(Photos: MCACN) The Mopar community is filled with legend and lore, and when it comes to the cars that were churned out, you’d better believe that there are more than a couple of long shot stories out there. But here is one that is true and has the paperwork trail to back it up…this 1972 Plymouth Road Runner is one of the exceptionally rare early-year production cars, and one of the last ever, to receive the “V” engine code that designated it for a 440ci RB big-block with three two-barrel carburetors on top. Officially, the 440-6, along with the 426 Street Hemi, were killed off in 1971 due to tightening emissions regulations and the insurance companies going ballistic over powerful super cars. But it had been long-rumored that a few V-code 1972 cars had escaped from the factory and were running wild. Over the years, the three cars that managed to escape before the cancellation order for production came through were located: two 1972 Dodge Chargers and this Road Runner. The owner knows exactly what he has, and for years had been storing up parts for the car’s restoration. Magnum Auto Restorations in LaSalle, Illinois, is currently handling the rare ‘Runner’s restoration, and expect to be done in time for the car to debut at MCACN’s Nationals event in Rosemont, Illinois, which will be held November 21-22, 2015.

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