Plymouth history · 1968–1980
Plymouth Road Runner history: 1968–1980
By CarWhere Research · Updated
The Plymouth Road Runner was a low-priced B-body muscle car sold from 1968 to 1980. It used a 335 hp 383 V8 as standard, with the 440 Six Barrel and 426 Hemi optional. Sales of about 45,000 in 1968 more than doubled Plymouth's forecast, and it was Motor Trend's 1969 Car of the Year.
Plymouth Road Runner history
Plymouth built the 1968 Road Runner around a simple idea: strip a B-body coupe of luxuries and give it a big engine at a low price. Plymouth paid Warner Bros.-Seven Arts $50,000 for the cartoon character's name and image, and spent $10,000 developing the "beep-beep" horn.
Buyers responded. Plymouth expected about 20,000 sales in 1968 and sold around 45,000. For 1969, domestic production reached 81,125 across three body styles (plus 3,295 for Canada and export), a convertible joined the range and Motor Trend named it Car of the Year. The 1970 Superbird was its NASCAR offshoot.
The Road Runner was restyled for 1971–1974, moved to the Fury-based body for 1975 (7,183 built) and finished as a Volaré trim package from 1976 to 1980.[1]
Years and production numbers
| Period | Body | Production (units) |
|---|---|---|
| 1968 | B-body (first generation) | About 45,000 sold |
| 1969 | B-body | 81,125 domestic + 3,295 Canada/export (2,128 convertibles) |
| 1970 | B-body (incl. Superbird: 1,935 U.S.) | Not shown in sources used |
| 1971–1974 | B-body (second generation) | Not shown in sources used |
| 1975 | Fury-based B-body | 7,183 |
| 1976–1980 | Volaré trim package | Not shown in sources used |
Generations and key variants
| Engine | Years | Rated output | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 383 cu in V8 | 1968–1970 | 335 hp | Standard |
| 440 Six Barrel V8 | 1969–1970 | 390 hp | About 1,432 1969 A12 cars |
| 426 Hemi V8 | 1968–1971 | 425 hp | Optional |
Engine and drivetrain facts
- The mid-1969 A12 package added the 440 Six Barrel (three two-barrel carburetors).
- Hemi convertibles are extremely rare: 10 were built for 1969 and 3 (plus one for Canada) for 1970.
Sources:[1]
What changed over the years
- 1968Launch as a low-priced coupe; hardtop added; Warner Bros. license and beep-beep horn.
- 1969Convertible, A12 440 Six Barrel; Motor Trend Car of the Year.
- 1970Restyle; Road Runner Superbird for NASCAR.
- 1971–1974Second-generation fuselage body.
- 1975–1980Fury-based for 1975, then a Volaré package through 1980.
Sources:[1]
What to check before you buy one
- Decode the fender tag and serial number to confirm a real Road Runner; clones built from Belvederes and Satellites are common.
- Hemi and A12 claims need documentation and stamping checks by a specialist.
- Inspect for rust in floors, trunk, quarters and around the rear window, and check restoration quality.
How to verify a Plymouth Road Runner's factory options
Standardized 17-character VINs began with the 1981 model year, so every Plymouth Road Runner predates them. These cars are identified by their original 13-character serial number, fender tag codes, engine stampings and the documentation that survives with them.[3]
For vehicles built before the 17-character VIN, identification rests on the original serial number, the body (fender or data) tag, engine stampings and the paperwork that survives with the vehicle. A VIN-based build lookup does not apply. Researching a later model? Start at the Dodge history timeline.
Frequently asked questions
What years was the Plymouth Road Runner made?
1968 through 1980: B-body cars for 1968–1975, then a Volaré-based package for 1976–1980.
How many 1969 Road Runners were made?
81,125 domestically across three body styles, plus 3,295 for Canada and export markets.
Why is it called the Road Runner?
Plymouth licensed the Warner Bros. cartoon character for $50,000 and gave the car a "beep-beep" horn that cost $10,000 to develop.
What engine did the Road Runner have?
A 335 hp 383 V8 as standard, with the 390 hp 440 Six Barrel and 425 hp 426 Hemi as options.
Related histories
More research
Sources
Production figures and dates come from Stellantis (Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep and Ram) press materials and brand sites, reputable automotive press and auction houses wherever available; auction figures are public results from the auction house. References marked secondary are encyclopedic or enthusiast sources used only where a primary figure was not available. Market medians are CarWhere's own analysis of live US dealer listings from licensed vehicle-data providers.
- Plymouth Road Runner — Wikipedia (secondary reference)
- Plymouth Superbird — Wikipedia (secondary reference)
- 49 CFR Part 565 — Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) requirements — eCFR (U.S. Government)
Independent reference compiled by CarWhere Research — not affiliated with or endorsed by Stellantis. Ram, Jeep, Dodge, Plymouth, Chrysler, HEMI, Hellcat, SRT, Mopar, Wrangler, Cherokee, Gladiator and the other model names are trademarks of their owners.