Browse›Plymouth Road Runner 1st Gen

Plymouth Road Runner 1st Gen

Overview

The first-generation Plymouth Road Runner (1968–1970) was a mid-size muscle car designed for affordable performance. Featuring a 383 V8 engine standard, optional 426 Hemi, and lightweight construction, it became a popular choice for enthusiasts seeking raw power without luxury frills.

Distinctions

What sets this car apart, from being selected for the Octane Files to becoming a legend.

Legend

A car that transcended the hobby, known far beyond the people who drive them.

In the files

Selected for its history, engineering, or cultural weight.

The scorecard

Rated 1 to 10 on the traits that matter for owning, driving, and holding on to a car like this.

Desirability

-/-

Rarity

-/-

Driving Thrill

-/-

Investment Trajectory

-/-

Usability

-/-

Ease of Restoration

-/-

Cultural Impact

-/-

Electronic dependence

Fully analogHeavily electronic

Data unavailable

Market Data

Demand tier, price trend, and typical values by condition, based on recent sales data.

Desirability Tier

Blue-chipHighSolidEntry

The proven elite. Values are established, liquid, and defended at every auction.

Value Trajectory

AppreciatingStableCooling

Data unavailable

Price by condition

Driver

—

Excellent

—

Concours

—

Buyer's guide

What anyone seriously considering this car should know first.

Why it's worth it

Created the budget-muscle formula and won Motor Trend Car of the Year 1969; the Superbird ran NASCAR aero wars alongside the Charger Daytona.

Callout

Data unavailable

What to watch for

Hemi and Superbird clones abound - fender tag, VIN, broadcast sheet essential; real Superbirds are documented, winged, and very valuable.

The Story

Driving Character

Data unavailable

Design

Data unavailable

Motorsport Pedigree

Data unavailable

In Culture

Data unavailable

Where it comes from

Related cars from the same manufacturer family, like platform siblings or shared-era relatives.

Data unavailable

Rivals

Cars from other manufacturers that competed for the same buyers when new.

Rivals: Super Bee (Dodge equivalent), Chevelle, GTO. If you like it: GTX, Super Bee.

We haven’t profiled this car yet. Request to add

Owning One

Why collectors want it

The definitive budget muscle car - Plymouth put a big engine in a cheap B-body, added a cartoon bird and a 'beep-beep' horn, and created a legend; the Hemi cars and the winged Superbird are blue-chip.

Which one to look for

Road Runner, 440 Six Barrel, 426 Hemi, and the aero Superbird (1970, winged NASCAR homologation - grail). [TRIM-worthy: Superbird, Hemi]

Hemi · 1968–1970

Road Runner package with the 426 Street Hemi V8

Superbird · 1970

Aero-nose, tall rear wing NASCAR homologation special, the Plymouth counterpart to the Charger Daytona

What owning one is like

Rust (cheap car, few pampered), cloning, Hemi/Superbird authenticity.

Upkeep & Parts

Data unavailable

Resources

Data unavailable

All cars

Country of Origin

USA

Class

Muscle

Production Years

1968–1970

Units Built

—

Marque

Plymouth

Model

Road Runner

Nickname

Data unavailable

Body

Convertible, Coupe

Layout

Front-engine, RWD

Engine

383, 440 Six Barrel, and the 426 Street Hemi.

Transmission

Data unavailable

Designer

Plymouth styling