Bad day to drive the Roadrunner

[471Magnum]

I’ve been in the hobby for over 15 years now, and have always prided myself in being willing to drive my collector cars. I don’t own a trailer, so unless something is broken, they’ve always traveled where they are going under their own power. I’m had more than my fair share of major mechanical issues along the way, but I’ve always written those off as part of the adventure. I generally drive it a couple times a month to work.

So the weather is really nice today and I decided to drive the Roadrunner to work. I’m getting ready to take it off the road for an engine swap and figured this might be my last opportunity to drive it for a while.

Along my route this morning, there was a traffic accident involving another motorist driving into a house. Not sure what the circumstances were, but it was definitely attracting the attention of other drivers in the area, including myself.

I found myself in a situation of having to stop short to avoid hitting the vehicle in front of me, which was at the end of a long line of vehicles that had slowed down to rubber neck and stop at a traffic signal a little further down the road. With some tire squealing drama, I was fortunately able to stop well short of that vehicle.

The young lady in the car behind me was not so fortunate and plowed into the rear of my Roadrunner. Upon checking up in my mirror and seeing she was not injured, I drove into a nearby driveway and she followed. The officer working the previous accident indicated another officer was on the way to tend to our situation.

I exited my vehicle and immediately noticed her car (a late model Grand Am) was heavily damaged with two very distinct exhaust tip impressions in her hood. I then took a deep breath and looked over at my Roadrunner. Initially I did not notice any damage. Bumper looked fine. I then looked under the bumper to realize the valance was caved in extensively, and the N42 exhaust tips were crushed.

The second officer arrived within a few minutes and began taking our information. I suggested that they really needed to get another patrol car further up the road to get traffic slowed down. He did heed my suggestion and radioed for another car. He hadn’t even unkeyed his mic before another distracted rear-end collision occurred right in front of us. This one was far worse and both cars appeared to be disabled, but both drivers uninjured. They ended up shutting down the road completely after that.

I have yet to closely inspect the car, but a quick look inside the trunk did not reveal any damage to the floors. The exhaust tips are toast as are the hangers. At least one side of the exhaust system is shoved forward and bent down. I think I detected a header leak. Rear valance is toast. License plate holder is bent a bit. The bumper definitely has a mark on it and might be flattened out a bit.

The good news is the damage all appears to be limited to bolt on parts. The only paint work required will probably be the valance. All of the parts are readily available. The situation would have been exponentially worse had I hit that vehicle in front of me, or been knocked into it. I’d be looking for a 72 Roadrunner grille and Air Grabber assembly. Not to mention the fact that everybody was fortunate enough to walk (or drive) away uninjured.

I’ve already spoken with Hagerty and a claims adjuster should be paying me a visit in the next 24 hrs.

I’ll post some photos later. Crappy camera on my cell phone doesn’t do justice.

[CtownRunner]

Glad everyone is OK and the car will be fixed.
U seemed to have handled it very well.
Some would be pissed to say the least.

[Diriccatiticka]

I reacted all the same way when my old truck was totaled out. Glad everyone walked away with minimal injury, but it was (even still) disappointing. Actually, that truck was what the road runner was intended to replace. I'm the same way with my cars, no trailers, barely nice enough to show, but I drive mine heavily and sometimes good distances. Even with more than my share of rock chips down the quarter panels, that's the risk we take driving them on the street.

Just another day you wanted to take out your car and enjoy it...This stuff happens. You'll get it fixed...It's a bummer right now, but you'll get it fixed.

Remember we can help, too.

[471Magnum]

Remember we can help, too.

Anybody got a 72 N42 rear valance?

Went out to take a closer look over my lunch break. Bumper is definitely bent.

[Eric]

Sorry to hear about this. Every year that goes by, I feel a little less comfortable driving my runners, especially the survivor.

[Diriccatiticka]

The 72 rear valance is amongst one of the rarest of parts for these cars side from the bumpers. I will keep my eye out for one, I haven't found anything promising yet.

AMD just started selling more parts for the 71-72's in the past year or so. They still don't have the rear valances.

Worst case (seems like forever away), I plan on going to the nationals this year in August and they have an absurd swap meet. I'll know if I come across one.

[471Magnum]

Some pictures of the carnage:

P1020285.JPG (162.66 KiB) Viewed 19604 times

P1020291.JPG (157.46 KiB) Viewed 19604 times

[Moparlar]

Remember we can help, too.

Anybody got a 72 N42 rear valance?

Went out to take a closer look over my lunch break. Bumper is definitely bent.

I have an NOS one that i need for my 6 pack car but I might also have a used one. I will look tomorrow at work.

Larry

[471Magnum]

One more

P1020293.JPG (158.54 KiB) Viewed 19601 times

And one of the "other guy"

whammo.jpg (80.05 KiB) Viewed 19601 times

[71Beeper]

You are very lucky there wasn't any more damage.
I had the same thing happen to my Volare Road Runner, but was not as fortunate as you.....

[Moparlar]

Well I was wrong, I have 2 NOS Non tip valances and 1 Used Tip valance which needs some work. Sorry I couldn't help.

Larry

[72Satellite440]

Sry about your accident-
It took me a long time to find one valance myself w/cutouts but ill keep my eye open for ya


72Satellite440-Dan

[Smellslike1974]

Sorry to hear such horrible news.Most important thing is that no one was hurt,cars are replaceable.Your very lucky its was just a small size car,and not a rig or something.I hope all goes well with the part finding.

[droptop]

AMD web sight shows them ready to ship. May be a different story when you go to place your order. Get with me before ordering one, as I need one also. Might cut down on shipping.

http://www.autometaldirect.com/showitem ... %20tips%29&

[++Sebring++]

Sorry to see the car got hit. Glad damage is not to bad, or structural . Well, when you get it back on the road it will be with new engine, hopefully that is some meager consolation. At least you are out there driving it !!!

Last valance i had damaged was when i let a friend drive my former 70 Charger R/T , about 200 feet into the drive we were in a ditch, guy talked a lot of automotive terms but could not handle 440 cubic inches plus turning left . Still friends though.