1968 Plymouth Roadrunner- Satellite. my tribute project

[Cornpatch MO]

Another crappy Winter day, so I will document my latest build from the warmth of the house.
I really liked the 68 Roadrunners when they came out, and a friend bought a new one. In mid year they came out with a two dr. hdtp. and several new trim options. I just had to have one and ordered it with all the options I wanted: 2 dr hdtp, black vinyl roof , automatic tranny, power steering, radio, Satellite black interor, carpet, heavy duty rear axle option with sur-grip, 3:23 ratio rear gears, trunk tail panel deluxe trim, red line tires. The first day, I had the new keystone Klassic wheels put on. At that time , they did not come with the black accents, but I had painted them on myself.
I loved that car, but hard times came on, and I had to sell it. In more recent years I wanted that car back, but Roadrunners in fair condition bring more money than I could afford. So, I have been looking for the right 2 dr. hdtp. Satellite for several years. A fellow FBBO member within 150 miles of me , listed one for sale and we made a deal.

 

[PP1RT]

 

[vintage chromoly]

I like the 68's better than the 69's.
Better tail panel and the side marker lights light up.

 

[Cornpatch MO]

For the build, since it will see a lot of highway miles, and wifey will be driving frequently, I wanted a 318 engine for good gas mileage, and they have enough power for me. When I have the need for speed, big block 4 speed Brutus, the Dodge , will take care of that. I also wanted air conditioning and bucket seats with the buddy seat. All on this Satellite. Kind of a shame it is a Sport Satty, but I took what I found. It will look like my Roadrunner with the hood , front grille, and tail panel, but it will not have any Road Runner badging on it. I do like the wood grain dash and door panels. It will retain the stock 904 tranny and rear differential.
This car was a true " barn find" from out in rural Kansas. Been sitting there for at least 30 years. Very good condition except for rear wheel well rust, tattered drivers seat and worn carpet. The guy that found it put on all new brakes and front suspension. Cleaned up the engine & bay, installed new gaskets and seals, and timing chain. Also overhauled the carb. New battery and tires . Cleaned inside and out, with a paint buff. He drove it from Topeka to Denver and back to Topeka with no problems. It did have a seep in the radiator which I fixed with a new core, and the brake lights sometimes stayed on ( now fixed) When cold, a lifter makes a little noise. Does not burn excess oil.
We have driven this Satty several miles now, and I am very pleased with it. Now the build project has started. ..............To be continued.....................MO

 

[oldbee]

Sooooo, it looks about due for some new rear springs? Great find, now to out-do Jim in Az.!

 

[Cornpatch MO]

Sooooo, it looks about due for some new rear springs? Great find, now to out-do Jim in Az.!

You got a little ahead of me. 8-) I had new rear springs built in Omaha two weeks ago. I had them built for a 1" higher than stock ride height.
" Jim in AZ." ? what are you referring to ? If a build., I would like to see it..........................MO

 

[Sonny Black]

love RR's....they are so nice 68 & 69's

 

[oldbee]

You got a little ahead of me. 8-) I had new rear springs built in Omaha two weeks ago. I had them built for a 1" higher than stock ride height.
" Jim in AZ." ? what are you referring to ? If a build., I would like to see it..........................MO

Jim Kueneman(?) 318 ‘68 Coronet.

 

[vintage chromoly]

What color are you going with corn?
Maybe I missed it.

 

[Cornpatch MO]

Last year while out on a drive, we got into a bad hail storm with this Satty. Had damage and after going around with the Insurance company having to prove the value of my car, we got a settlement . So , ordered both new AMD quarter skins and a outer wheelhouse. I also obtained a good Satellite grill, and new trunk finish panel trim, and correct Road Runner tail light bezels. There is a difference between those and the GTX-Sport Satty bezels.
This Fall I got the car into the body shop and got the quarter skin and wheelhouse installed. They also had to fabricate part of the trunk floor extension and replace a bit of the inner rocker panel. This Winter they have installed the left quarter skin, some other minor patching, filled hail dents and prepared the roof for a new vinyl top. Put in a new windshield, and patched a couple small holes in the windshield frame. The Road runner hood I had bought earlier , needed a little more work than I wanted to pay to have done, so I got a new AMD hood . It is not primered and installed yet. My AMD sheet metal fit very well. hopefully the hood will too. .............continued .......................MO

 

[xs-ivv]

Very nice project. It looks like a very solid car to start with which will be a huge cost and time saver!

 

[Cornpatch MO]

What color are you going with corn?
Maybe I missed it.

I guess I never told in the first post. Like the new one I ordered, it will be " Electric Blue" QQ1 code. In recent research, I find that color was one year only ( 1968) and a little darker than B5 blue. I think Dodge was called bright blue with Q1 code. And, I am finding that it is a little difficult to get the QQ1 color. It also will have a black vinyl roof. ...............................MO

 

[oldbee]

If I remember from the 8 I saw beside the bldg when I picked mine, that blue was pretty nice(might be why it’s so hard to find).

 

[Sonny Black]

QQ1 with black vinyl top?

 

[Cornpatch MO]

Very nice project. It looks like a very solid car to start with which will be a huge cost and time saver!

With my current physical condition, I just can't do all the work I used to do. The 64 Dodge took me 6 years, so I stated with a solid driver and want to get it back on the road soon. The paint will probably have to wait till next Fall- Winter. I am using Urathane primer, so water-surface rust will not get under that.................................MO

 

[Cornpatch MO]

QQ1 with black vinyl top?
View attachment 575475

Yup, that combo still stirs up my innards ! But I think that color there is closer to B5 blue which came out in 1969 and there were slight variances to B5 in later years IIRC..................MO

 

[Cornpatch MO]

My body man called me. The back window is out, and only one small rust hole that can be welded shut without a patch. It will need a patch at the rear of the rocker panel moulding, that was hidden by the clip. I am going to leave off those mouldings and the wheel arch trim. He is going to shim the door hinges to make them fit better, and epoxy primer everything. Paint chips in the doors and front fenders have been feather sanded.
Nice weather like today charges up my motivation...............................MO

 

[Cornpatch MO]

Picked up the two pieces of vinyl top to quarter panel trim today from the polisher. Excellent, look like new. Stopped by the body shop on the way home to check that trim fit. The RR hood is on the hinges and the whole car is now in light grey primer. Discussed how we were going to make the safety latch fit right. The Satty is shaping up nicely now. When we got home, the new drip rail trim had been delivered..................MO

 

[Cornpatch MO]

Updating this thread a little . The black vinyl top has been installed--went well, looks great. I ordered new clips for the trim that separates the top from the rear quarters, not installed yet. New drip rail trim not installed yet. Picked up the polished front and rear window stainless trim from the platers. Had a go-around with the geezer that owns the place.I can prove that they damaged or swapped out one of my pieces. The daughter- in- law said she would get a replacement, polish it, and send to me no charge. I took her word for it and SURPRISE ! I got it delivered to me today--looks great . ....continued.........................MO

 

[Cornpatch MO]

Took the interior out , including the carpet. Good to see there is no rust through in the floors. Some surface rust that will be easy to take care of. Need to chip out the old loose seam sealer and re-seal. Found that the buddy seat did not have mounting brackets, just a couple bolts through the driveshaft tunnel to attach it. Fellow FBBO member , PP1RT, fixed me up with the brackets and an old buddy seat--also a right outside mirror and the parts to fix my left outside remote mirror...Thanks Dale !
Bucket seats, door panels to the upholstery guy . Seats will have new buns and stock seat covers. The door panels have had some wrinkles smoothed out and SEM vinyl painted. I cleaned the rear seat and it will also be painted black. He found a power seat base from a Dodge Diplomat or Dynasty( bucket) and will make it work with my car. If I could just get the body guy in gear and get his stuff finished up... April 6 - mid 20's temps, and snow! Will Spring ever get here? ......................MO