Looking to buy a Roadrunner - Need Help

[Corbic]

Well I have given up on the whole project car thing and I'm now looking at simply buying a completed car straight up.

The problem is, I do not know exactly how to go about so I don't get screwed over. I'm looking to spend 15-23k for a need-nothing RoadRunner. My biggest fear is hidden bondo/rust under some new shinny paint.

Ebay literally terrifies me. So far I've been searching various car sale/trader sights looking for shops/lots that sell classic cars. I'd plan on at least taking the car to a body shop and have them go over it.

I'm looking for a first gen RR, bench seat, hard-top with a 383 or 440. Is my price range acceptable? Is there anything I should be looking for or cautious of? Books or sites I should read first?

Thanks

 

[69Coronetrt]

...I'm looking to spend 15-23k for a need-nothing RoadRunner.

...I'm looking for a first gen RR, bench seat, hard-top with a 383 or 440. Is my price range acceptable?

Thanks

Take your time and don't rush. There are good cars out there.

Look and see what that price range will buy for a 68-70 Road Runner. I think it will be very difficult to find a decent 'needs nothing' car in that price range. You may need to adjust your expectations or price range.

 

[Meep-Meep]

Seems to me you have the right idea on looking at a car - i.e. find experts to help you with inspection. Your price range could work as I have seen RR's in decent shape for that amount - not cherry - but not terrible.

The VIN should start with RM. If it's RL or RH it's a Belvedere or Satellite posing as a RR. RS would be GTX. Plenty of info from Galen to decode the car so I won't ramble on about that. Just like any car - check it out in daylight and get under it to thoroughly inspect the floor, suspension, etc.. I saw a 69 Charger once that had the entire rear section replaced and who ever did it didn't bother welding the trunk floor to the frame rails! Good luck.

By the way, 68 and 69 RR's did not come with a 440 as standard, unless you find an M code 69 1/2. 383 (H code) or HEMI (J code) were the only options.

 

[morbidgoat]

meep i thought that rr in 68 were only 383 or 426 then in 69 more options were available including a 440 non hp, 440 hp were only in the gtx. i could very well be wrong since this is something i read in a book and who knows if its accurate

my question for corbic is are you looking for a numbers matching all original rr or simply a straight, running, solid driveable rr. also where in the US do you live and how far are you willing to drive?

 

[Corbic]

meep i thought that rr in 68 were only 383 or 426 then in 69 more options were available including a 440 non hp, 440 hp were only in the gtx. i could very well be wrong since this is something i read in a book and who knows if its accurate

my question for corbic is are you looking for a numbers matching all original rr or simply a straight, running, solid driveable rr. also where in the US do you live and how far are you willing to drive?

The latter, the car will be a daily driver, I'm not even worried it it started life as a one engine/trans combo and now has another. I really just want ZERO rust and bondo/filler/fiberglass.

I live in the midwest, distance is no issues as I'd fly out/drive back or have the car shipped in an extreme situation. I'm eyeballing the Southwest and Florida as better locations to nab something, less risk of rust, and I suspect more top-notch shops and builders (less chance of a hack-job car).

 

[dla4567]

There is a nice 69 in the for sale section for $25,000

 

[Meep-Meep]

meep i thought that rr in 68 were only 383 or 426 then in 69 more options were available including a 440 non hp, 440 hp were only in the gtx. i could very well be wrong since this is something i read in a book and who knows if its accurate

To my knowledge no optional 440's in any RR until 69 1/2. Likewise the only option for the GTX was the 440 and HEMI. Not even a 440+6 for the GTX until 70.

 

[moparstuart]

To my knowledge no optional 440's in any RR until 69 1/2. Likewise the only option for the GTX was the 440 and HEMI. Not even a 440+6 for the GTX until 70.

:yes::yes::yes::yes::yes: absolutely correct

a ton of 68 and 69 RR's got 440 transplants I see at least one at every all mopar show , but they never came factory that way .

 

[69 Runner]

road runners only had 383's and 426's until the 440+6 came out in March of 69. Then in 70 you could get a 440 4V (a "U" code)

 

[69Coronetrt]

road runners only had 383's and 426's until the 440+6 came out in March of 69. Then in 70 you could get a 440 4V (a "U" code)

True...but the only RR U codes were Super Birds.

 

[moparstuart]

True...but the only RR U codes were Super Birds.

:yes::yes::yes::yes: was it 71 then or 72 you finally get a 440 4 barrrel ?

 

[63RedFury]

Plymouth built 1 U code 1970 Road Runner.Check out the Runnner for 25K in the for sale section.

 

[69 Runner]

White book shows ONE "U" code RM23 that isn't a Superbird

 

[morbidgoat]

guys i apolagize i didnt mean to start a 440 truth search/arguement it was just something i read in "standard guide to american muscle cars" "4th edition" any way we really should get back to the point that corbic wants a runner and is asking us for help.

corbic at the moment the only runner i know of for sale is a 70 that is supposed to be a complete car and is currently sitting in a storage shed in primer waiting for someone to buy and paint her. im not sure all the details of the car i just recall the owner is looking to get somewhere between 8 to 10 grand for it as is and its located a little north of Green Bay WI. i can pm you his phone number if your interrested just let me know

 

[satarunner]

Look out west or southwest to be exact Arizona, Nevada, California and Oregon. I'm on my second Mopar project my first one was a 72 Challenger came from Redding California it sat in a guys backyard for 9 years uncovered. when it was media blasted it only had 1 small area of rust. My 73 Satellite came from oregon it sat in a field for 15 years with the vinyl top off and only has surface rust. Things don't rust out here. Look on Craigslist in those areas it might be worth your time. I know your not looking for a project but if your worried about rust look out west Check out this link to Mopar Max magazine it has pictures of my car before and after oh and you have to watch the video on the 5th page ( turn up you volume) http://www.moparmax.com/features/featurecar/v_5-resurrection-1.html

 

[satarunner]

I poked around a little bit on craigslist I found this one more money than you wanted to spend but look around the western U.S.


http://orangecounty.craigslist.org/cto/1777256035.html

 

[69 Runner]

gone