This Plymouth Road Runner was last registered in 1973 when the vehicle was a mere 5-years-old. Since being parked, the intervening years have not been kind to this classic, and if it is to ever see the road again, it will need to be bought by a very dedicated individual. If you think that you could potentially be that person, then you will find the Plymouth located in Eureka, California, and listed for sale here on eBay. It is obvious that there are plenty of people who see potential in the Plymouth because 10 people have so far submitted a total of 42 bids on the Road Runner. Admittedly, this has only pushed the price to $1,550, but it also means that the reserve has been met. There are also 132 people watching the listing at present, which seems to underline the desirability of these classics.
There is a belief that classic cars that have spent their lives in California will have a greater chance of avoiding significant rust issues than some in other locations, but that is not necessarily the case. This Road Runner has rust…and plenty of it. The floors and trunk pan are rotten, and all will require replacement. There is also plenty of rust present in the rear quarter panels, but the doors, rockers, and the frame supports are said to be rust-free. The Plymouth does have one issue that raises some concerns for me. It may not be a real problem, but I find the fact that both doors are jammed closed to be of some concern. Hopefully, this doesn’t indicate that the body or frame is twisted because, given the level of rust present in the car, this is a possibility that is worth considering. There are also plenty of dings and dents in the car to be addressed, while a significant quantity of the exterior chrome and trim will either require restoration or replacement. Apart from a cracked windshield, the remaining glass looks to be in good condition.
It really didn’t matter what spec the car was in, ordering a Road Runner in 1968 meant that you were going to find yourself owning a car that provided some pretty reasonable levels of performance. In this case, what you found under the hood was a 383ci V8, whose 335hp found its way to the rear wheels through a 4-speed manual transmission. The end result was a car that could belt from 0-60 in 5.8 seconds, while the ¼ mile could be despatched in 14.4 seconds. That was a very long time ago for this car, but its saving grace is that it appears to be a numbers-matching car. It isn’t clear whether the engine even turns feely today, but the sheer quantity of corrosion present on the engine and many of the ancillary components doesn’t bode well for the state of the motor. I have been wrong on this before, but I think that it would be a wise idea to brace for the worst.
Let’s not beat about the bush here; The interior is trashed. There are going to be more parts that will find their way to the rubbish skip than the restoration pile when the interior is removed from the Road Runner. The seat frames could be salvaged, along with some of the dash components, handles, and other minor parts. Otherwise, the next owner will be starting from scratch inside the car. Still, when you look at the rest of the vehicle, this is hardly surprising. it’s just sad to see this once potent classic reduced to this state.
Any car can be restored given enough time and enough money. What it comes down to is a question of viability. For someone who simply has to own a 1968 Road Runner at all costs, they would undoubtedly be able to justify taking this one on. Good examples will today command prices of $35,000 upwards, while $50,000 or more is not out of reach for a really good 383-equipped car. I’ll let you do the math and decide whether this Road Runner represents a worthwhile restoration project.
How about the paddle lock latch for hood pins! Lol
I think the door wont open due its been Duked of Hazard’d and Cooter welded the doors shut.. then left it behind his deceased uncle Jessies barn… the other option is the frame is in Trouble from living in the mud,🥴🤔
I think it could be put back but… at what cost ? $$$$$$$
I see this four speed and tags along block accidentally of course jumping to another vehicle ….
Just remember reproduction parts on Mopes are very very very very high compared to Mustang Reproduction parts. They are the titanium card loaded up kind…
Looks like the first 5 years were spent as a submarine, and the last 47 exposed to the elements. Such a shame for a first year RR…
Parked in 1973, yeah, like I believe that.
Maybe 2 grand worth of parts. My question is, was the hasps screwed to the hood and fender an option that year? Couple of yale locks and ain’t nobody gonna steal that motor. Unique idea. I see a cuda in the background.
Those performance specs seem a little optimistic for a bone stock 383 Road Runner.
And I wish the guy who bought this car new had been hit by a bus on his way to the dealer, and someone would have bought it who wouldn’t have let it end up like THIS.
Why do you think the original owner was the person that parked it in a field? The ad makes no reference to that being the case.
This would have been a beautiful car when new. Metallic blue, 4spd, bucket seats without a console. Too bad it didn’t have a better outcome, without a title, this is a perfect car.
Steve R
Ummm……nope.
Strip and crush.
This thing makes my head hurt.
I’m in agreement that this car was stored under water!! For a California car and the amount of time it was on the road it does have the maximum amount of damage that a car could have!! I guess when the other 49 years are spent as a field car it can get this way!! Good luck your going to need it!!!
Not all of California is sunny and dry. This car being in Eureka is on the North Coast where the climate can be very damp and it looks like somebody just parked this car in a field and walked away.
Eureka? I lived there all my life,before moving
to Roanoke.It’s not too far from the ocean,so that
salt air can destroy metal.They also have Redwood trees
that drop their “leafs” (needles?) on cars that absorbs
moisture.
I haven’t seen this car before.
Hey! – This is just like a yard sale –
they give you money,& haul your junk away
for you.
Aaaaa, mmmmmmm, ahahah, weeeeeeees, uuuummmmm, decisions decisions.
How about, aaaaa, weeeeellllllll, aaaaaaa. NO
I saw 1 go for like 20-22 k at barrett hackson ..couldn’t believe some cars going that .(.cough cough ) cheaply there….68 el camino SS for 20k..are prices moderating finally
Then again saw a blazer..86…go for ridiculous money
Typo? Last registered in 1993 perhaps? I would like to see those black plates. Eureka is ON the ocean and that part of California is a type of rain forest. Somebody must have hated that car to abuse it like that. Pretty sorry sight. What the hell is wrong with some people?
Adam, you throw these cars up here just to torture us, don’t you?
Love the idea, or I did in 1982, but this poor old bird has had it.
Again, as you guys said, sure is sad to see a RR like this in such sad shape, Metallic blue would have looked boss with a set or magnum 500’s or torque thrust on it. A lot of guys pooh pooh the road runner as a poorly built satellite; Had a friend with a 68 that was metallic green, 383, 4 speed and it was a gas to drive. Plenty of stones to get you in trouble. Even this grey haired ford nut would own one if it was affordable. Even though you would find a blue oval if you opened my head up, I like em all, have worked on ’em all Happy motoring!
Cheers
GPC
I think folks are forgetting how susceptible these Mopars were to rust. My brother bought a 1970 Sport Satellite in 1974, and it had already rusted through. The hole on the top of the right fender was large enough that when he took the car to a picnic, people stuffed their discarded paper plates into it.
Agree it was a sharp car when new but WOW!! Today you’d be lucky to take a few nice parts off it. Also, CC Fisher is right about how fast Mopars rusted. Growing up in Ohio, I have similar memories of them missing large portions of their quarters after only a few years. And finally, to put things in perspective, it’s supposedly been off the road since I was 15 and I’m almost 62.
Worth 250 at the wreckers.
100 bucks if he has to come and get it
what a shame
There’s obviously a lot more to this story.
A demolition derby contestant at one time, from the looks of the dents. Which would also explain the clasps holding the hood on.
Parked in the swamp outback in 73, dragged out in 83, put under the shady tree to rest till now, hope the buyer has deep pockets
Parts car, then scrap metal.
Sold for $5525.00. There is plenty of work to keep you busy for a long time but someone thinks it’s worth it.
SOLD for $5,525.
When I got back to the world in June of 68 I bought one of these RR off the show room floor. Beat the tar out of it for 5 years. Looked kinda like this one.
Cost with license and registration on the street was $3175.00. Car rusted pretty bad since I lived in the UP of Michigan at that time.Had so much fun with it. Would do 120 + with no problem.