The other day I spotted this 1972 Roadrunner for sale, and today I had the opportunity to examine it up close. What I encountered was a 2 minute emotional rollercoaster. From 100 feet away, this car screamed “Buy me! I’m everything you’ve ever wanted“. From 10 feet away it snickered “LoL, April Fooollzz“. Then when I peeked into the interior, my brain was thrown into a dense fog.

Up close, this sad looking 2 wheel’ed bird needs some serious work. Being in Massachusetts, its got rust and rot, which is always disappointing but never surprising. It’s also got some older body work that was attached with rivets. Rivets are wonderful for planes, boats, race cars, buildings, and bridges, but have absolutely no business holding your street car together. (Yes, I realize you’re friend probably has them on his hotrod and they look totally sweet. He is the one exception.) The radically cool factory hood on this car is nothing less than a tragedy because somebody cut a hole in it for that scoop. Granted, it was probably done back when those hoods were still rust free and plentiful in junkyards. Lastly, on the negative side of things, the once stunningly beautiful chrome front grille surround is twisted up like a pretzel. I will just assume that the other car in the accident is in much worse shape. Ouch.

Now on the other hand, from 100 feet away, this car looks outstanding. It’s got a sweet throw-back paint job, one of the meanest hoods to ever come out of the muscle car era, enough character to make you sick, and the right price tag. Once up close, you can see the 340 emblems, and the fact that it is a very complete car (okay, minus the two drivers side wheels…you’ll replace those anyway). Most importantly though, it appears to be a 4-speed car. One more time in case you missed it… it “appears” to be a 4-speed manual transmission car. Worst case, is that it’s definitely a manual on the floor. Factory option? I have no idea. Regardless, that means that if you buy it, you can row gears in a potentially very rare bird like it’s your job. You’ll be the talk of the town and a hero on your block.

Great buy? Awful buy? You decide.