Restoring a Roadrunner: A Father's Legacy

A 1968 Plymouth Roadrunner sits dormant in the corner of Apex Auto Works, carrying with it the weight of memory and loss. For Richard Tomlin, this muscle car isn't just a project—it's a living connection to his father, who died in the 1995 Oklahoma City bombing. After years of seeing it gather dust, Richard has finally found the perfect reason to breathe new life into this family heirloom.

The catalyst came from an unexpected source: a customer discussing his dream of racing Pikes Peak in a car like the one he once shared with his own father—who had passed away at the famous hill climb's starting line just three years ago. This serendipitous connection of father-son legacies sparked an ambitious plan that automotive purists might call sacrilege, but Richard calls love.

What makes this build truly fascinating is the technical approach. Richard and his team are performing a body swap, mounting the iconic Roadrunner shell onto a donated 2015 NASCAR truck chassis, complete with racing suspension and an 830-horsepower engine. The finished car will maintain its classic muscle car appearance while gaining the performance capabilities needed to tackle America's most famous mountain road. They're even restoring it to its 1984 appearance and incorporating its longtime nickname "Big Bird" into custom touches like the valve covers.

The timeline is ambitious: debut at the SEMA show in November, first competition a week later, then to the PRI show in December, before finally challenging Pikes Peak next June. For Richard, this isn't just about speed—it's about preserving memories, honoring two fathers, and demonstrating how automotive passion can transform grief into something that roars with life.

Whether you're a muscle car enthusiast, a racing fan, or someone who appreciates how mechanical projects can heal the heart, this story reminds us why we love cars—they're vehicles not just for our bodies, but for our most meaningful human connections. Follow along with Richard's journey and witness the Roadrunner's rebirth on the In Wheel Time podcast.

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