A ’69 HEMI Road Runner of a Different Feather

Image: Big Hemi Customs

Big Hemi Customs is run by Jason Bair and Todd Lowden. Their shop in Fort Wayne, Indiana is 6,000 square feet of Valhalla for the automotive enthusiast. And if you were at SEMA this past November, you may have caught the debut of their latest creation, this ’69 HEMI Road Runner. If you didn’t see it in person or online, it is presented here for your viewing pleasure.

As this was also their first time at SEMA, they pulled out all the stops to show the automotively engaged what they’re capable of. Jason’s uncle once had a ’68 Plymouth Satellite, which was the inspiration for maing this ’69 Road Runner hardtop into the “baddest ’69 Pro Touring Road Runner on the planet.”

A perfect example of their dedication was block sanding the complete body even though the sheetmetal was all-new. But since black was the chosen color and perfection was the only other choice, it had to be done. Barrett Jackson (no relation to the auction house) of Planet Color had that honor.

Of course, what makes this Road Runner special is the HEMI engine. Muscle Motors Racing built a 472 stroker with fuel injection putting out 560 horses, then Big Hemi Customs paired it to a Keisler Automotive Engineering five-speed manual transmission, capping it off with a 1970-style Pistol Grip shifter.

Befitting a HEMI Mopar, a Moser Engineering Dana 60 ensures the power made it to the pavement in a reliable manner. Restraining all that power are Wilwood Engineering four-piston calipers front and rear. The car’s balance is maintained by a Reilly Motorsports AlterKtion kit up front and Hotchkis leaf springs out back.

Jason and Todd’s hard work has paid off in glowing reviews from SEMA (plus new business prospects), first place in the Modified class at Mopars at the Strip in 2010, a cover feature on the October, 2010 issue of Mopar Muscle magazine, and even coverage on the TV show Chop Cut Rebuild. So what’s in store for 2011? Charger fans, rejoice! But which year – 1968, 1969, or 1970?

About the author

Diego Rosenberg

Diego is an automotive historian with experience working in Detroit as well as the classic car hobby. He is a published automotive writer in print and online and has a network of like-minded aficionados to depend on for information that's not in the public domain.
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