More of a result of pipe-dreaming than actual inside info, the 2010 Plymouth Road Runner Concept that’s featured in the August/September issue of Mopar Enthusiast magazine is based on the new Dodge Challenger using styling cues from the ’71-’72 model year Road Runners. The folks at Mopar Enthusiast are pretty optimistic that gas prices will drop since they believe that the car should be powered by a HEMI 5.7L V8 as standard with 6.1L and… 7.0L V8 HEMIs being offered as optional equipment.

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Yes, we know the Plymouth brand went extinct a few years ago, and Mopar Enthusiast magazine obviously knows that as well, but that didn’t stop them from taking part in some wishful thinking. Their August/September issue features their vision of a 2010 Plymouth Road Runner concept car that takes styling cues from the ‘71-’72 model years. Features include 21-inch front and 22-inch rear magnesium 5-spoke wheels, LED taillights, and 14-inch Brembo brakes. Under the hood is HEMI power, with the 5.7L V8 coming as standard, and 6.1L and 7.0L available as options mated to either a 6-speed manual transmission or a 6-speed automatic with steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters. While we doubt the Plymouth brand will be making a comeback just to resurrect the Road Runner name, we could definitely see another 2-door LX car with Chrysler badging

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 John E. Herlitz, an automobile designer who styled a signature     American muscle car and left his imprint on many notable          Chrysler Corporation models of the late 20th century, died March  24 in Naples, Fla. He was 65.

The cause was complications of a fall in his winter home in Naples, a son, Kirk Herlitz, said. Mr. Herlitz also lived in Bloomfield Hills, Mich.

Mr. Herlitz made his reputation with the 1970 Plymouth Barracuda, which brought a touch of class to the “pony car” segment, a genre of sporty compact cars started with the Ford Mustang, with long hoods and short rear decks.

His Barracuda replaced designs that were only mildly successful, starting with an awkward 1964 fastback based on the Plymouth Valiant economy car. In contrast, the Herlitz Barracuda was clean and largely unadorned, with a wide body and a hunkered-down stance that hinted at the considerable power available to customers who checked the right boxes on their order forms.

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