76 plymouth volare (road runner) protouring??? Help please

[Snakeater]

Ok this all got started legitimately I assure you. I have a 69 firebird that is almost at a semi-completed state and I was looking for a mopar as a winter project. Local friend of mine and I were talking and I told him of my plans to build a pro- touring mopar of some kind that would be a real street sleeper. Maybe even autocross it like felton in '78 at road atlanta. He offered a 76 volare roadrunner less engine and tranny for free. So here we go. Car is in pretty dang good shape, no major rust and all panels are good and fiberglass hood is even servicable. I need some help from the mopar gods here (if there are any that aren't buildin a camaro). I would like some help with the design on this, but can't afford to drop an extra grand on a couple views. Anyone feel like a pro-bono case? I am thinking of using the drivetrain from a newer hemi powered car or truck with the 6 speed tranny and shoehorning until it fits. revamping the suspension and adding new challenger 20" wheels and tires. You guys out there with artistic ability help me out here as I am at a loss. Soon as the firebird is finished I will jump knee deep into this project and have already located a wrecked challenger that has all the appropriate parts. So am I losing my mind a little here or is this a sound idea. Input ? Snakeater

[Ron S]

I've thought about doing one of the Super Coupes myself with a new Hemi.Never been done and a Cool car. Ron

[jturkey69]

Awesome, well I had a 78 roadrunner, and while I was 19 when I had it, I did dream a bit..lol. I think first and foremost, ditch the chrome bumpers. For the rear bumper I would mod a monte ss or other plastic bumper in its place, and for the front bumper I was gonna go custom with monte SS fender pieces cut down to size, widen a laser/daytona front bumper cover to fit.(wouldnt be hard) If you want to go with flares, then look into some f150 flares, or go custom by building up some sheet metal pieces (think Monza Mirage) and simply "fatten" the wheel areas. If you wanted the rockers to match, then possibly also fabricated? For suspension....IIRC its a subframed car, so you could go with GM gear here for ease of parts, unless you wanted to run as is, which I highly doubt. If you do, well I would consider how your going to tighten up the front by bracing, and triangulating. Believe it or not those are the body mod thoughts I had back in 94 (when I was 19), and after having done the Domestic tuner thing, I know stretching any plastic/rubber bumpers is possible.

I have tons more thoughts, but lets see what you are thinking...lol...I have more time, and thoughts then money...lol

[thedodgeboys]

I like it! try http://www.reillymotorsports.com/ Bill has a piece called the Alterktion it converts the torsion bar front end over to coil over springs for better handling ride and less weight.
I Have one in my challenger its sweet I plan on adding the rear on over the winter.
A 5.7 would be inexpensive but a 6.1 would be sweet! (I also have one in my challenger)
You could go all out and do the 426 stroker motor …
A 6-speed would be a must (I have an extra one)
I would like to see some pictures of the roadrunner it sounds cool.
I bet you could get some monster tires under those fenders and you would definitely want to add lots of under car bracing look at http://www.xvmotorsports.com/products/detail/index.cfm?nPID=11 for some ideas although you will have to adapt it all over to our car it would be the only one in the crowd.

[Snakeater]

I am liking the ideas guys. Don't know about the fender flares, I think there is plenty of real estate under the fenders to do just about any tire combo that I could think of. Did a little measuring today and figure I can get a 12" wheel under the rear without much drama. The rear end in this car will be leaving shortly as it is the puny 7.25. This will be the first mod to the car getting at least a 8" under the rear or maybe even a 9" ford. I had the thought already of gutting the front end and going chevrolet with the suspension, but the more I think about it I want to keep it mostly mopar. I will start looking for some parts that will give me more adjustment in the front end as well as getting away from the torsion bars if possible. Triangulating the front end is not a bad idea if it doesn't get in the way of engine placement. I have definately never seen anything like this at the local cruises or shows and I think it will be fun to build. If i decide to go with another engine besides the 6.1 it will be a 400 stroker. A local guy here races them here and has a world of knowledge on that setup. Wonder what it will take to bolt one to a 6 spd trans? Keep the ideas coming guys I like it so far, I was having trouble getting my mind around it initially because I am not a mopar guy. I am however leaning towards the dark side. This is going to be a driver, as all my cars are. No trailer queens here, so think reliability and comfort. Can someone photoshop a 76 volare with a set of new model challenger wheels on it for me? Slammed to the ground and the wheels stuffed in the wheel wells???? I am getting a little giddy thinking about it. Snakeater

[MoparCar]

Do it! This would be great. Do a little research on Mopar "Kit Cars" of that era. They offered the Volare/Aspen kit cars as a low cost wanna be street-race-look car deal. They had the same or similiar flares. Dang you'll be able to fit some tires with those flares. zIs this one of the street kit cars? Looks like it. They also offered a true race kit car through the Mopar Performance Direct Connection program.

http://www.tomlaferriere.com/1978_Do...hard_Petty.htm

http://www.allpar.com/model/aspen.html

Nice, Wes

[blown9746]

My buddy in hs had a super coupe. definitely a disco era car. man did we have some fun times in that car though

[Snakeater]

my opinion is that this is going to take some major body modifications to get a smooth clean look. Anyone with the ability feel free to photoshop, keep the ideas coming here guys. I can pretty much do any mods that will be needed, just the creativity to concive them is what I lack.............snakeater

[jturkey69]

I will try my hand at something, but I think a member here by the SN Allkar? seems to know his stuff at photoshop. so lets ditch the bumpers and come up with some ideas.
Ok first off lets down size the pic up there so I quit screwing up my replies...lol.

Ok found this, and while its a start, I think ditching the bumpers and makeing a slight transition would make the car look killer, maybe even adding a front from a Dodge Mirada could work. The flares are a bit much, but does give the idea of how much rim and rubber could be stuffed in there. Im definitely loving the color..lol

[Bjkadron]

I think it is sweet! I'll get back to you on looks...