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 ,000 to Warner Brothers to affix a cartoon bird onto its new vehicle 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: a base price of 96. For those who wanted a little bit extra, there was one engine option; for 4 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 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 Coupe: 29,240 2D Hardtop: 15,359
Engines: 383 V8 335bhp@5200rpm, 425lb-ft@3400rpm. 426 Hemi V8 425bhp@5000rpm, 490lb-ft@4000rpm.
Performance: 383/335bhp: 0-60 in 7.1 sec, 1/4 mile in 15.0 sec @ 96mph. 426/425bhp: 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. Joining the existing 383 and 426 cid engines was a new choice, a triple-barrel 440 cid V8. Known as the "440 + 6", this engine provided Hemi-like acceleration for about half the price. Of course, it 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 Coupe: 33,743 2D Hardtop: 48,549 Convertible: 2,218
Engines: 383 V8 335bhp@5200rpm, 425lb-ft@3400rpm. 426 Hemi V8 425bhp@5000rpm, 490lb-ft@4000rpm. 440 V8 375bhp@4600rpm, 480lb-ft@3200rpm. 440+6 V8 390bhp@4700rpm, 490lb-ft@3200rpm.
Performance: 383/335bhp: 0-60 in 7.1 sec, 1/4 mile in 15.0 sec @ 96mph. 426/425bhp: 0-60 in 5.3 sec, 1/4 mile in 13.55 sec @ 105mph. 440/375bhp: NA. 440/390bhp: NA.

1970 Plymouth Road Runner

Comments: The Road Runner received fresh new front and rear styling as well as gained an optional Air Grabber Hood. This consisted of a under 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 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 Coupe: 15,716 2D Hardtop: 24,944 Convertible: 824
Engines: 383 V8 335bhp@5200rpm, 425lb-ft@3400rpm. 426 Hemi V8 425bhp@5000rpm, 490lb-ft@4000rpm. 440 V8 375bhp@4600rpm, 480lb-ft@3200rpm. 440+6 V8 390bhp@4700rpm, 490lb-ft@3200rpm.
Performance: 383/335bhp: 0-60 in 7.1 sec, 1/4 mile in 15.0 sec @ 96mph. 426/425bhp: 0-60 in 5.3 sec, 1/4 mile in 13.49 sec @ 105mph. 440/375bhp: NA. 440/390bhp: NA.

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 35bhp while the 440+6 lost 5bhp to 385bhp. The 426 Hemi stayed fast at 425bhp. This would be the last year for the Hemi as it too would fall victim to the increased standards.
Production: 2D Hardtop: 14,218
Engines: 383 V8 300bhp@4800rpm, 410lb-ft@3400rpm. 426 Hemi V8 425bhp@5000rpm, 490lb-ft@4000rpm. 440 V8 370bhp@4600rpm, 480lb-ft@3200rpm. 440+6 V8 385bhp@4700rpm, 490lb-ft@3200rpm.
Performance: 383/335bhp: NA. 440/370bhp: NA. 440/385bhp: NA.

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. The GTX was now available as an option on the Road Runner and came only with the 440 engine. The Road Runner would continue until 1974, but increasing restrictions and decreasing output would dim its performance light.
Production: 2D Hardtop: 7,628
Engines: 383 V8 300bhp@4800rpm, 410lb-ft@3400rpm. 440 V8 370bhp@4600rpm, 480lb-ft@3200rpm. 440+6 V8 385bhp@4700rpm, 490lb-ft@3200rpm.