If originality isn’t a key consideration and you long to park a genuine muscle car in your garage, this 1969 Plymouth Road Runner could be the classic of your dreams. There is little to criticize about its presentation, and the upgraded V8 blesses it with high-performance credentials. The buyer won’t need to spend a dime beyond the purchase price, and I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder Rocco B. for spotting the Road Runner listed here on Craigslist in Denver, Colorado. The price of $65,000 OBO isn’t chicken feed, but the buyer receives a lot for their money.
A feeling began developing in the late 1960s that the muscle car scene had lost its focus. Buyers began demanding more creature comforts, which drove up sticker prices. Chrysler answered the cry for help by introducing the Plymouth Road Runner in 1968. Based upon the mid-size Belvedere, it didn’t receive many creature comforts as standard equipment, seemingly capturing the original focus of muscle cars on outright performance at an affordable price. Of course, buyers could wield their pen with abandon on the Order Form, equipping the Road Runner with a broad spread of optional extras. This second-year Road Runner owes nothing to subtlety, finished in dazzling Bronze Fire Metallic with Black hood stripes and large “Plymouth” decals on the rear quarter panels. Its condition is seemingly beyond criticism, with the paint, panels, and trim in fantastic condition. Everything sparkles like a new penny, with the wide Magnum 500 wheels accentuating its good looks. There is no evidence of rust, which is unsurprising considering the location. The glass is crystal clear, and it is guaranteed that if the exterior doesn’t gain favorable comments, lifting the hood should right that wrong.
Plymouth offered its 383ci V8 as the entry-level engine for the Road Runner in 1969. However, with 335hp and 425 ft/lbs of torque on tap, few could claim that it was a lackluster starting point. The 426ci Hemi was the most potent, although many buyers struggled to justify the additional cost. This Plymouth started life with a 383 under the hood, but the seller has consigned it to history. They dropped a 440ci V8 into the empty space, but not before equipping it with Edelbrock aluminum cylinder heads, a Chrysler high-rise intake, a rebuilt Holley 850cfm carburetor, and Hooker-style long tube headers that feed the spent gases into a dual 2½” exhaust. A 26″ aluminium radiator prevents meltdowns, with this Plymouth also featuring power-assisted steering and front disc brakes. The engine’s output isn’t stated, but I wouldn’t be surprised if it nudges close to 400hp. There is no point having that much power if the driver can’t apply it to the pavement. Therefore, the three-speed A-727 Torqueflite transmission and 8¾” limited-slip rear end are a welcome sight. The seller confirms that this classic has only clocked around 2,600 miles following its 2016 refurbishment. That is hardly more than break-in miles for these components, meaning that the Plymouth should provide its new owner with years of classic motoring pleasure.
If this Road Runner has a weak point, it certainly isn’t its interior. Trimmed in Tan vinyl with contrasting darker Brown plastic, its condition is as impressive as the exterior. There is no visible wear or evidence of physical damage, and no signs of abuse. The overall presentation is consistent with the mileage claim, meaning that it needs nothing. It remains true to the Road Runner’s theme of affordability, as it features no factory options. There is a column-mounted Sun Tach, additional gauges below the dash, and a retro-style modern stereo, which are recent additions that will improve comfort and allow the driver to monitor the classic’s mechanical health.
This 1969 Plymouth Road Runner is a stunning muscle car that the seller has enhanced with an engine upgrade, making it even more muscular. It is a vehicle that doesn’t ask for respect; it demands it. It appears to need nothing, making it ideal for enthusiasts seeking a turnkey classic. That brings us to the subject of the price, and I would typically speculate about it at this point. However, this is your opportunity to provide input on that question. Do you think that $65,000 is realistic, or do you feel that another figure is more appropriate? It will be fascinating to read your feedback on the subject.
I didn’t think it was worth $65,000 until I saw those Plymouth decals
on the rear fenders.
so you are okay with the heater hoses?
Adam nice write up but, $65,000.00 is high and why i say this. Under the hood the heater hoses are hooked together not to the heater core. Is there a problem with it. The seller does not mention this at all. How come? The other issue I see is the dash pad is wavy and discolored on the right side. And its a 440 not the 383 it was born with. I feel the price should be $45,000.00 to $55,000.00. Mopar are my favorite vehicles. I would love to have this in my driveway. Well good luck to the next owner. 🐻🇺🇸
3, 2, 1, here come the “whatchoosmokinColorado” quips, and I can all but guarantee burnouts don’t have $65,000 cars for sale. They don’t have anything to prove by dealing with this. The real knick in the kickers, is that rusty hulk a while back for, what, $7500? THIS is where those people get their pricing from. People today are so “shell-shocked” with costs, why I needed a roll of Scotch tape,, SIX AND A HALF BUCKS,,,and the guy in front of me, obviously has a family, I couldn’t help hear, “that will be $520.74 sir”,,,so is $65,000 for a car that cost $2995 new permissible? Again, our good friend, supply and demand. Since most Road Runners suffered the fate of the rusty one, if you want to experience 1969, it’s going to cost you, dearly, for some, chump change for others. Nice hey? It’s okay, plenty of money to be had until the bottom actually falls out, and if you don’t think it has already begun,,,why then, whatCHOO smokin’?
It’s what the market will bear for the asking price for the RR🐻.
I personally think being a nom that it’s high, but i like the color and decals.
Good luck with sale!
Price would go up 5K if the decals came off quarter panels.
im old but i just dont get building a ‘hot rod’ with column shift and bench seat, there was 1 yesterday that was the same thing but ive done fergot what it was… i old remember…
A ton of these muscle cars came with column shifters from Chrysler. Most others put them in the floor. But even tho I were a young teen back then and the neighbor was a car salesman for dodge. We had fun in those fast cars. But to me they called them midsized when they held 1/2 the neighborhood kids in them !
I don’t think that 65k is out of line. If you take into consideration what automotive paint cost in today’s market. That color alone is $1,800.00 per gallon! How do I know this? I painted my 69 charger that color! Plus you need to add a basemaker to this product. Again an extra cost added. If you spend 6k on paint and other related materials you might cover the cost of the finished product. So by the time you figure out any upholstry work, carpet headliner, tires wheels , machine work for the engine and drive train rebuild. And you top it all off with a two hundred dollar battery!!! I would say he might break even on his investment. That’s why I call any car that needs a total restoration a bankruptcy starter kit. By the time you’re done a full on restoration can easily cost you 100k depending on how much work you do yourself or you have to hire someone else to do. I’m no expert car jockey by anymeans but a vehicle restoration takes time and lots of money that is one thing I think we can all agree on!
Real nice RR. The BF lead photo does not do it any justice. Love the Plymouth decal. Very period. Loose the tach. 440 Autos are nice set ups.
the decals and the yellow high beam lights need to go. talk about a cheap look.
You are right, the owner may like them, but they are probably love or hate. The seller looks like he made decisions based on getting attention at a car show, there isn’t strong continuity or an overriding theme. The owner wasn’t afraid to spend money, but some thing like the mismatched gauges are the types of choices made to save a few dollars.
Steve R
A lot of time and money went into this restoration and it looks very nice to me!
The Plymouth decals need to go, the bench was extremely common, the roadrunner was the low priced model so if you see the automatic on the column it’s because the original buyer wanted to save on the price. The bench is also lighter than buckets.
But 😎 with a big 440 you put it drive and let her rip. If you want to shift all the time, add the manual valve body and put the shifter on the floor.
Those large decals were the cool thing back near 1970… I liked ’em then
Not a car for a pleasant Sunday afternoon drive. A little around town, to a show, that is about it. Handles poorly, bad PS, awful MPG. If all you want to do is lay rubber and annoy people with what I assume to be, a semi legal overly loud exhaust, perhaps its for you. Would never be for me. I owned a 70 midsized Plymouth with a small block, it was a wonderful road car. I used to take annual New England colored leaf drives in that car. Great on the turnpike, then wonderful once on the curvy mountain roads. This car would be unpleasant on those roads and the loud tones from the exhaust would anger the locals who value serenity.
Take off the Superbird decals and drop the price 20k