Road Runners 'Only'

[Princess Valiant]

I recognize that magazine. Great little article. I love all Mopars. I've owned more B bodies then anything else. I keep having a thought of trying to own another some day.

interesting article in that magazine.....it looks like they had a GTX but it never mentions a GTX by name.....the impression i got from the article is that one was a GTX and one was a road runner ...it would make sense that the 440 powered one was the GTX.

 

[Abodybomber]

First hot factory Mopar I saw: brutal 70 Super Bee. ,383,Pistol Grip . (1973...) The gas crunch hit. Randy (6'4" !) Swapped for a Honda 600 (Google it!,LMAO ...) He pulled the front seats,hates it now.

 

[69 Cuda 440]

They didn't even have time to add the oil psi gauge to the 69's LoL.. You could have got it in the B BODY PLYMOUTH taxi/ police package if you marked the right box for IT.

The '1968' Road Runners did not come though with an Oil Pressure Gauge.

They utilized the 1968 Belvedere 'dashboard instrument panel'.

Plymouth designers had been working on a different style dashboard gauge set up during mid-1967,
but that was canned as the Road Runner was already set for it's production run.

Tachometer {option}......$51

 

[EL5DEMON340]

The '1968' Road Runners did not come though with an Oil Pressure Gauge.

They utilized the 1968 Belvedere 'dashboard instrument panel'.

Tachometer {option}......$51

I know, you stated they didn't have time to come up with one. I'm thinking they never intended for them to have one, that's why I asked for something from Chrysler that stated the time crunch on the oil gauge or rally. It was available but just taxi and police special order, even in 69 no oil gauge for the RR . My RR has the nice options for a 68, 4 speed hurst ( about February was the change from the inland) tach, sport steering wheel, P/S, P/B, front disc! Sure grip, painted hood, wide sill moldings, decor package, tint windows, no hemi though

 

[roadrunnerh]

I love hearing about Road Runners and other B-bodies....
I never got the vibe on here that folks didn't want to hear about 'em.

 

[69 Cuda 440]

Rally Dashboard Gauge Panel,

I think it was 'primarily' about keeping the 383 Road Runner under $3000 as a base price
for Sales and Marketing reasons.

But I do remember reading in the 'History of the Road Runner' that a sportier dashboard panel
was under design during August 1967.

The Super Bee came through with the Cockpit Style Rally Dashboard Gauge Panel,
but the Super Bee was more money.

 

[Abodybomber]

Correct^^^^

 

[69 Cuda 440]

Excellent post Ms. Rani,

Correct.

That article {Car Craft; December 1967} was actually done in late-September 1967.

The 68' GTX was a 440, and was built for SS/E {1967 NHRA Class}, which it ran many
times from September thru December 1967, as well as setting the SS/E National Record at 11.95.

In 1968, the GTX 440 was bumped to the SS/F Class. At the 1968 NHRA Winternationals, the
GTX won it's Class, and also re-set the 1968 SS/F National Record @ 11.91 just before the NHRA Springnationals.

The 68' 'Street Hemi' Road Runner was built for SS/B {1967 NHRA Class}, which it also ran
many times from September thru December 1967 in SS/B Class.

In October 1967, this 'Street Hemi' Road Runner broke the SS/B National Record {of 11.16 @ 126.40 MPH}
and ran an 11.15 @ 126.44 MPH and set the NHRA National Record.

In 1968, the Road Runner was bumped to SS/C. Sox & Martin competed 'this' NHRA-legal Road Runner in
Super/Stock in 'SS/C' thru May 1968.

 

[adriver]

Serious stupid question:
I guessing it had to be a GTX because other than the later A12 car, the 440 wouldn't have been a stock engine in a 68 RR?
Does the NHRA allow "clones" then?
(Excel download is 74 MB. Puts me out of my weight class.)
http://www.nhra.com/competition/classification.aspx
I'm also guessing talking about many topics depends on the people involved, not the car.

 

[69 Cuda 440]

A Driver,

The NHRA did 'not' allow engine conversions back then in Super Stock or Stock.

The 440/375 HP 4-Barrel in a B-Body Plymouth, was a GTX-only for 1967, 1968 and 1969.

In Dodge, the 440/375 HP in a B-Body, was only available in the Coronet R/T or
Charger R/T {1967, 1968 and 1969}.

In 1968, the Road Runner was only available with the 383 {predominant package} or the 426 Street Hemi.

The 1968 GTX was either a 440 {predominant package} or a 426 Street Hemi.

 

[69 Cuda 440]

A Racing Buddy,

{Photo - 1969}

1969 Road Runner 383 'Mellow Yellow

Classed in NHRA F/Stock {10.00 - 10.49 Wt/Hp}

Best ET = 13.06 @ 107.10 MPH

 

[cosgig]

The '1968' Road Runners did not come though with an Oil Pressure Gauge.

They utilized the 1968 Belvedere 'dashboard instrument panel'.

Plymouth designers had been working on a different style dashboard gauge set up during mid-1967,
but that was canned as the Road Runner was already set for it's production run.

Tachometer {option}......$51

Although I am not versed in what came with what in a 68 Roadrunner, I'm telling you that the parts car 68 Roadrunner I bought a couple years ago had the oil pressure gauge! Did someone put it in there later? Maybe, but it seems like a lot of work and an odd swap to add one, especially a factory one! It also had a 4 speed, HD suspension with 11" drums all the way around, and an open 741 center section in the rear!! Go figure!! Geof

 

[EL5DEMON340]

Who knows the history, only way would be a well documented unrestored original. My 68 has power front disc brakes which is rare so it should have 10" rear drums but mine has 11" car stops nice!!

 

[69 Cuda 440]

From Documentation.

1968 Road Runner '383'

Standard Equipment

* 383/335 HP 'Road Runner Engine'
* 11" Drum Brakes {Front 11.0" x 3.00" ~ Rear 11.0" x 2.5"}
* 4-Speed Transmission {A-833}
* 8 3/4" Rear {3.23 Open-Gears}
* Belvedere Dashboard Gauge Panel
* Steel Wheels {14" x 5.5"}
* F-70 x 14" Red-Streak Tires
* Dog Dish Hub Caps
* Heavy-Duty Suspension

Optional Equipment
* Sure-Grip
* Automatic Transmission {727}
* Front Disc Brakes
* Tachometer
* Performance Axle {3.55 Gears}
* Exterior Decor Package
* Lower Rocker Sill Molding
* Tinted Glass
* Power Steering
* Power Brakes
* Black Matte Hood
* AM Radio
* Vinyl Roof
* Lower Body Accent Stripe
* Remote Control Driver Side Exterior Mirror
* Seat Head Restraints
* Arm Rest w/Ash Tray
* Vinyl Trim Interior
* Deluxe Wheel Covers
* Rally Road Wheels {14" x 5.5"}


A Winner

 

[Vitamin c]

My 69 1/2 coupe doesn't have a tach or the road runner center medallion steering wheel. Its about as stripped as you can get.

 

[69 Cuda 440]

Price

One of our Car Club Members bought a 1968 Road Runner '383' off the Dealership lot
in October 1967 from Danbury Chrysler-Plymouth {Connecticut}.

A 'bare-bones' 4-Speed, with the only Options,
* AM Radio
* Front Tinted Glass
* Sure-Grip
* Driver Side Remote Exterior Mirror

Sticker Price........ $2933

 

[69 Cuda 440]

Hot Rod Magazine {November 1967}

The 'first' 1968 Road Runner 383 'Performance Test' {September 1967}

383/335 HP ~ 4-Speed ~ 3.55 Gears 'Sure-Grip'

Test Results....... 14.72 @ 98 MPH

 

[nothingbutdarts]

Price

One of our Car Club Members bought a 1968 Road Runner '383' off the Dealership lot
in October 1967 from Danbury Chrysler-Plymouth {Connecticut}.

A 'bare-bones' 4-Speed, with the only Options,
* AM Radio
* Front Tinted Glass
* Sure-Grip
* Driver Side Remote Exterior Mirror

Sticker Price........ $2933

Where can I get one???????????????

 

[69 Cuda 440]

'The Invader'

1968 Hemi Road Runner

1968 Sticker Price.........$3900