The Plymouth Road Runner took the muscle car market by storm in 1968, quickly becoming one of its biggest sellers. The car was sold as a budget-conscious performance machine with some interesting gimmicks (Warner Brothers cartoon graphics and a “meep meep” horn). This third-year model is from 1970 and was finished in two-tone Limelight green on the body and gloss black on the top. According to the seller, the latter makes it one of only 164 Road Runners produced in 1970. Located in Amarillo, Texas, this project car is available here on eBay where one bid of $18,500 has been cast with an unmet reserve and a Buy It Now of $25,000.
The VIN indicates this Road Runner left the factory with a 383 cubic inch V8 under the hood. But the seller says a 440 from 1966 is there now (no photo) in an unknown running condition. The 4-speed manual is a born-with transmission using a Pistol Grip shifter. The car appears to be a stalled restoration where some work has already been done.
Check marks are due for the rear quarter panels, trunk pan, and extensions (all done by the prior owner). No issues are apparent with the floorboards, which show off the original Limelight paint (one of Chrysler’s “Hi-Impact” colors). The car sports the V02 production code which verifies the application of two-tone paint at the factory. The body stamps, fender tag, and dash VIN have all survived.
Everything needed to finish the project is said to be there – except for the original front seat. But since it will all have to be redone anyway, you can source another one without getting dinged. There’s a lot to be said for finishing the restoration here. For example, the 1970 model year had a 50% decline in sales from 1969, so they were less plentiful than other 1st generation Road Runners. And there’s the two-tone paint and the Limelight primary color. Would you choose to go back to that combination?
With all of the original paint gone, the seller’s claim of a rare paint combo seems pointless.
The fender tag is present and coded for two tone paint. Pretty rare option to see. The fender code is more important to verify factory two tone paint than paint on the roof.
By that logic, then every original code on a restored car is pointless. (And, I suppose, that argument COULD be seriously made…)
Maybe worth $6,000.00.
Agree…..and if it’s all that – then show it !
This actually looks like a really good start on restoring this vehicle. I don’t understand why someone would have taken the original paint/primer all the way down to bare metal, then let it accumulate rust by applying some cheap primer on it? I realize this is what they call surface rust, but a good coat of urethane or epoxy primer would have prevented this from happening.
The original motor would be nice to have?
I had a Red, 1969 Road Runner and I really enjoyed owning it.
Good luck to the new owner.
Just my oponion!
One thing to note is that the quarters/trunk/extensions work done here, IF done right, is close to $10k of parts/work. Maybe a little under that, but if done by a good bodyman today, not too far south of that mark. I know this from firsthand experience.
Hopefully they saved the original taillight buckets and such, because often the AMD (or other aftermarket) parts give a terrible fit in areas like that. Again, firsthand experience.
More first hand experience of my own tells me that while this has the potential to be a really cool car, it’s still going to take another $40 – 50,000 to call it done. I wish there was good pictures of the dash/instrument cluster. That area itself is very high dollar restoration activity if needed.
I bought an FE5 70 RR hardtop 50 years ago and paid $1,200 for it from the original owner. It had N96, upgraded bucket seat interior, Torqueflite, console, front disc brake, black vinyl top, Magum 500s, but surprisingly no chrome exhaust tips. The car was very fast and my dad made me sell a year later when I joined the Army. Miss that car.
Prices sure have come up alot for these.Back in 1986 my stepdad bought one for $600,rolling body w/o engine or trans,all the glass,straight body,complete interior.A 383 4spd car that was plum crazy purple.A few wheelbarrels full of cash will straighten this one right up…..
One can also use this as a pick up cause the trunk is as big as a 5 foot box of a new pickup
One can also use this as a pick up cause the trunk is as big as a 5 foot box of a new pickup
Looks like the one on Roadkill.
DirtFish here I come!
Had access to one of these back in 83. Dark green, 440 pistol grip 4 speed. Buckets and a center console. Fixed it for a kid in the apt complex I lived in and he gave me a set of keys and said use it anytime. We became good friends and he was going to give it to me when he bought, of all things a 77 mustang V6 coupe. The day before it was to become mine he wrapped it around a telephone pole. Wouldn’t have believed him if I didn’t see it hooked to a tow truck. Still one of the saddest memories of my life. Still would like to have one but IMO this is just priced to high. Should be at least running for that price