Judging a book by its cover can be a mistake, especially if the object in question is a desirable classic car. Take this 1969 Plymouth Road Runner as a prime example. Its tired paint and healthy layer of surface corrosion may cause some to dismiss it out of hand. However, it is a surprisingly solid vehicle featuring its original V8 under the hood. It is an excellent restoration prospect that is listed here on eBay in Springfield, Oregon. Bidding currently sits below the reserve at a very modest $1,525.

Plymouth released the Road Runner for the 1968 model year, marketing it as a more affordable alternative to its GTX muscle car. Based on the Belvedere, the First Generation Road Runner remained on sale until 1970. This car rolled off the line in 1969, ordered by its first owner in Frost Green Metallic with a matching vinyl top. To say that it looks tired is an understatement, with plenty of surface corrosion and evidence of what may have been a stalled restoration. However, looking beyond that brings its share of good news. It may require new floor pans, quarter panels, a hood, and a trunk lid, but crucial areas like the rails are rock-solid due to the Plymouth being undercoated when it was new. The seller says that it looks uglier than it is, which seems a fair assessment. Some trim pieces will require replacement, but the glass looks acceptable for a driver-grade build.

Plymouth offered a unique version of its 383ci V8 as the entry-level motor in the 1968 Road Runner, and it didn’t represent a bad starting point. That year’s Sales Brochure quotes power and torque figures of 335hp and 425 ft/lbs, confirming that this is a genuine muscle car. This Road Runner retains its numbers-matching engine, although its four-speed manual transmission has been replaced. The seller believes that the tidy state of the V8 suggests it may have been rebuilt, and they state that it runs nicely. It needs a carburetor rebuild, and the vehicle isn’t roadworthy, although they have driven it around the lot with no dramas.

Plymouth emphasized affordability in its Road Runner marketing literature, although buyers could add a few options to improve comfort. The original Dealer Invoice for this project candidate confirms that it featured an AM radio with the optional rear speaker when it left the factory. However, the factory radio has since been replaced with an aftermarket radio/cassette player. There is also a column-mounted tachometer and a wheel wrap, which appear to be the only other additions. The dash and pad look surprisingly good, but the Green vinyl trim has deteriorated badly. This is another aspect of the Road Runner requiring restoration, but with parts readily available, it shouldn’t present the new owner with too many challenges.

Although it has only received three bids at the time of writing, the remaining listing statistics suggest that there are enthusiasts out there who see the potential locked away in this 1969 Plymouth Road Runner. It will probably require a nut-and-bolt approach to return to its former glory, but with no apparent structural rust and the ongoing desirability of ’60s muscle cars, it could be a viable project if the hammer doesn’t fall with the price too high. Is this one that you might consider, or do you feel that you might be biting off more than you can chew?