--> FOUND ! 1972 440-6 Road Runner : the white whale !

[1972coronet]

In my 20+ years' quest for a legitimate 1972 Road Runner 440-6 for reference and vicarious behaviour , I've finally hit pay dirt :

http://carsinbarns.b...6-plymouth.html

( pay no attention to the blogger's assertion that the gas crisis was around in 1972 . That delicious mark in history didn't happen until 21.10.1973 !)

For my fellow MoParites , you're already hip to these elusive , one-off cars ; for those whom aren't overtly familiar with these "white whale" 1972 440 Six Pack / Six Barrel cars , here's a little history :

Every-one is familiar with the 1969 1/2 -through- 1971 440 Maximum Performance engine with its Holley 2300-Series carburetteurs , 10.25:1 compression (versus 10:1 with the "standard" Hi-Perf 440) , special cam , and other host of refinements .

The 1972 brochures listed the 440-6 as being available for the 1972 model year , in the Charger Rallye (the R/T's replacement) and the Road Runner (presumably , in "GTX" guise).

It was cancelled within the first week or so of production .

http://www.hamtramck-historical.com/images/dealerships/DealershipDataBook/1972/72_Satellite_17.jpg

What made the 1972 version so special was that it was completely unchanged from its 1970-1971 form ; it still had 10.25:1 compression , which was exclusive to this engine this year (the 340 and 440 HP comp-ratios dropped into the mid-8's ; the 383 was replaced with a 400 , which had a rip-snortin' 8.2:1 compression).

Also , 1972 was the year that engines started being advertised only in S.A.E. "net" . Even with this emasculating --albeit accurate-- manner of rating h.p. , the 440-6 was advertised at 330 hp ( 390 hp from '69-'71). Big time in 1972 !!

1972 was also the year that a new Evaporative Emissions Reduction system was introduced :

- New gas tank

- Charcoal Cannister

- Overfill limiter

- A.I.R. Pump (only on Slant Six and 400 / 440 , only in California)

- Revised PCV

- "Floor Jet" EGR

And as far as I can ascertain , the 440-6 cars were lacking in all of these items !

I doubt that the Holley 2300's had provisions for a "Fuel Bowl" port for the Charcoal Cannister ; and , ostensibly , no room was provided for the installation of an A.I.R. Pump .

So , now you know why there's such a huge stink about these virtual anomalies !

For the record , there are 2 1972 Chargers equipped with the 440-6 (at least those that are accounted for...).

*Moderators : If you feel that this thread is in the wrong forum , please feel free to move it to its proper place

Edited October 28, 2012 by 1972coronet

[ChrisPflug]

Had seen the thread somewhere with Larry's Road Runner a year or two ago where he was contemplating selling to the right buyer

Also saw the red Charger "in person" years ago at R&R- at the time Ron was missing three cars for a complete set of Hemi and Six Barrel cars in every model and body style offered. While showing off the Sox and Martin 'cuda in his garage he apologized for the new Corvette parked next to it

[1972coronet]

Had seen the thread somewhere with Larry's Road Runner a year or two ago where he was contemplating selling to the right buyer

Also saw the red Charger "in person" years ago at R&R- at the time Ron was missing three cars for a complete set of Hemi and Six Barrel cars in every model and body style offered. While showing off the Sox and Martin 'cuda in his garage he apologized for the new Corvette parked next to it

I would die if I saw one of these '72 Six Pack / 6Bbl cars in person !

I , too , would apologise for having a new(er) Corvette ! If it was a '55-'57 or a '68-'73 or an '84-'90 , that'd be perfectly fine

[charlie8575]

Interesting...

Even without the actual factory-installed powerteam, that car is going to be worth a pretty penny.

I'd seriously consider building a model of it just for the weird/cool factor. I can't wait to see the results of the restoration.

Charlie Larkin

[Tonioseven]

It's cool to when cars have interesting stories behind them.

[1972coronet]

Interesting...

Even without the actual factory-installed powerteam, that car is going to be worth a pretty penny.

I'd seriously consider building a model of it just for the weird/cool factor. I can't wait to see the results of the restoration.

Charlie Larkin

The lack of its original engine is a downer ; however , it's so rare --an alleged 1-of-1 -- that its value wouldn't be negligible . Truly , a blank-v.i.n.-pad warranty block with a late 1971 casting date would be ideal ; beyond that , a simple date-coded 1971 440 HP block with "452" heads would suffice.

I've been wanting to build a 1972 R.R. 440+6 for absolutely years , both in-scale (affordable) as well as a 1:1 "tribute" . Too bad that the MPC 1972 R.R. Annual is so freakin' much money (same goes for the easily-converted 1971 reissue from 1987) .

However , using the Revell-Monogram '71 Satellite or GTX as the starting point would be a better decision . Of course , no one makes a conversion for that scale ; the Modelhaus repro stuff is for the aforementioned MPC kit (25th scale) .

[darquewanderer]

What made the 1972 version so special was that it was completely unchanged from its 1970-1971 form.

That body style was original for '71. The '70 was a last year carryover from the original B body.

And it was changed, slightly. Different 'Corporate Generic' side marker lights, modified grille, Road Runner only and new taillights. Hood side scoop stripes and over roof strobe stripes were also changed.

Otherwise, great find, I wish I had one.

[ChrisPflug]

I believe he was referring to the 440 six barrel engine package rather than the car

Earlier pic of the same car:

I have a few '72 RR projects to finish myself- this car is one of them (although probably will use a resin body for sunroof car rather than original MPC)

Edited October 28, 2012 by ChrisPflug

[1930fordpickup]

If the engine is long gone how is this car so rare?

Yes I understand that this car was ordered that way but once it has been taken apart (not to restore ) as in the engine trans is gone it is just a clone .

[ChrisPflug]

I'd have to say that most would disagree that a non numbers matching car is on the same level as an engine swap in a Sebring Plus. Many collectors have spent years looking for this vehicle and its safe to say it's the only one on the market

Pics of the red Charger- with engine- does show a charcoal canister- '71 center carbs had a hose nipple rather than an open bowl vent but the '71s were vented to the crankcase (and PCV system) through the breather. Also has a regular '72 coolant overflow system

Edited October 28, 2012 by ChrisPflug

[1972coronet]

If the engine is long gone how is this car so rare?

Yes I understand that this car was ordered that way but once it has been taken apart (not to restore ) as in the engine trans is gone it is just a clone .

There are quite a few high dollar cars around which are sans their original engines ; sames goes for their transmissions .

A "clone" , while not completely out of the realm of possibility , isn't likely .

So few are / were aware of the elusive 1972 "E87" cars, that cloning would be highly-unlikely .

The dash-mounted v.i.n. would have a "V" for the engine code ( V= 440+6 , 1970-1972 ) , whereas a clone could have an engine code of "C" (225 Slant Six) , "G" (318 V8) "H" (340 V8) "M" (400 two barrel) "P" (400 high-perf) or a "U" (440 high-perf).

I believe that these 1972's were Executive Sales orders . Thier options lists are extensive ; this one being a prime example ! It has every conceivable option !

I do admit that I can understand your cynicism

[1972coronet]

I'd have to say that most would disagree that a non numbers matching car is on the same level as an engine swap in a Sebring Plus. Many collectors have spent years looking for this vehicle and its safe to say it's the only one on the market

Pics of the red Charger- with engine- does show a charcoal canister- '71 center carbs had a hose nipple rather than an open bowl vent but the '71s were vented to the crankcase (and PCV system) through the breather. Also has a regular '72 coolant overflow system

Thanks for clarifying the Charcoal Cannister deal . I'd forgotten that in 1971 , the fuel bowl was vented-directly to the fuel tank ; can't remember wheter or not the 1970 models were the same ( I'd like to see a 1970 "N95" 440+6 or Hemi ... they'd also have turndown exhaust tips instead of the "N42" Bright Exhaust Tips ).

[Ju Ju]

but that car is red....why did you call it a white whale ? i have heard of big chrysler engines called a whale but that car is red

[Rob Hall]

but that car is red....why did you call it a white whale ? i have heard of big chrysler engines called a whale but that car is red

I assume it's in the sense of Moby Dick..an elusive object that is believed to exist and is searched for for a long time..

[Ju Ju]

oh- thanks for clearing that up for me rob hall. i'm happy you guys finally found the moby dickmobile

[1972coronet]

UPDATE : 23.08.2016: 

The red 1972 Road Runner,  RM23V2G,  is featured in the latest issue of Muscle Car Review !! What a beauty it is ; its list of options is quite extensive ( factory cassette with microphone was $300 alone in 1971 ! ) .

Now , where are the rest of the 1972 440 Six Pack / 6Bbl cars ?

[Snake45]

I read it last week (have a subscription). Very interesting!

[Bob Ellis]

I had heard CHrysler was selling HEMIs in a crate in 1972 if you wanted to stick it in the car. THe six pack 440 was listed as needing Premium gas high compression. Unlike the other engines

[1972coronet]

The crate Hemi doesn't surprise me . Lots of Pro Stock cars with factory support , not to mention NASCAR,  et al. 

The 440 Six Pack was the last high compression engine produced ; 10.25:1 compression , 330 net horsepower.