The Plymouth Road Runner was in its third year in 1970. Though still popular, sales were off in anticipation of a redesign in 1971. Companion to the Road Runner was the Satellite, more of a family car with a few more personal conveniences. This ’70 Satellite has been converted into a tribute to the Road Runner but with an engine that neither car had – a 440 cubic inch V8 with twin 4-barrel carburetors. Located in a garage in Liberty, New York, this transformed beauty is available here on craigslist for $45,000. When it comes to Mopar tips, “Zappenduster” is our man!
Plymouth gave its mid-sized cars a little facelift in 1970, so the ’70 Road Runner was distinguishable from a ’69 when parked next to each other. The 383 V8 was still standard fare and the 440 was optional but only with the “6-Pack” set-up. The single 4-barrel version was reserved for the higher-end GTX (except for the Road Runner Superbird). A dual 4-barrel wasn’t offered – and I don’t believe it was ever in the Plymouth mix.
We’re told this car began life as a very solid Satellite coupe. Whatever powertrain was in this car to begin with is likely MIA, so numbers-matching shouldn’t be an expectation. The engine here is from 1969, and it’s paired with an A333 4-speed manual transmission. The indicated mileage is 75,000, but we don’t know when the transformation took place. The dash is said to be period-correct, so it was no doubt swapped, too. A Ram Air hood was added to the vehicle, which we assume has been repainted in the vehicle’s original color.
The photos provided don’t help much in showing off the Plymouth. Perhaps the weather was inclement when they were taken, and the car couldn’t be taken outside for glamour shots. The only thing that may be missing is a heater box, but the seller has one to throw in. And you can have a pair of bucket seats if you want to replace the Satellite’s bench. Available for extra coin is a complete and rebuilt 1970-vintage 440, but we don’t know if it, too, has the dual carbs. But I have to wonder why the conversion was made to a Road Runner rather than the GTX which was closer in trim to the Satellite.
A couple of questions, but somehow I feel that 2×4 440 will SCOOT.
4-BARRELs opening up sounds great .. 8 😲
Well a few things I see should have a pistol grip shifter. I see a tach hangin from the dash and tells me that the tic-tock-tach don’t work. After market steering wheel. Here the big one the air grabber hood doesn’t have the air box under it. You could use the base plate for a hemi and still keep the 2-4bbl
How much are you willing to pay to drag at street lights and lay rubber? These were never a pleasant car to actually drive, even when new. I guess the seller is realizing that and is trying to cash out. A better driving car would have a small block and a stiff suspension.
Totally agree that they should have gone the GTX path. I for one have a fondness for white ones.
A ’69 440 is actually more potent than a ’70 as they lowered the compression in that latter year. Agree with Cudaguy on that ghastly aftermarket tach. There are conversion kits for the originals that work fine.
So, what makes it 1:1?
The odd combination of parts.
Steve R
Oh boy, another clone. Pretty soon there will no longer be any Belvederes or Satellites as they will all be Road Runner & GTX clones.