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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In the early 80s being one of a few Mopar cars in the high school parking lot was an honor to wear. We didn’t go with flow. And we were very loyal to the brand.
AMC had their own 304 V-8,…..another International Harvester ! ! !
Took a friend’s New Yorker for a ride. It was so smooth and quiet that when I stopped for a red light I thought it stalled. I kept trying to restart it, until I heard the grinding.
I sold my 68 Road Runner that I bought new, in 1974 for $1200, for traveling money to come to Ca.
Just like most everything else these days, inflated prices. The days of going to the wrecking yard
with $10.00 and a 6 pack of beer are the distant past.
How about a ’65~66 Barracuda Formula S with the solid lifter 273, or the later 340 Formula S in fastback or cheaper notch back? Maybe a 340 Dart GTS or Duster/Demon? I can see how that big old Newport might be desirable to someone (especially if buying by the Lb), but there are genuine performance cars available that are far more fun to drive.
I bought a ’67 Charger back in the day for $350 because the engine was blown, it had a perfect interior after I had the front seats re-done for $100 each. Then I got a rebuilt 340 from a mechanic that decided to go with another engine, my how times have changed!
A friend had a 66 Hemi Charger that was in great shape. He sold it to another friend around 1983 for $500. He also had a triple black 71 Hemi Cuda convertible that he sold for 10k. If only I had a time machine.
My dad bought a 66 Newport new when I was 11. He gave it to my sister when he replaced it in 72. She drove it out to Colorado and abused it, most likely never changed the oil in the 5 years it was out there. I got it and drove it in college and at that point it could still smoke a lot of cars. For a behemoth barge it was fast. That 383 was a great engine.
My first new car and my only Mopar I owned was a 68 Plymouth Fury III two door hardtop, 383 2bbl, Deep green with a white vinyl top. When they first saw the car, my niece and nephew wanted to know if the top went down. (Kind of looked like a convertible) It was a huge beast that I kept for 10 years and would have loved to keep it, but didn’t have the storage space to keep an “extra car”. They were prone to rust over the fender skirts and door bottoms. Probably why we don’t see too many of them at shows or swap meets. We always remember our first brand new car.
I would take the Javelin. With the extra $12K I would drop in a 390 or 401.
I’d love to have that Javelin or Roadrunner, gotta sell my ’57 Dodge D100 first! Maybe I should try Hagerty Marketplace, can’t seem to give it away anywhere else.
I had a ‘68 Roadrunner 383 that I traded my mom’s cow for. When I got it home she was all PO’d bc she was expecting three magic beans. Times change.
I’d take the 72 Limelight Roadrunner
I’d take the Javelin.
My friend Ed grabbed his mother’s Newport (year unknown but maybe 67 to 69) and 5 of his friends to skip school and go to Ocean City NJ in 1969. From the toll booth in Philly on the AC Expressway to the beech exit he had the accelerator matted. When the cop finally caught up to us on the exit ramp, Ed was clocked at 137 mph. Quickest trip I ever made to the shore. (I was in the back seat however) What a ride!
My brother bought a used 67 or 68, not sure it had a 440 with a 4spd manual I have not seen another one like it was factory ordered was a very nice car.