The Plymouth Road Runner began in 1968 with the introduction of the first edition of this wonderful muscle car. A stripped down, meant to perform car, geared toward the younger crowd, could be had with no less than a 335 HP, 425 lbs/ft torque, 383 cubic inch Big-Block V8, backed by THE Chrysler A-833 4-speed shift for your self trans. There were only two body options, unfourtunatley there was no convertible offered this year (this will change in 1969). The options were Hardtop and Coupe, the only noticable difference between the two being the rear side windows. On a Hardtop these windows will roll down, on the Coupe these windows merly push out at the back. This is becuase of the needed structural support just in front of the window. But if every last pound counts, the Coupe is lighter! The interior was sparse, similar to a taxi-cab, with a black bench seat interior being standard, with very few options. One way to upgrade the interior was the option of Decor Group, which added more interior colors, steering while with partial horn ring, pillar molding, and deck lid treatment. The only avaliable option for an engine was a step up, a HUGE step up, to none other then THE engine, the 425 HP, 490 lbs/ft touque 426cid fire breathing HEMI!
 

VIN Code system:

The VIN tag is located on the dash, in front of the driver, at the base of the windshield. It is different for all Road Runners, but can be desifered very easily. (68s might be in the drivers door jamb, if this is correct, let me know)
Most VINs will look something like this:

RM21H8A100001

And can be desifered with the following info:

R- car line, Plymouth Belvedere (yes, it was part of the Belvedere line
M- price class, medium
21- body style (21=2 door coupe; 23=2 door hardtop)
H- Engine code (H-383cid; J-426cid HEMI)
8- year code (1968)
A- assembly plant (A=Lynch Road; E=Los Angeles; G=St. Louis)
XXXXXX- sequence number (starts at 100001)

ENGINES:

Engine Type:	CID	HorsePower @rpm:	Torque(lbs/ft) @rpm:	Compression:	Bore (in.)	Stroke (in.)	Valve train:
V-8 B-Block	383	335 @ 5200	425 @ 3400	10.0:1	4.25	3.38	Hydraulic
V-8 RB-Block HEMI	426	425 @ 5000	490 @ 4000	10.2:1	4.25	3.75	Mechanical

CID	HEADS	CARBURATORS
383	High Performance, 2843906 (casting number), 88cc volume	4-barrel, (w/ manual) Carter AVS4426S, (w/ auto) Carter AVS4410S, (w/ auto & A/C) Carter AVS46358
425	High Performance, 2780559 (casting number)	(2) 4-barrel, (front) Carter AFB4430S, (rear w/ manual) Carter AFB4431S, (rear w/ auto) Carter AFB4432S

PRODUCTION* & BASE PRICE

RM21-

2 door coupe- $2,896.00

2 door coupe -- 29,240*

RM23-

2 door hardtop- $3,034.00

2 door hardtop -- 15,358*

Total production -- 44,598

*- as of right now I dont have break downs of the Hemi production, manual prodution, automatic production, etc etc, but I will soon.

OPTION CODES:

Code	What is it?	Cost
73	426ci engine	714.30
304	vinyl roof	81.60
306	vinyl roof	81.60
307	vinyl roof	81.60
351	basic Group (N/A w/ 426 cid)	192.30
355	light package	26.45
358	High-performance axle (w/ 383 cid only, NA w/ 359)	87.50
359	Trailer Towing Package (w/o 411)	24.50
359	Trailer Towing Package (w/ 411)	14.35
360	Road Runner Decor Group	79.20
395	TorqueFlite Automatic	38.95
408	Sure Grip Differential (w/ HD performance axel)	138.90
411	Air Conditioning (NA w/ HEMI)	342.85
418	Rear Window Defogger	21.30
420	Solid State AM radio w/ tape player	196.25
421	solid state AM radio	61.55
426	rear seat speaker	14.05
451	power brakes	41.75
456	power steering	94.85
473	automatic speed control)(NA w/ 426 cid, 451 required)	52.50
478	front disc brakes) (451 required)	72.95
481	front bumper guards	14.55
482	rear bumper guards	15.55
483	front and rear bumper guards	31.10
484	clock (NA w/ tachometer)	16.05
508	Performance hood paint treatment	17.55
521	tinted glass (all windows)	39.50
522	tinted glass (windshield only)	22.35
529	custome sill molding	20.45
531	left head restraints	21.95
532	right head restraints	21.95
533	left and right head restraints	43.90
536	Remote outside drivers side mirror	9.40
537	manual outside passenger side mirror	6.65
540	belt molding (std w/ vinyl roof)	13.20
547	Center pillar molding (2dr coupe)	4.10
551	foam front seat cushion (w/ bench seat)	8.30
565	armrest w/ ashtrays (Road Runner coupe)	8.10
566	2 rear shoulder belts	26.45
571	full horn ring steering wheel	14,90
573	sport simulated steering wheel	31.20
577	Tachometer (NA w/ clock)	48.70
579	undercoating w/ underhood pad	16.10
580	styled road wheels 14 in (NA w/ 426 HEMI)	97.30
583	3 speed windshield wipers	5.20
591	46 amp alternator	11.00
626	70 amp battery (std w/ 426 HEMI)	8.10
708	special buffed paint	21.95

Because of the large number of codes, I could have very easily missed some, if you see some I have, please let me know.

PAINT CODES:

CODE:	COLOR:
AA1	Silver Metallic
BB1	Black
CC1	Medium Blue Metallic
DD1	Pale Blue Metallic
EE1	Dark Blue Metallic
FF1	Light Green Metallic
GG1	Dark Green Metallic
HH1	Light Gold
JJ1	Medium Gold Metallic
LL1	Light Turquoise Metallic

CODE:	COLOR:
MM1	Medium Bronze Metallic
PP1	Red
QQ1	Bright Blue Metallic
RR1	Maroon Metallic
SS1	Yellow
TT1	Medium Green Metallic
UU1	Light Blue Metallic
WW1	White
XX1	Beige
YY1	Medium Tan Metallic

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

INTERIOR CODES:(bucket seats were NOT avaliable in 1968)

VINYL ROOF COLOR CODES: