1968 Plymouth Road Runner Hemi

History

The Plymouth Road Runner was a performance car built by the Plymouth division of the Chrysler Corporation in the United States between 1968 and 1980. In 1968, the first muscle cars were, in the opinion of many, moving away from their roots as relatively cheap, fast cars as they gained options. Although Plymouth already had a performance car in the GTX, designers decided to go back to the drawing board and reincarnate the original muscle car concept. Plymouth wanted a car able to run 14-second times in the quarter mile and sell for less than US$3000. Both goals were met, and the low-cost muscle car hit the street. The success of the Road Runner would far outpace the upscale and lower volume GTX, with which it was often confused.

Paying $50,000 to Warner Brothers to use the name and likeness of their Road Runner cartoon character and using the Chrysler B platform as a base, Plymouth set out to build a back-to-basics muscle car. Everything essential to performance and handling was beefed-up and improved; everything nonessential was left out.

The earliest of the 1968 models were available only as 2-door pillared coupes, but later in the model year a 2-door "hardtop" model was offered. For an extra $714, Plymouth would install a 426 CID Hemi rated at 425bhp and 490lbft of torque. Combined with low weight, the 6-passenger Road Runner could run the 1/4 mile in 13.5 seconds at 105 mph. It would prove to be one of the best engines of the muscle car era, and the Road Runner one of the best platforms to utilize it.

VIN RM21J8A117164

This J Code Hemi car had a full rotisserie restoration from 1998 to 2001 by Clive Bailey out of British Columbia, Canada. It was then was purchased by Paul Clancy in 2001 and came to the USA.  We have many of the receipts and photographs of the restoration.

This car is possibly the first 1968 Hemi to be shipped to Canada with a build date of September 4th, 1967.  It is 1 of only 41 1968 Hemi Plymouths to be shipped to Canada.  Only 20 1968 Hemi Road Runner Coupes, out of 26 total Hemi Road Runners, were shipped to Canada.

Mechanics

1968 426ci Hemi Engine - Non Numbers Matching, but is Date Correct

Casting Date 1/15/1968

1968 Matched Set Hemi Carbs

Period Correct Cast Iron Headers

Mopar Electronic Ignition

727 Automatic Transmission

Trans Cooler Up Front

Correct Style 26” Radiator

742 Case Sure Grip Rear End

Dual Exhaust

Gas Tank Looks Great

Springs are in Good Shape

Newer Shocks

Manual Brakes

Manual Steering

4 Wheel Drum Brakes

Road Runner Horn

Body

Beautiful Red Paint Job

Doors Fit and Operate Great

Door Lips and Jambs are Clean and Solid

New Quarters from a 1968 Plymouth B Body

Undercarriage is Painted Body Color

Steel Wheels are Painted Body Color

235/60/15 Front, 275/60/15 Rear

Coupe Body Style

Chrome is Gorgeous

Solid Trunk with Nice Mat

Beautiful Paint Job in Trunk

Beautiful Glass

Frame is in Awesome Shape, Very Clean Inside

Torque Boxes

Floorboards Appear to be Original and Untouched

Pinch Welds are Beautiful

Very Solid and Extremely Clean Undercarriage

Wheel Wells are Clean and Solid

Interior

New Interior in 2002

Black and Silver Upholstery

Bench Seat

Interior Paint is Beautiful

Stainless Trim Inside is in Great Shape

Nice Arm Rests and Handles

Beautiful Steering Wheel

Aftermarket Gauges Under Dash

Column Shift

Aftermarket Tach Mounted on Dash

Dash Pad is in Great Shape

Carpet Looks Awesome

Headliner Fits Tight Across

Working Dome Light

Aftermarket Radio

Seatbelts Front and Back

Speakers Mounted in Package Tray

Wipers Work

Fender Tag Decoding From the Bottom to the Top

Row 1:

RM21 = Road Runner Coupe

73 = 426 Hemi 2-4BBL

5 = Torqueflite Automatic 727

45 = F70x15” Redline Tires

904 = September 4, 1967 Production Date

A05453 = Shipping Order Number

Row 2:

2: 5 = Drip Rail Mouldings

A: 4 = 3.23:1 gear ratio

X: 8 = Sure Grip traction

TRM: D4S = Deluxe Bench Vinyl Silver & Black Seat

PNT: PP1 = Bright Red

U: B = Black Upper Door Frames

Row 3: 

A: 1 = 26" Radiator

X: 1 = 521 = Glass Tinted all Windows

Row 4: 

u: 1 = 691 = Sold Car

w: 6 = 686 = Built for Canada Order

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We take over 100 photographs of the car, as well as a high definition video, so you know exactly what to expect. We encourage you to hire an independent inspector to check out the car, prior to purchase or bidding. We have a hoist available for views of the undercarriage, and our mechanics are available to speak with if you have any questions.

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248-974-9513

tWe make every effort to represent this vehicle as accurately as possible and to the best of knowledge at the time of listing. Content is based on inspection, research and/or information provided by previous owner(s). We encourage buyers to make a thorough, independent inspection and investigation to verify the accuracy of any claims to originality, history, equipment or other information provided prior to the purchase. Vehicle is being sold with no warranty in "As Is/Where Is" condition.