carry a lot of people. Here's a couple pics, remember this was the mid 70's........

After some air shocks and big rear tires/wheels:

Then later with burgundy paint, mags, and a tunnel ram.

**fleetus macmullitz** · #3 03-20-2013, 07:00 PM

Welcome.

That's a good looking Mopar.

Rod P · #4 03-20-2013, 07:35 PM

welcome

intocarss · #5 03-20-2013, 07:36 PM

Welcome

My buddies Road Runner, he's owned for ever. Started out a stock 440.. Runs SS/FA in NHRA

J-440 · #6 03-20-2013, 08:14 PM

Good looking Runner!! Glad to see another Mopar and not another dang 69 Camaro!! Those things are the '32 roadster of today...they're everywhere. Welcome brother.

hp2 · #7 03-21-2013, 10:05 AM

Road Runners were high power in a lightweight car. Loads of fun! The two tone interior is a nice touch too. Teh resto crowd will love it. Myself, I never dug the steel rim look, but to each their own.

You don't need to pro tour it, but some nice aftermarket wheels and tires and an XV Level 1 suspension kit would transform its driver manners tremendously.

BTW, you can swap out that old gear reduction starter for a new, late model Dodge high torque starter. It will spin it over like nobodies business and sounds better too.

booah · #8 03-26-2013, 06:15 PM

Thanks for the comments.

Looking for a suggestion now.

I'm exporting the car from Canada to Australia through LA by an importer I have lined up. Approvals going through, forms being filled out, all good. Now we're looking for a secure drop off point for the transport company to pick up from just south of Alberta so my uncle can drop the car off knowing its safe and then have the transport company pick up and deliver to LA. somewhere in the US so that the current owner, my uncle, can take it across the border with all the documents.

Any suggestions?

DTM Racing · #9 03-27-2013, 08:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hp2

Road Runners were high power in a lightweight car. Loads of fun! The two tone interior is a nice touch too. Teh resto crowd will love it. Myself, I never dug the steel rim look, but to each their own.

You don't need to pro tour it, but some nice aftermarket wheels and tires and an XV Level 1 suspension kit would transform its driver manners tremendously.

BTW, you can swap out that old gear reduction starter for a new, late model Dodge high torque starter. It will spin it over like nobodies business and sounds better too.

Hotchkis TVS is the way to go!

hp2 · #10 03-27-2013, 09:29 AM

TVS is a decent system too, if they have their torsion bars done and ready to include. Up until recently, TVS did not include the front t-bars. That's like selling a Camaro kit without coil springs. You can have great components, but without a change in spring rate to complement the parts, you're kinda half complete.

Now TVS does recommend Bilsteins and they recently inked a deal with Fox, so they have some good shock choices. The XV kit uses Afco that have been valved specifically to their spring rates, so they have a very complimentary system that was been validated on a four post rig. THis is something I don't think anyone else has done, regardless of car line they are supporting.

On top of that, the TVS kit takes anti-dive geeometry out of the front suspension. That's fine if you have stepped up t-bars to compensate for the loss, but if you don't the nose is going drop like a rock when you step on the brakes. Yet another reason that unless the TVS kit is complete, it may not make the best choice.