There were quite a few sales success stories in the muscle car movement. None were more colorful than that of the Plymouth Road Runner with its cartoon graphics and “beep beep” horn. Introduced in 1968, it would turn in its best production numbers at more than 81,000 copies the following year. This rusty example is finished in a somewhat rare color, Omaha Orange (a lighter shade than Hemi Orange). It’s a roller that will need a lot of work, it can be found in Buffalo, Minnesota, and is available here on craigslist for $16,500. Bravo, Gunter Kramer, for this Mopar tip!
The first generation of the Road Runner (1968-70) was built on the same B-body platform as the Belvedere, the “family” mid-size car upon which it was based. Standard fare in the vehicle was a 383 cubic inch V8 which could be upgraded to either a 440 or 426 Hemi. Two body styles were offered, 2-door post coupes as well as hardtops. A convertible would finally come along in 1969.
About 30% or 24,350 Road Runners in 1969 were the 383 hardtops with a 727 TorqueFlite automatic transmission. That includes the seller’s transport which lost its engine and drive shaft long ago. The seller does have a Plan B 383 that will go with the sale, but not a High-Performance version. The transmission is still around, and its numbers match as does the rear end. The fender tag has survived along with the car’s build sheet.
We’re told this must be a special-order Mopar given the Omaha Orange paint, interior light packaging, front disc brakes, and some other options not mentioned. The odometer reading is 20,000, but it’s likely turned over. There is rust in several places, especially the floors, and the bumpers and grille seem to be missing. The interior is rough and practically non-existent, so you’ll have to source new parts to make the machine whole again.
I will offer $1.50 to the pecan fire logs which are holding this abandoned rummage debris from rolling down to the neighborhood.
I like the trunk latch
“A convertible would finally come along in 1970, it’s only year.”
This is incorrect information, a convertible Road Runner was offered in 1969 and 1970. The only 2 years it was an option.
I stand corrected. Looked at the chart wrong. Will adjust. Thanks!
Where was the build sheet hiding since all the interior is long gone? Asking for a friend.
Could have been taped to the glove box…..another place they put them.
I had the chance to buy a 69 road runner it was a roller no motor but original 4spd still in the car . No interior but the seats and dash. All the metal work was done and in primer . And all the work was done correctly, body lines perfect ect. Under side clean as new. I passed on it because I was in the middle of putting another mopar back together. I should have dished out the 3500 and just put on the back burner for 2yrs. According to this add and others as well I could’ve sold it for 18000. I can’t believe the prices for these rust buckets. And remember this wasn’t 10 or even 20 yrs ago I passed on the deal it was only 2 yrs ago. Smh till I pass out!
As we so often see, a lotta money, for a lotta nothin. And “Omaha Red”? Never heard of that one, Omaha is known for a few things, but nothing I can think of related to the color red, red Angus cows maybe, or Berkshire hogs, they’re kinda red. Anyway, these cars were neat when new, good luck to somebody with enough $$$ to make it that way again
The name isn’t Omaha Red, it’s Omaha Orange. It’s a common fleet color, so many in auto/truck sales and fleet management are familiar with the term.
That said, this could have been a special order to get Chrysler’s fleet orange early in the year, or it may have been produced after the introduction of the High Impact paints, in which case this is regular production (optional at extra cost, but not special order) EK2 Vitamin C Orange. Only the fender tag knows for sure.
My bad, guess that eliminates cows and hogs lol. But the question still remains lol
I read somewhere that this was a 1969 only color. There are only 2 Charger Daytona copies in this color.
Rusted rear frame rails for five digits? Not me, thanks.
“and other options” like what else….the tach is all else – is there a fender tag….did say something about the build sheet – he should show that…I think this is the one that’s been for sale before….it’s really just to rusty…..
This I is real rough.No thanks
For us old guys, I’m nearing 70, we remember these heaps looking this bad in the early 80s and that’s the truth. These were not some cars and coffee thing. Very few people lavished care on them. They were driven, all four seasons of the year. And with lousy Chrysler build quality, well, they rotted especially in northeastern PA, where I lived and still do. When I turned 16, I found a 69 RR hardtop, 383, 4 speed for sale near out house in the NEWSPAPER. Imagine that. The guy wanted $1,400. Dad took me there and it was rusted pretty badly. My father grabbed my arm and said you are not buying that pile of crap, even though it was my own money I saved from mowing lawns and doing concrete work. When I was 17, he relented and I found a beautiful, one owner FE5 1970 RR hardtop with N96 for $1,200. Then that stupid Arab oil embargo came and gas was suddenly 55 cents a gallon. I put a two barrel intake on it, wisely kept the four barrel, parts, etc. Off to the Army and dad made me sell it as he didn’t want some hot rod sitting in the driveway. I got a whopping $950 for it. And the guy demolished it. Ah memories.
Get it while you can , I guess. What goes up, must come down. 6 BBL , and Hemi cars will bring big money, the rest will die. The age group that relates to these cars are in, or approaching fixed incomes. Next car show look at the age group, no young people getting into the 60’s cars. Tuners and imports.
never smoked Omaha orange. or red? but i woulda gave up a kidney for a dash tach on my mostly trunkless 69 RR
That one’s a crate. You’d have to have more $$ than sense to buy it! GLWTS.
There are a lot of driver roadrunners for not that much more so why would anyone pay that? Restored 383 rr’s can be had for in the 30K range.