The Road Runner debuted to a lot of fanfare for 1968. After all, it was a fun car patterned after a popular and fast cartoon character with a horn that went “beep beep” (or was that “meep meep”) when deployed. It was similar to the Plymouth GTX but for the more budget conscious buyer. First year production would approach 45,000 units and the nameplate would run through 1980. This 1968 Road Runner has a larger, running replacement motor in the engine bay but the original is included with the sale. Located in Walnut Creek, California, this car is available here on craigslist for an even $25,000. Our thanks to MattR for bringing this tip to light.

First-generation Road Runners were built for three years, 1968 through 1970. The car was first offered as just a pillared 2-door coupe, but a hardtop was added to the line-up later in the model year and a convertible in 1969. The NASCAR-inspired, low-volume Superbird would be a one-year wonder for 1970. Chrysler’s 383 cubic inch V-8 was the most commonly installed engine in 1968 and those with a 4-speed manual in a hardtop body saw production of 6,686 units or 15 percent of all Road Runners built that year.

The seller’s ’68 Road Runner left the factory with the 383/4-speed set-up, but that’s not what’s there now. A 440 from a 1969 Chrysler has taken over although the car’s original 383 will be provided. We don’t know if it’s a working or rebuilt motor, but we’re guessing not. The car is wearing some new parts, including brakes, redline tires, and a radiator. Since the car has apparently been off the road for a while, the California registration is currently in non-op status. Mileage is stated as 33,000 but may or may not be accurate.

There are plenty of things wrong with the body, but an abundance is rust is not one of them. What’s there may be confined to the trunk floor (did the roof leak?) and passenger side quarter panel. There are dents and dings here and there and the driver’s side front fender has received more than a small crumple that may also affect the bumper. The blue car came from the factory with a black vinyl top, but that’s long-gone and it appears as though the roof’s surface has had some prep work done. The interior doesn’t seem to have any outstanding issues except the carpeting.

Hagerty pegs the resale value range for the 1968 Road Runner as $19-60,000. The physical condition of the car is fair at best, so the seller’s asking price might be on the high side. The biggest question the buyer will likely have address is which engine to go with: stick with the running 440 that’s already there or do whatever is necessary to bring the original 383 up to snuff and put it back into the car.