Documented Numbers Matching Road Runner 383 4 Speed

RK Motors Charlotte is fast becoming B-Body Central. If you're looking for a great GTX or Road Runner to enjoy this summer, we have all the hot colors, options, engines, and they're all restored and ready to rock. It's like going back to 1968 and being able to buy a brand-new car right off the showroom floor. Hemis? Got 'em. How about a 440? Four barrels or six? And our latest addition, this sweet running, numbers-matching 1968 383/4-speed Road Runner in PP1 Matador Red for what amounts to a bargain price. It's documented, too, including the original Chrysler Corporation Broadcast Sheet, CertiCard, and a Govier inspection which lists this July 1968-built car as the latest 1968 Roadrunner in the world. Is it the last one built? Nobody has found one built any later.

Here's the fender tag:

RM Plymouth Road Runner
23 Body type: 2 door hardtop
62 Engine: 383 1x4-barrel, 335 HP
V83 Transmission: A833 4-speed manual
44 Tires: F70x14 Red Streak
717 Schedule production date: Wednesday July 17, 1968
962515 Shipping order number
25 Drip rail moldings
A4 8.75 inch axle with 3.23 gears
X8 Sure Grip limited slip
TH High grade trim
R4 Vinyl split bench front seat
MX Black interior
PW Roof paint: Sable White
NW Body paint: Sable White
T1 Paint style: Monotone
UB Upper door frame color: Black
B Buffed paint: none
S Stripe: none
H1 Power brakes
R1 Music Master AM radio
X1 Tinted glass

We also have the original window sticker which adds the following items:

451 Power brakes
456 Power steering
579 Undercoating and hood insulation
580 Styled chrome road wheels

It's not Sable White any more, and that's a good thing these cars look spectacular in bright PP1 red paint, and I really like the lack of a vinyl roof on this bad boy. Its clean, the recipient of a bare-metal repaint in 1996, and still incredibly straight today. For the money, you won't find a better car, and the paint job alone probably cost close to half of what we're asking for the whole car! Gaps are good all around, with excellent panel alignment so that the bodywork flows evenly from front to back. All the sheet metal, save for the passenger's side quarter panel and a part of the trunk, is original steel and the repairs present no issues. It's obvious that this car has been exceptionally well maintained and used only sparingly since it was restored, and could easily pass for a much more recent job, it's that nice.

In the same way, all the chrome and trim was restored and expertly preserved ever since. Both bumpers were expertly re-chromed, as was the original tail panel. Anyone who's dealt with a '68 knows how hard it is to get one of these right, and this one's beautiful from the chrome to the argent paint to the Road Runner decal. Up front, the grille was expertly refinished and looks spectacular today these are not cheap or easy parts to restore. Lenses are good all around, and the hood inserts are black as they should be.

Powering this red cruiser is the original 383 cubic inch Road Runner V8. Topped by a correct 4-barrel carburetor under an authentic air cleaner, it churns out 335 horsepower, which moves the lightweight effortlessly. The engine was rebuilt to stock specs, the only exceptions being an electronic ignition system and a .030 overbore, and it runs beautifully, with an aggressive idle. It was painted the correct shade of Chrysler turquoise at the time of restoration, and well detailed throughout with proper hoses, clamps, and wiring. A Group 27 yellow cap battery has been installed, and the overall condition of the engine bay is further proof that the previous owner of this car took exceptional care of it. This most certainly does not look like a 14-year-old restoration, and it would not take more than a weekend or two of work to get it back into top show condition if that's the direction you'd like to go with this car.

Underneath the factory undercoating is still present and in excellent shape. As I mentioned, the trunk received some work, but the rest of the floors are in excellent shape and all the restorer did was clean it up. The power brakes are rebuilt and properly adjusted, the suspension was new at the time of restoration, and everything is in top notch working order. Of course, the original 4-speed transmission is still in place, and out back, the original 8.75 inch rear with 3.23 gears and Sure Grip is still putting the power down. There's a correct dual exhaust system and newer shock absorbers at all four corners. Putting the finishing touch on the chassis is a set of gorgeous chrome styled steel wheels and authentic-appearing F70-14 Firestone Wide Oval redline tires.

The black interior, like the engine and paint, still looks awesome and very lightly used. The seat-covers, carpet, headliner, and door panels were replaced during the restoration, but the gauges are original, the door handles and knobs are as the factory installed, and overall this is a very presentable interior that you won't be afraid to use. The Hurst shifter is topped by a white cue ball knob instead of the original wood piece, but I like the racy appearance that it adds. You'll also notice a modern Sony CD stereo under the dash, while the original Music Master AM radio is still in its factory location, so it's easy to take back to 100% original if that's what you want to do. The upper dash pad was replaced, but the lower panels were in such good condition that they were merely cleaned up and reinstalled. All the gauges are functional, and the 53,596 miles shown on the odometer are very likely authentic.

The trunk shows well, with a new rubber trunk mat, full sized spare on a matching wheel, and a restored jack and base.

Documentation is impressive. As I mentioned before, there's the Chrysler Corporation Broadcast Sheet from behind the back seat, a Govier report, and the original CertiCard. In addition, there are restoration photos, the original bill of sale, original window sticker, maintenance folio, owner's manual, warranty, and a ton of receipts from the restoration. Sharp-eyed readers will note that the bill of sale options don't match the build sheet and window sticker, but the owners name and VIN are correct. Galen Govier explains that since this was so late in the model year, the owner was probably unable to get the car built as-ordered and had to settle for one off the lot instead. A neat wrinkle in this cars history, and more evidence that this is a VERY late build car.

With restoration costs being what they are, this car is a screaming bargain. You couldn't restore a car to this condition for the asking price, so it's like getting a matching-numbers big-block Road Runner for free. This is a completely sorted car that is in outstanding condition, owing to years of careful maintenance, and is ready for many more years of happy cruising. The documentation package is beyond what we usually see on cars in this price range, and all it does is help this car maintain its value as you enjoy it. This is one of those cars that just won't stick around long. After nearly a year here at RK Motors, the hot ones are easy for me to spot. If you're reading this now and are interested, I urge you to call immediately someone is liable to walk in and buy it on the spot. It's that kind of car. Call now!