Modified 1969 Plymouth Road Runner Hardtop Coupe

Description

The 1969 Plymouth Road Runner scored Motor Trend’s Car of the Year award, as the range was expanded to three models with the addition of a Convertible to a lineup that already included a Coupe and Hardtop. Styling changes were minor, as only the grille and tail were altered from ’68. Regardless, while manufacturers and dealers drove the cost of muscle cars like the Pontiac GTO beyond what the targeted "youth market" could afford, the bare-bones Road Runner hit that target, and sales doubled.

All three Road Runner models could be had for $3,300 or less, with the standard 335 horsepower 383 cubic-inch V8 engine and four-speed transmission. For those with more to spend, there were plenty of performance upgrades available. The 375 horsepower “Super Commando” 440 V8 could be had for an additional $164, the 390-horsepower triple-carburetor “Six-Barrel” 440 V8 for an extra $250, and the 425-hp, 426 Hemi V8 with dual four-barrel carburetors for a hefty $813.45 — nearly $7,000 in today’s money.

Most settled for the base 383, like the original buyer of this ’69 Road Runner did. This is no ordinary Road Runner, however. Every inch of the car has been significantly upgraded, from interior to suspension to engine and transmission.

Highlights 

• Finished in Black paint over Gray leather interior 

• Powered by a 440 cu-in V8 engine with BDS supercharger, FAST fuel injection system, and Mopar Performance valve covers producing an estimated 800 horsepower 

• TorqueFlite 727 three-speed automatic gearbox with a manual throttle body and B&M Pro-Ratchet shifter 

• Shaker hood 

• Full restoration in 2012 included: 

  • Rebuilt 440 cu-in V8 swapped for original 383 cu-in Hi-Performance V8 

  • New TorqueFlite 727 transmission  

  • New Independent front suspension and rear coilovers 

  • New Wilwood power-assisted disc brakes 

  • Custom electric parking brake 

  • Power-adjustable seats from fifth-generation Pontiac GT 

  • Power windows 

  • Air conditioning 

  • Black leather headliner 

  • Custom dashboard and console 

  • Kenwood touchscreen infotainment system  

  • Custom instrumentation 

  • Three-spoke MOMO steering wheel 

  • Repaint 

• New oil pan installed in 2024

• The chassis number (RM21H9G225832) decodes as: 

  • R – Belvedere/Satellite 

  • M – Road Runner 

  • 21 – Two-door sedan 

  • H – 383 cu-in Hi-Performance V8 

  • 9 – 1969 model year 

  • G – St. Louis, Missouri, assembly plant 

  • 225832 – Production number 

Features 

• Rear-wheel-drive, two-door hardtop coupe 

• Bucket seats 

• Seat belts 

• Dash instrumentation: 

  • 160 mph speedometer with digital odometer (905 miles since installation) 

  • Tachometer 

  • Water temperature 

  • Fuel level 

  • Boost PSI 

  • Oil pressure 

  • Battery voltage 

• Road Runner cartoon character silhouette on center dash 

• Console with storage 

• Integrated stereo speaker between rear seats 

• 18-inch, five-spoke Center Line wheels 

• Mickey Thompson ET Street P245/40R18 tires 

 Known Imperfections 

• Transmission sometimes reads the wrong gear because the oversized trans pan is not properly connected to the selector 

• Small overspray issues in the paint 

• Bent fan blade sometimes catches after long drives 

• Scratch on the underside of hood 

Included 

• Spare 

• Jack 

• Maintenance receipts 

Ownership History

This 1969 Plymouth Road Runner Hardtop Coupe was completely restored 12 years ago, then the shop owner passed away and the car sat for much of the next decade. The consignor acquired the car about 13 months ago. He drove it “a few hundred miles” before he noticed an oil pan issue, so he replaced it.