The 1970s were years defined by questionable trends and styles. Who could even try to forget the double denim trend, tacky belted tank tops and punk hairstyles? Nonetheless, it wasn’t just the fashion industry that was responsible for faux pas. In fact, the automotive industry had its own questionable experiments that ended negatively. From the 1970 Porsche 914 to the 1973 Leyland P76, and 1973 Reliant Robin, there were so many weird-looking vehicles in the 1970s that observers might have thought the world went crazy. But at least, some carmakers tried to envision a new direction and stylistic vision for their companies because others didn’t even bother putting effort on this.
Notably, several industry players like Plymouth would inaugurate decent-enough vehicles, but they would be totally overshadowed by the more famous Mustangs and Camaros.
The 1977 Plymouth Volaré Road Runner is one of those cars that is not bad enough for you to really hate it, but it doesn’t shine with its own light either. Hence, in most cases, enthusiasts forgot about it instantly. History too was tough on the Volaré Road Runner, as it made it fade into oblivion. So, what was so obnoxious about the 1977 Plymouth Volaré Road Runner that made gearheads dislike it?
The 1977 Plymouth Volaré Road Runner Had Recalls And Safety Issues
Vehicle safety recalls have become so common that many consumers go on ignoring them. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 1,093 car safety recalls impacted 22.8 million vehicles in 2021, the highest number in a single year. Click Orlando points out that 1 in 5 cars have an open recall in the Sunshine State. But vehicle recalls are not a recent thing, and in the past, consumers widely associated Volares with safety issues and recalls.
“The first-year Volares were plagued with quality control issues… so many in fact that it became one of the highest-recalled cars in history,” says Street Muscle Magazine. But the recalls didn’t scare off Chrysler, who went ahead with the production of the Volare Road Runner.
American automobile executive Lee Iacocca mentioned that the F-bodies required additional development time before they could be introduced to the American audiences. As this didn’t happen, the Volare and Aspen reached the market with defective components and many issues. Some of the recalls included hood malfunctions, suspension issues, damage to the front wheel brake hydraulic system, and even issues with the carburetor accelerator pump seal that could become distorted. There were so many undergoing problems that “the Aspen and Volare quickly became the most-recalled cars in history,” according to Motortrend.
The 1977 Plymouth Volaré Road Runner Had A Plain Look
Looks and design are important, especially when you have a product that doesn’t impress with its performance, reliability and quality. But the 1977 Plymouth Volaré Road Runner lost several points even in the style department. This car looked like a product that never had a design study. There were no standout elements and rarely drivers and passengers could see some higher-quality materials.
Additionally, the constant consumer scandals and rust issues stole Road Runner's thunder. Indeed, the cabin was comfortable enough and even appeared-kind of premium with the cool cockpit, door seals and upper door chrome package, but still the Road Runner didn’t resemble an expensive car.
The Model Experienced Product Launch Blunders And Bad Timing
Launching a product during a downturn is a risky business. But the endeavor can easily turn from risky to disastrous if the product is blunt and doesn’t meet the needs of consumers. The Plymouth Volaré Road Runner didn’t have the IT factor. Moreover, the car was launched in a period of downturn, during the 1970s energy crisis.
In 1978-1979, gasoline prices began surging and the U.S. was confronting recession and the oil shock; thus, car sales were lukewarm. In this context, automakers were competing against each other for the buyer’s attention, trying to lure over consumers with innovative cars. Unfortunately, the 1977 Plymouth Volaré Road Runner couldn’t keep up with its rivals.
The 1977 Plymouth Volaré Road Runner Had A Lackluster Performance
Bad timing played an important role in this car’s sales. Instead of giving consumers the right automobile, at the right time and in the right place, Plymouth (Chrysler) gave them an unreliable, boring car that was launched at an unfavorable timing. Unsurprisingly, sales for the 1977 Plymouth Volaré Road Runner never took off despite the reasonable pricing.
According to an Allpar forum, around 4,575 units of the 1977 model were built. Considering how many of these cars were recalled or destroyed in the last decades, maybe in a couple of years, the 1977 Plymouth Volaré Road Runner becomes a rare commodity that will cost more used than new.