Photo: Bring a Trailer/autoevolution
I’ve got tons of respect for the Plymouth Road Runner. Like today’s Hellcats, the original Road Runner was unapologetic in its design and its function. Those cars were built from the get-go with performance in mind, while also adopting this fun, wholesome “attitude” thanks to their association with the Wile E. Coyote and the Road Runner cartoons.
That’s right, Plymouth actually paid Warner Bros $50,000 for the rights to use the Road Runner name, as well as the “beep, beep” tagline.
In terms of looks, I quite prefer earlier model year Road Runners to later ones – not that you’re spoiled for choice... the first-gen cars were only in production for three years. Still, both the 1968 and the 1969 variants I think were better-looking than their 1970MY counterpart.
Alas, we’re here to talk about the 1969 model year, because it’s one such car that we’ve found getting auctioned off to the highest bidder, and with a bit of luck, it could fetch a pretty penny despite not being Hemi-powered (or even 440-powered).
Anyway, for 1969, the Road Runner received various changes to its light units, grille; plus you could get several decals, and the 440 ci engine option with 3x2 barrel Holley carburetors became available.
The thing is, this particular car is wearing a replacement 383 ci V8 that’s been fitted with a Mopar Performance 440 “purple” camshaft, plus a replacement windage tray, lifters, and damper valve springs.
According to the seller, the Edelbrock AVS2 carburetor was rebuilt last year, which is also when the fuel tank was replaced. When new, this engine would have sent roughly 335 horsepower to its rear wheels (via the 3-speed auto), which might still be true, although we don’t know the exact number since the seller didn’t provide a dyno sheet. To be fair, I’m not sure they needed to.
In terms of visuals, this car left the factory wearing Blue Fire Metallic and it still does, although it was repainted back in 2004. The V21-style black hood stripes are said to have been reapplied roughly three years ago.
Other noteworthy features include the driver-side mirror (you kind of need that), Road Runner badging, the chrome bumpers, and the body-color 14-inch steel wheels with Firestone red-line bias-ply tires. I’m not a big fan of drums being fitted to both the front and rear brakes, but I suppose that would be an easy fix for this car’s next owner.
As for the interior, you’ve got two-tone blue vinyl bench seats, complemented by the color-coordinated dashboard, door panels, and carpeting. Other goodies include the push-button AM radio, a heater, bright door sill guards, lap belts, and the three-spoke steering wheel which just happens to have a Road Runner “Beep! Beep!” horn button.
As far as we know, this car may have spent the last 21 years living in a bespoke wooden garage, seemingly built with its wellbeing in mind. Kind of like a tiny home for cars.
In terms of looks, I quite prefer earlier model year Road Runners to later ones – not that you’re spoiled for choice... the first-gen cars were only in production for three years. Still, both the 1968 and the 1969 variants I think were better-looking than their 1970MY counterpart.
Alas, we’re here to talk about the 1969 model year, because it’s one such car that we’ve found getting auctioned off to the highest bidder, and with a bit of luck, it could fetch a pretty penny despite not being Hemi-powered (or even 440-powered).
Anyway, for 1969, the Road Runner received various changes to its light units, grille; plus you could get several decals, and the 440 ci engine option with 3x2 barrel Holley carburetors became available.
The thing is, this particular car is wearing a replacement 383 ci V8 that’s been fitted with a Mopar Performance 440 “purple” camshaft, plus a replacement windage tray, lifters, and damper valve springs.
According to the seller, the Edelbrock AVS2 carburetor was rebuilt last year, which is also when the fuel tank was replaced. When new, this engine would have sent roughly 335 horsepower to its rear wheels (via the 3-speed auto), which might still be true, although we don’t know the exact number since the seller didn’t provide a dyno sheet. To be fair, I’m not sure they needed to.
In terms of visuals, this car left the factory wearing Blue Fire Metallic and it still does, although it was repainted back in 2004. The V21-style black hood stripes are said to have been reapplied roughly three years ago.
Other noteworthy features include the driver-side mirror (you kind of need that), Road Runner badging, the chrome bumpers, and the body-color 14-inch steel wheels with Firestone red-line bias-ply tires. I’m not a big fan of drums being fitted to both the front and rear brakes, but I suppose that would be an easy fix for this car’s next owner.
As for the interior, you’ve got two-tone blue vinyl bench seats, complemented by the color-coordinated dashboard, door panels, and carpeting. Other goodies include the push-button AM radio, a heater, bright door sill guards, lap belts, and the three-spoke steering wheel which just happens to have a Road Runner “Beep! Beep!” horn button.
As far as we know, this car may have spent the last 21 years living in a bespoke wooden garage, seemingly built with its wellbeing in mind. Kind of like a tiny home for cars.
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