The 1969 Plymouth Road Runner

By: Jason Tarasi

The Road Runner line was first produced by Plymouth in 1968 with a back-to-basics strategic approach aimed at making muscle cars more affordable for the average Joe rather than having them remain fully-loaded, luxury cars that few could afford. As a result, Road Runners were targeted to a different market. Even though they were downgraded some compared to other muscle cars of their time, the 1969 Plymouth Road Runner made record sales for Plymouth and became one of the top-five muscle cars in existence in terms of best sellers.

If I had to describe Plymouth’s 1968 release of the Road Runner in one word, that word would be – unique. In fact, the ’68 model was incredibly unique because its body design was based on the luxury Belvedere with a pillared coupe style. It actually sported a cartoon character – Warner Brother’s road runner – as décor and a “cute” beeping horn that complemented the unusual, but popular image.

There weren’t a bunch of luxury options for the ’68 model, after all, the point was to produce a high-performing muscle car at a less than luxurious price, so carpet wasn’t even a standard feature, rubber floor mats and bench seats were. To fulfill the performance standards of production, the coupe body was accompanied by a standard 383 cid power plant complemented by racy heads, manifolds, camshafts and valve springs along with high performance suspensions, tires and brakes. A 426 Hemi was an optional engine upgrade.

The 1968 version of the Plymouth Road Runner was wildly successful, so with release of the 1969 Plymouth Road Runner, Plymouth was more generous with its options. Hardtop, pillared coupe and convertible body styles were made available. Bucket seats were an alternative to the original bench-style seat. The ’69 Road Runner was still very affordable as well as extremely powerful with its engine options ranging from 383 to 440 cid. A 440 + 6 Hemi-like option with an operational hood scoop made the 1969 Plymouth Road Runner one of the fastest racing cars around. The 426 Hemi V8 was also an option that created a real screamer on the raceways.

The 1969 Plymouth Road Runner, like its 1968 predecessor, was a unique car that was both simple and powerful. The ’69 model had more options than the ’68, but it remained more affordable to a broader audience than some of its competing muscle cars. Road Runners weren’t wimpy sports cars by any means. They were build strong and sturdy which makes them a highly desirable classic muscle car due to their durability despite their age.

Article Source: http://www.northernlightarticles.ca

Jason Tarasi is a muscle car enthusiast who runs the Muscle Car Monster Website, where members can buy and sell muscle cars for free through the site's online classifieds. Muscle Car Ads

Ford Edge's Delivery, Derailed

by Joe Ratzkin

Ford Motor Co. will delay the scheduled delivery of the new Edge. According to Ford officials, it intends to iron out manufacturing problem in its Oakville plant, where said model together with the Lincoln MKX crossover is assembled.

It can be recollected that Ford announced the delivery of Edge to dealerships this month. Since the derailment occurred, it is now expected to be delivered in the month of December this year. "Several thousand of the vehicles have been built and all meet Ford's quality standards, but Ford wants to make sure all of its manufacturing processes are working correctly before delivering the vehicles," said Joseph R. Hinrichs, vice president of North American manufacturing.

Hinrichs added, "The product's ready. We want to make sure that our process is equally ready to deliver, on a consistent basis, the quality and the timeliness of the deliveries that our dealers and our customers expect."

According to Hinrichs, Ford has to do some critical check points on the assembly line work stations to ensure the quality of Ford car parts used in Edge. "We're not yet to the level where the consistency is where we want it to be to launch the vehicles," he added.

It was also divulged that the automaker experienced inventory shortages from auto parts supplying companies. Ford's decision in delaying delivery was supported by auto analysts. "The delay is the correct decision for Ford because quality is so important in today's competitive auto market," said Kevin Reale, research director for Boston-based AMR Research.

"For them to be able to detect this is good. If there's quality issues associated with either their current assembly process or parts, it's better for them to have the detection in the manufacturing process than have the detection occur out in the field," Reale further noted.

Catherine Madden, auto industry analyst at the consulting company Global Insight Inc. said, "Ford clearly has a quality problem at the plant; fixing it has to be balanced against getting the product to dealers when every sales day counts. I think it is prudent to meet those quality standards. Ford is under such a microscope now."

Article source: ArticlePros.com

About the author Joe Ratzkin is an avid fan of anything automotive. This 34-year old bachelor wanted to be a mechanic when he was a kid but changed his mind and became a freelance writer and researcher instead. He is currently based in Chicago, Illinois. http://www.rushcarparts.com

Referential Events In The History Of The Chevy 350 Engine

by Dalvin Rumsey

Having a unique, robust design, developing an impressive power and achieving a great overall performance, the 350 (5.7) Chevrolet Engine has quickly entered in history as one of the best and most reliable original car engines ever manufactured. In fact, the entire Chevy 350 Engine series is extremely popular among car enthusiasts, rapidly transforming Chevrolet into one of the most desired and highly respected Hot Rods not only in the United States, but also in many different corners of the world. In only a matter of years, the great features characteristic to the Chevy 350 Engine have rendered Chevrolet a prominent and competitive brand, establishing new trends in designing and manufacturing car engines. Much of today’s popularity and prominence regarding the Chevrolet brand in general is strongly related to the initial success of the Chevrolet 350 Engine, as well as its gradual evolution into better performing and more powerful engines. The Chevrolet 350 Engine is almost identical in shape and size with its successor, the 400 HP LS2 Engine, another well-performing engine that is still manufactured today in various places in the world. Although the first small-block was first manufactured and equipped on Chevrolets in 1955, and other later released, improved models in the series were more powerful and performed a lot better than the 350 model, the Chevy 350 Engine has somehow managed to become a lot more desired and respected than both its predecessors and successors. The Chevy 350 Engine is by far the most equipped Chevy small-block, being extensively installed in sports cars, station wagons and even heavy trucks! The first step into history made by the Chevrolet 350 Engine was registered in 1968, when it was first installed in the series models Chevrolet Camaro and Chevrolet Nova, at that time producing at most 300 horsepower for the high performance models. However, the Chevy 350 Engine was successfully embraced by many categories of car enthusiasts, winning the appreciation of both novice and experienced car owners and drivers. Considered to be a success, by 1969 the Chevrolet 350 Engine was also being installed in various other Chevy vehicle lines such as the magnificent Corvette. Around 1969, the Chevy 350 Engine also began to suffer various modifications that would further increase its performance. By 1992, Chevrolet has released the Gen II LT1 350 Engine in models such as Corvette. The Gen II Chevy 350 Engine produced the highest horsepower ever reached by any Chevrolet small-block model. By 1993, the Gen II LT1 350 is modified and also installed in the Fourth-Generation Camaro Z28 and Firebird Trans Am. In 1996, the upgraded Gen II LT1 350 Engine, referred to as the LT4, became available as an option in Corvettes, the upgraded version quickly becoming popular among the series’ fans.
Article source:
ArticlePros.com

About the author http://www.hiperformer.com/chevy350/ - Visit our Chevy 350 Engine Repair Guide & Availability now. Make sure to check out our GM Chevy 350 Engine Overview. http://www.hiperformer.com/chevy350/

Where in the heck is Lloyd!

By Lloyd Frazier

I admit it. I have been AWOL from my blog as of late. My professional life has taken a lot of my time lately. I am not going to allow that to happen anymore! Although, I am not going to be writing all my own articles. I decided to supplement this blog with other articles from the blogosphere. Articles covering the US auto industry, specifically. I will hand pick the best of the best to give you what you deserve. So stay tuned!

Lloyd signing out....