Richard Petty's championship winning Road Runner
The 1970s would be a big deal for Richard Petty, as he would win 5 NASCAR Grand National championships between 1971 and 1979. This is the car that got it all started, claiming the first-ever Winston Cup Series crown, Petty’s third series title and propelling him to the $1 million mark in total career prize money. The brand new ’71 G-series body design proved its worth, and beyond being a 1971 NASCAR Grand National championship-winning car, this would be the last stock car to win a NASCAR title using a production-based body and engine.
Petty scored an incredible 21 race wins, 19 in this car, and 38 top-five finishes in NASCAR’s final ‘long season.’ It even visited the White House that year by presidential invitation. Now restored to its 1971 configuration, this car features a rebuilt 426 Hemi NASCAR-detailed engine with 4-speed manual transmission with Hurst shifter. The body is covered in trademark Petty Blue with exact lettering and decals from the ‘71 season. The interior features a black plaid seat and Petty’s cushioned peace-sign headrest, as well as a custom dash and taped steering wheel.
This is Petty’s last Plymouth-sponsored car, the first STP-sponsored car and the last Plymouth that Petty drove in competition. Mecum Auctions will be offering this 1971 NASCAR Grand National Championship Winning Car – Richard Petty’s Plymouth Road Runner – at their upcoming Indy auction held between the 10th-18th July. For more information on this and other vehicles at the sale, click on the link below.
Photos: © Courtesy of Mecum Auctions.