Richard Petty's Road Runner Is a Rolling Piece of NASCAR History

Champion Pedigree

No NASCAR driver, and few race car drivers in any other series, can hold a candle to "The King" Richard Petty. Petty simply dominated the track during his long and illustrious career, racking up championship after championship. In 1971, that was accomplished in this very car - a Plymouth Road Runner that's now headed across the block at Mecum Auctions.

Photos: Mecum Auctions

Money Maker

Petty was a regular on the podium throughout the '70s, securing a NASCAR Grand National championship in 1971, 1972, 1974, 1975 and 1979. The '71 title he won in this car was actually his 3rd, yet it also helped Petty secure $1 million in career earnings.

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End of an Era

And if that isn't enough history for you, this car was also the very last to win a NASCAR Grand National championship using a production-based body and engine.

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One of Two

Amazingly enough, this Road Runner was also just one of only two Chrysler fully sponsored factory cars for 1971. In 1972, Petty would pilot a Dodge for part of his campaign.

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Total Success

The Plymouth proved to be incredibly successful, racking up an amazing 19 of his 21 wins in the 1971 season, as well as 38 top-five finishes.

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Correct Spec

Today, this incredibly successful racer has been fully restored to its original 1971 spec. That includes the iconic NASCAR-spec 426 Hemi, complete with its "bathtub intake."

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Stout Drivetrain

The stout powerplant is backed up by an A833 4-speed manual transmission with (of course) a Hurst shifter and an 8.75-inch Mopar rear end. 

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Iconic Color

On the outside, no one would ever mistake any Petty Blue racer for anything else. It was a sight drivers didn't want to see in their rearview mirror back in Petty's prime, but certainly a welcome one today.

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Making Changes

Petty's crew received the Road Runner as a "body-in-white," then proceeded to make necessary changes. That means things like blocked off head and taillights, revised aero, and of course, steel racing wheels.

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Important Car

This car was Petty’s last Plymouth-sponsored ride, the first STP-sponsored car, and the last Plymouth that Petty drove in competition. And if that doesn't make it one of the most important race cars in history, we don't know what will!

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