Plymouth Road Runner
History
1968-1980
Introduction: By 1968, muscle cars had moved away from their street
slepper image and had become option loaded, luxury machines that only
the well to do could afford. Plymouth decided that what was needed was a
return to basics. Starting with the stripped pillared coupe version
of the Belvedere, it created a new breed of muscle car that packed
maximum excitement with a minimum price. Just like the old days.
1968 Plymouth Road Runner
Comments: In 1968, Plymouth decided that muscle cars had gotten
too far from their original purpose: cheap (and very fast) thrills.
The company paid $50,000 to Warner Brothers to affix a certain cartoon bird
onto its new vehicle, which was based on a stripped Belvedere pillared
coupe body, and the Road Runner was born. The standard engine was MOPAR's tried
and true 383 cid powerplant, which was treated to the heads, manifolds,
camshafts, valve springs, and crankcase windage tray from the race
ready 440 Magnum. The result: 335bhp and 425lb-ft. This was coupled
with numerous other performance features including beefed up
suspensions, manual transmissions, brakes, tires. The interior was basic:
a no nonsense bench seat and no carpeting - just rubber floor
mats. The main attration was a base price of $2896. For those who wanted
a little bit extra, there was one engine option; for $714 Plymouth
would slide in a 426 Hemi. Although the Hemi clashed
with the budget based principle of the Road Runner, 1/4 mile times in
the low 13s needed no apologies. A hardtop coupe and functional hood
vents were added mid year during 1968. A horn that went "beep-beep"
complimented the road runner decals (in gray due to time constraints)
that were standard on all Road Runners. Plymouth originally estimated
that it would sell 2,500 vehicles in 1968; it actually sold 45,000 copies.
The 1968 Road Runner is perhaps the second most significant muscle
car to the 1964 Pontiac GTO as it shifted the market back to its
bang for the buck roots.
Production:
2D Pillared Coupe: 29,240
2D Hardtop Coupe: 15,359
Engines:
383 V8 335 bhp @ 5200 rpm, 425 lb-ft @ 3400 rpm.
426 Hemi V8 425 bhp @ 5000 rpm, 490 lb-ft @ 4000 rpm.
Performance:
383/335: 0-60 in 7.1 sec, 1/4 mile in 15.0 sec @ 96mph.
426/425: 0-60 in 5.3 sec, 1/4 mile in 13.55 sec @ 105mph.
1969 Plymouth Road Runner
Comments: Due to the success of the 1968 Road Runner, Plymouth
decided to expand the choices. A convertible was added to the
existing hardtop and pillared coupe body styles and bucket seats were
added as options. The Road Runner decals were now in color.
Joining the existing 383 and 426 cid engines were a choice of 440
cid V8s, a four barrel version rated at 375 bhp, and a
triple-two barrel 440 cid V8. Known as the "440 + 6", this
engine provided Hemi-like acceleration for about half the price. Included
with the 440+6 engine were simple, black wheels, a flat black fiberglass
lift-off hood, and a large, functional hood scoop. Similar to the hood scoop
found on the Dodge Super Bee, this was one of the most efficient MOPAR hood
scoops. Of course, the 440+6 still wasn't a Hemi, which continued to
dominate just about everything else one could race against. Buyers
rewarded Plymouth's decision by snatching up 82,109 copies.
Production:
2D Pillared Coupe: 33,743
2D Hardtop Coupe: 48,549
Convertible: 2,218
Engines:
383 V8 335 bhp @ 5200 rpm, 425 lb-ft @ 3400 rpm.
426 Hemi V8 425 bhp @ 5000 rpm, 490 lb-ft @ 4000 rpm.
440 V8 375 bhp @ 4600 rpm, 480lb-ft @ 3200 rpm.
440+6 V8 390 bhp @ 4700 rpm, 490 lb-ft @ 3200 rpm.
Performance:
426/425: 0-60 in 5.3 sec, 1/4 mile in 13.55 sec @ 105mph.
1970 Plymouth Road Runner
Comments: The Road Runner received fresh new front and rear
styling for 1970. The "Six Pack" hood was dropped, but all
Road Runners were now available with an optional Air Grabber Hood. This
consisted of a under the dash switch which would open a power operated
trap door on the hood, revealing a shark cartoon with the words "Air
Grabber." Just what you need to psyche out the competition at the
stoplight. The "Air Grabber" would automatically close when the engine
was turned off, to keep out the elements. The engine choices remained the same, although the Hemi
went from solid to hydraulic lifters for improved durability and the
standard four speed manual became an option as a strengthened three
speed manual was made standard.
Production:
2D Pillared Coupe: 15,716
2D Hardtop Coupe: 24,944
Convertible: 824
Engines:
383 V8 335 bhp @ 5200 rpm, 425 lb-ft @ 3400 rpm.
426 Hemi V8 425 bhp @ 5000 rpm, 490 lb-ft @ 4000 rpm.
440 V8 375 bhp @ 4600 rpm, 480lb-ft @ 3200 rpm.
440+6 V8 390 bhp @ 4700 rpm, 490 lb-ft @ 3200 rpm.
Performance:
383/335: 0-60 in 7.1 sec, 1/4 mile in 15.0 sec @ 96 mph.
426/425: 0-60 in 5.3 sec, 1/4 mile in 13.49 sec @ 105 mph.
1971 Plymouth Road Runner
Comments: 1971 saw the beginning of the end of the era of muscle
cars. In just its fourth year, the Road Runner saw its performance
bent engines fall victim to tightening government regulations on
emissions and fuel economy. The standard 383cid powerplant dropped
35 bhp while the 440 engines both lost 5 bhp. The 426 Hemi stayed fast
at 425 bhp. This would be the last year for the Hemi as it too would
fall victim to the increased standards. Both the 2 Door Pillared Coupe and
the Convertible body styles were dropped, leaving only the 2 Door Hardtop as
the sole offering.
Production:
2D Hardtop Coupe: 14,218
Engines:
383 V8 300 bhp @ 4800 rpm, 410 lb-ft @ 3400 rpm.
426 Hemi V8 425 bhp @ 5000 rpm, 490 lb-ft @ 4000 rpm.
440 V8 370 bhp @ 4600 rpm, 480lb-ft @ 3200 rpm.
440+6 V8 385 bhp @ 4700 rpm, 490 lb-ft @ 3200 rpm.
Performance:
N/A
1972 Plymouth Road Runner
Comments: The Road Runner received a redesigned rear bumper and side markers along
with electronic ignition, 60 series tires, and a rear sway bar. The front bumper now
had two vertical slots for the bumper jack and the Road Runner received a new
grille. Due to increasing emission standards, the 383 V8 and the 426 Hemi
were dropped. A new 400 cid V8 was introduced, rated at 255 bhp. The GTX
was now available as an option on the Road Runner and came only with the 440 engine.
Production:
2D Hardtop: 7,628
Engines:
340 V8 240 bhp. (SAE Net)
400 V8 255 bhp. (SAE Net)
440 V8 280 bhp. (SAE Net)
440+6 V8 330 bhp.(SAE Net)
Performance:
N/A
1973 Plymouth Road Runner
Comments: .
Production: 17,400
GTX: 117
Engines:
318 V8 170 bhp. (SAE Net)
340 V8 240 bhp. (SAE Net)
400 V8 255 bhp. (SAE Net)
440 V8 280 bhp. (SAE Net)
440+6 V8 330 bhp.(SAE Net)
Performance:
N/A
1974 Plymouth Road Runner
Comments: There would be little changes for the Road Runner for 1974, the last year of the
original generation and the last year as a true performance car.
Production: 9,600
Engines:
318 V8 170 bhp. (SAE Net)
360 V8 245 bhp. (SAE Net)
400 V8 255 bhp. (SAE Net)
440 V8 280 bhp. (SAE Net)
440+6 V8 330 bhp.(SAE Net)
Performance:
N/A
1975 Plymouth Road Runner
Comments: For 1975, the Road Runner was moved to the Fury platform. This would be the only
year that the Road Runner was based on this platform.
Production: ?
Engines:
?
Performance:
N/A
1976 Plymouth Road Runner
Comments: For 1976, the Road Runner was moved to the new Volare platform, which had replaced the
popular Valiant. Although available with either a two barrel 318 or 360 engine, the Road Runner
was now truly just a trim package on an economy car.
Production: ?
Engines:
318 V8 150 bhp. (SAE Net)
360 V8 170 bhp. (SAE Net)
Performance:
N/A
1977 Plymouth Road Runner
Comments: The 1977 Plymouth Road Runner saw the first use of an on-board engine computer,
the Lean Burn system, which managed a 4 barrel electronic feedback carbureator on the 360
engine.
Production: ?
Engines:
318 V8 150 bhp. (SAE Net)
360 V8 (2 bbl) 170 bhp. (SAE Net)
360 V8 (4 bbl) ??? bhp. (SAE Net)
Performance:
N/A
1978 Plymouth Road Runner
Comments: There were no significant changes for 1978.
Production: ?
Engines:
318 V8 150 bhp. (SAE Net)
360 V8 (2 bbl) 170 bhp. (SAE Net)
360 V8 (4 bbl) ??? bhp. (SAE Net)
Performance:
N/A
1979 Plymouth Road Runner
Comments: 1979 saw the introduction of an optional 4-barrel carb for the 318 engine.
Production: Approximately 1,000
Engines:
318 V8 (2 bbl) 150 bhp. (SAE Net)
318 V8 (4 bbl) ??? bhp. (SAE Net)
360 V8 (2 bbl) 170 bhp. (SAE Net)
360 V8 (4 bbl) ??? bhp. (SAE Net)
Performance:
N/A
1980 Plymouth Road Runner
Comments: 1980 was the last year for both the Volare and the Road Runner.
Production: ?
Engines:
318 V8 (2 bbl) 150 bhp. (SAE Net)
318 V8 (4 bbl) ??? bhp. (SAE Net)
360 V8 (2 bbl) 170 bhp. (SAE Net)
360 V8 (4 bbl) ??? bhp. (SAE Net)
Performance:
N/A
