'69 Convertible
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Bird
Rest in Peace
It might have been . . . if you were a bad enough driver.
RobertN
Super Member
Timber said:
Guess I'm like Bird; I'll have to agree to disagree... Mostly on the Cougar though. While I had a Roadrunner, it was a later one that handled very well.
I spent a lot of time around a buddies '68 Cougar. He built it to the point it was breaking 12.0 second 1/4 miles. Respectable for a small block car that was very street-able and driveable. That car was very stable, both out of the hole, and while cornering. Eventually, he put Centerlines with runners up front; the 4" wide front tires pretty much ended it's cornering abilities
Up till that point though, it would really get with it, pretty good for a stock suspension.On your point about stability though, one thing that stands out to me is how in the late '60s to early 70's, you could get these cars with serious serious performance, and still have things like four wheel drum brakes, some non power brakes, from any of the big three; GM Fomoco or Mopar. Imagine stopping a big block Mustang, Challenger or Camaro with drum brakes, especially if going fast...
Bird
Rest in Peace
Yep, Robert, my '68 Roadrunner had 4 wheel drum brakes, but at least it did have power brakes. The 1968 Fords were the first police vehicles we had with front disc brakes, power brakes, and air-conditioning (still no power steering that year; power steering and automatic transmissions came in 1969). Prior to 1968, we knew if we drove through a puddle in wet weather, the next time we hit the brakes, the car was going to pull one direction or the other; just never knew which direction it would be.
RobertN
Super Member
Bird said:Yep, Robert, my '68 Roadrunner had 4 wheel drum brakes, but at least it did have power brakes. The 1968 Fords were the first police vehicles we had with front disc brakes, power brakes, and air-conditioning (still no power steering that year; power steering and automatic transmissions came in 1969). Prior to 1968, we knew if we drove through a puddle in wet weather, the next time we hit the brakes, the car was going to pull one direction or the other; just never knew which direction it would be.
CHP used a lot of Dodge vehicles in the 60's through the 80's. One of the best patrol cars used by the CHP was the '69-71 Polara. With the Interceptor package, that was one incredible car. Even big block Mustangs, Camaro's and 'Cuda's had to think twice before messing with those Polara's...
There were a couple around Sacramento that were faster than most. they came in to the shop for some top end work. When the parts were replaced, the partsman, whom I might be related to, gave the mechanics some parts that were not made for street... Not sure how that happened ;-)
My Dad knew a couple of the guys who drove those cars; while they might not have been lightening out of the hole; they would fly out on the highway
RobertN
Super Member
Tdog said:
Definitely research it. It is amazing how much some cars go for these days, especially Mopars. I watch Roadrunners on Ebay; some get a pretty penny...
BillyP
Veteran Member
Timber said:
Yeah, I seen one of those cars shows on TV about 2 months ago that was talking about this very thing. This guy had 2 mint condition Roadrunners. I don't remember the details for sure but they were talking about the rear end being light and one side had an extra leaf in the spring to compensate for twisting torque of the rearend. The guy that owned them said they didn't handle worth crap but he didn't care
Bird
Rest in Peace
Now I never drove a Roadrunner other than the one we owned. But I was working every day driving a police sedan and my Roadrunner certainly handled as well, if not better, than the Ford police sedans that had the heavy duty police package.
Maybe my Roadrunner was unusual, but I wouldn't have thought so. And my wife still says the Roadrunner was her favorite of all the cars we've owned over the years.