A breath of fresh air in the muscle car scene, the 1968 Plymouth Road Runner wasn’t a mere reskin of the existing Belvedere. Targeting budget-minded enthusiasts, it brought impressive performance at an attractive price point.
This first generation, especially the 1969 model year, holds a special place in collector’s hearts. Chrysler significantly underestimated demand, anticipating sales of around 20,000 units in 1968.
The arrival of a hardtop body style midway through the year, coupled with strong sales of the coupe, propelled production to nearly double the initial target. The success story continued into 1969 with over 81,000 units rolling off the assembly line and a prestigious “Car of the Year” award from Motor Trend.
Packing a punch below the heavyweight muscle cars, the 1970 Road Runner with its 383 V8 proved a surprising success. Offering 335 horsepower and 425 lb-ft of torque, it delivered thrilling performance at an accessible price. Nearly 39,500 units were sold in this configuration, but finding an original, unrestored example is a challenge today.
One such survivor has emerged for sale in River Falls, Minnesota. This numbers-matching car boasts a surprisingly reasonable price tag compared to other muscle cars of the era.
In the hunt for a pre-owned car? The seller advertises the car’s ready-to-go state, mentioning it’s in turnkey condition. However, a vital piece of information is conspicuously absent – the mileage. This lack of transparency is further amplified by the complete omission of photos that might display the odometer reading.
The provided visuals themselves offer little insight, making a closer inspection highly recommended. While the seller acknowledges some rust on the lower body panels, they assure potential buyers that the car is operational.
It might not be a showroom showstopper, but it’s an unrestored vehicle that runs and drives. To truly assess its condition (pun intended!), request more detailed photos from the seller. Even better, schedule an in-person inspection. In the ideal scenario, you could drive this car home immediately after buying it.