When everything was completed, the car was returned to Wayne's garage where he thrashed for weeks to put everything back together. He finished it in September 2009, almost three years to the day he started in September 2006. He took it to his first local show that month and won best Mopar. The attention was enough to bring him back for more and he went on to take second place at Monster Mopars in both 2009 and 2010. This year, he plans to take the car to the NATS to see how he does.
Wayne can take pride in knowing that he took everything apart in this car and now presents it in a package that rivals any car out on the show field. "There's not a single item on this car that I haven't touched, replaced, or restored." His winning record is indicative of this, too. So sometimes it can pay off to talk with strangers as it led Wayne to four terrific Mopars, his favorite being this '71 Road Runner.
"There's not a single item on this car that I haven't touched, replaced, or restored." - Wayne Bradley
Fast Facts
'71 Plymouth Road Runner
Wayne Bradley, Carrier Mills, IL
Mopar Power
- Engine: Steve Whitehead at Mac-Weld carefully disassembled the numbers-matching engine. It was thoroughly rebuilt to prepare for the second leg of its life and features a Mopar Purple Shaft cam and Hemi mufflers. "It's bone stock down to the Carter AVS carbs!"
- Transmission: Jim Randolph in Harrisburg, Illinois, rebuilt the 727 to factory specs.
- Rearend: Original 8-3/4 rear is rebuilt with original 3.23 gears and axles.
Sure Grip
- Suspension: Completely stock restored.
- Wheels/Tires: Original 14-inch Rallye wheels wearing Uniroyal Tiger Paw GTS P225/70R14 tires.
- Brakes: Front 12x3-inch drums. Rear 12x2.5-inch drums.
High Impact
- Paint/Body: Mike Thomas at J&M Auto Body in Cambria took the complete car that Wayne delivered, transformed all the panels into super-straight works of art, and gave the car consistent gaps throughout. Once the car was straight, it was sprayed in Inferno Red Crystal Pearl.
- Interior: Jim at Mild 2 Wild took the stockpile of parts from Year One and Legendary Auto Interiors to replace the carpeting, door panels, seat covers, and headliner. The dash was sent out for restoration, and Wayne rebuilt the heater box and steering column.
When Wayne got his first Road...
When Wayne got his first Road Runner at 16, it was also powered by the 300-horse 383 engine option. The only difference is that this one doesn’t have a third pedal.