Market Watch eBay: 1976 Volaré Road Runner

Classic car dealers aren't actually crackheads but sometimes you have to wonder. 

For the classic car hobby especially the popular muscle cars there is plenty of market data. Car asking prices, check. Car selling prices, you know the actual value, check. For many segments of the malaise muscle car era that data doesn’t exist. That is true of the small yet passionate F-body cadre. No, not Camaro and Firebird. The Mopar guys into Aspens and the Volaré. The Mopar F-body covers everything from mild mundane transportation to wild…okay wildish. Aspen R/T and Volaré Road Runner carry the big price tags, along with limited edition types like Petty Kit Car and Super Coupes. As wagons have become popular so too are the F-body wagons. Some folks, the owners. They like seeing the prices of these cars going up. Some folks, like the ones who let one getaway but want another don’t like seeing prices rise. They quip how that clean, rust-free Aspen R/T with the modified 360 V8 isn’t worth the asking price. Because they bought one for $1,500 during Y2K. The truth is we don’t really know, there just aren’t that many bought and sold. Yet each time one gets listed we get a gleam on where the market is for these cars. 

They are still a RWD Mopar bargain. Many already small-block equipped or ready to receive that 440 you built last winter. Still some are starting to cross into A-body money, the much more popular Duster and Dart Sport. A choice can come down to a really sweet and well sorted out Volaré Road Runner vs a rougher but all there Duster 360. Cars in the $14-18K range. Now too many classic car dealers see “Mopar” and start pricing these way off the mark. 

“Dude, I can buy a real muscle era Road Runner for that money”.

That is the case with this Volaré Road Runner clone, built like the factory should have done it. Never mind emissions and fuel economy, just go with me here. Up front is a proper 383 4-barrel mated to a four-speed manual, yeah pistol grip shifter too. Headers with true dual exhaust, cats are for pussies so none of that. Beefy 8 ¾ rear axle, probably a Sure Grip…that’s a posi for you GM types. Vintage Air so your wife and girlfriend will ride along. Oh yeah, painted that cool hue that chicks like, purple. Stripes, spoilers, hood scoop…yeah, a hole cut in the hood for semi-functionality. Cragars man, Cragars. MOPAR in your FACE! That will be $32,900, son.   

I didn’t mention the nice custom touches to the interior. You know what else I didn’t mention? The crushed K-frame and oil pan that appeared to have bottomed out entirely too much. Never mind that no Volaré is worth thirty grand, not even a four-thousand original mile, T-top Super Coupe found hermetically sealed in Norm Kraus’ garage. This car is not going to fetch $25K. Okay, maybe that one guy. No, seriously that car will sit forever on that lot. Today at eBay the auction ended, we learned after 22 bids that $17K is the ceiling. Reserve not met of course. 

https://www.ebay.com/itm/1976-Plymouth-Volare-/324383706797?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&nma=true&si=9DNuKDjjEztGnIMzTm9Xr5K3Uok%253D&orig_cvip=true&nordt=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557

https://www.uniquemankato.com/vehicles/1983/1976-plymouth-volare

Now I can regale you story about a 1975 Road Runner with a similar ending but I won’t. Not today. I will point out a sensibly priced Mopar great for getting into the hobby. From a dealership/consigner. I’m not saying it worth the $11.5K asking price but it’s at a decent starting negotiation point. It’s at eBay with the Make an Offer option. A big block Chrysler with fine Corinthian Leather and cloth insert interior also A/C equipped. 

https://www.ebay.com/itm/1977-Chrysler-Cordoba/164547738658?hash=item264fcf3c22:g:PyIAAOSwR-5fPI9g

Hit us up with a like, comment or question below. Let me know if you pick up that styling Cordoba!