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By the late 1960s muscle car mania was in full effect, but many models started red lining away from their roots as fast and cheap. Plymouth set out to build a back to basics muscle car that could run 14 second quarter mile times and sell for less than $3,000 bucks. The result, the 1968 Road Runner.

(Tommy)>> Built on the same B-platform as the Belvedere, Road Runner only offered options that were essential for improving performance.

(Lester)>> The B-bodies are excellent about handling. They drive really, really good and ride good.

(Joel)>> While Hemis and 440 six-packs were available, the standard 383 packed plenty of punch to ruffle the feathers of Ford and Chevy lovers. Chrysler paid $50,000 to Warner Brothers to use the name and likeness of their famed cartoon bird, and then spent another $10,000 to develop that famous meep meep horn.

(Tommy)>> The Road Runner was a runaway hit and paved the way for a host of other character driven Mopars. This 1970 model brought a new rear and front end styling to the basic '68 body. It had a grille with vertical fins and a bumper with integrated turn signals. The body lines were smoothed out, and the just for show side scoops were molded into the rear quarters. Options included a towel rack rear spoiler, but it was beefed up brakes, suspension, and power that pushed buyer's buttons. The addition of that air grabber hood was just icing on the cake.

(Joel)>> If you're trying to outrun a wily competitor you better have a lot of air flow to the carburetor. So with the flip of a switch a vacuum servo raises a functioning forward facing scoop complete with terrifying teeth and coyote air cleaner.

(Tommy)>> This mean looking tire twisting cartoon car was good news for budget minded performance fans. The bad news, more and more Road Runners stayed roosting in showrooms until sales dropped way down in the early '70s. People can't help but react when they see these rides out in the wild leaving a trail of dust as they travel down the highway. With a roaring exhaust and a ready to pounce stance this 1970 Plumb Crazy Road Runner wasn't worried about being caught by a cunning coyote anytime soon. And if you're lucky enough to spot one take a picture because these rare birds are an endangered species.
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