What's the best way to build a 69 Roadrunner without going broke?

[Fat Brian]

Growing up my friends dad had a green on green Roadrunner but I was too young to learn much about the car. I recently tracked him down and it turns out the car is a 69, originally it was a 383/727 car but was had had a 440 upgrade by the time I saw it. The car also was optioned to have the GTX style bucket seats and center console.

Converting the AMT 69 GTX is probably the cheapest option but the AMT body has some... limitations and I will still need a Roadrunner grille and tail lights. I could get a Johan kit but they're getting a bit spendy and I still want to use the AMT chassis so I won't use most of the Johan kit anyway. Does anyone cast the Johan 69 Roadrunner body that I could swap on to the AMT kit?

[Casey]

40 minutes ago, Fat Brian said:

I could get a Johan kit but they're getting a bit spendy and I still want to use the AMT chassis so I won't use most of the Johan kit anyway.

That's still your best option, IMO. Sometimes you have to pay more, and this is one of those cases, plus, you can always sell the balance of the JO-HAN parts which you don't use.

I don't think the Oval track Racer version of the JO-HAN '69 Road Runner is all that crazy expensive yet, is it? Last time I saw a few they were around $50 each or so.

Edited August 22, 2018 by Casey

[Snake45]

11 minutes ago, Casey said:

That's still your best option, IMO. Sometimes you have to pay more, and this is one of those cases, plus, you can always sell the balance of the JO-HAN parts which you don't use.

I don't think the Oval track Racer version of the JO-HAN '69 Road Runner is all that crazy expensive yet, is it? Last time I saw a few they were around $50 each or so.

Agree. Cheapest way would be to find a clean prebuilt/glue bomb--I paid IIRC $15 for one just a couple years ago. Just make sure all the body trim pieces are there and usable. Pay particular attention to the headlights--they're separate clear plastic--as in my experience this is one of the most commonly boogered up areas on glue bombs. But if you have a set of replacement lenses (and they don't need to be from this kit, they just need to be the right size), even that problem can be dealt with. 

[gtx6970]

A couple thoughts.

 

The last issue of the Johan 69 Roadrunner has a 1970 interior. So that's against you right from the start.  Only the original issue has the correct 69  bucket seats ( even on it the door panels are 69 GTX though if that matters )

 

builders are out there all the time via ebay.  Just how much they set you back depends on timing and original or later issue.

 

It all depends on how accurate you want to be. the AMT 1969 GTX can be converted to a roadrunner with a reasonable amount of  work. Tail lights and grill being the biggest obstacles

 

I bought 2 later issue Johan versions maybe 2 years ago. Paid $100 for the pair ( both still sealed ) when I already had maybe 2 or 3 on hand already. So i haven't paid real close attention to values on ebay but I dont think they are too hateful compared to modern $25-30 kits ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,yet

 

An original issue ( built or unbuilt ) will put a dent on the piggy bank . If I remember right I paid about $50 for my original issue builder, and that was probably close to 10 years ago. They have not gotten any cheaper either.  , ,,,unbuilt is gonna hurt. $200-250 and up is not uncommon for unbuilt original

Edited August 22, 2018 by gtx6970

[StevenGuthmiller]

I agree with the others.

It all depends on how bad you want it.

Sometimes it's better to spend a few extra bucks and save yourself a bucket load of work.

Remember, it;s not just the grille that's different, there are several issues with the AMT '68 Road Runner/ '69 GTX body proportions that need addressing as well.

 

Steve

Edited August 22, 2018 by StevenGuthmiller

[MrObsessive]

1 hour ago, StevenGuthmiller said:

I agree with the others.

It all depends on how bad you want it.

Sometimes it's better to spend a few extra bucks and save yourself a bucket load of work.

Remember, it;s not just the grille that's different, there are several issues with the AMT '68 Road Runner/ '69 GTX body proportions that need addressing as well.

 

Steve

You ain't kiddin' Steve!

As many know, the AMT Road Runner's body shape has been a sore spot with me for many years. I simply got tired of the way it looked and did something about it.

Obviously, this isn't for the faint of heart, and it may not be Brian's cup of tea, but it is an alternative to getting a CORRECT Road Runner if one cannot find a reasonably priced one out there. I've got some other details to correct on this one, but the main bugaboo.............those incorrect quarters and wheel wells is what I wanted to focus on.

 

[Fat Brian]

Thanks everyone,  I'll keep shopping for a Johan kit. I could fix the AMT body but my time is worth the few extra dollars. 

[Fat Brian]

23 hours ago, Fat Brian said:

Growing up my friends dad had a green on green Roadrunner but I was too young to learn much about the car. I recently tracked him down and it turns out the car is a 69, originally it was a 383/727 car but was had had a 440 upgrade by the time I saw it. The car also was optioned to have the GTX style bucket seats and center console.

Converting the AMT 69 GTX is probably the cheapest option but the AMT body has some... limitations and I will still need a Roadrunner grille and tail lights. I could get a Johan kit but they're getting a bit spendy and I still want to use the AMT chassis so I won't use most of the Johan kit anyway. Does anyone cast the Johan 69 Roadrunner body that I could swap on to the AMT kit?

 

22 hours ago, Casey said:

That's still your best option, IMO. Sometimes you have to pay more, and this is one of those cases, plus, you can always sell the balance of the JO-HAN parts which you don't use.

I don't think the Oval track Racer version of the JO-HAN '69 Road Runner is all that crazy expensive yet, is it? Last time I saw a few they were around $50 each or so.

 

22 hours ago, Snake45 said:

Agree. Cheapest way would be to find a clean prebuilt/glue bomb--I paid IIRC $15 for one just a couple years ago. Just make sure all the body trim pieces are there and usable. Pay particular attention to the headlights--they're separate clear plastic--as in my experience this is one of the most commonly boogered up areas on glue bombs. But if you have a set of replacement lenses (and they don't need to be from this kit, they just need to be the right size), even that problem can be dealt with. 

 

22 hours ago, gtx6970 said:

A couple thoughts.

 

The last issue of the Johan 69 Roadrunner has a 1970 interior. So that's against you right from the start.  Only the original issue has the correct 69  bucket seats ( even on it the door panels are 69 GTX though if that matters )

 

builders are out there all the time via ebay.  Just how much they set you back depends on timing and original or later issue.

 

It all depends on how accurate you want to be. the AMT 1969 GTX can be converted to a roadrunner with a reasonable amount of  work. Tail lights and grill being the biggest obstacles

 

I bought 2 later issue Johan versions maybe 2 years ago. Paid $100 for the pair ( both still sealed ) when I already had maybe 2 or 3 on hand already. So i haven't paid real close attention to values on ebay but I dont think they are too hateful compared to modern $25-30 kits ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,yet

 

An original issue ( built or unbuilt ) will put a dent on the piggy bank . If I remember right I paid about $50 for my original issue builder, and that was probably close to 10 years ago. They have not gotten any cheaper either.  , ,,,unbuilt is gonna hurt. $200-250 and up is not uncommon for unbuilt original

 

19 hours ago, StevenGuthmiller said:

I agree with the others.

It all depends on how bad you want it.

Sometimes it's better to spend a few extra bucks and save yourself a bucket load of work.

Remember, it;s not just the grille that's different, there are several issues with the AMT '68 Road Runner/ '69 GTX body proportions that need addressing as well.

 

Steve

 

17 hours ago, MrObsessive said:

You ain't kiddin' Steve!

As many know, the AMT Road Runner's body shape has been a sore spot with me for many years. I simply got tired of the way it looked and did something about it.

Obviously, this isn't for the faint of heart, and it may not be Brian's cup of tea, but it is an alternative to getting a CORRECT Road Runner if one cannot find a reasonably priced one out there. I've got some other details to correct on this one, but the main bugaboo.............those incorrect quarters and wheel wells is what I wanted to focus on.

 

 

[oldnslow]

There's a built up on ebay now for under $20 , it still has a couple of days to go .

[Fat Brian]

7 hours ago, oldnslow said:

There's a built up on ebay now for under $20 , it still has a couple of days to go .

I'm watching it, the last two builders in similar condition went for about $45 each.

[Rob Hall]

I got 3 built up Johan '69 Road Runners off eBay some years ago...one is done as a 6 pack w/ the 6 pack hood and steelies, one stock, and one that was made into a convertible.  One of them has 70 style high back bucket seats IIRC...