Lot details
Registration No: WGC199F
Chassis No: RM23H8G208973
Mot Expiry: June 2006

Launched in 1968 at a time when the average American muscle car was going through its 'Elvis in Vegas' period, the Plymouth Road Runner marked a return to the genre's street sleeper / blue collar roots. Based on a stripped out Belvedere shell equipped with beefed-up suspension, brakes and transmission, it was priced at just $2,896. Benefiting from the heads, manifolds, camshafts, valve springs and crankcase windage tray of MOPAR's race ready 440ci Magnum, the standard fit 383ci (6.3 litre) V8 was quoted as developing a monster 335bhp and 425lbft of torque. Decorated with grey decals depicting a certain cartoon bird (for which Chrysler had had to pay a $50,000 royalty fee), the base two-door was joined mid-year by a hardtop coupe version.
Reportedly treated to an "expensive respray" recently, the vendor believes this particular example to be "numbers matching". Finished in baby blue with black vinyl upholstery, it is reputed but not warranted to have covered 85,462 miles from new. Said to be a "very striking but practical / usable car", it benefits from "automatic transmission and power steering". Retaining its original trademark 'hood vents', it is offered for sale with MOT certificate valid until June 2006 and current road tax. With prices for the '68 426ci 'Hemi' Road Runners now past the $100,000 mark and still accelerating how long will it be before the little brother 383ci is taken along for the ride?