This one is as basic as it gets but it’s still cool! No, it’s not a GTX or a Road Runner, it’s not even a Satellite, it’s an entry-level Belvedere, two-door sedan. It’s essentially a two-door taxicab! Parked in 1984, this 35K mile 1970 Plymouth Belevedere is located in Wahoo, Nebraska, and is available here on eBay for a current bid of $5,300, eleven bids tendered as of this writing.
In spite of this Belvedere’s Plebian standing, it still manages to carry an aggressive posture about itself. It’s easy to see why and how the similar ’68 Belvedere morphed into the Road Runner. The differences between the two-door hardtop and the two-door coupe Belvedere/Road Runner are subtle, perhaps because both models used the same frameless window doors.
The body of this Belvedere is in fair condition, the seller states that the trunk is rust free but the rockers and rear floor have a bit of an issue. Most notable are the galvanized metal sheets that have been riveted over the lower quarters behind the doors and rear wheels. The seller claims that “I’m assuming he did that because he lived on gravel”. I would imagine its something more than that and those skirts are probably hiding a surprise. Actually, the rust appears to be more than just in the rockers, the lower fenders aren’t looking too hot either. While the styling of the ’68-’70 Chryco “B” body intermediates is great, they are known rust magnets. The copper-toned finish is pretty flat and worn, about what you would expect for a half-century-old car.
There are no images of the 145 gross HP, 225 CI, “slant-six” engine but we do know the last oil change was in 1982, yikes! The seller adds, “Motor turned over and fired fuel. I don’t think it will take much to get it running but the old gas will need drained, plugs, wires, fresh oil, etc. I can make that happen for you for an additional 400$” There’s no doubting the toughness of the slant-six and 35K miles would normally be no issue but sitting all of these years, unattended, would be cause for concern. But this seller is enterprising and will help a new owner get this Belvedere motivated. Gear changes are courtesy of a three-speed-manual, three-on-the-tree, actuated transmission.
The interior has that Road Runner vibe going on with the bench seat and rubber floor mat. The seats are worn but not completely worn out though there is a hole in the driver’s side backrest. The instrument panel is as simple as they come and unfortunately, but not surprisingly, the dash pad is cracked. Under the dash is a Sears after-market A/C unit – no word if it works. Of note is the headliner, it has been a mouse house for some time.
If acquiring a car that was formerly owned by a smoker is a problem, this is not your ride! Thirty-six-year-old Chesterfields, anybody?
Low mileage and great documentation, yes, but this is a pretty worn out car. Hard to say what the next move would be but a primary concern should be the metalwork, not only the rockers and lower quarters but the underside as well – problems seem to abound. Is this one worth saving? I’d say yes, it’s a neat, old plain-jane ride, and most of these are lost to the ages. What to do with it? I’m betting it will experience a performance makeover, how about you?
I’d agree with the author of this feature, the description concerning the amount of rust seems optimistic.
It’s a bit rough to consider it a survivor worthy remaining untouched. I’d ditch the 6 cylinder and put in a mild LA or B block and a 5spd and make it a fun driver.
Steve R
Neat car. My uncle in California traded his 66 Barracuda for a 70 Belvedere coupe.
His was blue with a 318 and automatic.
The older I get, the less I care about go-fast ability. Simplicity and reliability are of far more importance to me. Therefore, a slant-six and a manual transmission make for an appealing combination. I’d paint this one burnt orange, but otherwise bring it back to stock. Considering this car’s body, and the my need for a truck, I’ll have to pass. Hopefully the new owner will not give it a hot-rod treatment.
I am afraid this poor car is destined to be another clone. Too bad, the cars we all drove are going to be soon no more, replaced by what was once a rarity. I recall very few performance cars when i was driving in that era, but if you go to any car show of today you might be convinced that all people drove were those.
I didn’t know Ken Jennings was a Mopar enthusiast!
Plus good luck finding wheels covers on such cars at a car show.
I think all the not that powerful 6s from back then should have been reserved for lighter smaller cars, & 318 v8 the smallest motor in this car(& certainly full size ones!), except maybe for fleet high traffic CITY taxis(excluding hilly areas like san francisco).
Odd that a belvedere with a /6 would get the side scoops.
If that’s a factory rubber floor cover, like in some novas, it’s heavy – & could water/dampness be hiding underneath? Best to pull out?
Regarding people destroying our history, i wonder what the fate is of all those gen lee chargers out there, say 20 years from now. Even going back to 2017, google–>
“general lee Highland Creek Heritage Festival”.
Tho i do remember reading about a guy of color OWNING one with the roof flag intact.
Back in ’79 up north at least, many of us boys & young guys liked watchin the dukes & had NO IDEA about the history(back then no internet & who went to the library?) of what’s on the roof, & thought it simply was a REBEL flag for guys running from the law.
Joy from New York, yes, wheel covers are going the way of the wild buffalo, almost extinct. 40 years ago, go into any junk yard, and they always had a shed just for old wheel covers that people went through to match one they might have lost on a tight turn or something. No one wants them anymore, but again, it is almost ALWAYS what cars had on, even performance cars. Few people popped for what dealers asked for even factory wheels. (That is why after markets wheels were so popular, they were a little better in price)
So true, when I was reading the ad I was simply HOPING to see a /6 here. By today’s standards everyone expects any Mopar B-body to have at least a 383 or 440 – to the point that many younger enthusiasts don’t even know what a /6 is!
It would be very interesting to see what kind of crowds this bare bones B-body would gather once refurbished but still wearing the /6 3spd combo. There’s a chance many high$ big block Mopar owners would be shocked…!
Recently we have witnessed people destroying our history. Good or bad, it is still history and it needs to be preserved. So is it with these cars. You might want a different history to show, but that is your opinion. Allow it to stand so future generations may decide for themselves the worth.
I’d consider bidding simply to be able to get the license plate “MRBLVDR”.
Haven’t seen Chesterfields in a while, never seen “multifilter” generic cigarettes. Shucks, now I feel like a Marlboro moment tugging at me.
Bare bones Plymouth that’s for sure, 360 crate motor or a stroker version 5 speed on the floor, black steelies with chrome lug nuts. Cigarettes are probably a little stale by now.
Leave it alone…..Don’t try to make it something it’s not. A 6 in a Mopar’s of this vintage is likely far rarer than a 383+ motor.
Personally, I like the grocery getters, there is something about a plain jane. Also interesting to recall the days when there were a million options to purchase, and these low end models had nothing..
Someone said it was a “Taxi Cab”. Never seen a two door cab, but if it was, it will have a 8 3/4 rear and other HD items, such as in the cooling and brakes. I’m looking at the old “Coke” cooler in the back ground. Wonder what other goodies that he may have laying around.
The design of the car is actually attractive, without a lot of garbage trim and color bands to detract from it. And the drive train is a forever runner. Give it what it needs, save it, and enjoy it.
Can I make my Richard Petty Superbird Tribute car out of this thing?
no, Petty’s Super Bird was a hardtop. best leave this one as is and preserve history. read the above comments, too many clones out there anyway, it’s getting stale.
My family had a 66 BELEVDERE two door hard top given to us by a family member who bought new and it was about ten years old when we got it. It had the old 318. In spite of lots of use abuse? Which included my sister putting it upside down to avoid hitting a deer (seat belt wearing) outside of a smashed it ran for lots longer. Hard to kill cars like this.
Do all the necessary repairs to this Plymouth,give her a good cleaning and leave it alone.These were simple cars that were very reliable! Enough of the clowns,I mean clones!! Jeez
Leave body, paint and interior (Other than the mouse house headliner) alone.
Upgrade brakes, suspension and tires. Five speed manual transmission. Turbocharger fuel injectIon and intercooler on the Slant Six. Have fun.
To the gentleman that noted his surprise that this lowly Slant Six-powered car would get side scoops; this car qualifies for scoops by virtue of the fact that it’s a two door, and all 1970 Plymouth two door B-body quarter panels were stamped with the scoops, even those installed on cars equipped with the Leaning Tower of Power. On the other hand, a four door Belvedere, Satellite, or Sport Satellite, even one with 440 Super Commando power, couldn’t beg, borrow, or steal a couple of scoops.
If you want a hot rod, leave the six and spice that up a bit.
tTherubber flooormat probably came from a Chrysler Supplier: Crossville Rubber .Crossville, Tn. The six cylinder engine in 1970 had the old Points and condenser. The cylinder head will require hardened valve seats for today’s fuel. Valve lash will need adjustment at this mileage or upgrade to 1977 or later cylinder head. The combination of options on this car might make it a candidate for an assembly plant Build OUT Special!!!! Meaning it might have been built in the last week of production at the assembly plant and there was no carry over model as the 1971 B Bodies were all brand new bodies exterior sheet metal and new interiors
This one’s been around for sale for awhile. Rough 10 years……….
true story about the wheel covers.
had a bunch from the ’50s-60s-70s that accumulated over the years.
thought they would sell like hotcakes on eBay.
tried to sell them recently and got zero interest.
only ones that sold was a pair for a ’54 Chevy.
I hung the 50s covers up on the wall and gave the rest away.
Why spend a pile of money on this very presentable car?
change the engine and gearbox oils, go through the brakes and cooling system as needed, give it a thorough cleaning and drive it as is…….
Same here Chris. I put on-line 5 sets and odd & ends Mopar caps and received no interest. I have a set of stock center caps on my 69′ 340 swinger and I think it makes the car look “KOOL” and manly. I will keep my caps until sold, but I think I may raise the price. Only asking $25.00 for each cap, will raise to $40.00. Thanks ‘for the push.
A friend bought a 68 Dodge “White Hat Special” that was equipped about like this car except his had a radio, heater, full wheel covers, and a vinyl top. He paid $2500 for it at City Dodge in Decatur, Ga. If I needed/wanted this brown car I would restore it to original and drive it to a car show and park it in a line of RR’s, GTXs, and clones, and enjoy the comments.
Too bad it is so crusty.
I suspect it has 135,000 miles. But at this point, it doesn’t matter. It needs 1 of everything.
I wish it were closer & cheaper (or in better shape). This is one of my bizarre dream cars, and this one is equipped like I would want.
Probably parked in 1982 when whoever smoked the cigarettes probably passed on. That would explain why it was parked, still ready to go for another drive (cigarettes & all).
Hello,
I realize this isn’t a Road Runner, but it is a 1970 Plymouth. I need help with something and I’m hoping someone out there can help me. I am building a ,odel kit of a 1970 Plymouth Road Runner. But, I am building it to look like the car that Gary Lockwood drove in the movie, “Bad Georgia Road.” There’s one scene in particular where Leroy Hastings, Gary’s character, is getting into the car to leave for a moonshine run. At the top of the inside driver’s side door panel are 8 racing decals. I have identified 6 of them but are stumped on 2.
They are: Eelco Accessories, Division 2 Buster’s Rebels (I think), Fram, McLeod, don’t know/can’t make out writing, B&M, Mallory, and Hooker Headers. It’s the 2nd and 5th racing decals I am stumped on.
It’s the scene right before Carol Lynley gets in the passenger side door to accompany Leroy on a moonshine run.
If anyone out there has seen the movie and know what the other 2 racing decals are, I’d greatly appreciate any help. The movie is available on DVD and I have watched it on YouTube also. Thanks.
Do you have a picture of the door with the decals ?
I’ve been trying to find one of those for years, I would trade My super bee for that. sick of cruising around getting 10 mpg.
I didn’t know these existed until I saw one destroyed in the CHiPs episode “Sick Leave.” I agree with the comments about leaving this car alone. Just tune up the mechanics and give the interior a good detailing for a fun weekend cruiser. Find Alike and Kicking’s “Tighter, Tighter” on the radio, and let’s go.
As for the color, it looks like burnt tan (code T6)