- 1,115
- Rivera
- Tsukishima-TDUDT
The Plymouth RoadRunner is a performance car built by Plymouth in the United States between 1968 and 1980. By 1968, the original muscle cars were moving away from their roots as relatively cheap, fast cars as they gained options. Although Plymouth already had a performance car in the GTX, it wanted to reincarnate the original muscle car concept in a car able to run 14-second quarter mile (402 m) times and sell for less than US$3000. Both goals were met, and the RoadRunner would outsell the upscale GTX.
Plymouth introduced the RoadRunner as a low cost muscle car intended for younger buyers. The car was based on the lightweight Belvedere body, and further stripping of non-essentials made the vehicle event lighter. The interior was spartan with a basic vinyl bench seat, lacking even carpets in early models, and few options were available - just the basics such as power steering and front disc brakes, AM radio, air conditioning (except with the 426 Hemi) and automatic transmission. A floor-mounted shifter (for the four-speed) featured only a rubber boot and no console so that a bench seat could be used.
The standard engine was an exclusive-to-the-RoadRunner 383 CID (6.3 L) Roadrunner V8 rated at 335 hp and 425 lb·ft (576 N·m) of torque. For an extra $714, Plymouth would install a 426 CID Hemi rated at 425 hp and 490 lb·ft (664 N·m) of torque. Combined with low weight, the 6-passenger RoadRunner could run the 1/4 mile in 13.5 seconds at 169 km/h. It would prove to be one of the best engines of the muscle car era, and the Road Runner one of the best platforms to utilize it.
Specs:
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