A roadrunner was the car that got me into cars! When I was a kid, my mom’s cousin had a 440 4-speed road runner with 2 plastic racing bucket seats, a pistol grip shifter, a tunnel ram sticking out of the hood, and not much of anything else. No AC, no radio, no carpet, no back seat. I was 6 or 7 years old, and we went to their house in Staten Island for a party and he took me for a ride in the car and hit 100mph on victory blvd, and from that moment on I was hooked!
The window sticker on the Road Runner I bought from the original owner in 82 I still remember was 3003.38 optional light package and full wheel covers. It was manual steering brakes 4 speed 46 thousand original miles and I paid 300 cash.
71-72 RR will be my next car to build. Absolutely love those Roadrunner! The 70 is also very menacing and brooding with its front bumper, same with the 71-72. Why roadrunners don’t get the love they deserve idk. But it’s just perfect to me and my 24yr old eyes.
@@dominicdaley5702 I can’t sell it. The original owner worked for Chrysler and followed it on the assembly line. My neighbor touched it on the line (he’s 82 now and still has the 69 road runner he bought new)
Yeah - I am a big fan of ANYTHING 69 / 70 - but once you get to 71 the Road Runner is FAR better looking than the Chargers - and anything else from that year.
@@zelenskysboot361 Meanwhile over at Chevrolet compression ratios were being dropped, air pumps were on the engines. The 396 Camaro was actually a 402 with a noticable drop in power. My friends absolutely bad ass looking '72 "396" Camaro was a sheep in wolfs clothing compared to my '67 Malibu SS 396. I don't recall another friends '72 Road Runner being all that gutless but that Camaro was a shocking disappointment.
Back in high school in the 90's, I had a friend who's dad owned a 1968 Road Runner. They sold it to their neighbor who fully restored it, he still owns it to this day. B5 blue, 4 speed, 383 car. Too bad I'm too young to have ordered one of these cars new.
Really enjoyed this. As a Mopar lover/owner from Australia, all the US model permutations can’t get pretty confusing, but you broke it down and explained the Road Runner perfectly. Please do it with other Mopar Muscle classics.
Best episode yet. Great job Tony. I had a QQ1 black vinyl '68 Hardtop in the mid 70s, unusual for a Roadrunner, it was a 383 auto, blue interior, bench seat, power steering and a/c. It had the tale panel trim and the bullet turn signals on the fender tops with Magnum 500s. I've looked all over for the car and all I can guess it ended up at Ted's cut up. I found a 68 Satellite hardtop, 383 auto, QQ1 with vinyl, bench seat, power steering, power brakes and A/C so I'm building me one the way I would want it. You may know the car, I bought it in Portland, Tn. It needs some metal but not too bad. I've had it stored for several years but I've just about collected all the part I need and about to get to it. Looking forward to the RR and big block stuff. Thanks Tony, DC.
I owned a 72 RR GTX Rm23U car auto. What a joy to kick the ass out n walk around corners. Bigger 780 carb sure helped above 4000 rpm too. The local police didnt like me much
My high-school parking lot was full of early 4 speed roadrunners(the gas crunch made them affordable) and the all had chains on the right side motor mount!
I ordered my '68 from our small town dealer in S. Ontario when the area sales rep was visiting the dealership and only had an artists concept and no formal brochures. The only option I ordered was power steering for the base post model in dark green. When delivered it was on the first truck load of roadrunners delivered to the greater Toronto area. Fun to have something no one else had ever seen. Great car and loads of fun.
I remember it was sometime around 1977-78 in California and I was about 6-7 years old and playing on the sidewalk when this all in violet 1970 Road Runner rolls down the street. My eyes were glued to that car it was square, so long and had mag wheels on it. He laid down rubber for at least two houses down the street and to this day is one of the reasons I am a car guy.
Read the comments wow, you nailed the characteristics of each car. I've owned most of them. The 71 and 72 handle and cut wind at over 120 mph much better than the awesome 68 69 and 70. You did miss on 72 road runners tail lights are bigger than 71s. I learn from you all the time. And Happy NewYear.
It was Motor T rend Car of the year. I still have special decals given to me at the M/T Riverside 500, in Riverside, CA.. We (all RRs at the event), got to race around the track, before race time, with no escorts, you could drive as fast as you wanted. Different times, great times!!!!!
I like the 71/72 Road Runners I like the 72 front grille and rear bumper and taillights if the 71 had the 72 grille and back bumper and taillights it would be the best car ever
In 1984, I at the age of 15, purchased for the huge sum of $100 a 1975 Road Runner, black with the white stripe, white bucket seat interior with console, 400 4bbl, 727, and a Dana 60 in the ass end, poor ole girl was pretty much rusted away and was no saving it (Newfoundland lol) but I had a lot of fun with it for one summer. I know they are not considered fast cars off the line but it could run down pretty much anything in the early eighties Camaro or Mustang lineup. I still have the badges and the grill in my shed and the vin tag is here somewhere. I have often wondered what the production numbers were, and if there were many made spec'd out like mine was?
I like the 1969 Roadrunner. My buddy had a white with black stripes and vinyl top. 4speed , worked 383. Headers and thrush packs only. Real quick, real fun!
Another good method is to look for the one piece-loop Inertial reel seat belts on the '74, the '73 had a separate shoulder belt just bolted to the roof.
73 had text on the instrument panel (Lights, Wipers, etc.) The 74 had little lighted pictures (light bulb with rays, wipers with dashed lines). When I ordered my 73 RoadRunner in March of 73, they told me they weren't making any more 340 blocks, so I might not be able to get it because they were only putting in what they had left. After that it was going to be the 318, 360 or 400. I still have my 73 RoadRunner that I bought new. I paid $4096 out the door.
I am working on my buddies 1969 RR, it is automatic with a 1970 440 ,350 HP ,480 ft lbs torque stock. It has a nice mid range cam , headers ,torker intake with Edelbrock carb. I am a Pontiac guy and am enjoying working on this ole beast. New floor , trunk pans ,complete front end rebuild, lots of cool new parts. He wants to put a Hellcat drivetrain in it at some point. Great info in your video,
I always thought that was nuts. Like the 67-69 barracuda’s have tons of differences from year to year and then was totally redesigned for 1970. Most cars now a 10 year life span before redesign.
Graduated HS in '66 and was driving a serious S-55 Merc by 68. Picked a new 383 RR one night down on Second Street in San Jose. Still had the paper plates on it ... We ran door to door through 3rd gear and he pulled me by a half fender at the cross walk. That's when I became aware of what a RR could do. Never had one, but always respected them. Not the same car by '70 ... There are only 3 period Mopars I would actually spend money on today - '63 Belvedere hot rod'd with a screaming 383 4-speed, '62 Lancer with a full house 273 and 4-speed, and a Chrysler 300 alphabet car. Although, if I had to build something to race in a super restricted stock class, it would be a Road Runner : -)
In highschool a friend had a gtx 1970 440 6 pack pistol grip shifter in the same yellow as the one in your picture. The engine had been gone through and had more power than stock. His dad owned a NASCAR team that I worked for about 6 years building engines. He was always able to keep it out of the ditches. Traded it for his first race car after we graduated. So I worked for his dad all day and helped him all night. I was his crew Cheif. We raced with all the Earnhardt’s and Dale Jarrets boy Jason. We had to stick together because everyone hated us since everyone’s dad was a cup driver. If we didn’t people would try to mess with cars and start fights. We usually had a total crew of 30 people between us which was 5 drivers. After the first year we all said fuck try county and Hickory. We started hooters cup, ARCA, and Craftsman super trucks. My buddy got out of driving and started a fab shop. The only one of the drivers that went big was Dale Jr. his sister Kelly always beat him unless she had a wreck or a mechanical problem. She was the best driver out of those 3 Earnhardt kids. Dale was a little better than Kerry. I’m sure that Dale Jr got it from his name not ability.
I grew up around Kannapolis in this time period. Middle to late 70s. I still own my 70 Challenger and GTX. I still live in Kannapolis and day dream of my years street racing in this city. Back then I drove a Tor Red 72 Duster I and my best friend built. Those were the days.
Great review, Uncle T. All the Mopars from 60s - early 70s were wonderful, but the B-bodies still evoke memories of the big bruisers. My favorite Road Runner year was '69; you can see the resemblance between the B-body Satellites to the Furys, but pleasingly sleeker and slightly smaller. Didn't like the round markers on '68s, and grill. Even though the '70 had the best options along with available powertrains, I liked the '69s as the classic.
While working at Chrysler Trenton Engine in June 1968 I bought a new 68 383 Road Runner. 4spd, Sure Grip 3:55. Silver with a black interior. It was a coupe but it had the trim panel across the trunk but no other body trim. Mine was assembled at Lynch Road assembly (I still have the window sticker) in Detroit. I wanted a Hemi but is was too late in the model year to order one. I would have to wait till the 69's came out. It was a $755.00 option which was 1/4 the cost of the entire car. I only kept the car for 2 years. Wish I still had it.
Learned to drive in my mom's '68. Red, 383 auto. Had different wheel covers than the one in that pic, and if I haven't totally lost my brain the turn signal indicators were outside on the fenders.....
you did fine on the points. Me and my Dad have a history with RR. The first was when i was a kid. 68 RR 383 tunnel ram 4 speed. I remember him backing it up in the garage on weekends and changing out the diff's so he could race it. That car was T-boned by a 75 year old woman who pulled out on a red. The next was a 69. 440 6 pack (at the time we were building a 440 race car, a Dodge Polara 64 max wedge car. Fun times) that we raced on the street together. That car got hit by a drunk driver. Next was a 70 RR. also 440 that we hopped up and used till he died. I think my step mom has it which means i will never see it. (as well as the race car) I love those three years with the 69 being my favorite.
Back in 1975 when I was 18 I bought a '73 RR that looked exactly like the '74 you used in your video. .340 engine, auto on the floor. Not the muscle car a lot of people respected, but the dang thing was a "chick" magnet. Younger brother totaled it sometime around '77 when I let him borrow it once. Just once. Oh well. One thing I found interesting about the '74 RR's was that the roof over strobe in the stripe package was replaced by a solid roof over stripe . Plymouth used up all the roof over strobes early on, but eventually changed over to the solid roof over stripe. Then they stopped production midway through '74 due to the gas crisis. I like the fact that you started the video off with the correct VIN for the RR. Way too many Satty's out there being cloned and sold as Road Runners. Meep Meep!
Thanks for doing that it answered a lot of questions, I had a 73 RR 318/2bbl, 904 with a peg leg. 18.6 in a 1/4. I probably shouldn't even post this lol
1969 Motor Trend Car Of The Year-Plymouth RoadRunner Back when Motor Trend's influence with car buyer's meant a whole lot. As it did to the manufacturer who won that distinctive trophy Motor Trend awarded the winner. As usual, well done history, Uncle Tony. Love your stuff on this channel!
Good info... Will be cool if you covered the Challenger and the oddity that they actually made them available with the 225 slant 6. I came across a almost completely gutted 1970 Challenger tucked back in a junk yard 25 years ago that had a Slant 6. Totally unexpected find for a 1970 Challenger as I thought up to that point that the Challenger being a muscle car and its weight and size always came with a V8. However driving a 74 Charger with a 225 slant 6 in 1992 I knew that the engine was torque-y enough to pull a heavy car along very well.
Me too Tony, 1971 Is my all time favorite. The absolutely most beautiful body ever. Nothing else looks like it's gonna drive down the sldewalk and paiste people for fun.
Awesome video, Tony. Used to see a handful of the early 70s models every now and again in my local small town, always a treat. For some reason, I've always really liked the '75 models, with the more formal looks...it's a less disco Cordoba, if you will. Not as cool as the earlier stuff but they really stand out today and I can't help but admire them. Same goes for the Volare road runners...I think I just like malaise era cars. Have to say, though, my favorite Mopar Muscle would be the '67 offerings- GTX and fastback Charger.
My first car was a 75 with 400 4brl..actually was a fury sport. Upgraded it to a 440 with nitrous. Kinda looked like this 300 czcams.com/video/tkG9-m2VGwU/video.html
After working with my father for two and a half years, at 17 I walked into my small town Plymouth dealer and bought a brand new 68’ 383 4spd car plopping down $2,876 cash. Car was absolutely gutted as far as amenities. Sierra tan, black interior with vinyl bench seat, rubber floors, no ps, pb, had a factory shifter, and an AM radio was the only amenity. But what a great car. It sat on the lot for a long time because no one wanted to buy it. It was ordered by a kid in town, who drown the week before it was delivered. Everyone thought it was cursed, but I didn’t believe in curses.
Good Video! My Uncle had a '71 383 RR and when I was a kid I loved riding in it.. My Dad's 340 Duster ran circles around it though.. which was later my first car!
I loved the review, traded for a 69 "same color as the one in your review" when going to college, great car, 383 ran great, it would scream. I looked at the 71 a couple years later, same engine but not near the power of my 69, my best friend had a 70, it just felt bigger and heavier then the 69. agree the 71 I thought the best looking, but like I said the one I tried out just didn't have the power, but I have no idea what the rear end gear was.
My dad had a 70 satellite 383/727 nearly my entire life. He bought it in 72. I was born in 80. He finally let it go a few years ago. Its funny how certain lines of that car are burned in my mind. The shape of the front grill. The shape the side windows make. The shape of the tail lights. Somehow, when I see those lines I simultaneously see him and the lines of the car. Like the car was my dad and my dad was the car. Its hard to explain. It also probably sounds really weird to someone that dont understand.
Hey Tony... Back in my 20's sometime around 87 or 89 I bought a 73 Road Runner 340 4spd 8 3/4" 3:55 posi pistol grip 4spd and mopar rally's.. lime yellow green kinda.. With dark green interior.. All original.. But with a Bondo filled under paint front passenger fender but still looked good and drove great.. For around 850ish at a local lot here in Vancouver WA.. Now you never even see them.. Ended up blowing up the 340 going 126mph at I think about 6,200rpm absolutely maxed out for speed felt a harsh shudder vibration feeling and instantly pushed in the clutch and and the motor was locked and scattered.. But fun as he'll back then..
You are without a doubt the Plymouth- Chrysler guru ! While I’ve never been a huge mopor fan, they were always a car that you respected when you lined up beside one at the traffic light on Friday and Saturday nights. I love the history of those ole muscle cars,
Great video Uncle Tony! My step dad bought a 69 a12 version new when he came home from nam. I remember being 7 or 8 years old. Him taking me out on a newly built 4 lane cement highway in our area. Getting thrown back in the set and reaching 125mph up a mile long hill😁😁😁😁 it's my dream to one day own one and try to relive that manic one day in my old age.
The 440 was available up until 1978 in certain offerings. Strange that it was no longer available in the RR in 75??? Great video...........thank, Tony.
Great video loaded with excellent information... I have loved mopars since the early 80s when one of my first cars was a 1972 340 Duster... Also owned a 68 Satellite a 69 Sport Satellite and a 69 Roadrunner among other 60s and 70s Mopars. One of my favorites was a '63 Dodge Polara.
My ‘68 Roadrunner was purchased new in May of ‘68, and it did have the trim piece on the trunk lid. It was a post car with rubber mats on the interior, pop out rear windows and no power steering or brakes. Cost new: $2,900, and purchased from Tower Motors in San Diego.
My uncle grew up back in the late 70s and told me tons of stories about his 69 back in the day. Some of them I thought were made up until my other family members told me they were true. Apparently his car was one of the hottest rides around town and everyone wanted to race him. The craziest story he told me though was that one night a guy in a 72 Mustang decided to have a go at it and they went to the usual spot where people raced back then. On launch the mustang got the jump and about half way into the race the Mustang wound up going in the ditch but ended up shooting back up the embankment towards the road runner and ended up hitting the rear bumper and bent it outwards a bit and proceeded to fly into a tree on the other side of the road and totaled the car. I believe he said that happened in 1981. Next day he went to the junkyard and pulled the rear bumper off a 68 satellite, put it on and continued to do his thing. He told me those cars grew on trees back in the day and you could find parts anywhere. What a time to be alive.
My little brother had a 72 , 383 pistol grip absolutely fun car , late eighties rust belt Illinois so it had rust weight reduction ! Red with black stripes
I feel lucky to remember when those 71’ - 72’ models were still current. They raced them in everything and they were a total threat. Pretty sure that was the NASCAR body used for the 3 years after because that was what the rules allowed. Thank you for another great video Tony.....👍👏👏👏👏👏⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I had a 7o dart with a slant...on the freeway I would put the speedo, straight down in the high beam light indicator...130mph. I believe walking on 6.6TAs.aaaah the old days!
Uncle Tony, you should open a museum. The history of this car and your knowledge of it make for a really fun video to watch for those of us who don’t know the history.
In 1992, I went to look at a B5 Blue 1969 Road Runner for sale. Black interior, light package.... beautiful car that was a driver. It was $1,800 and out of my price range. If only I could forget.
68 through 71 I think we're the best years other than the Daytona that speaks for itself Superbird school but I'd give my left arm for a Daytona all the cars ever built that one is my favorite
I am one of those that say '70 was the best looking year for the RR, I always say that it's kind of similar to the '55 Chevy as compared to the '56-57 Chevys...
My dad in 1972 had a 69 RR 383 auto . Blew the motor an got a 383 an 4 spd out of another 69 RR, he worked at dodge an got a marine center head with 2 650 double pumpers , hooker headers , air ride sus an mickeys all around was the darker green colour....has a pick of the front tires about 6 inches off the ground on a launch .. only car that beat em in Qt in the city were from was his buddys 67 nova . Beast lol an light he said ..
Non-purist Mopar-heads refer to the 440-6 barrel from Plymouth. The 440 6-pack was marketed by Dodge. It's like the limited-slip rear differential; GM called theirs a "posi", Mopars had the "Sure-Grip" differential.
1968 - 1970 Roadrunners are my favorite.
A roadrunner was the car that got me into cars! When I was a kid, my mom’s cousin had a 440 4-speed road runner with 2 plastic racing bucket seats, a pistol grip shifter, a tunnel ram sticking out of the hood, and not much of anything else. No AC, no radio, no carpet, no back seat. I was 6 or 7 years old, and we went to their house in Staten Island for a party and he took me for a ride in the car and hit 100mph on victory blvd, and from that moment on I was hooked!
There's is nothing like a Road Runner. My dream car. 1968 4sp B5 blue.
B5 Blue was not available in '68. Available in 1969.
My uncle was a Chrysler Plymouth dealer, I remember in '68 he had a zero option, 383, four speed Road Runner in blue, I really wanted that car.
The window sticker on the Road Runner I bought from the original owner in 82 I still remember was 3003.38 optional light package and full wheel covers. It was manual steering brakes 4 speed 46 thousand original miles and I paid 300 cash.
Wow , crazy times back then and if nobody ever did any front end work they would just be sick of the sloppy steering etc
71-72 RR will be my next car to build. Absolutely love those Roadrunner! The 70 is also very menacing and brooding with its front bumper, same with the 71-72. Why roadrunners don’t get the love they deserve idk. But it’s just perfect to me and my 24yr old eyes.
I’m proud to own a 73 road runner GTX. Love all the road runners
How much you want for that 🤔? Lol
@@dominicdaley5702 I can’t sell it. The original owner worked for Chrysler and followed it on the assembly line. My neighbor touched it on the line (he’s 82 now and still has the 69 road runner he bought new)
I’m restoring a 73 GTX. Mine is coded for silver with red stripes. What color is yours?
@@gregking308 mine is black with white stripes. My neighbor touched it on the assembly line. The original owner ordered it
Growing up my parents has a 69 Road Runner 383, 4 speed. That car hooked me for life. Someday hope to own one. Great run down on all the years!
"The 71 was like an oversized Barracuda". I never thought of it that way, but that really is a great description of it.
Same designer for both cars
Yeah - I am a big fan of ANYTHING 69 / 70 - but once you get to 71 the Road Runner is FAR better looking than the Chargers - and anything else from that year.
A coworker had a '72 with 383. It was a beast
You beat me to the comment. It was like being hit with a ton of bricks. LOL
@@zelenskysboot361 Meanwhile over at Chevrolet compression ratios were being dropped, air pumps were on the engines. The 396 Camaro was actually a 402 with a noticable drop in power. My friends absolutely bad ass looking '72 "396" Camaro was a sheep in wolfs clothing compared to my '67 Malibu SS 396. I don't recall another friends '72 Road Runner being all that gutless but that Camaro was a shocking disappointment.
Back in high school in the 90's, I had a friend who's dad owned a 1968 Road Runner. They sold it to their neighbor who fully restored it, he still owns it to this day. B5 blue, 4 speed, 383 car. Too bad I'm too young to have ordered one of these cars new.
I remember riding in a 68 roadrunner in 1977 when I was 15 years old! awesome cars. 383 magnum ate!
While it was the same engine, in a Plymouth it was called a Super Commando.
Really enjoyed this. As a Mopar lover/owner from Australia, all the US model permutations can’t get pretty confusing, but you broke it down and explained the Road Runner perfectly. Please do it with other Mopar Muscle classics.
I drove a 72 in Canada back in the day. Wish I still had it.
You are so right in 71 being the coolest roadrunner of them all. Thanks Tony.
Don't forget 1970 was the first year for the key switch in the column & steering wheel lock!
Love you’re show. Had a 68 sport satellite with a 383 back in high school. I should never have sold that car.
Best episode yet. Great job Tony. I had a QQ1 black vinyl '68 Hardtop in the mid 70s, unusual for a Roadrunner, it was a 383 auto, blue interior, bench seat, power steering and a/c. It had the tale panel trim and the bullet turn signals on the fender tops with Magnum 500s. I've looked all over for the car and all I can guess it ended up at Ted's cut up. I found a 68 Satellite hardtop, 383 auto, QQ1 with vinyl, bench seat, power steering, power brakes and A/C so I'm building me one the way I would want it. You may know the car, I bought it in Portland, Tn. It needs some metal but not too bad. I've had it stored for several years but I've just about collected all the part I need and about to get to it. Looking forward to the RR and big block stuff. Thanks Tony, DC.
1969 Motor Trend car of the year!
I owned a 72 RR GTX
Rm23U car auto. What a joy to kick the ass out n walk around corners. Bigger 780 carb sure helped above 4000 rpm too. The local police didnt like me much
21:05 summed up all the 75/up - great driving cars, respond well to all the usual Mopar hop ups. When new they were strangled by EPA and MPG.
My high-school parking lot was full of early 4 speed roadrunners(the gas crunch made them affordable) and the all had chains on the right side motor mount!
I ordered my '68 from our small town dealer in S. Ontario when the area sales rep was visiting the dealership and only had an artists concept and no formal brochures. The only option I ordered was power steering for the base post model in dark green. When delivered it was on the first truck load of roadrunners delivered to the greater Toronto area. Fun to have something no one else had ever seen. Great car and loads of fun.
I remember it was sometime around 1977-78 in California and I was about 6-7 years old and playing on the sidewalk when this all in violet 1970 Road Runner rolls down the street. My eyes were glued to that car it was square, so long and had mag wheels on it. He laid down rubber for at least two houses down the street and to this day is one of the reasons I am a car guy.
Now we're talking. More roadrunner.
Hell ya!!!
Read the comments wow, you nailed the characteristics of each car. I've owned most of them. The 71 and 72 handle and cut wind at over 120 mph much better than the awesome 68 69 and 70. You did miss on 72 road runners tail lights are bigger than 71s. I learn from you all the time. And Happy NewYear.
72 tailights had a bit more character than 71s which look like Hersheys minis you brake in fives lol
I always thought that rear decal on the 75 Road Runner was interesting. I learned quite a few nuances from this video. Good stuff.
Tony, could you make more story time videos? I’m sure I speak for all of us when I say we really enjoy those
It was Motor T rend Car of the year. I still have special decals given to me at the M/T Riverside 500, in Riverside, CA.. We (all RRs at the event), got to race around the track, before race time, with no escorts, you could drive as fast as you wanted. Different times, great times!!!!!
I had a 69 bare bones hardtop roadrunner. 727 on the column. 383 and 3:23 8 3/4.
Hemi orange with the magnum 500 wheels. Real sweet runner too.
I like the 71/72 Road Runners I like the 72 front grille and rear bumper and taillights if the 71 had the 72 grille and back bumper and taillights it would be the best car ever
This is just fantastic. Its exactly the kind of introduction I'd like to see for lines of cars that I know practically nothing about. Thank you.
In 1984, I at the age of 15, purchased for the huge sum of $100 a 1975 Road Runner, black with the white stripe, white bucket seat interior with console, 400 4bbl, 727, and a Dana 60 in the ass end, poor ole girl was pretty much rusted away and was no saving it (Newfoundland lol) but I had a lot of fun with it for one summer. I know they are not considered fast cars off the line but it could run down pretty much anything in the early eighties Camaro or Mustang lineup. I still have the badges and the grill in my shed and the vin tag is here somewhere. I have often wondered what the production numbers were, and if there were many made spec'd out like mine was?
I like the 1969 Roadrunner. My buddy had a white with black stripes and vinyl top. 4speed , worked 383. Headers and thrush packs only. Real quick, real fun!
I never could tell the difference between a 73 and 74. Thanks Tony.
Another good method is to look for the one piece-loop Inertial reel seat belts on the '74, the '73 had a separate shoulder belt just bolted to the roof.
Gaz tank, seat belt, hood vent ...
73 had text on the instrument panel (Lights, Wipers, etc.) The 74 had little lighted pictures (light bulb with rays, wipers with dashed lines).
When I ordered my 73 RoadRunner in March of 73, they told me they weren't making any more 340 blocks, so I might not be able to get it because they were only putting in what they had left. After that it was going to be the 318, 360 or 400. I still have my 73 RoadRunner that I bought new. I paid $4096 out the door.
The '68 was always my dream, but the closest I came was a '73 Satellite with the a factory 400 2v and 3.23 Suregrip.
I am working on my buddies 1969 RR, it is automatic with a 1970 440 ,350 HP ,480 ft lbs torque stock. It has a nice mid range cam , headers ,torker intake with Edelbrock carb. I am a Pontiac guy and am enjoying working on this ole beast. New floor , trunk pans ,complete front end rebuild, lots of cool new parts. He wants to put a Hellcat drivetrain in it at some point.
Great info in your video,
Crazy how they used to change vehicles every.single.year.
I always thought that was nuts. Like the 67-69 barracuda’s have tons of differences from year to year and then was totally redesigned for 1970. Most cars now a 10 year life span before redesign.
@@WrecklessEnterainment they don’t have to work as hard to sell cars now, sad.
Graduated HS in '66 and was driving a serious S-55 Merc by 68. Picked a new 383 RR one night down on Second Street in San Jose. Still had the paper plates on it ...
We ran door to door through 3rd gear and he pulled me by a half fender at the cross walk. That's when I became aware of what a RR could do. Never had one, but always respected them.
Not the same car by '70 ...
There are only 3 period Mopars I would actually spend money on today - '63 Belvedere hot rod'd with a screaming 383 4-speed, '62 Lancer with a full house 273 and 4-speed, and a Chrysler 300 alphabet car. Although, if I had to build something to race in a super restricted stock class, it would be a Road Runner : -)
I bought one in highschool, 69 RR 383 stick. Best days back then. Tks
In highschool a friend had a gtx 1970 440 6 pack pistol grip shifter in the same yellow as the one in your picture. The engine had been gone through and had more power than stock. His dad owned a NASCAR team that I worked for about 6 years building engines. He was always able to keep it out of the ditches. Traded it for his first race car after we graduated. So I worked for his dad all day and helped him all night. I was his crew Cheif. We raced with all the Earnhardt’s and Dale Jarrets boy Jason. We had to stick together because everyone hated us since everyone’s dad was a cup driver. If we didn’t people would try to mess with cars and start fights. We usually had a total crew of 30 people between us which was 5 drivers. After the first year we all said fuck try county and Hickory. We started hooters cup, ARCA, and Craftsman super trucks. My buddy got out of driving and started a fab shop. The only one of the drivers that went big was Dale Jr. his sister Kelly always beat him unless she had a wreck or a mechanical problem. She was the best driver out of those 3 Earnhardt kids. Dale was a little better than Kerry. I’m sure that Dale Jr got it from his name not ability.
Very nice !
Long live Chevy.
Junior always got by on his name.
I grew up around Kannapolis in this time period. Middle to late 70s. I still own my 70 Challenger and GTX. I still live in Kannapolis and day dream of my years street racing in this city. Back then I drove a Tor Red 72 Duster I and my best friend built. Those were the days.
The look and body style of the 71 Roadrunner is so fascinating to look at for some reason...
Great review, Uncle T. All the Mopars from 60s - early 70s were wonderful, but the B-bodies still evoke memories of the big bruisers. My favorite Road Runner year was '69; you can see the resemblance between the B-body Satellites to the Furys, but pleasingly sleeker and slightly smaller. Didn't like the round markers on '68s, and grill. Even though the '70 had the best options along with available powertrains, I liked the '69s as the classic.
While working at Chrysler Trenton Engine in June 1968 I bought a new 68 383 Road Runner. 4spd, Sure Grip 3:55. Silver with a black interior. It was a coupe but it had the trim panel across the trunk but no other body trim. Mine was assembled at Lynch Road assembly (I still have the window sticker) in Detroit. I wanted a Hemi but is was too late in the model year to order one. I would have to wait till the 69's came out. It was a $755.00 option which was 1/4 the cost of the entire car. I only kept the car for 2 years. Wish I still had it.
Learned to drive in my mom's '68. Red, 383 auto. Had different wheel covers than the one in that pic, and if I haven't totally lost my brain the turn signal indicators were outside on the fenders.....
Great video!! The amount of this man’s knowledge never ceases to amaze me!! Best use of my lunch break today 🙌
Owned a 68 383 and thought I knew everything about it. I guess I was wrong!
mine had the cool little dash tach
great show Tony!
The 70 satellite SW with a 440 was cool too.
you did fine on the points. Me and my Dad have a history with RR. The first was when i was a kid. 68 RR 383 tunnel ram 4 speed. I remember him backing it up in the garage on weekends and changing out the diff's so he could race it. That car was T-boned by a 75 year old woman who pulled out on a red. The next was a 69. 440 6 pack (at the time we were building a 440 race car, a Dodge Polara 64 max wedge car. Fun times) that we raced on the street together. That car got hit by a drunk driver. Next was a 70 RR. also 440 that we hopped up and used till he died. I think my step mom has it which means i will never see it. (as well as the race car) I love those three years with the 69 being my favorite.
68 69 roadrunner my favorite but I would take any of them my brother had a 69 sport satellite slotted wheels very cool to a 9 year old.
Awesome, thanks Uncle Tony and Uncle Kathy
Back in 1975 when I was 18 I bought a '73 RR that looked exactly like the '74 you used in your video. .340 engine, auto on the floor. Not the muscle car a lot of people respected, but the dang thing was a "chick" magnet. Younger brother totaled it sometime around '77 when I let him borrow it once. Just once. Oh well. One thing I found interesting about the '74 RR's was that the roof over strobe in the stripe package was replaced by a solid roof over stripe . Plymouth used up all the roof over strobes early on, but eventually changed over to the solid roof over stripe. Then they stopped production midway through '74 due to the gas crisis. I like the fact that you started the video off with the correct VIN for the RR. Way too many Satty's out there being cloned and sold as Road Runners. Meep Meep!
Thanks for doing that it answered a lot of questions, I had a 73 RR 318/2bbl, 904 with a peg leg. 18.6 in a 1/4. I probably shouldn't even post this lol
1969 Motor Trend Car Of The Year-Plymouth RoadRunner
Back when Motor Trend's influence with car buyer's meant a whole lot. As it did to the manufacturer who won that distinctive trophy Motor Trend awarded the winner.
As usual, well done history, Uncle Tony. Love your stuff on this channel!
Good info... Will be cool if you covered the Challenger and the oddity that they actually made them available with the 225 slant 6. I came across a almost completely gutted 1970 Challenger tucked back in a junk yard 25 years ago that had a Slant 6. Totally unexpected find for a 1970 Challenger as I thought up to that point that the Challenger being a muscle car and its weight and size always came with a V8. However driving a 74 Charger with a 225 slant 6 in 1992 I knew that the engine was torque-y enough to pull a heavy car along very well.
First 2 are peak design. After that they just go weirder, not better.
Me too Tony, 1971 Is my all time favorite. The absolutely most beautiful body ever. Nothing else looks like it's gonna drive down the sldewalk and paiste people for fun.
I always like the GTX over the Road Runner...the "Gentleman's Muscle Car" ;-)
Awesome video, Tony. Used to see a handful of the early 70s models every now and again in my local small town, always a treat. For some reason, I've always really liked the '75 models, with the more formal looks...it's a less disco Cordoba, if you will. Not as cool as the earlier stuff but they really stand out today and I can't help but admire them. Same goes for the Volare road runners...I think I just like malaise era cars. Have to say, though, my favorite Mopar Muscle would be the '67 offerings- GTX and fastback Charger.
My first car was a 75 with 400 4brl..actually was a fury sport. Upgraded it to a 440 with nitrous.
Kinda looked like this 300
czcams.com/video/tkG9-m2VGwU/video.html
had a buddy back in the day (early eightys) , he had a 68 just like the one shown......383 and a 4 speed....hauled ass!!!!
I loved my 1980 Volare Road Runner. Hands down the best car I had ever driven in the snow!
I was 5 when my dad bought the 68 red base model 383 brand new beep beep auto. Started this ride
After working with my father for two and a half years, at 17 I walked into my small town Plymouth dealer and bought a brand new 68’ 383 4spd car plopping down $2,876 cash. Car was absolutely gutted as far as amenities. Sierra tan, black interior with vinyl bench seat, rubber floors, no ps, pb, had a factory shifter, and an AM radio was the only amenity. But what a great car. It sat on the lot for a long time because no one wanted to buy it. It was ordered by a kid in town, who drown the week before it was delivered. Everyone thought it was cursed, but I didn’t believe in curses.
Thank you for doing video on the RoadRunners. I had a 1969 383 RoadRunner.
Your awesome old head!!
Appreciate your gift of gab!!
Proud owner of a 69
Good Video! My Uncle had a '71 383 RR and when I was a kid I loved riding in it.. My Dad's 340 Duster ran circles around it though.. which was later my first car!
Awesome video I used to walk past Super Birds and Road Runners as a kid on the way to school
Nicely done. I live all things Road Runner, as I’m building a “Superbird convertible” in my garage.
And yes, I’m aware that ragtop S-Birds were never made. I started with a ‘70 Satellite convertible so as to not ruin a real Road Runner.
I loved the review, traded for a 69 "same color as the one in your review" when going to college, great car, 383 ran great, it would scream. I looked at the 71 a couple years later, same engine but not near the power of my 69, my best friend had a 70, it just felt bigger and heavier then the 69. agree the 71 I thought the best looking, but like I said the one I tried out just didn't have the power, but I have no idea what the rear end gear was.
My dad had a 70 satellite 383/727 nearly my entire life. He bought it in 72. I was born in 80. He finally let it go a few years ago. Its funny how certain lines of that car are burned in my mind. The shape of the front grill. The shape the side windows make. The shape of the tail lights. Somehow, when I see those lines I simultaneously see him and the lines of the car. Like the car was my dad and my dad was the car. Its hard to explain. It also probably sounds really weird to someone that dont understand.
Hey unc, Mopar or no car 👍👍👍👍❤️ i have a 69 gtx so yes sir they are awesome 👍👍👍👍
Don't forget they went to a Hurst shifter in '69 Inland in '68
That graphic on the 75 trunk is still cool.
Hey Tony... Back in my 20's sometime around 87 or 89 I bought a 73 Road Runner 340 4spd 8 3/4" 3:55 posi pistol grip 4spd and mopar rally's.. lime yellow green kinda.. With dark green interior.. All original.. But with a Bondo filled under paint front passenger fender but still looked good and drove great.. For around 850ish at a local lot here in Vancouver WA.. Now you never even see them.. Ended up blowing up the 340 going 126mph at I think about 6,200rpm absolutely maxed out for speed felt a harsh shudder vibration feeling and instantly pushed in the clutch and and the motor was locked and scattered.. But fun as he'll back then..
Awesome video. One of my favorites. Thank you.
I agree with you about the 71; one of the most beautiful body styles ever made!
You are without a doubt the Plymouth- Chrysler guru ! While I’ve never been a huge mopor fan, they were always a car that you respected when you lined up beside one at the traffic light on Friday and Saturday nights. I love the history of those ole muscle cars,
Great video Uncle Tony! My step dad bought a 69 a12 version new when he came home from nam. I remember being 7 or 8 years old. Him taking me out on a newly built 4 lane cement highway in our area. Getting thrown back in the set and reaching 125mph up a mile long hill😁😁😁😁 it's my dream to one day own one and try to relive that manic one day in my old age.
The 440 was available up until 1978 in certain offerings. Strange that it was no longer available in the RR in 75??? Great video...........thank, Tony.
Great video loaded with excellent information...
I have loved mopars since the early 80s when one of my first cars was a 1972 340 Duster...
Also owned a 68 Satellite a 69 Sport Satellite and a 69 Roadrunner among other 60s and 70s Mopars.
One of my favorites was a '63 Dodge Polara.
My ‘68 Roadrunner was purchased new in May of ‘68, and it did have the trim piece on the trunk lid. It was a post car with rubber mats on the interior, pop out rear windows and no power steering or brakes. Cost new: $2,900, and purchased from Tower Motors in San Diego.
Great run down! The 68 72 are my favorite Road Runners. Sleeper 68 and Stunner 72.
My uncle grew up back in the late 70s and told me tons of stories about his 69 back in the day. Some of them I thought were made up until my other family members told me they were true. Apparently his car was one of the hottest rides around town and everyone wanted to race him. The craziest story he told me though was that one night a guy in a 72 Mustang decided to have a go at it and they went to the usual spot where people raced back then. On launch the mustang got the jump and about half way into the race the Mustang wound up going in the ditch but ended up shooting back up the embankment towards the road runner and ended up hitting the rear bumper and bent it outwards a bit and proceeded to fly into a tree on the other side of the road and totaled the car. I believe he said that happened in 1981. Next day he went to the junkyard and pulled the rear bumper off a 68 satellite, put it on and continued to do his thing. He told me those cars grew on trees back in the day and you could find parts anywhere. What a time to be alive.
Tony your knowledge of mopars is great wish you were around when I had mine a 70 duster 340
My little brother had a 72 , 383 pistol grip absolutely fun car , late eighties rust belt Illinois so it had rust weight reduction ! Red with black stripes
Hey Tony, It'd be cool if you did a video on the Volare / aspen cars. No one seems to talk about them, but I've always liked em.
My dad has a 68 Hemi hard top, 4spd, RR. Forrest green w/black vynal top. Its been in the garage since 1986.
I had a 73, 340. Great driving car.
My favorite of car of all time, the 1971 Hemi Roadrunner. !972 second place due to lack of Hemi option.
i absolutely loved this video.
I feel lucky to remember when those 71’ - 72’ models were still current. They raced them in everything and they were a total threat.
Pretty sure that was the NASCAR body used for the 3 years after because that was what the rules allowed. Thank you for another great video Tony.....👍👏👏👏👏👏⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I had a 7o dart with a slant...on the freeway I would put the speedo, straight down in the high beam light indicator...130mph. I believe walking on 6.6TAs.aaaah the old days!
Uncle Tony, you should open a museum. The history of this car and your knowledge of it make for a really fun video to watch for those of us who don’t know the history.
In 1992, I went to look at a B5 Blue 1969 Road Runner for sale. Black interior, light package.... beautiful car that was a driver. It was $1,800 and out of my price range. If only I could forget.
Those deals I walked away from and the ones that I have sold too cheap weigh heavily on my heart these days. Lol
@@joejackson9172 We never forget them.
68 through 71 I think we're the best years other than the Daytona that speaks for itself Superbird school but I'd give my left arm for a Daytona all the cars ever built that one is my favorite
I am one of those that say '70 was the best looking year for the RR, I always say that it's kind of similar to the '55 Chevy as compared to the '56-57 Chevys...
Your description of the 71 was pretty darn spot on.
My dad in 1972 had a 69 RR 383 auto . Blew the motor an got a 383 an 4 spd out of another 69 RR, he worked at dodge an got a marine center head with 2 650 double pumpers , hooker headers , air ride sus an mickeys all around was the darker green colour....has a pick of the front tires about 6 inches off the ground on a launch .. only car that beat em in Qt in the city were from was his buddys 67 nova . Beast lol an light he said ..
Thank you for that ! / I agree with you ( fuselage ) look was the nicest
I like the 68
Had a 68-69 years ago. And 68 gtx. Great cars.
Great show and Roadrunner history Tony !
Non-purist Mopar-heads refer to the 440-6 barrel from Plymouth. The 440 6-pack was marketed by Dodge. It's like the limited-slip rear differential; GM called theirs a "posi", Mopars had the "Sure-Grip" differential.