Road Runner Nest

Hey all, this 74 Road Runner listed on EBAY is apparently an original U-code car, so couldn't he list it as a GTX?


eBay Link

I suggested to him that he may garner more interest in it since it's a GTX via the 440 option, and this was his response:

Thanks, I have heard that myself, but some books say it is a GTX, and some don't. In Galien's paper work it doesn't say anything about being a GTX, but I think I will add it anyway. Thanks again

Maybe Galen has a problem with this year of car being called a GTX? Same rules applied in 72, so...what gives?

If this car has the GTX option then the emblem holes should be visible near the 440 decal. A friend of mine bought a 74 with the 400, and it had the GTX option. One emblem was missing but you can clearly see the holes on the other side of the hood. The car had no hood stripe, but it had the full body stripe. He since then sold it a few years ago. He now has another 74 with the 440 and the GTX option.

Hmm. Again, that doesn't jibe with what I've always read, which was that any car ordered with a 440 from 72-74 was badged as a GTX. Never heard of a 72-74 GTX with a 400 either.

I guess there are more answers then questions, but that was the only combo I have seen here in the Pacific Northwest. I have gone to Washington , Oregon, and Vancouver BC Mopar shows. And to this day have not seen one like that. It was a true 400 car though. Another mystery to seek. LOL

I use Allpar for a lot of Mopar research and I've taken this straight from the site:
Dave Wilson wrote:


In 1972, the GTX, though dropped as a model line of its own, remained as a RoadRunner option. Any RoadRunner ordered with the 440-4 engine in 1972-1974 was, technically, a GTX option package. If you look on the Heminet registration pages you'll see many RRs - including mine - listed with "Model variant: GTX" and often seen as RoadRunner/GTX which confused a lot of people (it still does). However, this didn't mean much more than having the larger 440 engine, heavier torsion bars to hold it up (0.92" diam. instead of the stock 0.88"), and getting three "GTX" emblems glued to the car - one for each fender and one on the trunk next to the "bird-in-circle" decal.

You should also note that, starting in 1972, engines were rated in NET horsepower instead of GROSS horsepower. The 1972 engines were not that much different than their 1971 counterparts - except for the electronic ignition. Unfortunately, Detroit did not disseminate this information very well and 1972 RoadRunner sales were the lowest ever. Sales went back up in 1973 and 1974, though not as high as their pre-1972 years.


In fact, according to what I've read, the Bulge Hood I'm prepping for paint and decals is a 74 GTX hood. I can still see where the emblem was placed. Hmmmm. . . .I think I need to find a comparble satellite emblem for the same spot!

when you ordered the Gtx package in 72 74 road runneryou got the 440 and you got boxed in springs which the 340,360,400,318, do not have,

so no 400 gtxs


getting three "GTX" getting three "GTX" emblems glued to the car - one for each fender and one on the trunk next to the "bird-in-circle" decal. in glued to the car - one for each fender and one on the trunk next to the "bird-in-circle" decal. in 1972.
in 73 74 the gtx emblems are on the hood

the rear end is 8 1/4....is this correct for a 73-74 bigblock B-Body??

Are you sure that's not a 9 1/4?

Well what ever the case might be, to this day my friends 400 GTX is still the only one I have seen to this day. And like I said it was a number matching car , a true 400 with the GTX option package. To 71 440 gtx, I do not want to start a arguement, but that is the only car I have seen with this option. Rest in Peace. LOL

In 72-74 there really was no such thing as a GTX option that you checked a box for. You got GTX emblems when you ordered a car with a 440 in it. It has become known a the GTX option which is really not an option at all

Larry

How about I give you one of possible reasons:
1. The 400 roadrunner had the GTX pieces added by a person after the fact.

A GTX package is an E86 option from the factory. in 72 73 74 road runner It only came one way...with a 440. on a 72-73-74 u in the vin number

71440 gtx wrote:How about I give you one of possible reasons:
1. The 400 roadrunner had the GTX pieces added by a person after the fact.

A GTX package is an E86 option from the factory. in 72 73 74 road runner It only came one way...with a 440. on a 72-73-74 u in the vin number

I Agree!

Lets settle this like gentlemen and get some pics of the broadcast sheet and the fender tag....

What has been posted here is correct. From 72-74, the GTX did simply become an option package on the Road Runner. The "GTX package" simply consisted of the 440 and the necessary suspension upgrades to support it, and the emblems. All 72-74 Road Runner/GTXs carry an RM23Uxxxxxxxx VIN.

Production numbers from the white book:

72: 672 total, 219 4spd / 453 autos
73: 749 (all autos)
74: 386 (all autos)

73runner, like you said, I'm not trying to start an argument, just to ensure that what is posted here is correct info. Your buddy's 400 car, if it was numbers matching, by definition couldn't have been a Road Runner / GTX. It might have had the GTX emblems installed on it somewhere along it's history, and maybe even by the dealership when new. Heck, knowing how things went at the factories, the car could have come with the emblems from the factory, but the car simply wasn't a RR/GTX.

Though it being the only one you've ever seen with the GTX emblems isn't really surprising with the total production run over the 3 years of just 1807 cars, they are a rare bear.

Oops, I did forget one thing, the 2 RM23V2 cars are also RR/GTXs. Don't want to exclude a certain member's ultra-rare ride.