1968 Plymouth Road Runner Coupe

Originally introduced in 1968, the Plymouth Road Runner defined the era of muscle. With big-block V-8s, basic interiors and heavily customizable options, the Road Runner gave incredible performance and value at affordable prices. Plymouth paid $50,000 to Warner Bros. to use the Road Runner name and likeness from their cartoons as well as the famous “beep, beep” horn, which Plymouth paid $10,000 to develop. The Road Runner was based on the Chrysler B platform (the same as the Belvedere and Satellite) as a back-to-basics midsize-performance car. The original Road Runner only lasted until 1975, after which it became an option package for the Plymouth Volaré from 1976 to 1980.

The standard engine was an exclusive "Road Runner" 383 CI with a 4-barrel carburetor rated at 335 HP at 5,200 RPM and 425 lb-ft of torque at 3,400 RPM. Its extra 5 HP rating was the result of using the radical cam from the 440 Super Commando and a .25 raise in compression to 10.5:1 (versus 10.25:1 with the 383/330 HP mill). When air conditioning was ordered, the cars received the 330 HP version, as the radical cam specs of the 335 HP version did not create enough vacuum to accommodate air conditioning.

The example offered here is finished in Code P Matador Red with a black vinyl bench seat interior. It is powered by the standard Road Runner 383 CI 4-BBL engine producing 335 HP and backed by a 4-speed manual transmission shifted through the long bench-seat shifter. Magnum 500-style 15-inch wheels are mounted with 255/60 front and 275/60 rear radial tires. This example has benefited from previous restoration work that comes documented with photos and receipts. Since completion, it has been used and enjoyed sparingly by the previous owner.

The Road Runner would come to represent the muscle car era as an economical way to enjoy true performance. Though it may look basic, this factory 4-speed 1968 Road Runner will most certainly be a standout from the normal crowd.