Highly Documented Numbers Matching Road Runner 426 Dual Quad HEMI V8 4 Speed
This 1969 Plymouth RoadRunner is afactory 4-speed hardtop example, that featuresits numbers-matching 426 Hemi and just under59k miles. Only 421 domestic-market Road Runnerhardtopswere produced with the 426 for 1969, and of these just 234were 4-speedcarsaccording to the Chrysler Registry and this car is 1 of 1. This largely unmodified exampleretains itsoriginal engine, transmission, and differential as verified byMoparexpertGalen Govier in 2001 and 2008, and includesTrack Pak and Air Grabber packages. The car was boughtnew for $4300 byits first ownerin Elgin, Illinois and traded handsamong friends and only has 4 previous owners. All records to the original owner known and documented. Original owner is still alive and his info is also included. Records include early paperworkandan original build sheet along with documentation from Govier. The car is sold witha clean title and a leather bound folder packed with documentation.
Theexterior wasreportedly repainted a single time in its original color ofBlack Velvet some years ago, and shows a high gloss down clean-looking sides.No overspray is visible andthe finish has held up exceptionally well,witha few flaws limited to ahandful ofminor scratches and blemishes. These pictures do not do the paint justice. You will be impressed with the paint on this car.
Sheet metal isALL ORIGINALand isverystraight. Panel gaps appear evenandno evidence of any prior accidents can be found. Rarely driven in inclementweather, the carhas never required rustrepair according to itspreviousowners.Steel 15″ wheelswear clean-looking turbine-stylecovers thatARE ORIGINAL with documentation to prove their originality.Period appropriate Goodyear Polyglas bias-ply whitewalls.
Chrome bumpers are undistorted and shine deeply, andthe 1969-only front grille is straight along withother minimalbrightwork. Hemi-labeled vertical hood ductswere functional with the Air Grabber option equipped on this car, and can be manually opened and closed by the driver. Factory Road Runner decals and badging are complete, including the singlesmall right-side Pentastar fenderemblem.
Thetrunk is undercoated on its sides andhas no corrosion under its ORIGINAL tartan vinyl mat. The includedspare wheel wearsa matching Goodyear bias-ply tire, and factory jacking tools and instructions remain present. The ORIGINAL vin is present in the trunk and shown below.
The front seat cover was replaced and matches the rear perfectly. Two-tone tan upholstery fits well on the standard front bench seat. Door panels wear matching vinyl that looks really nice. Black carpeting is thought to be originaland is covered with period rubber mats, andno corrosion is present on thefloors underneath.
The ORIGINAL upper dash is in great condition with no splits and other interior plasticsarefree of fading or distortion. Metal trim shines well. The factory three-spoke wheel retains its Road Runner insert and is free of cracks, as does the color-matchedknob atop the stock Hurst floor shifter.
Other factory controls and switchgearare intact. Orange under-dash lever for the Air Grabber hood vents. Clear horizontal instruments include an odometer showingan accurate 58,950k miles. Title also shows mileage as accurate. The carwas ordered with an optionalAM radio, but air conditioning wasnot available with the Hemi powerplant.
Under the hood, the 426ci Hemi wasverified as numbers-matching by Govier and has reportedly never been removed from the car. The engine was factory-equipped with forged pistons, connecting rods, and crank, as well asfive main bearings,solid lifters and 10.25:1 compression. It carried advertisedratings of 425 gross horsepower and 490lb.ft. of torque. Optional Air Grabber fiberglass ducting feedsair to twin four-barrel carburetors are present.
The Track Pakbrought improved cooling through a larger radiator and “Torque Drive” fan, while themodern-style battery features asecurity cutoff knob. The ORIGINAL vin number is also present on the inside of the radiator as shown below. The battery that is believed to be ORIGINAL is included in the sale and will be given to the buyer. The engine bayis free of corrosion in its seams and corners, and retains itsspecialVoice of Road Runner “beep beep” hornalong withmanyfactory decals.
Power is routed to an A-833 4-speed manual and“Sure Grip” limited-slipDana 60rear end with 3.54:1 ratio, both also verified as original by Govier. Road Runner suspension included heavy-duty springs and torsion bars, with the Track Pak adding a front sway bar. The chassis includesa 426-specificfactoryskidplate on its front K-member and wears an even black factory undercoating. The carhas required no major repairsaccording to its history. Factorystampings can be viewed in the pictures below.
Theoriginal purchase receipt is shown below. The Govier document in the gallery verifies the matchingnumbers and its status as a factory 426 4-speed Road Runner. Theoriginalbuildsheet is also included along with a decoded key fromGovier.Other early documentationincludesthe originalowner’s manual andwarranty book.
Hagerty Current Values
- #1 Concours$139,000 Condition #1 vehicles are the best in the world. The visual image is of the best vehicle, in the right colors, driving onto the lawn at the finest concours. Perfectly clean, the vehicle has been groomed down to the tire treads. Painted and chromed surfaces are mirror-like. Dust and dirt are banned, and materials used are correct and superbly fitted. The one word description for #1 vehicles is "concours."
- #2 Excellent$113,000 #2 vehicles could win a local or regional show. They can be former #1 vehicles that have been driven or have aged. Seasoned observers will have to look closely for flaws, but will be able to find some not seen by the general public. The paint, chrome, glass and finishes will all appear as excellent. No excessive smoke will be seen on startup, no unusual noises will emanate from the engine. The vehicle will drive as a new vehicle of its era would. The one word description for #2 vehicles is "excellent."
THIS CAR IS NOT CONCOURS #1AS IT DID NOT UNDERGO A MASSIVE RESTORATION. IT IS MOSTLY ORIGINAL AND IS A STRONG #2 CAR.
Hagerty Value Adjustments+10% for 4-spd. Colors can make an astonishing difference in both value and salability.
$113,000 #2 car + $11,300 for 4 Speed + $??? for the original color Black + $??? for its originality + $??? for its massiveamount of documentation =A rare car that will be sold for a fair price. According to Hagerty Value Guide this carhas increased $13,000 just this year alone and once was a $200,000 base car appx10 years ago. Cars are getting back to these amounts and wont beany cheaper than today.Thismost untouched original rust free car is the best buy on the market today if you are looking for this type of car. Compare this car to the other eBay cars and you will realize this is the best car regardless of the asking price if you are looking for originality.
Interesting facts I have learned about this car:
I talked to the original owner, now 80 years old, of this car on 12/23/16 and he kept the car original during his ownership in which he sold this to a friend in 1992. The engine has never been out of this car and is as it was back in 1969...all original. When he took this to Mr. Norms for dyno this car dyno'd at 439 HP. He said when the arrived from the dealership it never ran right and it was only when he took it to Mr. Norms did the car run great afterwards. He traded in his newly bought 1968 440 GTX as it was not fast enough. According to the owner the dealership tried to dissuade the owner from buying this car no less than 3 times but the 68 440 GTX just was not fast enough. See sales receipt below for trade details. The owner stated that when ordered it was supposed to have been delivered on the bottom of the transporter but it was on the top. Battery had died and during a new battery install the front seat cover was ripped by a screwdriver in the back of the transporters pocket so the dealership had a new seat cover installed shortly upon delivery. Phone number of original owner included with documents and new owner is encouraged to call as original owner wants to follow the destination of this car. The original owner states this car was special even back in the day and was constantly taken to car shows.
Owner #3 has said the following about this car, in print to an auction house, in which all docs go to the new owner. "Original owner ordered this as a non-descript daily driver with white wall tires and full hubcaps, so as not to alarm the quiet neighborhood. The original owner wanted to be sure of the Hemi's power and had the car Dyno tuned at Mr Norm's Grand Spalding Dodgein late 1969. The decal in excellent shape is still on the windshield as evidenced below. Normal maintenance has always been done and the engine and rear end have never been removed from this low mileage car. Never driven in bad weather and has never had any rust anywhere. Other than being tuned to run on today's 91 octane gas, this car is the way the factory built it in 1969 with its original parts. As the third owner I have all the original dealer papers, bill of sale, window sticker, build sheet, owners manual, and warranty booklet. This rare piece has been decoded and visually confirmed - all numbers match by Galen Govier and is in Registry. The original owner sold this in 1973 to a friend and bought it back in 1987. I acquired the car in 2002." Quote as told to an auction house by 3rd owner (John Parent) in 2008.
John Parent (owner #3) went on to say the following in the Hemmings article: "I knew the original owner of this car; I know about its race history, and it having won about 99 percent of all the speed contests it ever entered. Some parts for these cars are extinct: If it's missing, most likely you won't be able to find it. I drive it at least every other week - averaging about 400 miles a year on it now. My intention when I bought it was to honor my friend, and to be the cars caretaker - which is what I've been doing, and loving every minute of it" - John Parent owner from 2002-2008. John was quoted as saying he has examined and verified this cars authenticity down to all "correct nuts, bolts, and washers."
This car has graced the pages of Hemming's Muscle Machines Magazine May 2007 in which a copy is included for the winner. Also included is a white display board, shown below, with high quality copies of original receipts that can be hung on a wall or used for a display at car shows.
This car is being sold "as is" with no warranty but is in exceptional original shape for its age. A $2500 non refundable paypal deposit is due upon sale and full paymentmust be made within 7 days. I can hold the car for appx 30 days after the sale at no addt expense. I am also willing to sell world wide as long as seller pays all transport costs and makes all arrangements. I have a perfect ebay rating and never had a negative comment. PLEASE CONTACT ME PRIOR TO A BEST OFFER TO MAKE SURE WE ARE ON THE SAME PAGE IN REGARDS TO PAYMENT AND TRANSPORT. Serious bidders only with cash on hand. Car is available to serious parties prior to the end of the auction. Just looking for a smooth successful transfer of this car to the next owner.
Good luck,
Gerald 3 1 7 four four one 3 2 3 1 (call only if you are seriously contemplating buying this car)