1st post, just bought a Roadrunner

[Midnight_Rider]

Hey all, just thought I would say hello. Been lurking on the board here for a few weeks now, since dragging a 71 Roadrunner home. Needs a total resto.

Not a Charger, I know... but I figure it's like the Charger's cousin, so maybe you'll let me hang out here & soak up info -- I'm Mopar knowledge deficient at this point, coming from the Ford camp, sort of. So I need all the help I can get

Here's a quick pic:






Like I said, it needs a total resto. But it's in pretty much the same condition as my Mach 1 was when I got it, and it turned out pretty decent. So I know what I'm getting into. I hope. I've already found that parts are going to be a little harder to come by than they were/are for the Mustangs. Here's a couple of shots of the Mach (since this is the general car discussion sub-forum maybe I won't get lynched, lol):











Had this car since '99... I plan on enjoying it for a little while longer, then she'll have to go up for sale to jump start the Roadrunner resto. Bittersweet.

Anyway, like I said, I just wanted to say hello and break the ice. I've joined the 'forbbodiesonly' forum as well and it seems like a good forum, but a lot of my Google searches have led me here and I can already tell there are some good folks here and a lot of knowledge.

-Doug

[69rtse4spd]

Welcome to the site. Nice Ford, would not mind owning it. .

[68X426]

Welcome, there are lots of Road Runners around here. 

[Mopar Nut]

Welcome aboard!

[crj1968]

Nice Mach   

Good luck with the 'Runner ! 

[charge69]

Welcome aboard Midnight_Rider !!  The '69 Mach 1 is a beautiful ride !  You did very well on it !  Hate to hear you have to sell it to get the RR project running but, sometimes you just have to bite the bullet and do what you have to.

I'll be looking forward to progress reports on the RR What color was it and are you going back basically original?

[XH29N0G]

Welcome.  I have always liked that year and model.  Looking forward to seeing it when it is done. 

[Midnight_Rider]

Thanks to all for the warm welcome!

Welcome aboard Midnight_Rider !!  The '69 Mach 1 is a beautiful ride !  You did very well on it !  Hate to hear you have to sell it to get the RR project running but, sometimes you just have to bite the bullet and do what you have to.

Thank you. Yes, it is time to bite the bullet here. I'm not in a tax bracket to support multiple 'pleasure vehicles', so one at a time is my self-imposed rule. It took me 10+ years to finish the Mach 1 paying as I went, a little here, a little there. I'm not going to do that with the RR. I'd rather sell the Stang and have a lump sum to roll over into the new project so it doesn't take forever. The Mustang was basically a parts car when I got it, but it has been saved and enjoyed and now it's time for something new.

I'll be looking forward to progress reports on the RR What color was it and are you going back basically original?

I don't like to get too far from stock, as you might guess by looking at the Mustang. But I don't have the $$$/patience for the nut-and-bolt rotisserie approach either. I just like to get it looking sharp and drive it.

I plan on upgrading to front disk brakes at least, converting from column shift to either an auto on the floor or manual, and pulling the bench seat in favor of buckets. The drive train is open season for upgrades as far as I'm concerned though, but no blowers or turbos. Just want it to run good, sound good and burn some rubber. Probably a mild 440 or 451/470 stroker?

Original color is B7 Blue. Not sure if I'm going back original there or not. Leaning toward In-Violet (yeah, I know but I dig it) or maybe Winchester Gray or Slate Gray (A8) or Dark Gray (A9) metallic. I'm sure I'll change my mind 500 times between now & paint. I love black on muscle cars, but the Mustang is nicknamed 'Old Dusty' for a reason.

The car also came with a white canopy vinyl roof too, according to the fender tag. That's not gonna be going back on. If it was a rare, high-dollar car I'd be more faithful to the tag, but then again I probably wouldn't have bought it if it was.

Hope everyone is really patient, there probably isn't going to be any real progress on the 'Runner for a few months, maybe even into the spring. I have a few things to sort out on the Stang before she sells and the market may be better after Christmas is over and the tax refunds start coming in. We shall see.


edited to add:
Here is the fender tag for those who enjoy the decoding...

[tan top]

hello & welcome 

[funknut]

Welcome! That's a great looking Mustang.  Good luck with your resto!

[Laowho]

Hope you'll document the project here. I need all the help I can get.

[polywideblock]

hello welcome to the site    plenty of road runner owners on here   

[moparnation74]

Welcome!

Sweet Mach I, stunning car.....

There are also many more roadrunners over on http://www.forbbodiesonly.com 

[polywideblock]

 

[41husk]

welcome aboard

[RallyeMike]

Welcome.

You'd think B7 would be a common color, but it's not really. Looks like you also had AC, so all in all a pretty neat car in my opinion. Those two items together make for a pretty unique 71 RR.

The 71 RR is essentially the same as a 71-21 Charger except for sheet metal and some of the interior parts and patterns. Same firewall, floor pans, steering column, console, seat frames, dash, suspension, running gear, etc. .....so you will find lots of relevant discussion topics and helpful advice here.

[Fitz73Chrgr]

Beautiful Mustang.  Both of your cars are on the list of best looking muscle cars made in my opinion.  Shame the Mustang can't stay around, but looking forward to following your RR resto. 

Welcome! 

[Charger_Fan]

Old Dusty turned out beautiful! Is it an auto or 4-speed?

Looking forward to your resto progress on the RR, once you get under way.

[Midnight_Rider]

Welcome!

Sweet Mach I, stunning car.....

There are also many more roadrunners over on http://www.forbbodiesonly.com 

Thank you. I have started a resto thread over there, to act as a placeholder until I get going (I actually signed up on that forum first).

Hope you'll document the project here. I need all the help I can get.

See my reply to moparnation74, above. I guess I could always copy/paste here as well... I wouldn't rely on me as any sort of a point man on your resto though -- this is my first go at a Mopar. I mean, there have been some in the family before  - 70 Valiant /6, 72 Dart Swinger 318, 67 Chrysler Newport 383... but those were just transpo back then. Guess I'm trying to say at this point I'm more student than teacher, lol.

Welcome.

You'd think B7 would be a common color, but it's not really. Looks like you also had AC, so all in all a pretty neat car in my opinion. Those two items together make for a pretty unique 71 RR.

The 71 RR is essentially the same as a 71-21 Charger except for sheet metal and some of the interior parts and patterns. Same firewall, floor pans, steering column, console, seat frames, dash, suspension, running gear, etc. .....so you will find lots of relevant discussion topics and helpful advice here.

Yep, sounds like lots of overlap on the B bodies between divisions. I actually went to look at a 72 Charger first the day I got the Roadrunner. One of my friends growing up had a 72 with a 340 Magnum and power bulge hood. Loved that car. Probably the major contributing factor the the 71-74 B body itch that got me looking for a project.

Both of your cars are on the list of best looking muscle cars made in my opinion.

I think they have nice lines. Modern cars are certainly very efficiently designed, but just aren't as aesthetically pleasing to me in general. There's artistry in the old stuff. Most new cars look the same to me.

Old Dusty turned out beautiful! Is it an auto or 4-speed?

Looking forward to your resto progress on the RR, once you get under way.

It had a TKO 5-spd in it for a while but I had a little vibration at highway speeds that we couldn't quite eliminate due to driveline angle. I didn't want to cut the tunnel, so I ended up putting in a 4R70W auto with a Baumann controller, which is what's in it now. It's nice - you can set your shift points, lockup etc. how you like it.

[chargerboy69]

Absolutely beautiful Mustang.  In no way could I give up the Mach I to fund the Roadrunner, but thats just me. Best of luck to you in the restoration.  

When she does go up for sale make sure you post in the classified section.  I know she would look good parked in my shop.  

[Midnight_Rider]

When she does go up for sale make sure you post in the classified section.  I know she would look good parked in my shop.  

I've got a few people interested in the car locally, gotta keep my word & give them first shot but you never know. I'm only about 60 miles from Ft. Wayne.