In its sophomore year (1969), Plymouth’s Road Runner found more than 82,000 buyers. Many of them were happy with the base 383 cubic inch V8, but fewer than 800 opted for the mid-year A12 package, which came with a 440 “Six-Pack” and some other goodies. This Mopar is presented as the “real deal” with 515 horses under the hood. Located in Dewey, Oklahoma, this serious performer is available here on eBay, where $55,100 is the current bid, and that won’t get the job done (unmet reserve).
When you were one of the few to drive away with a “1969 ½” A12 Road Runner, you got a fairly basic bird with lots of Moxey. That included a Dana 60 rear end, 4.10 gears, a fiberglass hood (for less weight), beefier brakes, and steel wheels without any hub caps. Over at Dodge, they had a similar package for their budget-conscious Super Bee. The seller’s car has been promoted to a 5-speed manual transmission, where a 4-speed may have lived before. If so, that would make the car 1 of 422.
These factory hot rods were sold as producing 390 horsepower. This one packs an extra 125 ponies as the seller says it has been built with forged pistons, rods, a Stroker crankshaft, Edelbrock heads and intake, and headers (plus a lot more). It sounds as if the suspension has had some gumption added, too. The end result? A muscle car that should be more potent than it was 56 years ago.
The fender tag (hard to read) says this car was painted in Vitamin C (K2 code), and the current finish is a repaint with a few blemishes (but no rust). The black interior is nice but rather spartan, as you would expect. Assuming this vehicle is exactly what it seems to be, there may not be more than a few dozen A12s still left.
Wow better hang on for the 1-2-3 shift in this bird. 🏁👍
Well, 1st, it’s “moxie”, just kidding, Russ does an excellent job, and if you believe 390 HP, I have some property in Florida you might like, bring hip waders. All kidding aside, I’d say this motor put out in excess of 450hp stock, they just couldn’t say that. I read, this car actually was a tick faster than the hemi, and a lot cheaper. Hemi got all the thunder, but these could do 0-60 in 6 seconds and the 1/4 mile in 13.6 at 105. What is more amazing, that punk kid you always teased, took their Bar-Mitzvah money down to the local Plymouth dealer, and drive out in this monster. Who’s stupid now, eh? I read, the 440/6pack was $3145 new, , about $250 more than the base 383 RR. Man, that would have been money well spent for the hottest stick at the track, or street, for that matter. If this motor is over 500hp, and no doubt it is, there will be a serious traction issue, as is.
As Shelby himself once said, it’s not too much horsepower, it’s simply not enough traction.
There comes a point when too much HP overwhelms human capability. Shelby might have had quick reflexes, good muscle memory, and racing experience, but many of the purchasers of his cars did not. At least that is what Grandpa told me when I showed him this. Grandpa is the smartest man I have ever known, I suspect his is right about this. He says there is often a fine line between enjoyment and recklessness. So I said, “You mean that is when tragedy happens?” He said no to that. Said the word tragedy means a bad occurrence from an unavoidable circumstance, but getting hurt or worse in a car is never a tragedy if you alone are driving, because it could have been avoided. It might be sad, but not by definition, a tragedy. Grandpa should be a philosopher and teacher, but I’m just happy he is my grandpa.
Six Barrel Plymouth Six Pack Dodge, I know saying Six Pack sounds way cooler than Six Barrel. I always wanted one of these in Rallye Green with the white reflective (can’t hide from the Police) stripe.An adjustable pinion snubber with an automatic is the only way to go with this machine. But I couldn’t afford the insurance !!
Would be worth a lot more if it were unmodified.
Maybe to you, but I will take the extra horses and the extra gear.
I agree with you Ed, and that’s what makes this car particularly desirable to purchase. The modifications are all additive to make this car an absolute Pleasure and blast to drive. Other than putting on a stock shifter handle and bringing the ride height back to original, she is good to go. It wouldn’t be difficult to bring everything back to stock appearing, including the transmission: If money was the only thing somebody cared about. Personally, I would just Purchase, Drive and enjoy. At the end of the day it will always be a real A12 car-money in the bank.
I’m all for modifications to make a car exceptional, but a well tuned A12 car is exceptional without them. And these sorts of mods disqualify the car from all kinds of cool musclecar drag events.
So nice car, no doubt, hoping a good paint person can match the Vitamin C orange on the right front fender. This car was factory originally built with an automatic transmission too. The modifications bring the value down in my humble opinion.
Wow. Gorgeous.
It’s a 691/2 440 6 bbl. Not a six pack!
Stroker 440… This car is going to be a very visceral experience through the gears. Love the attitude and performance it presents. This is the kind of car your grandfather was warning you about. Far beyond my budget and worth the ask. Your won’t see many of these at any gathering.
Plymouth was always a thinking man’s muscle car in my opinion. Less flash, less cash, more tasteful than those ugly Dodged from that era.
I like it. Only change l’d make is paint the wheels a color other than black. As for turning it back to stock, go buy another car. The mods give you a good handling car with good power that’s fun to drive. Height back up to stock? My 2021 Chrysler van is lower than this car.
I don’t believe the “pistol grip” shifter is stock for a ’69. Correct? For a ’70 yes. BTW…I love it!