Mopar fans dreaming of restoring a rare Road Runner from the ground up stay tuned, because this one is far, far gone, and should sell accordingly. If everything checks out, this 1969 Plymouth Road Runner in Lenexa, Kansas is a genuine A12 (440 Six-Barrel) car in the somewhat unusual choice of A4 Silver. The seller includes a bunch of tasty parts including an A12 block, and possibly all the metal needed to put this Plymouth back in order. Bidding here on eBay has eclipsed $15,000 with at least 10 bidders in the mix. Our own Russ Dixon covered an earlier sale of this car in March of 2021 using some of the same pictures.
That six-barrel setup could prove hugely frustrating to rebuild, but at least it’s there. Petrified carburetor parts can break before surrendering their hold on one-another, but that’s all part of the, uh, fun.
I’m going to go out on a limb and say that the roof is damaged above both windows because a giant wrecking yard claw grabbed the car to stack it on top of another one after it was given up as scrap. Whether intentional or accidental, the tight cropping of the photo camouflages whatever may have damaged the rear badly enough to cut out the corner piece, the one piece of metal that gives some rigidity to the panels back there. The code 999 accompanied most (if not all) A12 cars, calling out the Special Axle, a 4.10 Dana with 11 inch brake backing plates according to Moparts.
What’s offered as the original A12 hood shows off the interesting factory four-pin lift-off arrangement. Normally I’m all about fixing the bare minimum on a car to make it safe and blasting down the blacktop, but this rare desert bird seems destined to turn up looking factory fresh and true to its (included but loose) fender tag. The fender tag decoders at 69RoadRunner and RealDash validate everything you’d expect to see on a Lynch Road (Michigan) fender tag, including the E63 (383 HP) engine code along with the A12 code, a peculiarity of 1969. This Road Runner left the factory the D32 Heavy Duty Automatic Transmission (727) as well. Rounding out the pluses, this car comes with a clean title in the seller’s name and matching numbers on the fender tag, trunk lip, and body. I’ve replaced quarter panels before, but I’ve never attempted to smooth our a damaged roof. How hard can it (gulp) be? Would you restore this 440 Six-Barrel Road Runner or wait a while and flip it as-is?
6 barrel
Thank you Doc. 100% correct. Plymouth literature always uses “6-bbl” or “6-barrel.” http://www.lov2xlr8.no/brochures/plymouth/70plyma/bilder/17.jpg
I’m sure it’s across the board with the big three, but it just seems like so many Mopars have ended up in a similar state of near death. I think it’s because while the factory’s rust corrosion protection was minimal, the owner or owners over the years kept piling miles on the seemingly bullet proof (excluding the hemi) motors and drivetrains while the bodies were slowly deteriorating.
Todd, I think a roof panel replacement would be necessary as most likely trying to get the windows not to leak would be near to impossible after the “claw” disfigured the roof.
It’s not always just running a vehicle that causes issues. I bought a 76 Power Wagon new that was rustproofed by the dealer, bad move on both counts. Body was rusting out in the first couple of years and it had probably 4k miles or less. I think it was the quality of metal used in the day. And in my case at least, don’t talk about mechanical dependability. That truck should have been painted yellow and had Sunkist painted on the side, it was a total lemon.
My experience.
Looks like it’s had a chain through it to lift it; a claw would’ve destroyed it.
It’s okay Doc. I too sometimes type out the spelling of the number instead of type the actual number. And I do get at what you’re saying. Cheers!
This one looks ready to become an appliance. Like maybe a toaster or two, but not enough metal left for three.
It’s a mess but it would be fun saving this one. This would be a long haul project for me. Proud to make a garage space for it. Get it while your young.
It’s not like you’re going to find very many of these just sitting around anymore. Project? You bet. Great car when its done? You bet. Going to see another one at your local cruise night? Not likely. Odd understated color may actually stand out more in a sea of high impact Mopars.
I restore cars every day of the week and would not do this car. Its cool but way too far gone. Some valuable parts here for sure. Restoration cost at a shop who knows Mopars well, will cost 125-150K. 35K + might cover the metal work, bump and paint. The insides of the frame rails are likely Very rusty and will need to be replaced. Be aware this car is so rotted you’ll need a chassis jig to do it Correctly. Yep I know guys do it at home without and we see those fouled up welded messes every year. Guy went broke trying to do it himself and now nothing fits back on the car. I understand try to save them all but ya gotta face reality. A real nice unrusted car can be bought for 75K
That’s the absolute truth! A car that looks this bad in the pictures is invariably much worse when you actually get it in the shop. I’ve had to learn that the hard way and if you haven’t, you will if you buy this parts car with a VIN tag!
we will see this rebodied a12 at auction in two years try to remember the serial number because like most of the show pieces if not a survivor do not buy it
This car was more likely lifted onto a trailer by a boom truck or ? Looks like a strap or chain was run through and car was then lifted. This maneuver was probably followed by the perpetrators yelling “busted plastic buckets”, or something like that.
It’s rough, no doubt, but totally repairable. I’ve seen it done. Traded off a ‘70 Roadrunner to a body man friend of mine. Figured he’d use it as a race car. It was beautiful when finished. (Sold at a profit)
Drop it off at Graveyard Cars and come back in two years,
Yep – agree it will be rebadged I’m sure. Would you believe I had a GTX in this color – yep it’s a rare color.