Muscle cars fell out of favor in the 1970s as manufacturers focused on complying with emerging safety and emission regulations. The badges lived on, but the vehicles wearing them were shadows of their predecessors. Thankfully, enthusiasts preserved cars like this 1969 Plymouth Road Runner that emerged during the genre’s glory days. This Road Runner is rough around the edges and requires total restoration to recapture its youthful good looks. However, it is surprisingly solid and retains its original drivetrain. It is worth a close look for those seeking a project candidate with genuine performance credentials.
Plymouth introduced the Road Runner to its model range in 1968 as an affordable alternative to its GTX. It focused primarily on performance, returning the muscle car sector to its low-cost roots. This Plymouth’s history is unclear, although the original Broadcast Sheet tells part of its story. It confirms that the Green paint cloaking its exterior isn’t original, with the car rolling off the line in 1969 wearing Code A4 Silver with a Black vinyl top. The seller states the change occurred over forty years ago, and it appears it was a thorough process. The Green extends into areas like the engine bay and door jambs, suggesting there were no half-measures in the painter’s approach. The best news for potential buyers is that the car is structurally sound, although there is visible rust in the lower rear quarter panels and a few other spots. The seller indicates it will require new floor pans, which are readily available and affordable. A nut-and-bolt approach would yield the best result and allow the new owner to return the paint and vinyl to their factory appearance. One welcome feature is the optional N96 “Air Grabber” hood that allows the engine to suck in plenty of fresh, cool air. The glass and most trim pieces look acceptable for a driver-grade build, and the sports wheels add to the Plymouth’s visual appeal.
The “complete but tired” theme continues inside this Road Runner. The Green vinyl upholstered surfaces have undoubtedly seen better days. Everything appears damaged, torn, or sun-rotted, which means the buyer faces a complete retrim to recapture a factory appearance. A trim kit would be the best alternative, and a high-quality kit would produce stunning results. There are no aftermarket additions, but this interior reflects the company’s “bargain basement” approach with the Road Runner. Buyers received a bench seat as standard fare, and the options list wasn’t long when the subject turned to creature comforts. This Plymouth features a heater, an AM radio, 3-speed wipers, a cigar lighter, and a glovebox lock. That’s pretty bare-bones by any standard, but the company focused on what was hidden below the surface.
Plymouth offered 1969 Road Runner buyers its 383ci V8 as the entry-level engine. However, with 335hp and 425 ft/lbs of torque on tap, it was no automotive lightweight. The first owner teamed the 383 with a four-speed manual transmission and a 3.23 Sure Grip rear end. Performance is all you might expect from a car weighing 3,611 lbs, with the ¼-mile journey taking 14.5 seconds. The seller indicates that this Road Runner is numbers-matching. They replaced the carburetor and intake, but include the original components if the new owner wants to achieve factory specifications. The exhaust is relatively new, and the brakes received new master and wheel cylinders in 2017. It looks rough, but don’t be fooled by its appearance. This Road Runner runs and drives perfectly and is a turnkey proposition for its new owner.
The seller listed this 1969 Plymouth Road Runner here on eBay in Saugatuck, Michigan. They set a BIN of $34,200 with the option to make an offer. The price seems optimistic in the face of the work required to bring it back to its best, although the foundations are there for a new owner to achieve that goal. The viewing history for the listing suggests it has generated plenty of interest, and someone might throw caution to the wind by hitting the button. Would you do that, or is making a respectable and realistic offer more your style?
I actually had the pleasure of beating the snot out of a car just like this. Before my trucking shenanigans, in the mid 70s, I worked a couple factory jobs, and a fellow grunt named Bill, had a car just like this. After work, we would take the car out of the freeway, wait for no traffic, drop down to 1st gear, keep the right foot planted and row through the gears, well, 3rd, anyway, by the time we hit 4th, we were catching up to traffic, and the amazing part, it took the abuse. This went on all over our great country, and the ones that didn’t go overseas, and had money from a Bar-Mitzvah, could have one. It was literally the least expensive way to have musclecar thrills. At just under $3grand, a whopping 84,000 ’69 Roadrunners were sold. It was universal, but short lived fun. Here’s someones chance to see what the hub-bub was all about in ’69.
That’s funny. I owned a 69 Roadrunner in the late seventies , raced a guy on a local freeway after work and blew that 383 to Kingdom Come against a rat powered 66 GTO. That was still a great car though, none the less.
Plymouth had the GTX and the Hemi engine but this is when they finally got around to giving the GTO a run for its money. An lot of car for the money secured it’s place in Super Car history.
I had a 383 in my hand-me-down 69 charger. What an engine! More power than any 16 year old should be allowed to have. I’m still amazed we didn’t kill ourselves with that thing. I miss that car.
The car has potential and deserves a second look.
I was never beat by a 383 or 400 I did lose a few to some built 440’s but couldn’t count them on one hand. I’m a small block guy that likes high rpm motors. I put a built Xblock 340 with W2 heads in my 4 spd duster and never lost another race.
One thing is for sure: this car hasn’t been driven much lately, considering the tires on it haven’t been made in like 40 years, as far as I know.
On the high side…..the way high side….but that’s a dealer for ya…..nice it has papers and pretty orginal….still would like more under pics BUT he did say it needs floors….oh well waiting on the big money…..