I'm in the process of restoring a 1969 Roadrunner, 383 with carb air, 4 speed, bench seats, no air no power steering, just a basic 1969 car. Matching numbers, of course floors are bad as well as the trunk floor and bottoms of rear quarter panels. I've just completed the tear down and it will be going to the body shop as soon as they can take it, today I finished removing the dash pad and when removing the glove box door, stuck on the dash where the glove box door covered it was a strip of red label maker tape with the words "sex machine" on it. I guess one of the previous owners had a high opinion of himself or the car...or both.

Damn, I envy you guys that do that.

What color was it originally? Is the Airgrabber underhood assembly still there?
Been there, Done that and got the T shirt and the bills to prove it! After restoring several Mopars over the years, I would highly recommend that you install power steering before you put the drivetrain back in, 4 speeds and manual steering were ok when we were twenty, not so much now. Does it still have the fender tag under the hood? Great project!

Not sure I’d be too envious, old and stiff doesn’t work real well trying to get in very cramped spaces (even worse getting out), been working at it for a long time waiting my turn at the shop that does this type repair. First time to pull a motor/trans, too. Wasn’t nearly as thought as I thought it would be. I’ll post a few before/after pics too.

Yes, has the air grabber assembly but the rubber is very brittle, I hope to save it. Hadn’t thought of adding power steering but that’s a good idea. And, yes it still has the fender tag. Radiator support and firewall still have the original VIN number, too. It had cheap headers on it and I want to return to original cast iron exhaust manifolds, sort of hard to find, but I’ve got plenty of time to locate a pair.

I have a buddy that restores several 50s T birds + 60s vintage that have rusted out floor panels + I just give him several pieces of 16 G. C/R plate to weld in. I have left over pieces from "real" jobs.

Karl, that's awesome. If you are not already on there Moparts.com is a good resource. Although it's mostly for A12 Roadrunners and Superbees the The Liftoff Hood Forum is a great group of guys that can help with knowledge and parts. I'm Alaska_A12 on there but they know me as Jim.

My last A12 that now resides in Germany.

I was at a small car show in Goodland, KS back in about 2003 and saw a restored 69 Roadrunner with the 383 Mag and 4 speed. The owner restored it all himself, including the upholster. He had to borrow the sewing machine from a friend to accomplish this. It looked like it rolled off the showroom floor. The guy offered it to me for $17,000, which would be a steal today.

I really like the roadrunners. The first car I deove on the road was my uncles 1969 roadrunner, a 383 with auto on the tree. I was 12 and it was totally braking the law, by the way.

What engine does yours have?

My eldest son does car trades all the time, I can't keep track. He bought a 69 roadrunner about 8 years ago that had 400 original miles on it from a guy in Cal. for $32K His wife hit the roof for him spending that much money. I told her to calm down, he would make a profit + he did.

The Roadrunner was always one of my favorites. There are quite a few companies now that produce replacement parts...fenders, floor and trunk panels, dash panels, etc. Frame-off is the only way to go...expensive but you'll get your money back in resale value.

quote:

Originally posted by Biebs:
The Roadrunner was always one of my favorites. There are quite a few companies now that produce replacement parts...fenders, floor and trunk panels, dash panels, etc. Frame-off is the only way to go...expensive but you'll get your money back in resale value.

Not to be picky Biebs but Mopars are unibody construction so technically the term "frame off" does not apply. Generally it's termed "Rotisserie Restored"

So, what are your plans for her? Stock Restoration, Restified with some modern additions, engine mods?, lots of good stroker kits out there and aluminum heads that flow way better than stock and cost less than rehabbing original iron. Front disc brake conversions now are reasonably priced and a worthwhile upgrade. Lots of fun restoring a car, except Body Shop Prison. Another suggestion would be to look to AMD for your replacement panels/floors, about the best on the markets for years now.

quote:

Originally posted by lee440:
So, what are your plans for her? Stock Restoration, Restified with some modern additions, engine mods?, lots of good stroker kits out there and aluminum heads that flow way better than stock and cost less than rehabbing original iron. Front disc brake conversions now are reasonably priced and a worthwhile upgrade. Lots of fun restoring a car, except Body Shop Prison. Another suggestion would be to look to AMD for your replacement panels/floors, about the best on the markets for years now.

I plan on pretty much stock, if the block and heads are good then they will just be run thru the machine shop. Machinist thinks that based on experience it might have to be bored but we will see. I suspect one head is likely cracked at the alternator bolt hole, every other 383 I've had developed a crack there. I'm having it repainted original color "Limelight Green" with white accent stripes and plan on doing a disc brake conversion.

please post a photo when done.