Determining a “Greatest Of All Time” in any category is sure to ignite debate, and that is certainly true when the topic turns to the American V8. Many enthusiasts will put forward compelling arguments for an engine wearing the Bow-Tie, while others will advocate for something produced by the good people at Ford. What is certain is that the shortlist would include Chrysler’s legendary 426ci Hemi. That is what potential buyers will find lurking under the hood of this 1969 Plymouth Road Runner that is an impressive survivor. It is a two-owner classic that needs a new home and a buyer ready to appreciate the earth-shattering performance it offers. The seller has listed it for sale here on eBay in Hillsdale, New York. Bidding has raced to $80,100, but I’m not surprised that this figure falls short of the reserve.
Only two people have been this Road Runner’s custodian since the day it rolled off the showroom floor, and the seller indicates it has never received any form of restoration. That suggests that the Ivy Green Metallic paint gracing its panels was applied by the folks at Plymouth, with the same true of the Black vinyl top. If the claim is accurate, the car’s overall condition is impressive. Close examination of the excellent supplied photos reveals some minor defects, but nothing that demands a complete repaint. Doing so on a car of this caliber would undermine its survivor credentials, so many potential buyers would choose to leave well enough alone. The vinyl is equally impressive, but I must sound a note of caution. There is bubbling on the driver’s side rear pillar under the vinyl. It may be nothing, although there are a couple of small bubbles below the back window that may indicate developing problems. I have included an additional photo at the bottom of this article, allowing readers to draw their own conclusions. If there is an issue, jumping on it early would be a wise first move. The remaining panels look clean, and the glass is flawless. The correct badges and trim are intact, and this Plymouth rolls on its correct steel wheels outfitted with dog dish hubcaps.
The reality is that Plymouth didn’t produce a slow Road Runner in 1969. It was just that some were faster than others! This one features its numbers-matching 426ci Hemi that produces 425hp. It is backed by a four-speed manual transmission that the original owner fitted in 1971 in preference to the original TorqueFlite. If they pointed this ground-bound jet at a ¼ mile, the journey would be a memory in 13.5 seconds. The car is in excellent mechanical health and has a genuine 62,000 miles on its odometer. The transmission change may undermine this classic’s potential value, but only time will tell. It is worth noting that Plymouth rolled 421 examples of the Road Runner Hardtop off the production line in 1969 with a Hemi under the hood. Of those, 234 featured the four-speed, with the remaining 187 equipped with a TorqueFlite. That made the automatic versions significantly rarer, and some people will probably factor that into their bidding.
For an unrestored classic, this Road Runner’s interior presents well. You can see evidence of the shifter quadrant and mount for the TorqueFlite’s shifter, but a Hurst unit for the four-speed pokes through the floor. Interestingly, the original owner ordered this classic with the factory tachometer, but there is also a Sun Super Tach mounted under the dash “eyebrow.” I undertook a spot of online sleuthing and can confirm that both the Sun unit and the Stewart Warner oil pressure gauge were added by the original owner to monitor the Hemi’s health as it belted down the local ¼ mile. They add to this classic’s story, but removing both items would be easy for a new owner craving originality. Some of the faux chrome trim on the dash is worn, but that is one of the few faults worth mentioning. The trim, upholstery, carpet, and headliner are excellent. The interior has no pressing needs, and its presentation is easily acceptable for a survivor-grade car.
If you ever harbored doubts about the desirability of this 1969 Plymouth Road Runner, a glance at the auction’s bidding history should erase them. After opening at $995, it took three days for fifty-two bids to push the price to its current level. That begs the question of where it is likely to head before the hammer falls. If two or more people are serious about parking it in their garage, I won’t rule a six-figure sum out of the equation. However, that will also depend on how potential buyers respond to the transmission change. Some may feel that it undermines the value but watching the listing will reveal the truth. Who’s going to join me?
A the infamous Hemi, a Mopar collectors dream. They sure look awesome under the hood. Wheel well to wheel well motor. If I had any idea what they would bring today would have snatched one up years ago and put it in the garage. Yeah it will go to six figures or really close. Shame the auto it gone but doubt that will scare too many buyers away. My self for that kind of bucks better get it inspected.
I agree, I remember hemi Road Runner’s going for 10-15 grand, at the same time I was spending $1000 for 383 Road Runner’s at the time. I wish I knew, I would have picked up at least one.
Not buying it…..panel paint perfect Batman….
I love a manual 99% of time, but this would have been just fine left as the original column shift torqflite 3spd automatic.
Will go for plenty of green, then sit never driven. Dumb, dumb and dumber.
Sure will ,must really p*ss off a Mopar hater like you , doesn’t it ?
Wouldn’t buy it for that money, with the column showing it was auto and offset clutch … does the owner have the original auto – that would help a lot …
With the corrosion bubbles showing under the vinyl top and along the base of the rear window trim, whoever buys this WILL be performing at least a partial restoration. Current owner is living in fantasy land, value wise.
I cant believe after all is said and done he didn’t convert the steering column to reflect the floor shifter. high school stuff. As jangus and the other estute guys on BF, the bubbling under the vinyl is probably worse than it presents. Changing the slush pump for the 4 speed sounded like a good idea when it was done, and I would prefer the stick, but probably affect the value more than one could realize. Having beat all that to death, there’s no one on here who wouldnt live to run this Elephant Thru the gears one time. An amazing short built in a time where it was only built for going fast. No frills and not meant to last. God Bless America.
Cheers
GPC
This is a good looking Runner. That said.. two things that stand out for me. One.. the rear leaf springs shackles and some type of traction bars. Mopar had the right setup with leaf springs. You could set up pro stock with on a Hemi I would put eight on a right six on the left. That would definitely give you a lot of traction. Number two.. the steering column I know it was previous mentioned about it. But I’m thinking they left it on there in case somebody wants to go back to automatic. Today you could put a wicked 727 automatic in that car. And that’s what I would do. Remove the stick put a patch plate over the hole. Fix the pedals and there you go automatic the way it came from the factory. Its definitely worth more when you have the right combination. Well the paint it’s good and should check vinyl top with those rust bubbles rising up..what I see it definitely is fun to drive. Good luck to the next owner. 🇺🇸🐻🇺🇸
Yep, I agree with everything you said !
Any way this car is awesome low mileage 4speed , it’s a keeper anyway you look @it wish I had the money
Anyone else see the BLACK Seatbelts. All the rest of it was already picked over.
Seat belts appear BLUE to me. But I AM looking with 50+ year old eyes. I’d revert to the automatic transmission, then drive it hard until gas vehicles are outlawed.
~ God Bless America
Nice looking RR I see mice got in the headliner 2 holes and soil mouse stains can be seen
I can’t believe what these cars are going for, I brought a 67 Coronet R/T, 426 4 speed and had it for one and half years, sold it and though I made money, Ha! I gave it away, oh well live and learn! I have another R/T , but it’s only a 383 Mag, maybe some day before I die!
All that power, running around on 70 series tires. But that was pretty common back. My Charger came with 70’s, but i put 60’s on the rear and air shocks.
And you could crank down the front end…..car was always going downhill !
lol
It sold for $90,000 wow.. I hope they enjoy the Hemi!!! 🇺🇸🐻🇺🇸
Wow,as a Gear head from the 70s-now,I buingwould have never thought cars like this would get $ like this. My current car is a 71 duster,just had it painted to its orig.FC7 in vilot purple. And got it free,just before it was going to get munched at the local wrecking yard.I think it would sell for 30k at least.Not for sale but I never thought a duster would get that kind money.I have a lot of money in it now so I guess I could get a lot for it so its wierd to think that a duster would command this kind of $$$ and also never would sell it.I,M lucky to have what I have-hard to say,but I could never think about buying one like me and have to fork out that kind of $ count me lucky!!