1968 Plymouth Road Runner

[Jim Carter]

Originally Posted by Paul Ceasrine

Ron,

In the 1968 Car Review Magazine of compartive performance cars,
considered 'mid-size performance cars'

1968 Road Runner 383/335HP,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,car weight #3424 (10.22 wt/hp)
1968 Dodge Super Bee 383/335HP,,,,,,,,car weight #3440 (10.26 wt/hp)
1968 Chevelle SS396 396/350HP,,,,,,,,,,,car weight #3549 (10.14 wt/hp)
1968 Buick GS 400 400/340 HP,,,,,,,,,,,,,,car weight #3512 (10.33 wt/hp)
1968 Oldsmobile 4-4-2 400/350HP,,,,,,,,,car weight #3510 (10.03 wt/hp)
1968 Pontiac GTO 400/350HP,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,car weight #3504 (10.01 wt/hp)
1968 Ford Fairlane 390/325HP,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,car weight #3429 (10.55 wt/hp)
1968 Mercury Cyclone 390/325HP,,,,,,,,,,car weight #3487 (10.73 wt/hp)

Wow: GM intermediates weighed more than Super Bee or Road Runner!!
That unibodyconstruction must be the difference.

Jimmie C.

[Dan Bennett]

Originally Posted by Jim Carter

Wow: GM intermediates weighed more than Super Bee or Road Runner!!
That unibodyconstruction must be the difference.

Jimmie C.

It is a bit surprising that the Chevelle was the heaviest of the bunch.

Sometimes it helps, sometimes not. If you want a real shock, check the weight on a 70-71 Hemi Cuda or Challenger. I was astounded until I realized that the whole front clip (cowl, fenderwells, etc) was basically the same as B bodies like the Roadrunner.

[Paul Ceasrine]

June 1968 Popular Mechanics
An evaluation of current owners of the 1968 Plymouth Road Runner,
by Bill Hartford, Associate Auto Editor.

'It Goes Great Guns'

After 6 months in the automotive market, Popular Mechanics printed an article, on the evaluation of the Plymouth Road Runner by their owners.

The general review for the 'mechanical' part of the car received very good responses, listed below in order of satisfaction.
Specific Likes:
* Great Handling (#1 response)
* Style
* Performance
* Power
* Mechanical Workmanship

Mechanical problems, listed in order of required service;
* Carburetor (Frequent idle re-setting)
* Brakes (Drum brakes, inadequate)
* Transmission (Automatic, needed kick-down adjustments)
* Electrical (Voltage Regulator and Interior Lighting)

Recommended options, in order of preference;
* Power Brakes
* Radio
* Power Steering
* Sure-Grip Posi Rear






'

[Paul Ceasrine]

Matt,

The 1968 Road Runner (standard car) had;
* Egg-crate design front grille w/black accent color
* Power-bulge hood w/383 emblems installed on each horizontal vent
* Road Runner emblems on each door
* Road Runner cartoon character on each door
* Road Runner cartoon character on trunk deck lid (right side)
* Road Runner cartoon character (center of steering wheel, horn)
* Road Runner nameplate on the dashboard, above the glove box.

Otherwise, everything else was a Belvedere.

[Jeff Teuton]

We have been the Mopar dealer since summer l968, but all our orders were for 69 models. Interesting thing in l969 the insurance industry missed the Super Bee, but classified the Road Runner as a Symbol 5 HP. So we sold optioned Super Bees to everyone because the Hemi did not offer air cond., (we live 30 miles from the Gulf), and was a almost uninsurable, the 440 was almost as bad, but you could get a/c, but uninsurable, same for the GTX (any motor) and the Road Runner (any motor), so we took advantage of it. In l970 the insurance people caught up. The air conditioned models (super bee and road runner) had the small cam and a Holley @ 330 hp, and the non air cars had the avs and big cam @ 335. A Super Bee with bucket seats, console, air, p. steering, road wheel upgrade, Polyglas tire upgrade, am radio, rear speaker, & a few other things (wheel opening mouldings, belt line mouldings etc) listed about 3900. Vinyl top put it over 4k. That car (along with the 340, R/T & such) kept us in business until we learned the word truck, station wagon, etc. Started on a side street in Houma, LA with a one car showroom and 7 people. We are now in our 44th year. It's been quite a ride.

[Jeff Teuton]

Cimo, I seem to remember in l970 the 3 speed was standard and about 40 bucks for the 4 speed in the Super Bee/Road Runner cars. The factory slipped that in if I remember right. Course you know how that memory thing is.

[Paul Ceasrine]

I wonder how many Hemi Road Runners were registered as
318 Belvedere's,,,,,,,,for insurance reasons,
or better yet,,,,registered in their grandmothers name,,,,,,,,,

I wonder if the 120 MPH speedometer in the 1968 Road Runner had anything to do with that.

[cicero819]

Originally Posted by Jeff Teuton

We have been the Mopar dealer since summer l968, but all our orders were for 69 models. Interesting thing in l969 the insurance industry missed the Super Bee, but classified the Road Runner as a Symbol 5 HP. So we sold optioned Super Bees to everyone because the Hemi did not offer air cond., (we live 30 miles from the Gulf), and was a almost uninsurable, the 440 was almost as bad, but you could get a/c, but uninsurable, same for the GTX (any motor) and the Road Runner (any motor), so we took advantage of it. In l970 the insurance people caught up. The air conditioned models (super bee and road runner) had the small cam and a Holley @ 330 hp, and the non air cars had the avs and big cam @ 335. A Super Bee with bucket seats, console, air, p. steering, road wheel upgrade, Polyglas tire upgrade, am radio, rear speaker, & a few other things (wheel opening mouldings, belt line mouldings etc) listed about 3900. Vinyl top put it over 4k. That car (along with the 340, R/T & such) kept us in business until we learned the word truck, station wagon, etc. Started on a side street in Houma, LA with a one car showroom and 7 people. We are now in our 44th year. It's been quite a ride.

Congratulation to you and your family on your 44th year in business, in these time of belt tightening and Government intervention in the auto industry you've done a good job steering your ship through these trouble water. On the same note, my best wishes on your win at INDY, you deserve it after all those years. Claude Ruel

[Jeff Teuton]

Thank you for the kind remarks.