The Road Runner, which served as the company’s most economical entry into HEMI ownership, remained in production until 1974 (although the HEMI was discontinued in 1972). It gave rise to a short-lived and uncommon convertible version and served as the foundation for the extravagant Superbird. Needless to say, it continued to be one of Plymouth’s most renowned nameplates.
Fast forward to 2024, and the Road Runner is no longer as budget-friendly as it once was. However, it still remains a relatively attainable option for classic car enthusiasts, as long as a HEMI is not a requirement. The metallic green example showcased here serves as perfect evidence of this.
This first-year model of the Road Runner is slightly more sophisticated than the standard version. It features a black and Avocado Green exterior combination, giving it a stylish appearance comparable to the GTX. The interior is equally appealing, thanks to its two-tone design. The Avocado Green and Velvet Green combo is a rare sight to behold.
What’s more, this Road Runner has undergone a meticulous frame-off restoration, resulting in a flawless appearance. One could argue that it looks even better than when it was brand new. In addition to its pristine condition, this Mopar boasts an immaculate engine compartment that houses a powerplant that matches the original specifications.
In 1968, the Road Runner was available with only two engine options. Since this particular Plymouth does not feature a HEMI, it is equipped with a 383-cubic-inch (6.3-liter) big block. This engine produced 335 horsepower and 425 pound-feet (576 Nm) of torque when it was new, allowing this midsize vehicle to complete the quarter-mile in less than 15 seconds. Not bad for a car weighing nearly 3,500 pounds (1,588 kg), right?
The positive aspects continue with the drivetrain, as both the four-speed manual gearbox and the 3.56-ratio axle are original to the car. While this configuration is not extremely rare, it is the scarcest option among non-HEMI models.
In 1968, Plymouth sold a total of 44,303 Road Runners, with only 1,009 of them being equipped with the 426-cubic-inch (7.0-liter) HEMI engine. This means that a staggering 43,294 units were fitted with the 383 V8. However, less than half of these vehicles were ordered with the four-speed manual transmission, totaling 20,393. Although this is still a substantial number, the example being presented here is a hardtop variant, making it one of just 6,686 pillarless Road Runners that were specified with the 383/4-speed combination.
While I cannot confirm the exact number of vehicles with this specific exterior and upholstery layout without proper documentation, it is safe to say that it is relatively rare. Nevertheless, this detail is not of utmost importance because this Road Runner is undeniably stunning. And for the price of $76,998, it can be yours. While it may not be considered cheap, it is worth noting that most HEMI models in similar condition typically cost twice as much.
According to the Source autoevolution.com