If you’re into Mopar oddballs or overlooked classics, this forgotten piece of Plymouth history might just be your next garage project. Up for grabs on eBay right now is a 1976 Plymouth Volare Road Runner barn find that’s been tucked away for over 15 years—and it’s got a few rare tricks up its sleeve.
This particular example is from the first model year when Plymouth decided to resurrect the Road Runner name—sort of. After years of being a standalone muscle car, the Road Runner became a trim package on the new-for-1976 Volare compact. That meant stripes, badging, rally wheels, and the stiffer police-package suspension. Not quite the tire-shredding brute of the late ’60s, but still a fun and unique piece of Mopar history.
What makes this one extra interesting is the drivetrain. While most of these cars came with an automatic transmission, this one was ordered with the 5.2-liter (318 cubic-inch) LA V8 and a 4-speed manual transmission—making it a much rarer combination (one of 254, to be exact). According to the seller, the engine was removed approximately 15 years ago for a rebuild that never took place. Fortunately, it’s still with the car and included in the sale.
The Volare itself has been stored indoors the whole time and looks solid for its age. The body exhibits typical signs of long-term storage, but everything, from engine parts to trim pieces, appears to still be in place, tucked away in the trunk and back seat. It’s not running right now, so plan on a full mechanical refresh and probably some cosmetic TLC too. But for someone looking to bring a unique slice of ’70s Mopar back to life, it’s a strong starting point.
Nicknamed by some as the “Last Road Runner,” these 1976–1980 models marked the final use of the name on a production Plymouth before the brand faded out altogether in 2001. They’re definitely more sleeper than street menace, but they still have a charm all their own—especially with the right wheels, stance, and a throaty dual exhaust.
One eyebrow-raising detail is the Buy It Now price: $40,000 USD. While rarity adds value, that figure is a stretch for this car’s condition. For perspective, a dealership in Milford, Connecticut, listed a clean, running 1976 Road Runner for $24,000 back in May 2025—and that was slightly below the typical auction price for restored examples.
This barn-stored 4-speed Road Runner is currently listed out of Burlington, Wisconsin, and bidding ends Thursday, July 24, 2025, at 3:02 p.m. EDT. If you’re interested in saving this survivor, now’s the time to throw your hat in the ring.
