When you dream of Mopar muscle, isn't this 1969 Plymouth Roadrunner what it looks like? Not candy-colored with cartoon characters, but black, mean, and nasty, full of horsepower, and ready to collect trophies at the track. Not for the meek or timid, this gnarly 'Beeper is the real deal.If you're going to paint it black, make it straight. That was clearly the mantra for the guys who put this one together. Just because it's built for combat and doesn't take prisoners doesn't mean that it shouldn't be straight as an arrow. The long quarter panels are ripple-free and still showcase that neat slash of relief along the upper edge. It shows a few signs of having been used and enjoyed, but overall, black cars with big horsepower rarely look this good. Panel gaps are trim and the stock hood helps it keep a low profile, because there's just no need for a big scoop when you look this wicked. No flashy decals, a minimum of chrome and stainless trim, and just the basic "roadrunner" badges (OK, there is a cartoon character on the deck lid, but who's complaining?). The sucker just looks brutal, doesn't it? The interior is quite stock and while it emulates a no-frills attitude, the bench with integral headrests (mandatory for 1969) has a very handsome look. There's a 4-speed sticking out of the floor so there's no weight-adding console to slow you down and it's topped with a proper cue ball knob. It's got factory gauges, including a somewhat rare tachometer, but there are also auxiliary gauges on the steering column monitoring oil pressure and coolant temperature. Even more noteworthy is the under-dash A/C system which is quite effective and a welcome addition in an all-black car that was born and raised in warm, dry Arizona. The stock radio is still in the dash and it's got an 8-track, but if you're not listening to the engine you're doing it wrong. The trunk is minimalist, offering a correct mat and a full-sized spare with jack assembly.For performance, few cars could keep pace with a Plymouth packing a big block, and this one carries a sturdy 383 cubic inch V8. Inhaling through that familiar Road Runner air cleaner, the bright Hemi Orange torque factory looks ready for show, but a few upgrades like an upgraded cam and a fresh distributor suggest that it was built to run. The A/C was neatly integrated into the engine bay and you almost don't notice the compact compressor sitting there on top of the engine. A big 4-barrel carb, stock exhaust manifolds, and an X-pipe give it an awesome sound and immediate throttle response, while the chassis has been given a makeover with a new steering box, new rear springs, and 4-wheel disc brakes. The 4-speed manual transmission feeds a bulletproof 8.75-inch with 3.55 gears inside and there's a new gas tank hanging out back. Thanks to a lot of recent work, the underside is nicely detailed with plenty of evidence that it has spent its life in a warm, dry place. Plain-Jane black steel wheels are installed with plain-Jane hubcaps and carry 245/60/15 front and 275/60/15 BFG radials for a predatory stance.This is a seriously nice car, but the quality only adds to its sinister looks. It's intimidating, but once you get over it, you'll also find that it's beautifully built. Call today!
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