For 1970, the lowest production numbers for the Plymouth Road Runner were not the high-flying Superbird, but the convertible (which was in its last year as part of the mix). Of those, only six were built for consumption in Canada (according to the seller) and this example is one of them. It has a 383 cubic inch V8 with Ram Air induction, but the car has been sitting for ages and has more than its share of rust. Located in Middletown, Connecticut, this rare barn find is available here on Barn Finds Classifieds for $28,500, which includes a plethora of never used new parts.
This automobile comes with an interesting story and a lot of details taken from the cowl tag (but not pictured). And speaking of pictures, almost all of the ones provided by the seller came from Auto Archeologist who has covered the car extensively. Originally finished in Lemon Twist, one of Chrysler’s “High Impact” colors of the era, it was later changed to Orange Crush and things went downhill from there.
The seller says that 824 Road Runner drop-tops were built in 1970. That differs from the 661 reported elsewhere, but the difference could be connected to the Canadian market. Either way, that’s not a lot of vehicles, and most of the cars were produced with the 335 hp, 383 cubic inch V8 like the one in the seller’s Mopar. As the story goes, the car has been left to fend for itself for many years beginning with the original owner who put it away in a chicken barn. It found itself featured in a Canadian barn finds type of publication and a new owner emerged after that.
That second owner began accumulating parts for a restoration that has yet to take place. It included some new sheet metal, interior pieces, and the like. Said owner’s health declined and the car moved on again in 2006 where it has lived inside and outside of yet another barn. Some of the options when new included the premium interior, a block heater for the Canadian market, and the Air Grabber hood and hardware. It even has/had an 8-track player.
Even after sitting forever – and with 101,000 miles – the car will start and idle for a minute or two, offering hope that the engine will be the least of the problems. To potentially help with a restoration, the seller has a second (blue) Road Runner drop-top that is available at an additional cost (not specified). It comes with a 440 6-pack engine that is ready to be reassembled (it may have been 1 of 34 produced).
Wow. Was really hoping that the first image was the car getting a suds soak, but NOOOOOOO.
I remember back in college ’75 or so one fellow who worked there had a red and white copy of this (maybe a GTX?) and while it was way rusty too, this is just Beyond Crusty. Too bad; was a sharp car a very long time ago in a Galaxie far far away…
This Road Runner was left to roost with birds of a different feather but it’s apparent the relationship was less than harmonious…
Hopefully it’s enough to work with and will be on the road again.
It’s just another worthless P.O.S. that has no place on the pages on Barn Find.
I’m sorry, it’s the irony of this crazy world that keeps me going. A RoadRunner covered with bird crap? Message conveyed, apparently. As shocking, to most, as it is, the rust is typical of anything north of the Mason-Dixon line. Growing up, when patience and knuckles were abundant, we had to work on these vehicles just to get to our crappy jobs. I have to chuckle, “it runs”,,,like big deal. The car needs a complete restoration, but the motor can be left alone,,,
From 1970 on, these cars were terribly rust prone, and the interiors were cheap and plasticky, and nearly always black. I thought they were garbage then, and still garbage.Tin cans with decent drive trains.
What he says!!!! $28.5k??? I’ll take one of what he’s smokin…………
Apparently you’ve never seen any Camaros or Mustangs from the same era…. They ALL rust , and if neglected or reside in he salt belt, they rust away faster – and ragtop models rot away even faster still, once the top starts tearing
More like “dropping” top.
Patina
“Pootina”.
Could be close to earning the “you’ve got to be kidding” award for April.
Looks like they needed a HAZMAT team to extract it from that barn. Yuck!
Nothing here worth $28,500. Another season in that chicken shed & the quarters would be totally gone! Me, I’d buy the most complete, running example I could afford and forget this black hole. Just because it’s a Canadian cvt. doesn’t make this “priceless”!
In 1970 the cars coming to Canada were exactly the same as US cars. We were not using metric yet so the gauges are the same.
E-Bodies are beautiful in droptop form, IMO. B-Bodies, on the other hand are MUCH more attractive as coupes and hardtops.
I wondered why Russ used the word “consumption”, and then I saw the picture!
I’m sure this absolute heap is the apple in some Mopar guys eye.
Not to state the obvious, but I suppose this is where the often-used expression “rusty Mopar” comes from.
Well, one advantage of having the tin worm feast on a car’s body is, there’s less to wash. And I have to cringe if there’s someone who’d actually give $28k for what’s left of the car.
Very thankful this is only one of six, in its current form….count me out!
👎🤓
When the Canadians saw what they were building, they said “six is enough!”
Soon crushed and cubed cars will start showing up on barn finds.
they did have a bunch of rusty panels in wooden crates claiming to be Samba bus pieces, about a year ago. I think I’ll post a photo of a wood pile and claim it’s a ’38 Packard woodie.
As I’ve mentioned before, many of YOU all wouldn’t buy this car (although, all the parts that go with this car are worth over $20,000), I’ve already rec’d several interested emails, in buying both as a package deal and I’m confident they’ll be sold soon. I don’t make the rules, sometimes I don’t even play by them, but if someone is willing to buy them and bring them back to life, I’m more than willing to sell to them.
My tag line is Finder of Lost Automotive Souls and if I can help save them, that what I’m going to do, whether they’re MoPars, Chevies, Fords, Jaguars, etc.
Yes, I have noticed a pretty shallow minded group here, whose ringleader has made a recent comeback. Don’t despair, not all readers are like that.
Hi Dave I’ll second that reply. I had my car roasted on here without my knowledge and without any of the so called expert’s even come to look at it in person.
I actually replied to the posting stating any expert including the writer of the misinformed article to come see the car in person so he could make an accurate assessment instead of presumptions.
Different folks’ opinions don’t really worry me too much.
Here’s the thing, another one that I’ve said before, if anyone who has made the negative comments about it being crushed, worthless, etc. found one in an old barn or garage, they in no way would drag it out of the garage and call the junkman to come and take it away for the cost of scrap. They would post it up here on BarnFinds and make every attempt to sell it at what is actually a fair market price…
I wouldn’t use such a strong word as jealousy, but I’m sure that some of the negative commenters just wish THEY came across it.
I love old cars and I love being able to help owners move them on to new homes. If I can make a little jing on the side for the efforts it takes to do so, then I win. I get to find, see, experience all these cool old cars and then see them go to new homes.
I Love what I do.
You noticed that too ?
Absolutely. Thomas Tusser said it best.
Double A I’m not arguing with you buddy. True Mopar guys will be all over this at $28k. Especially if they can get the package deal for $34k or less. Spend another $125-$150k on it and have $150k car. And that’s actually pretty good. Because we have both seen many many people spend $100k on a car to gave a $70k car…but it will easily sell for $28k
If it was a GM or Ford product, there would be a lot of ” Hey ,this car had the optional day night mirror -it needs to be restored” ! But a rare Mopar convertible ? NOOOOO
It will buff out!
now that was funny dude good laugh
As Roy Orbison, I too am Crying at the despair of this once classic.
I don’t care if the seller claims to have $100k worth of parts for this one. It is still a rust bucket and will require $100K worth of labor to repair. $28.5 K for this one is ridiculous. Major pass on this one. And I’m sure most sensible buyers will agree, this one is no more than a glorified parts car with all the rust on this one it might not even be repairable.
just look at it I guarantee that frame is worse than the body that is so rusted it rusted from inside out.but the motor runs in another body
Unibody,it’s toast like the body. Some guy with an air compressor and a da will bite off more than he can chew. You’d have 300 grand in an competent restoration.
I’m not looking for the sensible buyers. Wink, Wink…
and we all know there are people out there willing to buy these two Road Runner convertibles, with all the parts (which ARE worth something) and the 440 Six Pack engine with the correct carbs and manifold, for $30,000.
I wouldn’t, you wouldn’t. BUT — SOMEONE WILL.
Not if its a Mopar, heavens no – You never write anything about rusty Porsches , Mustangs or Chevies, though , do you ?
I’ve sold several rusty Mustangs, they don’t fetch the kind of money that many rusty Mopars do. Depends on the Chevy, if a 69 COPO Camaro was this rusty and had it’s original 427 engine, it would sell for more than these Road Runners and the top would be a Porsche Speedster, which would sell for more than any of these, even in the same condition.
Not 100% sure what your point is though.
The comment wasn’t directed at you ,AutoArcheologist , it was directed at the same Mopar hater that posts here anytime a rusted out Mopar is listed. he’s very quiet about all other makes in the same condition
There’s no Mopar that is not repairable. If you don’t believe me just watch Graveyard Cars sometime. Sometimes it’s more of a re-construction than a restoration, but if you have the money and want the car bad enough it can be done.
OOOoooffffff!!! No thanks! But what a great car when new I’m sure!
That’s a lotta Poo-tina.
Hmmmm a Mopar in a barn in Connecticut…what could go wrong?
Hope it comes with a supply of tetanus vaccine
Someone with love and passion – hopefully talent enough also – will buy this pile and they will resurrect it.
My 65 Econoline pickup was one such labor of love. Working on it these past two years got me through some rough spots. Although I haven’t tallied it up (and may never), I am certain I’ve spent more than I’ll ever get back, not including the year of mechanical corrections, nor the following ten months of welding, fabricating, and (shitty) bodywork.
But that was not the point…and shouldn’t be with this one. Chrysler’s sins can be restored out of this one, and it remains a pretty car.
I hope whomever commits sets up a weblog.
It’s not a Pontiac…. ram air? Mopar term for this Plymouth is Air grabber.
Momma always said, If You Have Nothing Nice To Say…………
….post it on the internet.
..then let’s hear it!
maybe 6 and i’m being kind. never been a great fan Dodge/Chrysler. But have found a good place in my heart. but no more than 6000.00.
I don’t think even mark worman with grave yard cars wud touch that rustarama
Why is this on Barn Find, total garbage, $150.00 scrap.
Thanks for your opinion. It is appreciated by someone.
Dan, 53 Comments so far, including yours, so far. That’s why it’s on Barn Finds.
That bird is pretty far gone. Still, it’s rarity probably makes it worth saving. It won’t be cheap. Finding a competent shop will be important.
At what point does it make sense just to make you just make the car you from scratch?
It doesn’t always make financial sense to restore a car. Sometimes it’s sentimental reasons or the car has historical value. I enjoy the Graveyard Cars show to hear the story behind some of the restorations.
Ok what I’m missing is ,as a roadrunner owner. Why does it have GTX stripes? The convertible will bring bout 150 at auction when done but gonna be about that much to clean her up. You might get lucky at $200 k in the right auction. But why the gtx stripes
Not sure why the first owner eventually decided to paint her Orange Crush and put the GTX stripes on her.
I prefer the RR stripe set personally.
Whoever possibly decides to take on the restoration might want to focus more on restoring the 70′ Road Runner convertible parts car that has the more desirable 440 6pack and it looks like most of the quarters still exist as well.
Your right about one thing if I found this I wouldn’t pull it out and call the junk man, but how about selling it for a reasonable price, this is exactly why more people don’t want to have anything to do with restoring a car, this is no way an easy resto and after 20,000 something to buy and at least 60,000. to restore, than what, what a joke!!!!
I have to agree with Brad L. Even though from what i’m gathering, The Blue “parts car” isn’t numbers matching, It’s still a convertible and much nicer than the orange lemon twist crush Canadian car is and has a 440 6 pack. Either way if I understand the earlier comment from Auto archeologist, The two can be purchased WITH all the parts for 30 grand. Now that sounds like a fair deal to me and really wish I had the money and the life span left to take on such a project. The 70 Roadrunner has always been by far my favorite car on the market. To bad my circumstance won’t let me have one but a guy can dream. Really hope at least one of these gets brought back to life.
You are correct Davey Boy, someone puts down $30,000 and they get two 1970 Road Runner Convertibles, the orange yellow mist crush (which is numbers matching) and the primer grey, which comes with a 440 6 pack engine (not numbers matching) and A-727 trans.
There are over $20,000 in parts – floor pans, trunk closing panels, doors, quarter panels, rear inner wheel wells, brand new tick-tock-tach, brand new steering wheel, newly chromed bumpers, brand new air grabber air cleaner, two front fenders, hood mounted signals with 383 emblem, brand new AM/8-track radio, new gas tank, new vent hoses and vents, new brake calipers, new rotors, new pads, new mufflers, new chrome exhaust tips, brand new dash panel, very good second dash board, frame rails, windshield trim, brand new Air Grabber switch, 2 reupholstered buckets, (black with the silver piping) and matching reupholstered back seat, and more I’m forgetting.
The blue car has a bucket seat interior, dash board, tick-tock-tach, complete convertible frame and mechanism, both bumpers, full grill, power window switches, Air Grabber hood with all the mechanicals.
ALL that for 30 grand – I’m not sure how some folks feel that is unfairly high and not market correct.
If anyone here, after seeing all that, is interested, please contact me.
Agreed, I think someone with the skills and resources (a Mark Woman type) would be well positioned to pick this project up (carefully) and restore it. Someone like me, who would be starting from 0, would be eyeballs deep in trouble on this one. Amazing car when new and will be amazing once restored.