By 1968, muscle-cars were evolving into luxury performance cars. Power this and power that. Choices in interiors. Trying to be all things to all people, losing sight of performance. Plymouth initiated a return to basic performance with the 1968 Road Runner. It was based on the mid-sized Belvedere, and originally came only in a pillared coupe. Plain Jane taxi cab interior, no carpeting, just a rubber floormat. No bucket seats, just a bench seat. And a rompin', stompin' high performance 383 standard, only the Hemi optional.

In successive years, it too began offering upgrades in interiors; and the line was expanded to include a sport coupe and convertible. Along the way the 440 was made available in both four barrel and three deuce versions. The last real Road Runner was the 1971 model, but a version lasted through 1980 in the Volare line, and to me, were Road Runners in name only.