Plymouth built the Road Runner for more than a dozen years (if you include the Volare-based version of the late 1970s). But only two of those years included a convertible (1969 and 1970). The first generation of the hot muscle car was winding down in ‘70 and the drop-top body style would not make the cut with the ‘71 redesign (likely due to low production figures). This rusty ’70 RR is one of only 429 that had both a 383 cubic inch V8 and an automatic transmission, so not many can still be around. It sits on the back of a trailer near Plymouth (!), Michigan, and is available as a project here on craigslist for $8,500.
With its neat name, Warner Brothers cartoon tie-in, and cool horn (beep beep!), the Road Runner racked up impressive sales numbers for Plymouth in the late 1960s. For the first year, a convertible was not offered, perhaps due to the budget image the car was trying to create. But the drop-top would be included in the following two years, but never caught much traction. In 1970, the rarest Road Runner convertible would be the one produced with a 426 Hemi and a 4-speed manual (I wonder if it’s still out there somewhere?).
Not much is known about the seller’s car other than it may or may not be complete and will need loads of bodywork. We’re told it’s an F8 green car, but evidence of blue paint can be seen on some of the parts stored around the drop-top housing. Perhaps found in a barn, this car hasn’t seen any road time in years and accessory parts of the engine have been removed. Everywhere you look, rust is present, and the floorboards (without seats) are of the see-through variety). And don’t forget the detached (due to rust?) rear wheel wells.
It’s a shame when you see a car like this that time and prior owners have forgotten about (at least until recently). It will take a lot of effort to bring this old Mopar back from the brink, but its low production numbers might be the right incentive. And if what’s left of the powertrain is numbers matching, the odds get a little better that this car could get a second chance. Budget notwithstanding, would you attempt a restoration on this beater? (BTW, the title is missing).
What a shame… NOPE!
I believe that is the super rare lightweight version….
I will bet there are a lot more than 429 Road Runners that look like that!
check list for Big $$:
[ X] Roadrunner
[X] Convertible
[X] 1 of 429
[ ] Performance Engine & Tranny
Well, 3 out of 4 ain’t bad. This car would be worth restoring.
Sad…
Topless and bottomless
Why does this rusty rr bother so many people,mopars all rusted out,then when you lived in the rust belt it was even worse as you see in this one
I love it for the year, make, model, auto and A/C, but I love my IRA more and it would take way too much of my IRA to have a professional restore it. Somehow I just can’t win the lottery.
Worth saving, rarity always wins out, regardless of the same old naysayers, as usual! Not sure why those guys stay on this site, it is always the same negative comments from individuals who have not owned one of these rare cars ever or in the past 30 years! Take care.
Please post your list of “rare” cars owned. Then you can have at the great unwashed.
Agree with ” Not Again ” above.
Definitely for someone who has the skills and equipment to fix the body, hundreds of hours involved. Be a labour of love but the pride and thrill of taking it for first drive would be unbeatable.
I have to wonder if there is enough here to take a solid hard top and turn it into a convertible. It would be a lot less work that putting the lower 2/3rds back on this body. For the purists, by the time that much sheet metal has been replaced do you still have the same VIN?
Send it to Graveyard Cars, they’ll have it like new when it’s is turn! No problem 😌 🍺🍺🍺🍺
Rare, post war Euro exotics seem to get away with 90% new bodies and mix and match era correct hardware, but in the near future it’s unlikely American muscle cars will get that same kind of consideration of value versus restoration costs. Buy the best original content vehicle possible to maintain your investment value.
At this time I am having a 1969 Road Runner convertible restored that was barn found after being stored 44 years. The work is incredibly expensive and I am going broke. A 1970 RR is even more rare than a 1969 with only 824 made (2128 in 1969). This car is much worse condition than what I started with but I can say with certainty that to restore this car to a decent standard is going to take a mountain of cash, at least three times what it would sell for in our lifetimes. If you have a shop and the skills to do the restoration yourself the project will still be huge and expensive. Just add up the parts that will be needed and hours of labor. This car unfortunately is just too far gone. It needs everything.
Once believed extinct, the Turdasaurus Wreck once again surfaced looking for huge swaths of cash to feed on. If you have the skill, the hoard of parts, and time, go for it. The only thing that seizes my engine is,” to me” how D@%* much money they rust devils cost now. That’s the killer. I fixed lots of neat rusty junk a decade or so back but sheesh, the initial start now kills the moment that no little blue pill can bring back.
When you are spending $10-15k for a “hobby car” is one thing. Unless you have thousands of dollars to throw away without worry, most people who spend $35k and more on a car project start thinking about the upside of the deal,as in a wise investment.