383/4-Speed: 1969 Plymouth Road Runner

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We’ve recently seen some excellent examples of Mopar muscle crossing our desks at Barn Finds, and this 1969 Plymouth Road Runner continues that trend. From its stunning exterior to its spotless interior, there is little about this classic warranting criticism. It is a genuine muscle car, meaning its mighty V8 provides the power to back its good looks. The only thing it appears to need is a new home, and many readers might find that prospect irresistible. If you fall into that category, it is worth reading on to see what it offers.

Plymouth introduced the Road Runner in 1968, returning to the very essence of the muscle car philosophy with a vehicle focusing purely on affordable performance. Buyers could add creature comforts, but many preferred to let the V8 do the talking. The badge underwent cosmetic upgrades in 1969, which is when this Bronze Fire example rolled off the line. The seller is sparing with their information, providing no information on its originality. The seemingly flawless paint and panels suggest someone treated it to at least a cosmetic refresh, although the spotless condition throughout this car may indicate a fairly thorough approach. There are no signs of rust issues that might cause the new owner sleepless nights, with the trim and glass as immaculate as the rest of the vehicle. The Magnum 500 wheels are a later addition, but they perfectly suit this Plymouth’s character.

Plymouth left no doubt that the 1969 Road Runner was a genuine muscle car. It offered several engine choices, but when the entry-level 383ci V8 placed 335hp and 425 ft/lbs of torque at the driver’s disposal, the focus on performance was unquestionable. This Plymouth teams the 383 with a four-speed manual transmission, allowing this classic to storm the ¼-mile in 14.5 seconds. Give it a long enough stretch of road and the needle will hover on 132mph. It is disappointing the seller doesn’t indicate whether it is numbers-matching. However, the engine bay is spotless, and it doesn’t flatter to deceive. They say the winning bidder can enjoy it immediately, making flying in and driving home a viable option.

The interior trim and appointments buyers received as standard clearly indicate Plymouth’s focus on performance with the Road Runner. A bench seat and vinyl trim were standard fare, although buyers could splash their cash on creature comforts if they craved a few luxury touches. This Road Runner features a factory AM radio, while someone has mounted aftermarket gauges under the dash to monitor the V8’s health. I would consider the condition and presentation to be consistent with a high-end drive, because it has no needs or shortcomings. The upholstered surfaces are free from wear and damage, while the carpet is excellent. The dash and painted surfaces look impressive, and the pad is free from the cracks and warping that often develop due to age or UV exposure.

The 1969 Plymouth Road Runner is one of the undisputed stars of the 1960s muscle car scene, and this one has clearly demonstrated that since the seller listed it here on eBay in Portland, Oregon. Twenty-two bids have pushed the price to $28,000, which is beyond the reserve. That means a new home is only days away, and I admit that although I traditionally favor classics wearing the Blue Oval, I will envy the new owner. If you don’t bid, I’m sure you will feel the same.

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Comments

  1. StanMember

    Looks good in brown. My preference on the road-runner model is the steel wheels. Nice 4sp Mopar 🙌

    Like 3
  2. Robert Argento

    I had a 69 I purchased new. The seat unlock on mine was on the bottom rear of the front seat. This one is on the side near top.

    Like 0
  3. Mike

    If $28,000 is beyond the reserve, someone is selling too cheap, or there is a reason the price was set so low.

    Like 7
    • Rick Shaw

      I also felt it a tad suspicious.

      Like 1
    • Steve R

      This scam is becoming more common. I think there have been at least 3 cars featured on this site in the last week that were being auctioned on eBay without reserves which had the listings removed.

      Not all no reserve auctions for desirable cars are fake, there are a few sellers in the Los Angeles as well as the Las Vegas area that have been featured on this site on multiple occasions.

      It pays for potential buyers to do their due diligence, if something doesn’t feel right it often isn’t. This isn’t just an eBay problem, it can be any platform. One of the worst is when a seller hasn’t put the car in their name, once the money is exchanged the buyer has little or no recourse if anything goes wrong.

      Steve R

      Like 3
  4. Patrick

    The interior is ugly, brown plastic is not a good look, not a fan of bronze or brown. But with that being said, it’s a nice looking car. 4 sod is a great feature and 383’s have a ton of room for increasing the power. The 383 reves a touch higher that a 440,

    Like 0
  5. PRA4SNW PRA4SNWMember

    Just like every No Reserve muscle car that is too good to be true on EBay, I am going with scam on this one.

    Pictures were lifted from a BAT auction listing from 7/23 where it was a no sale at 47K.

    Like 3
  6. Gary RaymondMember

    After I graduated from high school, my first boss had one identical to that, right down to the bench seat. We were in Seattle, he still had family in eastern Washington and used that for his back & forth over the mountain passes. He used to brag about how when he’d go to pass someone (we’re talking freeway speeds here) he’d hammer it down into 2nd gear…

    Like 0
  7. Ron from MnMember

    Love the color combo 😁

    Like 0
  8. Larry

    No longer on eBay.

    Like 1
    • PRA4SNW PRA4SNWMember

      That didn’t take long.
      I reported it to EBay as a scam.

      Like 1

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