Chrysler lower priced line, Plymouth, was introduced in 1928 to compete against the likes of Ford and Chevrolet. Initially a hit, it ran a bit of a roller coast before roaring back in the 1960s with a line of muscle cars that won NASCAR races and the likes of which are highly sought after today. Slotting between the compact Satellite and Belvedere, the Road Runner was introduced in 1968 as a light, fast, sparingly optioned model. A $50,000 payment to Warner Brothers gave Plymouth the right to brand the car with the eponymous bird from the cartoons, to which the Wile E Coyote's of the world in their Mustangs and Camaros would always be chasing.

Initially powered by everything ranging from the 383cid V8 to the 427cid Hemi, the range expanded to everything from 318cid straight sixes to 440cid V8s by the early 70s. Slowly evolving from 1968 to 1971, a dramatic restyling in 1971 that featured more rounded 'fuselage' styling and a focus on ride and handling thanks to a shorter overall length combined with a longer wheelbase and staggered rear leaf springs mated to a rear sway bar. New emissions controls, however, necessitated the dropping of the 440 V8, leaving the 427 Hemi at the top of the heap with the 383 Magnum following closely behind. It was a in a Hemi-powered '71 Road Runner that Richard Petty drove to multiple NASCAR victories at the Daytona 500 and Winston Cup Championship.

This Road Runner started life as a more pedestrian six-cylinder equipped Satellite, but was treated a complete transformation into a 383 Magnum Tribute car at a cost of over $45,000. Completely disassembled and stripped to bare metal, it was fitted with a 383cid/300hp Magnum V8 topped with an aftermarket fuel intake and expelling through Flame Thrower exhaust tips, professionally sprayed a bright custom orange, and trimmed in matching black and orange vinyl inside. The reborn creation, with $6,000 invested in the motor alone, is now raunchy machine that can certainly hold its own in laying down a few strips of rubber while hanging tight to the corners. Plus, its incandescent orange paint will ensure that you'll never lose it in a parking lot.