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Parts to Start: 1968 Plymouth Road Runner

If you would love to get your hands on a numbers-matching Plymouth Road Runner project car, then this might be a golden opportunity. While there is some restoration work to be done, the owner is including a few parts to help you get started. The Plymouth is located in Visalia, California, and is listed for sale here on eBay. Bidding is currently sitting at $9,500, and the good news is that the reserve has now been met, so the Road Runner is ready to head to a new home.

The owner is pretty candid about the condition of the Plymouth. There is rust appearing around the rear window and in the bottoms of the quarter panels. So, nothing really unusual there. The trunk floor is also pretty sad. However, there are a number of new rust repair panels to address the trunk floor and rear window problems, and given the fact that the rust in the quarters is only minor, this might be able to be repaired with a patch rather than replacing the entire panel on either side. You have no doubt noticed the mismatch of paint on the driver’s side. It appears that the car suffered some minor accident damage at some point in the past. The owner says that this has been repaired and that there are no signs of the dreaded Bondo or any other problems with this. It’s also important not to be concerned about any trim items that might appear to be missing. These have been removed in preparation for the restoration. They are with the car, along with a couple of new minor trim items, and a set of the correct Road Runner decals.

The interior has undergone a re-trim at some point in the past, and it probably isn’t the most attractive of colors. Not to fear, because there’s a full set of correct new covers included with the car, along with a new full carpet set. There are some other issues to be addressed inside the car, but you are at least getting a bit of a start. There are also numerous other small trim items, both interior and external, included with the Road Runner. To get an idea of what is included, just take a peek at the last photo in this story.

Finding a classic project car is great, but it is even better when it is a running and driving car that is numbers-matching. That is exactly what this Road Runner is. The original 383ci V8 and automatic transmission are both still present. The car hasn’t had a lot of use in recent times, but the owner has just fired it up and taken it for a drive, and it drives well, with no problems to speak of. There is a bit of cleaning to be done, courtesy of a leaking valve cover gasket, but once again, it really does look promising. One job that should go on the priority list is the tires. Apparently, they’re getting pretty old and cracked, and the owner does suggest that they should be changed before the car is driven any distance. Speaking of tires, the original spare is still sitting in the trunk.

The Road Runner is not a car that has developed a strong following over the years, because it already had one from the day that the first one appeared on the streets. They have a lot of things in their favor, including great looks, and impressive performance. This one has a lot of potential, and it is one that I would love to see going to the home of one of our Barn Finds readers.

Comments

  1. Avatar edh

    “The Road Runner is not a car that has developed a strong following over the years, because it already had one from the day that the first one appeared on the streets. ”

    I had to read this 4 times to understand the meaning.

    Like 13
    • Avatar Fred W

      I understood it the second time- but I just had coffee.

      Like 14
    • Avatar Stillrunners

      Beep Beep..

      Like 5
    • Avatar Dave

      In that era, prime time TV started at 7pm. It was common for shows aimed at children and families to be aired at that time. One of those was the Bugs Bunny/Road Runner hour. Another network aired the Flintstones. When Plymouth chose to name its car Road Runner it was a stroke of marketing genius because everyone knew that a car named after a very fast cartoon bird (whose image graced the car) just HAD to be fast! Dad might have gone on to the dealership with a Satellite or Belvedere in mind but went home with a RR thanks to the kids.

      Like 3
      • Avatar Ray Guardiano Member

        Hi Dave !
        Thought I’d my story to your comment about what “Dad” wanted at the dealership back in ’68. I recently found a 73,000 mile original, 1 owner, 1969 Chrysler Town & Country 6 passenger wagon here in the Seattle area. What is interesting is that Mom and Dad had two different ideas of what the next family transportation should be for 1969. She wanted a station wagon to haul the growing family, he wanted a 1969 Road Runner for obvious reasons. Well, mom won out getting a wagon, but with some shenanigans with the help of the salesman he custom ordered “Mom’s” new car. No power windows, no power seat, no air conditioning, no 3rd seat, no roof rack……but he ordered : 3.23 SureGrip gears and the 383 4 barrel HP option with dual snorkel air cleaner and up-swept HP C-body exhaust manifolds. It seems that Dad got to have his cake and eat it too ! I should have it cleaned up and ready for summer cruising in a few weeks ! Thank you !

        Like 3
    • Avatar Ray Guardiano Member

      Hi Dave !
      Thought I’d my story to your comment about what “Dad” wanted at the dealership back in ’68. I recently found a 73,000 mile original, 1 owner, 1969 Chrysler Town & Country 6 passenger wagon here in the Seattle area. What is interesting is that Mom and Dad had two different ideas of what the next family transportation should be for 1969. She wanted a station wagon to haul the growing family, he wanted a 1969 Road Runner for obvious reasons. Well, mom won out getting a wagon, but with some shenanigans with the help of the salesman he custom ordered “Mom’s” new car. No power windows, no power seat, no air conditioning, no 3rd seat, no roof rack……but he ordered : 3.23 SureGrip gears and the 383 4 barrel HP option with dual snorkel air cleaner and up-swept HP C-body exhaust manifolds. It seems that Dad got to have his cake and eat it too ! I should have it cleaned up and ready for summer cruising in a few weeks ! Thank you !

      Like 1
  2. Avatar On and On Member

    The Road Runner was a brilliant marketing success strategy. They were cheap and affordable to a group hungry for light powerful cars.

    Like 4
  3. Avatar Ted

    Wouldn’t that be like saying it’s popularity though multiplying never really did decrease?

    Like 5
  4. Avatar cold340t

    @$1500/labor a side is what I was recently quoted for 1/4panel replacement on my Dart. That is the “cash” price. The panel was @$700 Mopar. I bet @$6/7k to get rid of rust on this car. Not too bad. MOPAR or No car!

    Like 2
  5. Avatar Gaspumpchas

    Nice start for a project, Plenty of work to do, but it beats starting with a heap that’s already half returned to nature. I’d add a 4 speed, Good luck, hope someone whos always wanted one gets this one!!

    Cheers
    GPC

    Like 4
  6. Avatar local_sheriff

    Always loved the RRs for their stripper simplicity, and the 68 is definately the best looking year for those birds.
    I’m no Mopar expert, owner claims those wheel covers are OE bits? Is that correct, I thought RRs came with dog dish caps only unless buyer opted for the Magnum wheels?

    Like 1
    • Avatar Karl

      Those are the correct hubcaps for 68 , you could get dog dish , full caps or mags on any B body, it depended on what you ordered, or what the dealership ordered if it was a lot car order. Usually if the car had dog dish caps the rims were painted the same as the car, but if it originally was ordered with the full caps the rims would be black. Then again, it wouldn’t be out of the ordinary for a salesman to switch caps from one car to another to seal a deal !

      Like 2
      • Avatar local_sheriff

        Thanks Karl for enlightening me! I wasn’t around when these sold new, but I always get excited about stock caps and covers. They hardly speak performance, but sure add to the sleeper look! Beep-beep!

        Like 0
  7. Avatar GP Member

    Pretty good shape and with the parts that are included I think there asking price is a fair one.

    Like 2
  8. Avatar Barzini

    Back in the early 1970s, a substitute teacher (Mr Thomas) at Middle Gate School (Newtown, CT) had one just like this. So many of the cars I still love today came from knowing people who owned one.

    Like 0
  9. Avatar Troy s

    Cheap thrills, you bet these were, enough power to keep up with Joe Blows SS 396 whatever?..maybe. But none of that mattered, just name it after a cartoon character and all the young folks go bonkers! After all, these far outsold the Dodge Superbee which to me was even more of a scoops and decals type of ride. I don’t know, that name road runner, really does have an appeal to it as a car that could really scoot. Love the car, never liked the horn, sorry.

    Like 0
  10. Avatar stillrunners

    Somebody steal this car ! Not sure why folks go with FULL panels when they make a small patch for this lower area – maybe easier or just more money ?

    Hard to find these unmolested….but that’s another early radiator in it – should have the flat top. Minor mods on this one…..original grille speaks volumes !

    My 1968 hardtop RR came with those same caps.

    Like 2
  11. Avatar John Oliveri

    GTX had a little more flash and options, but if I bought this I’d put buckets and a console in it, great price for matching #s car

    Like 1

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