1971 Plymouth Hemi Road Runner 4-Speed A34 Resurfaces After $200K Bid Fell Short

The Hemi Road Runner came out as a 1971 Plymouth limited-edition muscle car and is considered one of the most iconic models in the history of muscle cars. This particular example is finished in factory TX9 Formal Black, complemented with a black interior as well, and is actually one of the last models to be built before production ended 9 years later.

As mentioned above, the Road Runner name continued until 1980, though it had transitioned into an appearance package on the Volare rather than a dedicated performance model.

Exterior

This car carries the second-generation “fuselage” body style and was assembled at the Windsor, Ontario, plant. The vacuum-operated Air Grabber hood remains one of its defining visual and functional features. A V8W White Roof Strobe Stripe and G60x15 white letter tires were part of the original specification, while the A87 Road Runner Decor Group and A01 Light Package were also included. Hood Tie Down Pins, coded J45, were another selected option.

Interior

The exterior complements the interior with the same black theme, adding as well a Hurst Pistol Grip shifter, which is linked to an A833 four-speed manual gearbox.

Complete Powertrain Information

Moving underneath this exquisite and rare muscle car, this 1971 Plymouth Hemi Road Runner is powered by a 426 Hemi, which is actually noted as a period-correct over-the-counter replacement block. The A34 Super Track Pak package, priced at $219.30, delivered a 4.10 geared Dana 60 rear end, and the chassis retains the correct K-member with skid plate and Dana 60 axle.

Pricing

The base price for the MR23 Road Runner Hardtop in 1971 was $3,147.00. Adding the Hemi, the four-speed manual transmission at $206.40, and the other listed options brought the original retail total to $5,313.65, including a $74.00 destination charge.

This specific car shows 19,690.7 miles and previously appeared at the Mecum Indy 2020 auction as part of the Dr. Eric Felix Collection, where bidding reached $200,000 before the status shifted to “Bid Goes On.” It did not sell at that event. Now listed on SBX Cars, the current bid stands at $26,000, though the reserve is likely set well into six-figure territory.

Conclusion

Described as one of the most documented and rarest surviving examples from the final Hemi production year, the car has undergone professional restoration, with the body and paint rated at 9.0 out of 10 and its mechanical condition held to high standards. Whether the market meets the seller’s expectations this time remains uncertain, but the historical footing of a 1971 Hemi Road Runner rarely needs further explanation.

1971 Plymouth Hemi Road Runner 4-Speed A34 – Photo Gallery