Plymouth: Road Runner 426 Hemi 4-Speed 2-Door Hardtop

OVERVIEW:
This is a nicely restored 1968 426 Hemi Plymouth Road Runner 2-Door Hardtop.
The car bears original fender tag and VIN is RM23J8A326768. built at the Lynch Road assembly plant. Michigan. USA. Production date was June 22. 1968.

It has been decoded by Galen Govier and is entered in the Chrysler Registry. It is #6 of 6 – 1968 426 Hemi Plymouth Road Runner Hardtops built to Canadian Order Specs.

It is equipped with a 425 hp. 426 ci. V8 and 4-Speed Manual transmission with Hurst shifter. and has just turned over 46. 00 original miles.

It was sold new in Edmonton. Alberta. Canada. but spent the majority of its life in the drier climate of southern Alberta. It never suffered the ravages of winter. salted roads. or severe rust issues.
It has been in the possession of its current owner since 1998 when acquired with 36. 28 original miles.
It remains true to original and unmodified with the exception of having a 1966 date coded block and Pertronix ignition.

The present owner had professional mechanical and cosmetic work done between 1998 and 2001. and retained all receipts along with those received from the previous owner dating back to 1991. Only quality parts and components were used. primarily sourced from Chrysler and Year One. Much of the work was also photo documented.

This car is very clean and tidy top to bottom.
It is a low mileage car which was treated to a comprehensive quality restoration. and has since proven its roadworthiness travelling approx. 10. 00 miles since completion.

This original colored Bright Blue Metallic hardtop is an absolute head turner where ever it rolls. and it shows very well.
This listing provides many more details as you scroll thru. followed by a link to a photo album of over 180 pics.

DRIVETRAIN:
The period correct 426 ci. Hemi engine bears correct casting part numbers. with a block casting date of 10-31-66. and is the engine that was in the car when the current owner acquired it. It is rated at 425 hp. and 490 ft. /lbs. of torque.
The engine was professionally rebuilt by Lee Brothers of Red Deer. Alberta who have specialized in Mopar racing since the 1960's. The block only required honing and retains standard bore.

The engine starts easily. is smooth running. and sounds very good with no unusual noises. It has only seen approx. 10. 00 miles over the last 16 years.
The car has been driven less than 100 miles in the last year. one of the reasons the owner has decided to part with it. Upon startup it did display a small amount of smoke out the pipes. owner suspects carbon build up from lack of a good run.

The engine compartment is extremely clean. tidy. and nicely detailed.

The starter on the car is a new small starter especially made for the car. the original is in the trunk and has been rebuilt.
Apart from that and an upgrade to Pertronix electronic ignition. all appears to be as correct equipment and in good operable condition. right down to the Mopar logo heater hoses and 37 amp Dual Pulley Alternator.

The 26” High Capacity Mopar radiator top tank is very nice and dent free. The Maximum Cooling package also included a 7 Blade Torque Drive Fan and Shroud.

The A833 4-Speed Manual Transmission was also rebuilt in 1999. shifts as it should. and is without leaks. The 11” clutch displays no slippage or chatter.
Equipped as originally with Hurst shifter and round wood-grained knob.

The Track Pak Package delivers a 9. 75” Dana 60 Sure Grip Limited Slip Differential. with a 3. 54:1 gear ratio. There are no unusual noises or leaks coming from the differential. and no drips from the pinion seal. Original tags in place.

The undersides of the engine. tranny and rear end are amazingly dry and show no evidence of any notable leaks.

CHASSIS:
The original undercarriage is absolutely solid. as are all body mounts. sub-frames. inner rockers. floor and trunk pans. Its restoration process involved complete disassembly and thorough cleaning to bare metal prior to application of epoxy primer and refinishing in body color.
Only the cross sub-rail on the left front required a metal patch repair.
The chassis is overall very clean apart from the road dust and dirt of its miles since restoration. All appears as original equipment.
NOS Mopar or quality aftermarket parts were exclusively used in the restoration of all mechanical components and systems.

The Hemi Suspension Package included Front Anti-Sway Bar. Firm Ride Shock Absorbers. Hemi Torsion Bars. and Hemi Leaf Springs.
New Mopar rear leaf springs are evident with Pentastar logo.
A 426-specific factory Skid Plate is mounted on the front K-member.

The Heavy Duty Power Brake system is in good order. New master cylinder and booster was installed and still appears as new.
Complete Dual Exhaust System is in very good condition with nice Chrome Exhaust Tips.
A new 19 gallon gas tank was installed and is dent free.

The tires are a matched set of five P225/75R15 Coker Classic Red Streak radials with very good tread remaining. They are mounted on original body colored wheels sporting correct hubcaps in very nice condition.

BODY & PAINT:
There is no evidence of any prior body or collision damage anywhere on the car. No signs of body filler. rust issues. or paint blisters either.
All indications are that this is a very solid and honest car that has never been abused or suffered the ravages of winters and salt.

The number stamping on the trunk rail matches the fender tag. which has been decoded by Galen Govier. but the number on the rad support is covered by the yellow decal and therefore not shown.

The car was stripped to bare metal for proper refinishing. All body and paint work was professionally done by Joey's Place Custom Paint and Restoration in Edmonton. and reputable award winning shop. Work was completed in 1999.
The body and all sheet metal are very straight.
Fit and gaps on all panels is excellent.

The paint is excellent. retains a beautiful luster. and has not suffered any significant scratches. chips or dings.
The only blemishes noted are 2 very small soft shallow dimples on the right quarter. barely noticeable. and then only from a certain angle if you're really looking for them. They do not show up in any photo trying to show them.
These elements. and the years since work was completed. are testimonial to the quality of the work and the condition of the car prior to. since any issues of rust or inferior work would have surfaced and become evident by now.

The car was refinished in its original Bright Blue Metallic. with a black upper body stripe as originally ordered. It also received a new Black Vinyl Roof as originally equipped. which remains in excellent condition with no evident flaws or underlying issues.
It also sports optional Bright Drip Rail Moldings.

Ordered with Performance Hood Treatment. black section with Hemi logos.
Exterior features of the Road Runner Décor Group included High Grade Trim. Stainless B-Pillar Moldings. and a Deck Lid Panel with Hemi Nameplate and Road Runner Decal.

The trunk pan is totally solid. and the trunk area and underside of lid were refinished as nicely as the rest of the car.

ELECTRICAL:
All wiring is in excellent condition and all electrical items are in working order including the original AM Radio.
Stock gauges and instruments are all very nice and in good order. and it is equipped with 3 Speed Wipers with Electric Washers.

The owner elected to install a removable tachometer onto the steering column. and temperature and oil pressure gauges under the dash as insurance backups. No permanent modifications were done and they are easily removed if the new owners prefers to do so.

All lights and signals are in working order. All plastic lenses are in good shape with the exception of a hairline crack in the right backup lens.

INTERIOR:
The Black Vinyl Split Bench front seat and interior remains very true to original and was nicely refreshed with new seat covers. carpets. door and kick panels. installed by Upholstery by Arlo of Red Deer. Alberta.
The seats were recovered in correct original style and pattern. very nice. same with door panels.
Being a late 1968. it includes Front Shoulder Belts and Center Lap Belts. so it is equipped with Seat Belts for 6 passengers.

The rest of the interior is believed to be original and remains in very nice condition.
Very nice dash pad with no cracks.
The headliner and sun visors are very nice without tears or rips.
It has carpeted Beep Beep Road Runner floor mats front and rear.

Interior features of the Road Runner Décor Group included a Partial Horn Ring Steering Wheel. which is in very nice original condition with no cracks. as well as Rear Armrests with Ashtrays.
New door sill plates in very nice condition.
All pedal pads in very nice condition.

A new windshield was installed within the last 2 months. and all other glass in the car is in very good condition.
All windows roll up and down no problem.
New rubber weather-strips and seals throughout.
The car retains its original jack. and although the trunk mat is very good. there is another new trunk mat included.

BRIGHTWORK:
All brightwork on the car is in very good to excellent condition.
It is either new. restored and polished. re-chromed. or very good to excellent original. and in many cases it is difficult to tell which.

Very nice aluminum grille and head lamp surrounds.
Both bumpers are in excellent condition with beautiful plating done by All Brite of Edmonton.

Any pot metal chrome items such as door handles and rear view mirror are very nice and free of blemishes or pits.
Very nice correct hubcaps.
All emblems and decals are in very nice like new condition.

SUMMARY:
Included also is an original owner's manual. along with a 2. 5” thick binder full of all receipts for parts and services dating back to 1991 and photos of various work performed by the current and previous owners.

In short. this Road Runner is a very complete. clean. straight. and solid example of a Mopar Hemi muscle car. above average in paint and all other regards. that is ready to drive and enjoy.
There are no hidden secrets or horrors with this car.

The reality that he has enjoyed minimal use of the car over recent years have led the owner to decide to now pass it along to its next caretaker.

If you are considering a 426 Hemi car. this could be it!
Their values have settled down from the frenzy of a few years ago. and this example is being offered with a very reasonable reserve well below its appraised value and the selling price of lesser comparables.

PAYMENT TERMS:

This sporty Mopar Hemi is being listed on behalf of the owner. Please email ‘carsgoneby@telus. net' or phone Rick at (403)534-2222 for additional honest and accurate information from a professional auto restorer. All information listed has been gathered from discussions with the owner and visual inspection. Over 180 pics are available for viewing at www. carsgoneby. com/PhotoAlbumsPro/1968Hemi . Additional specific pictures are available upon request. No warranties expressed or implied. Successful bidder to make a minimum payment of 50% of closing bid amount (US funds) within 5 days of auction closing. with the balance payable upon vehicle pick up within 21 days (international) or 14 days (US/Canada).
Payment must be in certifiable form such as cash or wire transfer. Other forms of payment only acceptable with time allowance for instrument to clear bank prior to vehicle being released. Any deviation from. or changes to the preceding terms must be reasonable. and should be requested. discussed. and agreed to prior to bidding and auction closing.

IMPORTANT OTHER:

Please submit all inquiries prior to bidding. and please only bid if you are able and willing to conclude the transaction should you be the winning bidder.
This vehicle is being sold with a clear Alberta vehicle registration (title) document and bill of sale.
The car is located in Leduc. Alberta. Canada. about 6 hours north of the Montana border. Please be aware of your shipping costs before bidding. quotes can be provided upon request if necessary. We can help make this a smooth. hassle free experience by arranging all-inclusive international transportation and brokerage for you. References relating to similar transactions are available. Cars Gone By has sold and shipped numerous collector vehicles to the USA and worldwide. the majority through Ebay transactions.
Please do not ask us to disclose the reserve price. In fairness to all bidders we will not do so and request that you simply place a bid that is comfortable for you.
Thanks for looking!

Also published at eBay.ca

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