I’ve been lurking here on Moparts for a while, making a comment here and there.
Now that my 1969 Plymouth Road Runner convertible is coming home, I figured it would be a good time to introduce myself, as well as my car.
I’m a 33 year-old father of three from Michigan (southern suburbs of Detroit). I work as school principal at a local district. I’ve been dreaming of driving my convertible down the road as long as I can remember.
My Road Runner was originally a 383 car, R4, with black guts and a black top.
When finished it will be a 440 car, R4 (base/clear), flat V21 stripes, with black guts and top, on15” Magnum 500 wheels.
I’m trying my best to keep it as original as possible, without going over the top. The engine is long gone, so there’s no fixing that. The car is going to be driven a lot, and never sold. It’s been with me since I was a year old, and I hope to one day hand it down to my son. I’m doing the car the way I want to do it. I don’t have to knowledge, experience, or even the care to take it back to complete factory condition. I really just want a nice, reliable classic Mopar that my family and I can be proud of and enjoy for many years to come.
My car was purchased in 1981, by my father from the original owner for $800 with 114,000 original miles. The car was in pretty ratty condition at the time of purchase. The front bucket seats were shot, it was a rusty mess after 12 Michigan winters, that car had been painted yellow with a brush and roller (no kidding) and the 383 engine was as tired as she could be. At least this is what my dad tells me, I was only a year old at the time…
My mom drove the car occasionally in the summer of 81’, with me and my three siblings piled in the back. No car seats I’m sure, it was a different time! After that, my dad parked the car for 3 years in the driveway and didn’t touch it. We moved in 1983 to a house with a garage, and the car sat there from 1983 until 2003, when I took it to my house. While it was sitting, it collected many furry little friends that destroyed what was left of the interior, but never messed up the wiring thankfully. My dad pulled the original 383 engine and threw it away after acquiring a 440 for it in 1982 (OUCH!). I sure wish I had that original motor, but what can you do? He also threw out the bucket seats and replaced them with buckets form another model. He never put the 440 in the car, and it didn’t run after those summer of 81’ rides. My dad did collect many parts throughout the years though, but they were all 68 parts (doors, deck lid, hood). I did use the doors, but had to get rid of the deck lid and hood.
In 2010 I decided that it was finally time to restore it. I convinced myself that I could do it for about $15,000 (HA HA!). I’m about three times that amount into now, and it’s not close to road worthy.
The restoration has had several ups and downs, and I’ve sure learned a lot about life, cars, and people throughout the process. This is my first car restoration, so I'm learning as I go. I do what I can with help from family and friends, and farm out the technical things.
I sent the car to a local body man in early 2011 after the car was blasted for body and paint. I expected to get a show worthy car back, but instead all I got back was a total mess. After sulking for about a year, I decided to file a lawsuit (and won!) and get back on the project. I met a fellow Moparts member (Dr. Mopar) by searching the membership directory of a local Mopar car club here in Michigan for owners of 69 RR convertibles to lead me in the right direction. He’s been a huge help! He hooked me up with the body and paint guys that did his car (along with several other 68/69 B bodies). My car comes back from their shop soon, it I have to say, it’s absolutely perfect!
I have purchased a TON of metal for the car. It’s essentially a brand new vehicle. Here is the list of items I’ve bought for it in terms of body parts.
-AMD bumper brackets (front and rear)
-AMD fenders (both)
-AMD inner fenders
-AMD fender braces
-AMD splash shields (both)
-AMD inner fender plate/cover (pair)
-AMD batter tray and bracket
-AMD windshield
-AMD floor pan (one piece)
-AMD floor pan support set
-AMD emergency cable bracket
-Arizona used doors from a 68 RR
-US Car Tool Frame Connectors and Torque Boxes
-AMD Torsion Bar Crossmember (full)
-AMD Quarter Panels (Full Quarters modified for vert-both)
-AMD inner and outer wheelhouses (modified for vert)-AMD Frame Rails (full-both)
-AMD Trunk Pan (one piece)
-AMD Trunk Brace Set
-AMD Trunk Extensions (both)
-AMD spare tire tie-down set
-AMD upper-rear crossmember shock mount
-AMD rear leaf spring mount set
-AMD rear crossmember, reinforcements, and extensions
-AMD tail light panel
The seats are new from Legendary. I picked up a great set of cores from a member of my Roadrunner forum in Indy in winter of 2011.
The 440 engine is balanced and just needs some finishing touches. Not sure of what set-up I want yet. It’s sitting in an oiled bag awaiting my time and money. I may have it built out the rest of the way by a local Mopar engine builder and put on a dyno.
I still need a lot of parts, time, and money to complete the project. If it’s ready for spring of 2014, I’ll be happy.
I’m very happy and proud to own one of the few remaining 69 RR convertibles. This one will be a beauty. Here are a few of the several hundred pics I have from my experience thus far.
I will post more when the car comes home in a couple weeks.
Thanks,
Alex
What she looked like in the garage for 20 years…
The tear down…Early 2010
After media blasting…December 2010
Blasted and new metal ready to go…
Restoration #1 (January 2011) Incorrect rust repair and fiberglass smeared everywhere! It looked okay from 10 ft. away, but it was a mess!
The worst body work ever…And this is only a fraction of how bad is really was!
Dash and rear…
Motor and heads…
New seats…
Body and Paint Take 2: The Good!
The car is now painted, and being wet-sanded and buffed. It should come home soon, and then I’ll post more pics. I will also update pics throughout my reassembly, as I’m sure I’ll need a lot of tips along the way.
