The late 1960s was an interesting time in the automotive world. Muscle
cars, as we now know them, were well established, with all manufacturers
joining the horsepower race. You could walk into the showroom for any
brand from any manufacturer and find a variety of performance models.
Competition being what it is, the manufacturers were looking for ways
other than winning races to lure buyers into the showrooms and entice
them to buy their products. Some tried to accomplish this with fancy
marketing schemes and graphic paint packages and decals, and for the
first time, some tried to win over buyers with price.
Volume No. 5 of CarTech’s Muscle Cars In Detail series covers the 1969
Plymouth Road Runner. It was an interesting marriage of a car that
attempted to appeal to potential buyers with a low-cost, light-weight,
and potent bare-bones package. It also added a brilliant marketing
strategy of partnering with a famous studio and a popular cartoon
character. The end result was a wildly popular, big-block, affordable
muscle car with great graphics and a cool beepbeep horn. The public
loved it.
All In Detail Series books include an introduction and historical
overview, an explanation of the design and concepts involved in creating
the car, a look at marketing and promotion, and an in-depth study of all
hardware and available options, as well as an examination of where the
car is on the market today. Also included is an appendix of paint and
option codes, VIN and build-tag decoders, as well as production numbers.
• The Muscle Cars In Detail series provides an in-depth look at a
legendary muscle car at an extremely affordable retail price
• The Plymouth Road Runner was named Motor Trend “Car of the Year” for
1969
• Road Runners are among the most popular muscle cars ever produced
About the Author
In the Winter of 1996, Wes Eisenschenk made the full commitment to 1969
Road Runner ownership while chiseling out a project car sitting behind a
shed in suburban St. Paul, Minnesota. From that day on, he began
immersing himself in the collector car hobby, and with the 1969 Road
Runner in particular. 1969 Plymouth Road Runner: In Detail No. 5 is his
way of thanking every person who has shared their knowledge and
expertise in order to create this volume on the singular model. Wes is
also the author of CarTech’s best seller, Lost Muscle Cars.
