It’s not often that one of legendary driver Richard Petty’s race-winning vehicles heads to auction. It’s even rarer when said platform just so happens to be the first-place finisher at the 1971 NASCAR Grand National championship. That’s right, one of Richard Petty’s most revered, factory-backed race cars has just hit the block over at Mecum — and it’s dressed in “The King’s” trademark blue colorway.
As one of only two factory-sponsored cars (and the only one to complete the season) in 1971, this handsome Plymouth Road Runner is, undoubtedly, a historical NASCAR collector’s dream. After its delivery to Petty’s shop as a blank white canvas, the vehicle was outfitted the racer’s recognizable Petty Blue exterior, a Petty custom black/white Houndstooth interior, and an 8 ¾-inch Mopar rear end. Below its hood, a rebuilt 426 CI V8 Hemi engine and an A833 4-speed manual transmission serve as the primary ports of power for the racer, which boasts a single four-barrel carburetor, and a roaring, Petty-fabricated NASCAR intake. It made its mark as the last production-based body (and engine) to win the Grand National and has since been restored to its initial 1971 competition specification. Head to Mecum to learn more about Petty’s transcendental track car, which is expected to fetch over $500,000 at auction.
