1968 Plymouth Road Runner

[Paul Ceasrine]

Thanks Jeff,,,,,,

Now, a couple of 'sharp-looking' 1968 Hemi Road Runners from the Northeast,,,

1969 Photo's

Jim LeRoux,,,,,Highland Falls, New York
SS/DA at Dover Drag Strip, May 1969

(68' Coupe,,,,,color; RR1, Burgundy)



Paul Bailey,,,,North Kingston, Rhode Island
SS/D at Connecticut Dragstrip, October 1969

(68' Coupe,,,color; WW1, Sable White)

[Paul Ceasrine]

The most famous 1968 Hemi Road Runner,

Sox & Martin's (Coupe, 4-Speed)


History;
This 68' Hemi Road Runner was built specifically for the 1968 AHRA Winternationals,
to participate in the SS/E (Super Stock/Eliminator) competition.
The 1968 AHRA Winternationals were held at the famous Lions Drag Strip, Long Beach, California,
on February 2, 3 and 4 in 1968.

* The #3560 lb. Coupe was whittled down to #3400 lbs., with lightened parts and a set of 1965'
Race Hemi aluminum cylinder heads.

* The Street Hemi 10.25-1 factory pistons were replaced with a set of combustion crunching Race Hemi 12.5-1 slugs.

* The camshaft, a secret factory grind with a .590 lift and 318* duration.

*The stock Street Hemi aluminum in-line dual-carb intake manifold was retained, but the ports were hogged out, and the center dividers were milled.

* The (2) Street-Hemi Carter #4430 AVS 625 cfm (1 7/16" x 1 11/16") carburetors were replaced with a set of Carter #3705 AFB 750 cfm units (1 11/16" x 1 11/16").

* Ignition, was a Prestolite Distributor, with transitorized components.

* 4.88 gears filled the 9 1/4" Dana rear.

* Hooker Headers, 2" primary x 30" length, into a 3" x 12" length collector.

* For tires, GoodYear 15" x 10.5" slicks.

At the time, the 68' Hemi Road Runner had a standard 'power bulge hood', with no air induction.

Performance at the 68' AHRA Winternationals,,,,,,10.60's @ 130 MPH

1968 AHRA Super Stock/Eliminator Championship;
Ronnie Sox lost to Dick Landy's 68' Hemi Charger in the SS/Eliminator Championship.
Dick Landy (Winner) 10.51 @ 132.45 MPH ,,,(Runner-Up) Ronnie Sox 10.62 @ 131.30 MPH

One-week later, the 68' Hemi Road Runner was at the NHRA Winternationals, competing in
A/MP, along with Dick Landy's 68' Hemi Charger

[Geerhead55]

Photo looks like the famous "Hot Rod" magazine cover shot. I never paid attention 'til now,but I don't see a roll bar in there. Were they not required at that time on a 10 second car? I was only 15 in '68, but I clearly remember THAT issue as being my first HRM on a suscription,,, didn't have to ride my bike to the store to spend my .50 cents on it anymore, so I bought Super Stock and Drag Illustrated with it instead! I still have them all, plus Car Craft and many others.
Danny Durham

[Jim B]

Originally Posted by Geerhead55

I never paid attention 'til now,but I don't see a roll bar in there. Were they not required at that time on a 10 second car? .
Danny Durham

Maybe someone else will admit to remembering but as I recall accepted Stock and S/S racing attire in 68-69 was a helmet, t-shirt, shorts and sneakers. (with or without socks) I seem to remember the NHRA rulebook had a section that detailed the mixture of Borax and water to soak your clothes (t-shirt and shorts too) in to enhance their fire retardant properties. Roll bars weren't required and the use of factory lap belts (shoulder belts were a rare option or not available ) was fine. The most common safety inspection was a tech inspector under the hood shining a flashlight at the firewall and another inspector looking under the dash to be sure no light was seen. The quickest S/S cars were the Hemi SS/B and SS/BA A body Mopars that were in the 10.60 areas. No stockers were in the 10's yet...very few were even in the 11's!!!!

[Paul Ceasrine]

Danny,

Great memory,,,,,,,
The Road Runner was on the cover of Hot Rod Magazine,
February 1968.
Cost,,,,,,.50 cents.

Photo shoot took place in late-November 1967.
Sox & Martin already had the car prepared, and were doing
Super Car Clinics on the 'west coast'.

The plan for 1968 was to run the car in Super Stock/Eliminator (SS/E) in the AHRA,
and switch over to A/MP when competing in the NHRA.

1968 NHRA,,,, A/MP class,,,,,,,7.00 - 8.49 weight-to-cubic inches

paul

[Paul Ceasrine]

1968 NHRA Safety Requirements for Super Stock;

* Helmet
* Seat Belts
* Explosion-proof bell-housing (Scattershield)

pc

[Paul Ceasrine]

March 1968 photo,,,,,

68' Hemi Road Runner,

Look closely, now sporting a '1965 Race Hemi' thin steel hood scoop.

[Paul Ceasrine]

Chrysler-Plymouth Publicity Photo Shoot

The 68' Hemi Road Runner, with the 65' Race Hemi hood-scoop, and
'Road Runner' lettering under the Plymouth emblem, and re-located fender decals.

[JeffD]

Paul, the last picture is from 69. You can see the square marker light on the rear 1/4 or the RoadRunner, and the Cuda has a 69 grill, and header panel.

Jeff

[JeffD]

John Brown's 68 RoadRunner. John bought this car brand new, and is still racing it.