Are you feeling brave? You are? But are you brave enough to tackle what will undoubtedly be a major restoration project? The classic in question is this 1969 Plymouth Road Runner. It features what appears to be its original mechanical components, but also comes with plenty of rust that will involve many hours of cutting and welding to address. While it has generated plenty of interest, it has only received four bids since the seller listed the Plymouth here on eBay in Little Mountain, South Carolina. This lack of action has dragged the price to $1,550, which is below the reserve.

The muscle car scene was definitely at the peak of its power in the late 1960s, and Plymouth joined the party in 1968 with the Road Runner as an affordable entry into that market segment. The company was serious about achieving respectable sales volumes, handing a then-significant $50,000 to Warner Brothers to allow the company to utilize the name and character likenesses from their iconic cartoons. The Road Runner underwent evolutionary updates in 1969, the year that our feature car rolled off the line. The first owner ordered it in Blue Fire Metallic with the ultra-desirable optional Air Grabber hood. The seller emphasizes the fact that this classic was parked many years ago, suggesting that the time frame might be measured in decades. Time hasn’t been kind to it, with the faded paint the least of its problems. This Plymouth has significant rust issues, and the shopping list of new steel will include floors, floor braces, a trunk pan, and rear quarter panels. An in-person inspection will probably reveal other issues, but the seller states that the rails are solid. That should mean that the car is structurally sound, increasing its potential as a project candidate. Some trim pieces may require restoration or replacement, and it appears that some of the side glass is either missing or broken.

Plymouth offered the 383ci V8 as the entry-level engine for Road Runner buyers in 1969. However, with 335hp and 425 ft/lbs of torque at the driver’s disposal, performance was everything buyers expected from a genuine muscle car. The first owner teamed the 383 with a four-speed manual transmission, and the Plymouth retains that combination. The listing seems to indicate that this Road Runner is numbers-matching, although the correct air cleaner assembly for the Air Grabber is missing. Potential buyers may have to look long and hard for the genuine parts, but reproductions are readily available. This Plymouth is a typical “ran when parked” proposition, but with such an enormous hibernation period, it is unsurprising that it no longer kicks into life. Of greater concern is the news that the motor is stuck. Whether it could be rebuilt is unknown, but it would be worth making the effort before investing in a replacement powerplant.

This Road Runner would have been stunning in its prime, with the Blue vinyl interior trim perfectly complementing the exterior paint shade. The seat frames are present, but this interior requires total restoration due to the lack of carpet, a headliner, door trims, and seatcovers. The dash is essentially complete and houses the factory radio, but it is another area requiring an injection of cash to return to its former glory.

It will take a dedicated individual to return this 1969 Plymouth Road Runner to its former glory, but I am sure that most Barn Finds readers will have seen sadder classics dragged back from the brink. The list of steel requiring replacement is long, but it does appear that the car is structurally sound. The other factor that will weigh on the minds of many is the health of the engine, because retaining the car’s numbers-matching status will improve its potential as a long-term investment. The listing has attracted over 900 views during the past day, and 66 people have added it to their Watch List. However, do you think that these figures represent a genuine interest in this classic, or more a fascination to discover what someone is willing to pay for this rusty project candidate?