Aarons 69 Roadrunner Project

I have been wanting to start a thread for my project ever since I found this site, but have not started working on my car until now. So here is the start of my 69 Roadrunner project!

I purchased this car in January 2006.A friend of mine knew where this car was for years and years, and took me to go talk to the owner and try to buy it. This car was last registered in 1977. It was up in the hills about an hour and a half from where I live. You had to have 4 wheel drive to get up to where this roadrunner was way up in the back country. I took all day and night to move other junk and get it up on some wheels so I could be dragged out of there.

Here are some pics I took the day I went to get it out:
http://i382.photobucket.com/albums/oo263/aaron67/Roadrunner/SANY0390.jpg
http://i382.photobucket.com/albums/oo263/aaron67/Roadrunner/SANY0388.jpg
http://i382.photobucket.com/albums/oo263/aaron67/Roadrunner/SANY0386.jpg
http://i382.photobucket.com/albums/oo263/aaron67/Roadrunner/SANY0379.jpg
http://i382.photobucket.com/albums/oo263/aaron67/Roadrunner/SANY0380.jpg
http://i382.photobucket.com/albums/oo263/aaron67/Roadrunner/SANY0381.jpg
http://i382.photobucket.com/albums/oo263/aaron67/Roadrunner/SANY0383.jpg
One of the wheels came off "almost" while dragging it home:
http://i382.photobucket.com/albums/oo263/aaron67/Roadrunner/SANY0393.jpg

You are a Brave man!
Good luck; this will be interesting to follow.

That is very kool!. Keep us posted. I will be interested to see what it looks like underneath and once it is cleaned off. 4 spd or auto?.

looks like a great project car!

Wow

That's gonna make for some awesome before and after pics!

Ya GOTTA keep that Raiders decal in the back window.... period correct for sure lol.

Go for it, you can do it, but keep patient. Were you lucky enough for the motor to be numbers matching? (And I woulda done the same thing, grabbed the car and went for it, if I coulda got it for around $3500)

Wow, this is awesome! Coolness!!!

I wish I could be so Lucky. Looks like another great project. Maybe I need to move? :confused:

Wow, interesting project!

The fun is just starting!

wow hard to believe the thing cleaned up this well ?

Wow!!! You sir, are def. a brave man!! :) persistance pays tho! got that thing runnin'?

Wow!!! You sir, are def. a brave man!! :) persistance pays tho! got that thing runnin'?

Sorry not running yet. Here is what the engine looks like after cleaning off all the needles and nuts:
http://i382.photobucket.com/albums/oo263/aaron67/Roadrunner/SANY0286.jpg

I am going to get some help to pull the engine next week and then start removing the suspension and K-frame so I can sandblast those parts.
The plan is to get the car running before spring, but things always take longer than I think they will!

Ya GOTTA keep that Raiders decal in the back window.... period correct for sure lol.

Go for it, you can do it, but keep patient. Were you lucky enough for the motor to be numbers matching? (And I woulda done the same thing, grabbed the car and went for it, if I coulda got it for around $3500)

It "looks" like it may be numbers matching. I wont know for sure until I pull it next week.

That is very kool!. Keep us posted. I will be interested to see what it looks like underneath and once it is cleaned off. 4 spd or auto?.
4speed! and Air-grabber! The car was factory undercoated HEAVILY. It looks really good underneath. Most of the rust came from all the leaves and stuff collecting on the floors and some in the trunk. The squirrels seem to have made a pretty good home out the interior and chewed up most of the seats and other stuff. They also used the car to store their nuts.

More pics:

Here is the coolest part of the whole car, the footprint gas pedal!
http://i382.photobucket.com/albums/oo263/aaron67/Roadrunner/SANY0291.jpg

And a front pic:
http://i382.photobucket.com/albums/oo263/aaron67/Roadrunner/SANY0285.jpg

And here is whats left of the trunk after I drilled the lock last week:
http://i382.photobucket.com/albums/oo263/aaron67/Roadrunner/SANY0297.jpg

wow hard to believe the thing cleaned up this well ?

Lots of cleaning!
Here is after I got it home:
http://i382.photobucket.com/albums/oo263/aaron67/Roadrunner/SANY0398.jpg

And after some cleaning of the mold and oxidized paint:
http://i382.photobucket.com/albums/oo263/aaron67/Roadrunner/SANY0402.jpg

I love it!! Gotta keep the original plates if you can! All you need is proof like a title or reg slip that shows the plate number. Judging by the first letter A this car was first registered in late 69 or 70. Not uncommon for blue plates to be found on 69 cars.

Looks like it's all there too! Talk about a time capsule.

I am shocked at how solid it looks, do you know how long it actually sat out where you picked it up?. Did the squirrels leave you a build sheet?

This is a really nice save!

Very nice, and exciting, continue to share, there's a lot of nuts in here that like to look at car porno.

very cool story and a great car .

What everyone here said + me

I love it!! Gotta keep the original plates if you can! All you need is proof like a title or reg slip that shows the plate number. Judging by the first letter A this car was first registered in late 69 or 70. Not uncommon for blue plates to be found on 69 cars.

Looks like it's all there too! Talk about a time capsule.

I hope I can use the original plates. They still have the reg sticker on the back one from 1977 when the car was last on the road.

I am shocked at how solid it looks, do you know how long it actually sat out where you picked it up?. Did the squirrels leave you a build sheet?

Well, as the story goes, I bought the car from the second owner, who bought the car used when it had only 19,000 miles on it for $1900. The car currently shows 66,000 or so miles on it, and the car has been up there in the hills since 1977. Oh, and the airgrabber air-cleaner was on the drivers-side front seat when I got the car, but it looks kinda rusty and may not be any good after I blast it. And there is no build sheet OR backseat to be found. BUT, my friend gave my a back seat out of his 69 satellite as well as an extra 69 RR hood and some other stuff he had extra's off (seat belts and trim parts). I have also been collecting parts since I got the car (such as some sheet-metal, and some tail-light extensions and other misc items). I will be sure to post more pics once I make some more progress on it (very very soon).

Congrats on the new project! Same color as my 69 gtx. You got her looking better all ready. Keep it up. Matt

Finds like that are getting rarer everyday

Look at all those acorns, you must be nuts! ba..bumm..bumm..klang!

Great find ! , I'm totally shocked at how solid the car is !

Aonther Rescued "B-body".
Great find!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Aaron, keep us posted on the engine VIN , I wish you the Best and I hope it's the numbers matching block !

Yeah, ditto on all of the above! And, some pics would be awesome! Share with us, nothing like B Bodies, well, B Bodies with hot chicks!

Haven't got the engine pulled yet (finishing a timing belt change on my mom's car). But I did get some parts!!

I got a CH4B intake for the 440 I am working on putting together for the Roadrunner (and yes, I plan to build the 383 as well) thanks to Bill!! (62MAX on this site).
http://i382.photobucket.com/albums/oo263/aaron67/Roadrunner/SANY0033.jpg

I also got an better aircleaner lid for my airgrabber (my old one is kinda rusty), and I picked up the correct sticker for it as well!!!
http://i382.photobucket.com/albums/oo263/aaron67/Roadrunner/SANY0032.jpg
I plan to post much much more this weekend as things move along.

Update for 12/13/2009:

I finally got the car in the garage!
I have been cleaning and assessing the damage and repairs I will need to make. I'm glad AMD makes a lot of sheet metal for our cars, because I will need lots of it before I am done! I started removing the rest of the vinyl top material and sanding the roof to get rid of the surface rust. I also got most of the engine compartment vacuumed as well as the inside and floors.

Lots of dents in both quarters and doors and fenders. Rust in the deck filler panel and trunk lid (the entire seam of the inner and outer panels is almost gone, and is rusted from the inside out, so I will need to source a replacement). The trunk floor and drop offs are swiss-cheese. I need to replace the hood and trunk, as well as most of the interior floor. The left front inner fender panel is mostly gone due to rust as well. On the bright side I will have plenty to do this winter! Lots of updates next week, I have been soaking the engine bolts with Gibbs oil as my stepfather is going to help me pull the engine next week.

http://i382.photobucket.com/albums/oo263/aaron67/Roadrunner/SANY0160.jpg
http://i382.photobucket.com/albums/oo263/aaron67/Roadrunner/SANY0179.jpg
http://i382.photobucket.com/albums/oo263/aaron67/Roadrunner/SANY0180.jpg
http://i382.photobucket.com/albums/oo263/aaron67/Roadrunner/SANY0177.jpg
http://i382.photobucket.com/albums/oo263/aaron67/Roadrunner/SANY0176.jpg
http://i382.photobucket.com/albums/oo263/aaron67/Roadrunner/SANY0175.jpg
http://i382.photobucket.com/albums/oo263/aaron67/Roadrunner/SANY0172.jpg
http://i382.photobucket.com/albums/oo263/aaron67/Roadrunner/SANY0171.jpg
http://i382.photobucket.com/albums/oo263/aaron67/Roadrunner/SANY0170.jpg
http://i382.photobucket.com/albums/oo263/aaron67/Roadrunner/SANY0169.jpg
http://i382.photobucket.com/albums/oo263/aaron67/Roadrunner/SANY0167.jpg

Thanks for the update and the pictures, keep 'em coming, .....did you ever find out if the engine was the original ?

Nice save! On some of the stuff that is salvageable, you may be wise to get it Media Blasted, any up there in your area? If not, your biggest PITA/cost will be shipping the stuff to Dr. Blast (me) haha, (shameless plug). I'll give you, and any B Body member the special pricing (about 15% off), my prices will go up on Jan 1 though. At any rate, good find, good save, and good luck! Keep us all posted.

Nice save! On some of the stuff that is salvageable, you may be wise to get it Media Blasted, any up there in your area? If not, your biggest PITA/cost will be shipping the stuff to Dr. Blast (me) haha, (shameless plug). I'll give you, and any B Body member the special pricing (about 15% off), my prices will go up on Jan 1 though. At any rate, good find, good save, and good luck! Keep us all posted.

I hear ya on the plug, :rolling: I really wish Texas was closer to South Carolina, If it were I would be your next customer because cash in on the discount and I would turn the good Doctor a loose on my Hemi Vert. "Blasting Beats the Shit outta sanding" :yes:

"Blasting Beats the Shit outta sanding" :yes: I know, sanding NEVER get's it as clean as Media Blasting.

WOW, a lot of work! :o

Lots of work but you will have a great story when your done . This car will mean alot more to you and what a great experience.

You might look into the cost of hiring a good body man to straighten the quarters vs. replacing. Some of these guys can do absolute magic on stuff that most of us would just shake our heads at. On paper slapping on new spot welded panels sounds easy but in reality it's a different story (unless you're Donny!). Give it some thought.

Please, meep meep, no...really I have boogered up TONS of stuff in my years...ask the Colonel at Ft Benning in 1988 about his Mercedes floors; I had NO idea, just went in and attacked, welded in plates, poor guy really was a sap to not stop me, but, I learned as will Aaron! I too look fwd to seeing this project progress over the next several months.

Please, meep meep, no...really I have boogered up TONS of stuff in my years...ask the Colonel at Ft Benning in 1988 about his Mercedes floors; I had NO idea, just went in and attacked, welded in plates, poor guy really was a sap to not stop me, but, I learned as will Aaron! I too look fwd to seeing this project progress over the next several months.

Donny, tell us about the Colonel's Mercedes floors. :rolling:

sweet story man!! Keep taking pics, can't wait to see more progress

If I had pics, that story will be better, I will start a thread to not hi-jack Aarons thread.

Cool , I can't wait till we hear back from Aaron on the block numbers on this car, I wish him the best of luck on this being and numbers matching car, but it is a GREAT find regardless !

very cool, same color as mine

Please, meep meep, no...really I have boogered up TONS of stuff in my years...ask the Colonel at Ft Benning in 1988 about his Mercedes floors; I had NO idea, just went in and attacked, welded in plates, poor guy really was a sap to not stop me, but, I learned as will Aaron! I too look fwd to seeing this project progress over the next several months.


No way!!!! You're the sultan of spot welds!!! Shiek sawzall!! Capt'n chop saw!! Master of the mig!!! :grin:

I know we all have to start somewhere - like a Colonel's car :rolling::rolling: - but looking at your current projects you've come a long way.

I know, the poor guy, he was too nice to stop me, but, he had to be an idiot as the Mercedes was a 2 dr Convert. V8, very nice, and Bubba here was welding in some diamond plate for floors! HAHAHAHAHAHAHA

I know, the poor guy, he was too nice to stop me, but, he had to be an idiot as the Mercedes was a 2 dr Convert. V8, very nice, and Bubba here was welding in some diamond plate for floors! HAHAHAHAHAHAHA

OMG ! ....Diamond Plate for a floor board ! .....In a Mercedes Conv. !......That's Hilarious !.....The Colonel had a 1 of a kind "Custom" Mercedes Conv. with Diamond plate floor boards !.......What were you smoking ?......That's too funny, You made me laugh till I hurt ! :rolling:

I know, the poor guy, he was too nice to stop me, but, he had to be an idiot as the Mercedes was a 2 dr Convert. V8, very nice, and Bubba here was welding in some diamond plate for floors! HAHAHAHAHAHAHA

Everyone needs to know. How did he like them floors? :rolling:

Everyone needs to know. How did he like them floors? :rolling:

Cliff , Now you know who you can contact if you want to "Upgrade" the Doba with a "Custom Diamond Plate Floor Board" :rolling: I wonder if he used the chrome diamond plate ? :rolling:

Cliff , Now you know who you can contact if you want to "Upgrade" the Doba with a "Custom Diamond Plate Floor Board" :rolling: I wonder if he used the chrome diamond plate ? :rolling:

Dang real chrome???? Blinding to say the least.

I know, when I think back, it was like the blind in one eye leading the totally blind! And, the funny part was I was a frigging Private, straight out of Welding school, and he was a Lieutenant Colonel in charge of the Marksmanship unit at Ft. Benning GA.

I can imagine, say in 2002 this Colonel took this car to a restoration shop and they laughed at my 'work'! After all, I laugh at the stuff I uncover in my Media Blasting ventures!

I know, when I think back, it was like the blind in one eye leading the totally blind! And, the funny part was I was a frigging Private, straight out of Welding school, and he was a Lieutenant Colonel in charge of the Marksmanship unit at Ft. Benning GA.

I can imagine, say in 2002 this Colonel took this car to a restoration shop and they laughed at my 'work'! After all, I laugh at the stuff I uncover in my Media Blasting ventures!


Have you ever herd from him?

Never heard from him, ever.

Never heard from him, ever.

Being a Col. he was one step away from a General. Might want to change your name ,address,and social to hide from him.In case he see this thread.:rolling:

After all, I laugh at the stuff I uncover in my Media Blasting ventures!

I restored a Superbird in the early 90s, I found chicken wire supported by coat hangers covered with window screening over the chicken wire, tied to it with bread ties,.....that was covered up by GOD only knows how much Bondo in one of the quarter panels, ....someone was one Hell of a sculptor, .....I laugh about this now, but I didn't see the Humor when I found it. :rolling:

I laugh at the crap I uncover, mainly cuz I won't be the one doing the work!

Sweet!!!

I just caught what Old Tired Rebel said, pretty funny...have I 'herd' from him yet!!! :rolling::rolling::rolling::rolling::rolling::roll ing:
No, I havn't, nor do I expect to either! Yeah, I admit it...I was a boob then! Sadly, I see others' work, and I am usually silent if the work is done in the bozo school of metalwork, but very critical on my own stuff!!!

I pulled the engine and 4-speed recently finally cleaned off the gunk on the block to find it is a 400? Very strange indeed. There is also no vin stamped on the block? Its just blank there. Would this have been some sort of warranty replacement, or just a swap at one point in its life? Good news on the transmission is it has the vin stamped on it and it matches the other stampings.
Pics:
http://i382.photobucket.com/albums/oo263/aaron67/Roadrunner/SANY0006.jpg
http://i382.photobucket.com/albums/oo263/aaron67/Roadrunner/SANY0005.jpg
http://i382.photobucket.com/albums/oo263/aaron67/Roadrunner/SANY0003.jpg
http://i382.photobucket.com/albums/oo263/aaron67/Roadrunner/SANY0001.jpg

Good to see this thread brought back. Engine was replaced at some point after`72, which is when they started producing the 400. How is the rest of the project coming?.

just saw the pictures of your RR.looks like the same shape as mine was when i first got it b4 i repainted it. Can i have the barefoot gas pedal, that would look good in my hippie van?:rolling::rolling: