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440 Hi-Perf V8! 1970 Plymouth Road Runner

Back in the 1960s, some of the most popular TV cartoons were the ones with the Coyote and Road Runner. Given the Road Runner’s need for speed, Chrysler saw a marketing opportunity and struck a deal with Warner Bros. Licensing the name and likeness, Plymouth launched the Road Runner muscle car in 1968 and it took the market by storm. During its first generation, 1968-70, more than 164,000 copies were built, including the winged Super Bird. This 1970 edition looks to have been restored and had a 440 cubic inch V8 transplanted under the hood. From a dealer’s lot in Pompano Beach, Florida, this beauty is available here on eBay when the bidding has reached $24,000. But the reserve has yet to be cracked.

This Road Runner is at least a two-owner car, changing hands in 1982 at a minimum. The mileage is either 83,000 or 87,000 miles, depending on where in the listing you look. The cowl tag identifies this automobile as having been painted FK5 when new, a color called Burnt Orange. That hue is still on the car, though a repaint has been likely. This is the coupe version of the machine, meaning there is a thin pillar in front of the rear windows. These sold in smaller numbers than the true hardtops.

The 440 under the hood has been rebuilt, but it’s not original to the car. The VIN says this Plymouth left the factory with a 383 and automatic transmission, that pairing being installed in 6,888 Road Runner coupes in 1970. We don’t know why the change was made, perhaps the owner at the time wanted more muscle in his/her ride. Regardless, the seller says this auto runs and drives “awesome.” They could have done a better job repainting the air cleaner.

Second-generation Road Runners would arrive in 1971 when Chrysler redesigned all their intermediates. As a result, the styling would change from a boxier look to the fuselage theme that was becoming popular within the Chrysler camp. This comes across as just the car to keep that pesky Coyote at bay. Meep meep!

Comments

  1. Avatar Moparman Member

    Yes!! The only way this beauty could be MORE perfect would be to have the console mounted shifter! GLWTA!! :-)

    Like 3
    • Avatar Todd Allen

      That & a Buckskin & Tan metal finish on the interior & possibly a Buckskin Vinyl top

      Like 0
  2. Avatar Howie

    Only 8 hours left, seller has 20 other hot cars listed.

    Like 2
  3. Avatar George Mattar

    I had an FE5 70 hardtop in 1973 as a high school senior. Miss that hot rod. Had N96 and custom interior, Torqueflite and console. Sold it for $950 in 1974. Today, the hood is worth more.

    Like 0
  4. Avatar T. mANN

    The dealer fee charged, $599,

    GREED….

    Like 0
  5. Avatar Emel

    I guess the trunk stripe around the rear end, with the roadrunner decals must have come after 1970. Raced a few of these on the street.

    Like 0
  6. Avatar stanley j kwiecinski

    we owned a ton of MOPARs in our teen times. Alway’s wanted a 70 GTX; grabber. 6PAK. pistol grip. never ended up with one. i still look, but ain’t buying! chicago taxes? we would be living in it!

    Like 1
  7. Avatar Bwana

    Boring! How many of these do we have to see? Bring us something different and unexpected.

    Like 0
    • Avatar PRA4SNW

      Keep ’em coming!

      Bwana, if you want something different, help out and submit your finds and they may be featured.

      Like 0
    • Avatar karl

      Boring Road Runner ,said one person , ever….

      Like 0
  8. Avatar Howie

    Ended $30,400 reserve not met.

    Like 2

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