1969 Plymouth Roadrunner Restoration

[Sabre_3]

Good Evening All,

I'm starting this thread to document my 1969 Plymouth Roadrunner restoration.

I bought the car off of Ebay 02/18/2025 and drove from central Illinois to Stonewall Oklahoma to pick up the car in the attached pics.

I paid $3,500 for this hot mess! But, it's my hot mess!

Specs:
Selling points for me:
G-code car - made in Fenton Mo.
4-Speed Car - A-833 Not included, but wanted a manual trans car.

Let me know what you think!

Semper Fi
Sabre_3

 

[Runcharger]

Can't go wrong. 4 speeds for me too.

 

[eldubb440]

a decent Mopar project is almost non-existent for 3500..... congrats, now get to work

 

[Runner 68]

Semper Fi Brother.
That's a damned nice mess for $3,500.
Let me know where I can help. The whole site has your back.

 

[ckessel]

Great project to start with.

 

[radical rob]

A hot mess for sure. Big job but just remember ‘one bite at a time’

 

[Charles Cook]

Contact me if you want your money back. nice project, enjoy and try not to get overwhelmed.

 

[mr. b]

congratulations looks like a good project keep us posted

 

[RJ Squirrel]

Great deal! 4 speed will be nice, and it looks to be fairly straight and no problem to restore.

 

[Sabre_3]

Semper Fi Brother.
That's a damned nice mess for $3,500.
Let me know where I can help. The whole site has your back.

Thank you sir!

She's a hot mess for sure! But she's my hot mess!

Semper Fi
Sabre_3

 

[Sabre_3]

Ok....we got updates,

Take a peek at the pics.

I was chomping at the bit to clean out the interior. We have some goodies:
• both headlight bezels
• both taillights
• dash (trashed). Gonna be a challenge to restore
• dash trim (trashed)
• gauge cluster
• Front Bench (comprehensively trashed)
• passengers side vent wing glass.
• water pump (possibly from original 383 HP)
• oil pan
• 4 bbl intake manifold

Interior is hammered! But I knew that when I purchased the vehicle.

Now, comes the big question: Chemical dipping or Media blasting. Any guidance would be appreciated.

Semper Fi
Sabre_3

 

[radical rob]

I vote dip it. Rust will be all over that car and hidden. The people at amd are going to know you well. Start at the bottom and work your way up.
Take some time and decide what your end result should be before you start. People here will have help, advice and some parts as you work your way through.

 

[ckessel]

Spa time. After you've done all the metal repairs, see if you can get it run through an EDP bath[ liquid primer thats charged like powder coat] as then all of it will be protected. Even the nooks and cranny's.

 

[Sabre_3]

I vote dip it. Rust will be all over that car and hidden. The people at amd are going to know you well. Start at the bottom and work your way up.
Take some time and decide what your end result should be before you start. People here will have help, advice and some parts as you work your way through.

I agree!

Let's deep six this rascal! Now comes another challenge: finding a capable vendor that knows what they're Stuff and offers e-coating in the greater St. Louis Area.

I've been doing the inter-webs search thing and have found locations in Chicago....not so much St. Louis.

I don't want to rush this. I need to find the right shop that knows what they're doing. I'm not too scared to pay for quality.

Keep your fingers crossed !

Semper Fi
Sabre_3

 

[Sabre_3]

I've got updates....

So, I noticed the Roadrunner's hood was securely latched when I was hauling her out of Oklahoma.

I'd been gently tickling the hood latch for a couple of weeks in the hope she'd let loose. Finally, I crawled under in the empty engine compartment and carefully unsolved the ceased locking mechanism.

Take a peek at what we have.

Semper Fi
Sabre_3

 

[hunt2elk]

You got a big project ahead of you, but just focus on one section at a time as far as metalwork goes and you will be fine. T5 copper is one of my favorite 1969 colors, I painted my Bee that hue.

 

[LowBikeMike]

I agree!

Let's deep six this rascal! Now comes another challenge: finding a capable vendor that knows what they're Stuff and offers e-coating in the greater St. Louis Area.

I've been doing the inter-webs search thing and have found locations in Chicago....not so much St. Louis.

I don't want to rush this. I need to find the right shop that knows what they're doing. I'm not too scared to pay for quality.

Keep your fingers crossed !

Semper Fi
Sabre_3

There was a Redi-Strip joint in Evansville, IN smell time ago. They did a great job on my 57 Ford. Not sure they are still in business though

 

[Sabre_3]

There was a Redi-Strip joint in Evansville, IN smell time ago. They did a great job on my 57 Ford. Not sure they are still in business though

Many thanks!

I'll run down the lead.

Semper Fi
Sabre_3

 

[Dennis H]

OMG. Jesus Chrysler. All the best. No one here has ventured a guesstimate.
Dash $10k?

 

[Sabre_3]

Need some advice....

I have a lot of organizing, tagging, bagging and meticiculous inventoring parts. During this period of time, I'll be saving and building my financial resources to invest and commit to the restoration. So, which direction makes sense?

My Goal is a complete ground up restoration/resto-mod. Should I fabricate a Frame Jig or Purchase a Rotisserie?

Frame Jig Option: If fabricated properly, I could "lock in" the uni-body factory dimensions for precise reconstruction. Ideal for Frame Rail, Cross member and rocker panel replacement (if required). My concern is the Frame Jig may or may not be useful for other/future B-body Projects without modifications.

Rotisserie: facilitate ease of access to most/all areas of the car. Can use Rotisserie on other projects after the roadrunner. Might not be able to maintain factory dimensions if structural support needs replaced.

What would you all recommend?

Please advise.

Semper Fi
Sabre_3