1969 Plymouth Road Runner 383 from North America

Summary:

69 Road Runner... Yeah!

Faults:

Regular maintenance. But over time the steering got sloppy as the steering gear box wore out. Replaced with one from a junk yard, and it was bad too. Couldn't afford a new unit at the time, as I was quite young.

General Comments:

It was just a 3 speed auto that would burn rubber for 20 feet. It was a fun straight line car. Sounded real good and looked good too.

Strong engine, but as with most cars of that era, it had a problem putting power to the ground because of the traction with the tires and rubber compounds used back then. With today's rubber and couple it to a modern 6 speed transmission, I expect you would knock a whole second off 1/4 mile times.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 6th March, 2013

1970 Plymouth Road Runner Sport Satellite 5.2L 318 cid from North America

Summary:

Classic Plymouth Muscle

Faults:

Well first off, the car was 30 years old, so anything that went wrong with the car was age's fault in my opinion.

About half of my trunk had rusted before I repaired it. Half of my rear quarter panels had rusted out.

The air and heat and defroster never worked when I got it, but that was because the guy before me disconnected it, and I removed it all together except for the heat.

One of the freeze out plugs gave way in my driveway a week after I got it, from rust, and the windshield wiper fluid holder cracked from age.

What finally put Christine in the showroom in the sky, was I couldn't afford new tires, and my master cylinder was going too, and on the way to school in February, on an S turn in ice, I lost it, and after trying to correct (AND DOING IT WELL I MIGHT ADD) twice, I turned too far out of the skid, and the car just slid forward on my bald tires and hit a tree doing 40 mph. The frame bent, and I hit the motor so hard that it knocked the transmission off its mounts, and put the rear axle through the gas tank.

That car was my first car, and probably my greatest memory to this date. I loved that car more than life itself.

General Comments:

I was in the Long Island Mopar Power Club, even though the car was a work in progress when I had it.

I upgraded the 2 bbl manifold and carb up to a 4bbl 600 CFI Holley with an LD4B Edelbrock aluminum manifold. I removed all the smog equipment and air conditioning, and any other weight the car had to speed it up. Added M/T valve covers with valve extensions so I could adjust the valves if need be.. What a beauty it was.

The suspension, even for being 30 years old, handled like a dream. Chrysler really knew what they were doing with torsion bars.

If you have one of these beauties, don't be stupid, and leave the car at home until you can afford some tires and a master cylinder for me please.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 24th April, 2003

17th Feb 2004, 10:37

A Roadrunner with a 318?

I don't think so.

21st May 2005, 10:07

Smog equipment on a 70?

I could see the sport satellite having a 318 2bbl though.

24th May 2005, 13:18

The guy had a Sport Satellite (same body, no performance) but pretended he had a Road Runner and probably drove it that way.

23rd Mar 2006, 19:05

No 2bbl on the runner.

31st Mar 2006, 10:51

Thanks for letting me know did you read the above?

1973 Plymouth Road Runner 318-V8 from North America

Summary:

With the silver paint and red stripes, it`s a head-turner.

Faults:

Replaced the water pump twice.

Had the heads rebuilt at 86,000.

I tried to get 200,000 miles from the timing chain. Not so. It went at 180,000 miles.

Still running the original short-block assembly.

The water pump bypass hose blew and left me stranded, but fixed that by slicing the hose in two and inserting a piece of pipe with two hose clamps to get me home.

Had to replace the heater control valve with one that doesn`t even resemble the original.

Installed new front rotors.

General Comments:

For having almost 200,000 miles, it still runs good and gets fairly decent mileage (17mpg highway) for a heavy car.

Interior is roomy and seats four (or five) comfortably.

Even though it needs paint, I still get people that stare to check it out. Makes me want to keep it forever!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 19th February, 2003

26th Mar 2004, 10:08

Apparently the silver paint and red stripes compensate for the lack of performance--?

Cause you sure won't get any with a 318, especially not in a heavy b-body.

27th Apr 2004, 19:32

You can get performance from a 318, and who says a b-body is heavy? its not light, but its no C-body. You can even get the Mopar slant six to run thirteens, it shan't take much to get that small block moving quick. Remember also, those Road Runners are getting hard to come by, it might actually be a good idea to keep it stock, could be a show winner!

1968 Plymouth Road Runner 426 Hemi (425 hp) from North America

Faults:

Normal stuff (alternator, etc.)

General Comments:

Very powerful engine. Has 2 4bbl carbs. Must use 91+ octane gas. Raced many & beat all (Chevy eater). Nothing stock can touch me!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 13th September, 1999

14th Feb 2001, 15:36

Ahhh, the 426 hemi, probably the best motor ever built. The quality of Chrysler cars has just gone down the toilet in recent years.

1st Mar 2001, 12:03

My dad had a '68 Road Runner, and he had the same results with his car when he street dragged.

14th May 2001, 13:48

Awesome car, currently restoring a '69 with a 383. Wouldn't buy anything else.