The Plymouth Road Runner is one of the legends of the muscle car world, with original and spotless examples commanding premium prices. This 1968 model is far from that condition, but it runs and drives. Its engine bay houses an upgraded V8 that unleashes considerable performance gains. The new owner will face some decisions on how to tackle the build. They could pursue a faithful cosmetic restoration, although the engine upgrade might be the first piece of the puzzle that produces a custom machine. The Road Runner is listed here on eBay in Knightstown, Indiana. Bidding has reached $6,100 off the back of subdued action and is yet to hit the reserve.
A single glance at this Road Runner confirms the new owner faces plenty of work returning it to its former glory. Its Frost Blue paint is badly faded, and it appears to wear a few panels off another car. However, new paint is well down the list because other issues require attention. The car has rust in all the usual spots, including the rear quarter panels, the trunk pan, and the area around the back window. Replacement panels are readily available and may be the only steel required to return the car to a rust-free state. The rest of the exterior looks fine, and the listing suggests that the vulnerable floors and rails are solid. If that’s correct, this Plymouth is structurally sound and could be enjoyed immediately. Some trim pieces require replacement, although the glass is good. The Road Runner rolls on a set of 15″ Drag Lite wheels; whether they stay or go depends on personal taste.
I could go on for hours describing what this Plymouth’s interior needs, but it could be summed up with the phrase “virtually everything.” It lacks items like door trims and a headliner, but it seems otherwise intact. The dash looks okay, but the pad joins the seats and other upholstered surfaces as heavily baked. It might lack luxuries like leather upholstery and air conditioning, but the rare factory AM radio/8-track player is a welcome sight.
Unless you had the ready cash to fork out for a Hemi, you received your new ’68 Road Runner powered by a 383ci V8. It produced 335hp, and when equipped with a three-speed TorqueFlite, it launched the Plymouth through the ¼ mile in 14.7 seconds. That isn’t shabby, but a previous owner wanted more. They scrapped the 383 and filled the void with a 440ci monster of 1973 vintage. This V8 features upgraded cylinder heads, a more aggressive camshaft, headers, and many other improvements. The horsepower figure is pure speculation, but it should hover somewhere near “plenty.” The power feeds through a 2500-stall A-727 TorqueFlite to an 8¼” Posi rear end outfitted with 3.23 gearing. Braking duties fall to four-wheel drums, and although they are recently rebuilt, a car with the performance potential available here probably deserves something more powerful. Discs anyone? The new owner will be able to engage in instant gratification because this classic runs and drives well. The seller supplies this YouTube video confirming this, and it reveals no problems or issues. That 440 sounds as tough as anyone could hope for.
Plymouth produced the Road Runner as a back-to-basics muscle car that could undercut the opposition on price. However, what was once affordable has become less so, with values climbing steadily over the past five years. The figures depend on condition, specifications, and originality, but prices of $60,000 are typical for the right car. It is debatable whether this Plymouth would achieve that price once restored because the new engine compromises its originality. However, a high-end build could still place $50,000 within reach. Is that thought enough to prompt you to make a play for this classic?
This runner has a better chance than the 70 Challenger RT Convertible rust bucket! The price starts normal for this. This is worth fixing even the rust showing. It’s a 68 was the first year of the Road Runner. I would take the 440 out and get a correct year 383. Get a good donor Plymouth satellite for parts. And this is drivable with the redneck gas tank in the back. 😂 Good luck to the next owner. 🐻🇺🇸
Seeing as it’s not all original anymore that hurts value. It would make a nice driver but if the price goes too high the winner has a long road to make it showroom condition.
50K restored? It will cost far more than that to restore, unless you did it yourself, and even then, the parts alone are going to be in the tens of thousands. Then, add in your time, will you be able to restore it and hold down a job that will support you and your family? Maybe, some hand guy with a sugar mama that supports him, or a retired man who does it to pay what Medicare should, but won’t pay. (Sure could use a National Health Service here, just saying)
Maybe just talk about cars here instead of your socialist political views?
50K restored? It will cost far more than that to restore, unless you did it yourself, and even then, the parts alone are going to be in the tens of thousands. Then, add in your time, will you be able to restore it and hold down a job that will support you and your family? Maybe, some handy guy with a sugar mama that supports him, or a retired man who does it to pay what Medicare should, but won’t pay. (Sure could use a National Health Service here, just saying)
NHS? You got it, Omama Care. Enjoy.
Not even close, and certainly not universal. There still after all these years some things I miss about my homeland. Decent fish and chips, for sure, but also being able to have a burst appendix and not having to worry about anything except maybe trying to get my pretty nurses phone number is another.
If your “decent fish and chips” is a clue to the motherland, I’m surprised you don’t know that their NHS is as big a joke as diet chocolate milk.
Not every person that buys an old car plans on flipping it so cost doesn’t really matter to them. Some buy to go down memory lane and have the funds to build it back to what it once was. Alot of people have worked very hard and put in long hours to achieve success where they can afford to have nice things. You have to remember every dollar spent on a restoration puts food on someone’s table somewhere for their hard work.
Too much work and $$$ needed for this one.
Grant, pack your bags, the boat is ready to go.
Look at those a pillers.
I just brought a 69 383hp 4speed charger and it looked decent till I took a grinder and chipping hammer to them.
Mine are no big deal to me to repair I’ve be a welder/fabricator for 35+years.
But definitely didn’t expect it
Resto mod material go over the top if you are going to restore it, all disc power brakes new power steering AC and a bitching stereo. take the 440 and max it out. add leather swivel seats and a new dash pad headliner etc. lower the suspension and put low profile tires and bigger rims jack it a little in the back with 80s on the back and 70s on the front upgrade suspension. of coarse the body work. in for 60k plus the car, thinking bidding will end close to 12k so 70k for a monster and I am not a Chrysler guy.
resto mod really, that’s just ruins these cars keep them original the way there were new.
I think we can all agree that restoring these cars is not a cheap undertaking.
That being said this looks to be a very good example to start with.
The interiors on these were very simple, going through the drivetrain is pretty straight forward for most anyone visiting this sight.
Probably can’t get into one of these for much under this one.
Matt C
December 30 22 7:10
That’s a satellite. Not a road runner. Look at the trunk lid.You don’t want to spend to much money on that car.
look at the trunk lid.”that’s a satellite”!
Reminds me of a gentleman at Stillwater show who was selling a ’71 roadrunner. He bought it in perfect condition but putting a jack under the frame and a large hunk of bondo fell off. Old Chryslers rust up north. Best way to buy is having an expert 3rd party check it out for value.