I read a book in the late '60s/early '70s....

[Larry A. Tilander]

Hey; I read a book when I was young and I can't remember much about it, but I'd like to revisit it. The cover was red and I think the title was one word; possibly starting with an "M". It was post nuclear as a lot were then and I think the main character was a mutant of some sort. There were rats. The main part I remember was a stranger came along trying to get to "the Smifferson" or something like that which turned out to be "The Smithsonian Institute." in order to save everyone. What really bugs me is there is a Star Trek episode; The Omega Glory that is a bit similar. I've been trying to remember this for many years. Someone suggested it might be Norton's Star Man's SON(Daybreak) and I'm about to check it out. Cheers.

 

[CarBear]

Hey; I read a book when I was young and I can't remember much about it, but I'd like to revisit it. The cover was red and I think the title was one word; possibly starting with an "M". It was post nuclear as a lot were then and I think the main character was a mutant of some sort. There were rats. The main part I remember was a stranger came along trying to get to "the Smifferson" or something like that which turned out to be "The Smithsonian Institute." in order to save everyone. What really bugs me is there is a Star Trek episode; The Omega Glory that is a bit similar. I've been trying to remember this for many years. Someone suggested it might be Norton's Star Man's SON(Daybreak) and I'm about to check it out. Cheers.

I think it must be! Fors was a mixed-race, white-haired mutant (if that rings any bells). Your description is ringing many bells for me.
They definitely do journey to a museum in a lost city and I have the impression that the "enemies" were mutated rat-like creatures. The books with the original title had the red covers. I wonder how the story holds up now?