Rotisserie Restored Road Runner 472 Dual Quad HEMI V8 Torqueflite Moser PS

1968 Plymouth Road Runner Description

SUMMARY

Want some incredible Hemi-powered muscle? Want it in a package that doesn't require red ropes and a car bubble? Well, as the old saying goes: "Car culture starts where the assembly line stops". And now that more and more authentic, numbers-matching Hemi cars are being confined to private collections, enthusiasts are filling the void with creations like this awesome Road Runner. The beneficiary of a professional restoration, this sweet coupe wraps 472 cubic inches of big block bliss in head-turning yellow aesthetics. If you've always dreamed of owning first-class MoPar muscle, but don't want the inherent stress that comes with authenticity, here's the perfect solution!

BODYWORK/TRIM

An authentic J-code Road Runner that was originally decked in triple green, this Plymouth is the graduate a comprehensive, 2009 restoration that married an exceptionally solid body with high quality replacement quarters. Once that body's broad shouldered profile was correctly aligned, a smooth coat of GM yellow 2-stage was complemented with an old school hood stripe. And the result is one ultra-straight, fully detailed pavement pounder that inspires comments and elicits stares every time it hits the road.

Every bit of this Plymouth's factory-spec ornamentation is bright and extremely clean. And while it's really hard to determine whether all those baubles are original, they certainly look nice! At the front of the car, a black-inlayed grille hangs four halogen headlights between a broad bumper, crystal clear parking lamps and an offset "PLYMOUTH" header. Behind that grille, a "HEMI" branded hood centers small scoops between ornate turn indicators, matte-finished windshield wipers and like-new glass that's framed in fresh black vinyl. Below that hood, slab-sided body panels hang traditional door handles and a familiar Chrysler mirror above stylish marker lamps, subtle Road Runner call-outs and a requisite pentastar emblem. And at the back of the car, polished exhaust tips found a second broad bumper beneath crystal clear taillights and premium decklid trim.

ENGINE

Toss the vivid hood and you'll find 472 cubic inches of Hemi fury! Supplied by Bouchillon Performance Engineering, and professionally installed in 2014, that balanced and dyno-ed mill utilizes a Scat 4340 crank, Scat 4340 rods, Diamond pistons, Mahle rings and a Comp hydraulic cam to twist 525 horsepower into 540 lb./ft. of torque. That star-studded lineup lives in a Hemi Orange Mopar Performance block, which hangs polished valve covers, Trend 4130 pushrods and lightweight aluminum heads over correct, low-restriction exhaust manifolds. Era-correct Carters and a big aluminum intake supply a perfect mixture of fuel and air. Compression is sparked by quality Taylor plug wires, which are snapped onto a Mopar Performance distributor. And a Chrysler-branded radiator utilizes an aluminum water pump to cool resultant combustion. Aesthetically, the entire engine bay looks great, from its gray latch and bright fenders to its old school fluid reservoir and tagged MoPar battery. And functionally, a quick turn of the car's ignition results in big power and great acoustics.

DRIVETRAIN/SUSPENSION

Park this bird on a lift and you'll find a solid chassis that's no stranger to sunny miles and good times. At the center of those bones, a rebuilt A727 3-speed features upgraded internals that do well pacing the buff Hemi powerplant. Behind that '70s-era gearbox, a proven Dana 60, installed in 2014, spins a Sure Grip differential around 3.73 gears and tough Moser axles. Below that first-rate drivetrain, a fully sorted suspension has been completely rebuilt to include staggered leaf springs, factory power steering, and power drum brakes that operate on low vacuum at idle. The aforementioned acoustics are created by large, true-dual pipes, which make excellent use of an H-shaped crossover, clean DynoMax mufflers and polished tips. Power meets the pavement via reproduction steelies, which spin redlined 215/70R15 BF Goodrich Silvertown Radials around clean Plymouth center caps. And naturally, the car's original, lightly undercoated floors feature fresh stainless fluid lines and a fresh stainless fuel tank.

INTERIOR

Counter to today's obsession with technology and convenience, it seems old school American muscle cars only needed black vinyl, a bit of stainless trim and essential instrumentation to strike a perfect balance of 'instantly classic' and 'perpetually cool'. And when you open this Road Runner's solid doors, you'll find a cockpit where legendary MoPar power melds seamlessly with a stylish, no-nonsense driving environment. At the center of the car's floors, front bucket and rear bench seats have been stuffed with firm padding and topped with pleated covers. At the sides of those seats, weather-free door panels hang chrome-tinged armrests under bright trim and glossy frames. At the bottom of those panels, tight carpet appears fresh and free of fading. On top of that carpet, a silver-trimmed console anchors a curved shifter between factory courtesy lamps. The car's all-business dash hangs rebuilt factory gauges beside a Plymouth Solid State 8-track player. In front of the driver, a monochromatic steering wheel spins a silver horn ring. And behind the passengers, the car's fully restored trunk is authentic all the way down to its full-size spare, refurbished jack and simple decklid decal.

Numbers-matching cars are great, but classics like this fully restored Road Runner are what make this hobby so much fun. It combines a slew of trophy winning ingredients with a price that's quite a bit lower than most finicky show queens. And best of all, you'll have a fully sorted street fighter that can be driven for years to come! If you're ready to relive the golden age of Detroit in a muscle car you can actually enjoy, pick up the phone and claim this awesome yellow MoPar!