Clean ’69 Road Runner Impresses at Rods, Rides & Relics in SoCal
It may not be an ultra-rare Hemi or convertible, but this classic hardtop Road Runner has a lot of other things going for it.
Back in the ’60s and early ’70s, muscle car fans had a slew of incredible options to choose from. Whether you were a family man with little dough to spare or a pro drag racer with plenty of funds, there was at least one or two cars to meet your particular needs. The Plymouth Road Runner was somewhat of a working man’s hot rod, but it could be optioned in a number of ways. And this ’69 Road Runner we came across while attending this year’s 16th Annual Rods, Rides, & Relics show in Redondo Beach, California is certainly a solid, ultra clean example of the breed.
1969 was a good year for Plymouth’s Road Runner, as it scored Motor Trend‘s Car of the Year award. Even with minor styling changes, sales of the already popular model doubled. This particular ’69 is a hardtop, which means that it’s the most common, with 48,549 produced. Buyers could opt for a 440 CI or 426 CI Hemi for an additional cost, but this car packs the base 383 V8 producing 335 horsepower. Still, it was a respectable performer with a reasonable base price of just over $3,000.
Thus, this particular Road Runner might not be the rarest or most valuable muscle car in existence. But it’s absolutely gorgeous, for starters. And it’s also equipped with a host of nice options. That includes things like the performance axle package and Torqueflite transmission, in terms of go-fast goodies. In the looks department, it packs “red streak” tires, accent/sport stripes, tinted glass, and custom sill molding.
In terms of comfort, this Road Runner has plenty of good stuff as well. Options in that department include air conditioning and floor mats. And the interesting “light package” that includes illumination in places like the trunk and glove box. Ah, luxury in the the ’60s. The Road Runner also came equipped with heavy duty shocks and brakes, as well as a four-barrel carb standard.
Thus, it may not be an ultra rare Hemi or convertible Road Runner. But we love this ’69 hardtop all the same. With an attractive color and nice array of options, it’s the kind of classic muscle car you won’t be afraid to drive. And take to events like Rods, Rides, & Relics to show off. And in the end, wouldn’t you rather have a car like that than some priceless, rare, museum piece?
Photos for Dodge Forum by Derin Richardson
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