1968 Plymouth Road Runner

[Paul Ceasrine]

Dave

Everything Road Runner:

The name designated to the car was originally 'La Mancha'.

It cost Chrysler-Plymouth $10,000 to develop the 'Beep Beep' sound in the single horn. (Black w/decal for 1968).

The use of the Inland 4-Speed shifter saved Chrysler-Plymouth
$40 per unit, instead of using the Hurst Shifter (later installed on the
1968 mid-year production cars).

Wheelbase: 116"

Track-width: 59.5" Front / 59.2" Back

Suprisingly, none of the factory-backed Chrysler-Plymouth Racing teams
were able to successfully campaign a 383 Road Runner in E/S or E/SA for the 1968 drag racing season.

[Charlie A]

Originally Posted by Frank Castros

Too bad the vintage Keystone Klassics are no longer produced. The Cragar version isn't the same.

Memory check: I believe "back in the day" NHRA banned the Keystone Classic after there were some rim seperation issues.

I had a set on a 69 red/black top 383 Charger SE.
Liked 'em better than any street wheel before or since.

[Wade Mahaffey]

When I was 12 y/o my uncle had a new 68 B-5 383 4-speed RR. He took me for a ride, when we turned around...he turned it loose! When he banged 2nd gear, the glove box busted open and all of the contents landed in my lap! It was so cool!

I came across this body from a partial payment on a 69 Dart back half that I did. I did a narrowed frame section from the trans crossmember back, narrowed the stock 8-3/4, and a full cage. I had a 440 under the bench. I think I spent about 3K including the wheels/tires, to finish the car. That car was so much fun. Everywhere you went someone would say I knew someone that had one of those.

[Paul Ceasrine]

Dave,

I can't find anything on Sox & Martin running a 68' 383 Road Runner in
E/S at the 68' Winternationals.

Only a fraction of information stating that they 'toyed' with a 68'
383 4-Speed, Road Runner in December 1967, with the possibility of running it
at the 1968 NHRA Winternationals.

Some scattered information that they were only able to get it into the
13.15 range,,,,,,,but needed to get to 12.80's to be competitive in E/S.

[Paul Ceasrine]

matt,

1968 National Records (June 1968)
E/S,,,,,,,,12.78 @ 107.65 MPH
E/SA,,,,,,12.79 @ 109.75 MPH

That's what the 68' 383 Road Runner would be shooting for.

If I can find it, an article about a Plymouth Dealer in Amarillo, Texas
that built a 'so-called Road Runner record breaker' in June 1968.

It listed everything they did, and performance results.

[Curt Rees]

Originally Posted by Paul Ceasrine

Dave

Everything Road Runner:

The name designated to the car was originally 'La Mancha'.

It cost Chrysler-Plymouth $10,000 to develop the 'Beep Beep' sound in the single horn. (Black w/decal for 1968).

The use of the Inland 4-Speed shifter saved Chrysler-Plymouth
$40 per unit, instead of using the Hurst Shifter (later installed on the
1968 mid-year production cars).

Wheelbase: 116"

Track-width: 59.5" Front / 59.2" Back

Suprisingly, none of the factory-backed Chrysler-Plymouth Racing teams
were able to successfully campaign a 383 Road Runner in E/S or E/SA for the 1968 drag racing season.

That be identical to the 1st Road Runner I owned, right down to the dog dish hub caps!

#5457

Curt Rees

[Paul Ceasrine]

1968 Plymouth Road Runner

Mid-Year changes;
* The Hurst Shifter replaced the Inland Shifter

* A Hardtop version was added, to go along with the Pillared Coupe.

Mid-Year Option;
* The under hood air induction package.


This unit was an option on both the 383 and 426 Hemi in 1968.
Since it was a mid-year option, very few were ever ordered on the car, as
many Dealerships were unaware of the addition.

A black fiberglass molded unit was mounted on on the under-side of the
power bulge hood.
The ductwork straddled the air-cleaner.
And an 'orange painted' special oval-shaped air cleaner with open sides was used, on both the
single-carbed 383, and dual-carbed 426 Hemi.
A control-knob was installed under the dash panel, and the cable operated unit
was driver controlled to open or close the flapper panel installed on the
under side of the hood, feeding fresh-air in from the hood's power bulge vents.

The under hood air induction system option cost; ($55.30)

[Paul Ceasrine]

Dave

As per the 1968 Road Runner information booklet.
Based upon production numbers of; (46,054 built cars).

Most Ordered Option:
* (97%) AM Radio,,,,,,,,,,,,,($60)
* (83%) Power Brakes,,,,,,($42)
* (81%) Power Steering,,,,($94)
* (80%) Sure-Grip Posi,,,,,($45)

Least Ordered Option;
* (2.3%) 426 Hemi,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,($714),,,,,,{only 1019 Hemi cars built}
* (8.5%) Air Induction Package,,,,,,,,,($55)



Of the 46,054 cars built.
Automatics,,,,,24,411,,, (53%)
4-Speeds,,,,,,,21,643,,, (47%)

The buyers age groups;
Age 16 to 29,,,,,44%
Age 30 to 49,,,,,35%
Age 50 plus,,,,,,,21%

[hadtobethere]

I raced a 69 Road Runner back in 1969-70 (pictured).... F/S best et of a 13.06

I purchased it new...the 3rd owner still has it, original paint, motor, trans, etc and I think it still has less than 10,000 miles on it.

As I remember, it was a 4 speed, rear pop out windows, deluxe interior package, air induction hood, am radio

[Paul Ceasrine]

'Mellow Yellow' a nice car,,,,,,,,,,,and a nice song name by Donovan.

Chrysler-Plymouth was very aggressive with their print advertising back then,,,,,,and had a 'special promotion' for Road Runner owners.

Participating Plymouth Dealers were supposed to offer $40 to any
Road Runner owner who won his class at a sanctioned drag strip, in both 68' and 69'.
As long as you brought documentation, the dealer was supposed to give
you a voucher that you mailed into Chrysler Performance.

Not sure how many Road Runners took up that promotion, or even knew about it.

Plymouth also would give you $250, if you you won Stock Eliminator at any NHRA Division Points Meet.

And, $400, if you won Stock Eliminator at the Winternationals, Springnationals or Indy Nationals.

Either the 383 or 426 Hemi....