Catch Mopar fever with these five finds $30K and under
There are a lot of great brands and models that fall under the Mopar umbrella. There are trucks, SUVs, sports cars, and of course, muscle cars.
We took a quick look around Hagerty’s Marketplace to find some interesting rides that we’d consider adding to our stable. Here are five, each from a different Mopar brand, that we spotted.
Be careful, though—once you have one Mopar, you’re surely gonna want to add another to the stable. That’s just the way it is.
1966 Chrysler Newport
We could hardly think of a better vehicle for a family road trip than this gigantic, big-block-powered Newport. The mellow, metallic green is practically the official color of late-’60s and early-’70s cruisers from the Big Three and it looks fantastic with the gray Torq Thrust–style wheels.
Inside, the ’66 Chrysler’s fan-shaped gauge cluster is a sculpture and its twin bench seats and column shift allow for plenty of room for everyone. This car was originally powered by a two-barrel version of Mopar’s 383 big-block V-8, but it has been treated to a new intake manifold and carb for better breathing. The engine wears them proudly.
1974 Jeep CJ-5
The CJ-5 was the shorter-wheelbase predecessor to the CJ-7, the 4×4 that evolved into the Wrangler. Although it has some modifications and upgrades, this resto-modded CJ still keeps things simple with its carbureted AMC 304 engine and three-speed manual transmission. Its 29-inch tires aren’t very tall compared to those on a lot of modern Jeeps, but this ’74 is also a bit more compact and would make for a fun, maneuverable runabout and trail rider.
We can practically hear the little V-8 rumbling through its headers already.
1993 Dodge Dakota
This truck hauls more than just groceries. If you’ve been waiting to dip your toes into drag racing, perhaps this turn-key NHRA Stock Eliminator Dakota is your ticket into the sport.
Its 318 small-block uses a dual-plane intake and looks rather traditional, but there appears to be a set of fuel rails that give the drag racer multi-port fuel injection. Its best elapsed time is a respectable 12.47 seconds with a trap speed of 105 mph, suggesting that the Dodge launches very hard and makes good use of its available power.
1972 Plymouth Road Runner
It doesn’t get much better than a Mopar muscle car in a High Impact color.
These fuselage-body Road Runners bridged the end of the muscle car era and by 1972 were no longer available with 426 Hemi power. Instead, they brought 340, 400, and 440 V-8s to the table, each with a four-barrel carb.
This Limelight Roadrunner is not wearing its original color, but it does come with a correct, numbers-matching 340 small-block V-8 that makes it lighter up front, a setup that’s perfect if you’re after a more nimble ride and a pro-touring build is your goal. Of course, the 340 has lots of performance heritage and potential as well.
1969 AMC Javelin
AMC was purchased by the Chrysler Corporation in 1987, so this is a retroactive Mopar.
AMCs tend to be accepted as part of the Mopar fold, however, so you would probably be welcomed with open arms at most shows. Maybe they’re included because both AMC and Chrysler had 360 V-8s, or maybe it’s because AMC was also willing to give its muscle cars wild paint colors.
This piece of AMC pony car history doesn’t have a monster engine or flashy graphics, but it does appear to be well-preserved as it still has its original engine and upholstery. The early Javelin has elegant, sporty lines that embody American style and this beautiful machine would likely be the only one of its kind at just about any car show you’d take it.
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I had a 66 Newport with a 383 that would smoke anything it would race. 440’s 340’s 400 Judge standing start / running start, didn’t matter. People were shamed that a 4dr was smoking their waxed up beauty. Hemi and 6 Pak cars took it down. This one’s a beauty !
Where did I put that Time Machine ? I could have got that Newport for $500 back in the day !
Right. And I was making $1.65/hour back then.
When I was a young lad, my friends parents purchased a new 1962 Chrysler 300 2 door, and I believed the 383 in that car only had a two barrel carb.
The point of this story was to tell how fast that car was,it was a freak, it must have come off the line with every engine component dialed in perfectly. Additionally, my friends older brother beat the living s—t out of that car and nothing ever broke. Through the years and fender benders caused mostly by his older brother, the only original sheet metal on the car was the roof, everything else was replaced at one time or another. A truly memorable car,both for speed and durability.
That reminds me of a guy I knew in high school back in the early 80’s. He had a first gen Honda Accord that he beat the hell out of. I don’t think he realized that the gas pedal could ever be in any position between not touched and mashed to the floor. As time went by it got more and more “colorful”. By the time we graduated all four doors and at least one fender had been replaced with junkyard parts from other, different color, Accords.
Curious….. Ever run against a BBB GS 455 Stage One?
I know that the 383 4bbl would out run a Chevy 409
A 383 smoking 440’s LOL. I have a very strong 383, not stock, and I couldn’t handle a good running 440 GTX
RG, I’m sure your old Newport went along pretty well, but without significant mods, I call B.S. on some of your supposed race victories.
I had a stock Police Interceptor 390 4bbl. equipped ’69 LTD (rated 325HP/450Ft-Lbs) with the optional 3:25 geared 9″ rear end back that I owed in HS (early 80’s) that was also a pretty fast car for its immense size. Heck, we’d fit 3 teenagers, in the sitting position, in the trunk when we went to drive-in movies.
Yes, I could trounce the early 1980’s Mustang GT’s, same vintage Camaro Z cars in it (Oooh! They all had 170-185HP!), ect… . BUT, having raced friends with their ’69 400-4bbl GTO’s, Olds 442s, big block Chevelles (396), etc… There is no way I could keep up.
My car was advertised with a curb weight of @ 3800# if I remember correctly. The ’66 Newport 4DR was rated at nearly 4100#. The healthy breathing stock 325HP rated 383 4bbl. wouldn’t make a Newport a rocket ship compared to even the small block “muscle cars” of the day…. Sorry.
I still have the 52,452 original miles motor and tranny from my ’69 LTD sitting in my garage awaiting a future project (my car got totaled late one night in 1987 by an off-duty, drunk-driving police officer who DIDN’T EVEN GET A TICKET FOR THE D.U.I. OR THE WRECK BECAUSE HE PERSONALLY KNEW THE COP THAT ARRIVED TO THE SCENE OF THE ACCIDENT! Long/sad story…)
🙁
Should do a “Catch Mopar Fever with these five finds $3k and under…”
Facts rule, opinions drool.
3 grand doesn’t even buy you a pair of fenders anymore!
The Road Runner! The Javin is NOT a Mopar, so what if Chrysler owned AMC then, it is still an AMC Javelin, and thete is nothing wrong with that, it’s justxNOT a Mopar. BTW, I am a proud Mopar owner,2 Challengers – 70 convertible and 74 Rallye with a 440 swapped in.
Sorry but you don’t get to make the rules 🙂 BTW I have owned about 20 Mopars since I was 18 and own 3 right . BTW, BTW, My friend has a very fast and very nice AMX and he attends all of the Mopar shows and they welcome him with open arms.
AMC is their own fold from what I’ve experienced (I am in WI) and they don’t care to be in the Mopar fold. They tend to align more with Studies, Hudsons or any of the Orphan makes.
Think again, you don’t even have a clue what you are talking about till you owned one. AMX, Hurst SCrambler and The Machine. They were all limited production and pulling just as much money as the Mopars
As the former owner of 2 ’74 Javelins, I can attest to the fact that we DON’T want to be with Mopar and they don’t want us as a part of their clique. I was usually grouped in and won the Orphan class.
well i disagree , i had a 70 340 6 pak cuda and a 1970 javelin mark donahue at mopar fest in ontario AND I WON peoples choice award with the javelin
I agree my 72 was made in Kenosha, Wi.
Definitely the CJ5. It would be a great stablemate for my TJ. I agree with Mike above ,though. The CJ5 is not a Mopar !
I WOULD TAKE THE NEWPORT IN A HEARTBEAT! What a car.
My grandma had a 66 Newport, it replaced her rusted out 58 De Soto Fireflyte. It soldiered on well into the 80’s as transportation for my cousin Regina. Rusted away just like the De Soto. Not exactly sporting ..nor fever inducing . But it had the best A/C of any automobile EVER..and I have been in many ! The compressor was a 2 cyl Airtemp that could cool a house.
And to not mention the “power brakes”, drop a feather on the pedal and you were hugging the steering wheel. Exact opposite of punching the gas.
Newport made a pretty good demolition derby car back in the day. Not as good as imperial but pretty good.
I call shenanigans on the AMCs as retroactive MOPARS. That’s like saying Cadillacs are Fords because they were built in the former Henry Ford Motor Company factory.
Ford had a 360 also. Another Mopar!
AMC had a 390. Another Ford!
Totaly different motor
Alan, the 360 Ford motor wasn’t even close to being a Mopar product. It was an FE block variation that Ford brought out in the late 60’s for use in the F series pickup trucks…
Tim, the 390 AMC motor was anything BUT a Ford product… Smaller, lighter, completely different configuration than the 390FE block. I still have a ’68 Ford 390-4bbl FE block motor w/C6 auto tranny sitting in my garage for a future project, but it won’t be put into an AMC “anything”… Probably wouldn’t even fit even if I wanted to.
Haggerty: I don’t like the way this new forum does the posting. Replies to specific posters are just thrown into the fray. Makes things confusing and unorganized… Bring back the old format; the one we had to sign-in to post anything. That was way more organized.
I agree about the posting replies, though a lot of replies sort of disappeared with the old format. What I hate about the new one is the multiple pages of posts.
I learned to drive in my fathers 1968 Chrysler New Yorker with a 440 V8 4 BBL. The car was a big bad ass beast and took down several fast cars at the time. My first car that was mine was a 1968 Pontiac GTO with a 400 V8 / 6.5 L 4BBL. Beat everything locally except the Hemi ‘Cuda
The only one of any remote interest to me would be the Road Runner, although it’s my least favorite body style of any of them.
Least favorite body style until you go over 100MPH on a long stretch of road and feel that 71 or 72 squat down instead of the front lifting and getting loose…
Does it look any better when it is traveling over 100 mph? Nope!
I am working on a 1960 Desoto fireflite hardtop. Probably the only one in UK. Doing a rolling resto but keeping it original as far as possible. Great looking car. One of the last big fin cars by mopar. Not too rusty for an ohio car. Love the V8 hemi which was around 300hp from the factory. Disappointed windscreen washers not standard fit so to keep originality I will have to use a squeezy bottle held out of the window and hope for a good aim. Lol!
The 66 was a nice looking car, folks had 65 New Yorker 413, I had a 67 sport fury Fasttop 383 great road cars but filling a 25 gallon gas tank at today’s prices scares me off. I see some beautiful mopars of that era I would love to have but then I think about that
All Nice Choices! I think you missed this one though…Cool, Rare, Under $30k but most importantly, a Mopar!
https://www.hagerty.com/drivers-club/my-garage/0lp6esaq/tvs/464cebf2-38a1-4632-975d-c23e4953db99
I like the 1966 Chrysler Newport and 1972 Plymouth Road Runner here. The Other cars are fine also.
I had a restored, stock ’77 CJ-5 with a soft top.
My daily driver in Texas for 6-7 years.
A lot of fun. Granted, I lived in a small we city and didn’t make it on the interstate much.
No AC, a radio which you couldn’t hear, probably the most fun I have had with a car. I
It was so nice to drive, and perfect for my needs, I kept my new Mercedes coupe at home.
It had a AMC V-8 and three speed, didn’t get great mileage!
Sold it for a bit more than I had in it. Can’t beat that.
Too bad the fuselage Road Runners came about at the end of the Muscle Car era, a good looking design. I’d love a Satellite wagon.
For ’68 Newport action in films, see the “Grumpy Old Men” duo.
They used a ht and sedan interchangeably, but it gets lots of screen time.
Under $30 K??
How about the young folks considering the hobby?
In the 80’s at 27 years old I acquired a 1942 Desoto coupe (with the retractable headlites functional) No issues. Interior excellent. Mechanically sound. No rust. $375 cash. Drove it 200 miles home. Probably $1200 in todays money. Drove and enjoyed it for 5 years.
Don’t want to sound like an old man but what happened to the real deals?
I agree, $30k is a ridiculously high bar for a “see what you can get for” article. Not sure why Hagerty published it.
OH I See now! This has nothing to do with the actual market, just that all of these are available for sale on the Hagerty website. So its NOT an article, just an advertisement.