The Plymouth Road Runner helped define the budget muscle car and had the sales to back it up. After being launched on Chrysler’s B-Body intermediate platform in 1968, sales the following year went up 82%. The line-up would expand from 2-door coupes and hardtops in 1969 to include the Road Runner’s first convertible. The most basic of the early Road Runners was the coupe, usually rather austere but with big power under the hood, like the seller’s car. The ’69 RR is located in Buford, Georgia and available here on eBay where the no reserve auction has seen to bidding ride to $20,600.  Thanks Tommy T-Tops for sending this one our way!

Road Runners were little changed going from 1968 to 1969, with slight changes to the taillights and grille, side marker lights, bucket seats (when ordered, and some new Road Runner decals. The most commonly ordered engine for 1969 was the 383 Hi-Po V8, which went into 96% of the Road Runners that year. A few Hemi’s were installed and the new 440 6-Pack with twin 2-barrel carburetors made up the remaining balance. Total output for 1969 was 81,000 Road Runners, up from 44,000 in 1968. The car and the muscle car market were hot, although the tides would be changing in a year or two.

The seller’s ’69 is a pillared coupe, which accounted for 40% of Road Runner production that year. This one appears to be fixed in Rallye Green, which was a popular color. This seller has owned the car for about five years and uses it primarily for weekend drives (and car shows?). The primary issues with the car are that it is a need of a new paint job. The current clear coat is cracking and peeling. The seller indicates that the trunk floor, both lower rear quarter panels, and driver’s side floorboard have been replaced. There are a few parts that need to be reinstalled, like the front and rear light bezels.

This car last changed hands in 1997 when the seller acquired it. He hates to see it go but fatherhood and a new baby have caused priorities to shift. The original 383 has been replaced with a 440 that came out of a 1967 GTX. It runs well and is paired with a new automatic transmission. Should the buyer want to rebuild and reinstall the numbers-matching 383 and old TorqueFlite, they’re available for the new owner to haul away. If you like paperwork, the car will come with its original bill of sales and owner’s manual. The hood wears 440 letterings now.

The mileage of the car is stated at 68,800 which could be original. The matching green interior looks good from what we see, including the upholstery, dash, and headliner. Perhaps the metal where you rest your arm on the tops of the doors could also stand a new coat of paint. Both NADA and Hagerty tag a nice Road Runner of this vintage at $50,000 and north, but how much of a ding, if any, would the replacement motor and transmission incur?