I should have bought two 1968 Roadrunners

[FJRless]

Did you ever buy something and later wished you had bought two? Either because it fit or worked so well, or because you enjoyed it so much and later you just were unable to get the exact duplicate of what you now no longer have. There have been instances where I wished I did buy two and put one on the shelf for later, or parked one in storage for the future. I should have bought two 1968 Roadrunners, not one. Two pair of (hard to find and super comfortable) extra wide black Sketcher sneakers with gold trim, not one. Two 1969 Dodge Charger RT SEs, not one. And after a brisk ride in 45 degree temps with very light rain through the twisties I have a feeling that maybe, just maybe I should have bought two AEs, not one.

 

[Fred W]

I definitely should have bought two '68 Roadrunners, cause the one I bought when I was 18 I wrapped around a tree after only a month. :blink:

Thing was sweet. 383 B block, w/ 4 barrel. 4 speed, bench seat. Should have bought the new tires.

Car didn't handle the corners very well ton-up. <_<

Nice thing about the Feejers is they haven't stopped making them (yet). You'll just have to go back to clutching if you want a newer one.

 

[Geezer]

I don't often wish I'd bought an extra one, but I have been sorry that I sold or otherwise got rid of something. I guess that was an early lesson in my life because I tend to keep things forever these days.

Besides, you may have loved that '68 Roadrunner, but the new cars are very much better. In fact this is probably the best time ever for motor vehicles. Lots of power, good handling, and reasonable prices. If I had the money I'd be collecting a few different models of both cars and bikes.

 

[Fred W]

But then we have to live long enough to reap the profits, Geezer.

Don't know about you, but I don't think I'll be hanging around quite that long.

BTW - I agree 100% with this being the golden age of motor vehicles. I mean, c'mon... 140 HP from a 1400cc 4 cylinder engine in a paltry 600 lb bike (and it's considered by the Sport crowd as being sluggish). We will probably see better and better performance from our machines (but not ourselves) until we run out of gas.

 

[johnny80s]

I bought 4 chevelles. 3 were 70s and one a 72. I still have one of the 70s.

 

[Geezer]

But then we have to live long enough to reap the profits, Geezer.
Don't know about you, but I don't think I'll be hanging around quite that long.

Well, I plan to stick around forever, so I may be able to cash in. :Old guy with long beard and cane icon goes here:

Besides, it's not really about making a profit, it's about having some cool machines to use, and look at.

 

[FJRless]

My 68 Roadrunner was lost to a guardrail when I hydroplaned in the rain with slicks on the back. But those tires didn't start out as slicks. I agree that technology makes cars and bikes better almost every year. If I had a 68 Roadrunner again I think I'd be happy just sitting in it in the garage and I would take it over any modern sub-$100k sports car. Judging by the price I see these rare birds go for at auction I know I'm not alone.

 

[Rogue]

I should have bought two 1968 Roadrunners, not one.Two 1969 Dodge Charger RT SEs, not one.

I definitely should have bought two '68 Roadrunners...

I bought 4 chevelles. 3 were 70s and one a 72. I still have one of the 70s.

My 68 Roadrunner...

I hate you all! :dribble: :dribble: :dribble: :dribble: :dribble: :dribble:

 

[road runner]

I hear ya.

I didn't have the infamous 68 or 69 Road Runner, but I did have a 74 RR with a 400 B block, 4 speed pistol grip, posi rear, rally dash, bucket seats, tuff steer wheel.

I restored it , then modified it to make it what I wanted. When I was done it had a 500 ci stroked 440 RB block with Indy heads, 3.91 posi, Mosher axles, Denny's nitrous ready drive shaft. It made 587 HP and 613 tq on the dyno, and was a blast to run at the drag track. My best time was only a 12.4 @ 114 MPH, because of the stock 4 speed. If I put an automatic in it then it should have run a 11.6.

I sold it and bought the Feeg with cash. No real regrets, although I wish I had the money so I could have had both.

Here are some pics;

Tuning the beast

Dyno results.

Look at that tq curve. It really put you in your seat, and there was no need to down shift to pass :yahoo:

The SAD (bitter sweet) day it went to a new home. I think I welled up that day, but the next week I brought home the Feeg and all was good again. :yahoo:

 

[fjrchooser]

A '57 Studebaker Golden Hawk, gold w/cream insert inside and out. Dreamed about it all through boot camp in San Deigo in 1970 once I spotted it in the Sunday paper we were allowed to buy each week.

Bought it a few months later following graduation, it was the featured car on a corner podium at a small car lot in La Jolla. It needed a jump start and also needed brakes which me and the lot owner didn't discover until on the way back to the lot after he repeatedly insisted I punch it. We ground brake drums while shooting through several cross streets using the alley. We both about had a stroke.

He did give me a great deal after that. Also made me show him the money prior to the test ride, crusty old fart. Loved that car and foolishly traded it 6 months later for (2) 1959 Ford Galaxy Skyliners, one like new , the other a parts car.

I'm currently looking for another Studebaker but its going to set me back a lot further than the $500 I paid back in 1970.

 

[FJRless]

Hey Road Runner, You had the "real deal." It must have been hard to give it up and I'm sure there are times when you wish you had it back. At 19, I was on a poor man's budget.

Getting this back on the rails though...The AE with it's lightening-fast, error-free shifting adds a new dynamic to motorcycling making it much more fun. I've ridden for about 15 years and have owned several different bikes, mostly sport but this thing is making the experience new again. I was skeptical at first. I remember reading a post once about how Yamaha mis-marketed this feature and, consequently, missed the boat. I think that's right on. It's a blast and I hope they bring it back to North America in future model years.

 

[road runner]

Yes it was very hard to let it go. I had that car for exactly 20 years, mostly working on it.

If you look at the expression on my face in the last pic (I'm the good lookin guy in the middle ) I think I was saying to the other guys "I hope I'm doing the right thing", and of course they were saying "sure you are, you'll love that new motorcycle", as they rolled they're eyes. I do miss the car. The thing I miss the most is everywhere I drove that car everyone looked and gave me a :good: , but I don't miss the work it took to keep it in tip top shape.

One of the nice things about the bike is a lot less work, so more time to ride. And it is a lot more fun to ride.

I told my girl friend I posted pics of the RR and she said "that's been gone for 3 years and you are still telling people about it ?". :glare: Most women just don't get it do they ? Although she is the one that took the last pics of it.

Anyway back to FJR's. I still want to try an AE. It's to bad they aren't making it now, but hopefully in the future. I could have bought a left over 06 for a good price when I bought the 07, but the color was an issue, and fear of the unknown. Wasn't the last color a dark silver or gun metal grey? I like that color.

 

[FJRless]

Yes it was very hard to let it go. I had that car for exactly 20 years, mostly working on it.If you look at the expression on my face in the last pic (I'm the good lookin guy in the middle ) I think I was saying to the other guys "I hope I'm doing the right thing", and of course they were saying "sure you are, you'll love that new motorcycle", as they rolled they're eyes. I do miss the car. The thing I miss the most is everywhere I drove that car everyone looked and gave me a :good: , but I don't miss the work it took to keep it in tip top shape.

One of the nice things about the bike is a lot less work, so more time to ride. And it is a lot more fun to ride.

I told my girl friend I posted pics of the RR and she said "that's been gone for 3 years and you are still telling people about it ?". :glare: Most women just don't get it do they ? Although she is the one that took the last pics of it.

Anyway back to FJR's. I still want to try an AE. It's to bad they aren't making it now, but hopefully in the future. I could have bought a left over 06 for a good price when I bought the 07, but the color was an issue, and fear of the unknown. Wasn't the last color a dark silver or gun metal grey? I like that color.

You'll be telling people about that RR 'til the day you die, and rightfully so. The 08 is the gun metal grey and the year I picked up. I was telling a buddy who used to drag race bikes about the AE system and all he could say was "I bet that thing launches consistently great." I've launched it at about third-throttle and it was interesting. Not my thing (not a fan of wheelies) but I'll try to get an answer for him on that. I have upshifted staying on the gas (the way I've found it shifts best) with it leaned over near peg grind and the rear tire didn't break loose at all. Try doing that on an A.

 

[Fred W]

I bet you can still find a new leftover AE around, and still at a better price than they were originally.

They haven't quite reached cult status yet...

But you can't get rid of the black cherry. You'll just have to have 2 bikes.

Just tell Felicia it's for her. Yeah, that'll work

 

[road runner]

I bet you can still find a new leftover AE around, and still at a better price than they were originally. They haven't quite reached cult status yet...

But you can't get rid of the black cherry. You'll just have to have 2 bikes.

Just tell Felicia it's for her. Yeah, that'll work

Works for me.

I can tell her to think of it as a big scooter.(did I just say that )

Without another RR to sell I'll have to really get a lot of side work this year. And it would have to be the Gun metal grey. Which year was it ? Was it 08 & or 09?

Then the farckling would start all over again too. I better start buying lottery tickets.

 

[snikr]

You guys are making me miss my old 71 Duster 340.