I'm looking at what is supposed to be a 1969 RoadRunner, but I get the feeling it's a cloan. It has a RR hood and a Beep Beep horn on the wheel, but no tach or badges, etc. I'm not a RoadRunner historian so I need a little help interpreting the fender tag and determining if it's the real deal or not. The price is good for a RR but not so for a Satellite.

I can tell its a Satellite model, "High" class, but it looks as if the engine code indicates it's a 318-2V (which doesn't sound too HiPo to me) and I can't determine the original tranny at all. It currently has a 383-4V big-block. with an auto and 8 3/4 rear-end and appears to have been originally painted green with a green interior. I've attached a picture to look at. Any help interpreting the tag or clues to look for to determine authenticity would be appreciated.

[IMG]local://upfiles/3618/B6252AAD5BA543F49DB5A743E5CA0294.jpg[/IMG]

 

That's a clone. RH23F9 is the VIN code for a 318 Satellite. A Road Runner with a 383 would begin RM23H9. The E44 is the engine code for a 318 as you already surmised; E63 would be the hipo 383 engine code. D31 is a 904 auto trans; the 727, which a Road Runner automatic should have, is coded D32.

 

Thanks for the heads-up. While $6500 is a sweet deal for a fairly complete RR with a straight body even though it needs a complete restoration, I'm not so sure about a clone. Any thoughts?

 

6500 for a clone needing a complete resto? Sounds about 2500 too high to me. A numbers- matching Road Runner in the same condition might be worth that, but not a clone. If it was in better shape, maybe..... just my 2 cents!

 

Yeah. I'm thinking under $5k...........maybe. As a cool ride, it's worthwhile. As a money making proposition....that's another story. Thanks.

 

Depending what you're palnning to do with it, ie., a driver still could be cool. If the 383 is HP version (HP2, etc) and if the 8 3/4 is a suregrip and packing 3:55's or better, could be a fun ride. I'd be more turned off on being led astray than anything.