Some classics hint at stunning performance, but fail to live up to expectations. This 1970 Plymouth Road Runner won’t disappoint. Its engine bay houses a 440ci Six-Barrel V8 with power and torque to burn. It presents nicely following a restoration several years ago and is ready for action with a new owner behind the wheel. I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder Curvette for spotting this stunning Road Runner listed here on eBay in Salem, New Jersey, for $46,500 OBO.
Life is full of contradictions. While I sometimes lament getting older, I also wish I’d been born earlier so I could have appreciated the muscle car era as an adult. I can only imagine how exhilarating it would have been to walk into a dealership in 1970 and drive away in this Road Runner when it was shiny and new. Fifty-six years have passed since the first owner did that, and while time hasn’t stood still, it has treated this classic kindly. The seller bought the vehicle about ten years ago as a roller and refreshed it, smoothing the panels before applying fresh Rally Red paint and a contrasting Black vinyl top. They admit it is no longer pristine, but the overall presentation ticks the boxes for a high-end driver. There are no dings or dents, the vinyl is in as-new condition, and the underside shots help to confirm the car’s rust-free status. This Road Runner features an Air Grabber hood, with most of the correct air cleaner assembly included. The trim looks excellent, and the glass is clear.
The Road Runner meant business from the start, and even in its most conservative form, no one questioned its muscle car credentials. This beauty left the line equipped with the entry-level 383ci V8, producing a factory-quoted 335hp and 425 ft/lbs of torque. Of course, almost every muscle car owner craves more ponies, and this Plymouth delivers. Since the seller acquired it as a roller, their mechanical updates didn’t destroy an original survivor. The engine bay houses a professionally built and balanced 1970-coded 440ci HP V8. It features an upgraded camshaft, but its crowning glory is the correct aluminum Edelbrock intake and the Six-Barrel carburetor setup. This combination was available to 1970 Road Runner buyers, placing 390hp and 490 ft/lbs of torque at the driver’s disposal. The seller installed a four-speed manual transmission and a 4.56 Posi rear end in 2016, along with an aluminum radiator, air shocks, and a dual exhaust using the original manifolds. Add power steering and power front disc brakes, and you have a complete package. The seller has clocked only around 150 miles since the build ended and says this beauty runs and drives exceptionally well.
The refurbishment included a complete retrim, and its lack of use since then makes it seemingly impossible to fault. The upholstered surfaces and carpet are wear-free, while the dash and pad are spotless. The only visible aftermarket addition is a Sunpro Super Tach II, though I question why it was needed, since this Road Runner features the desirable Tick-Tock-Tach. The buyer also gets a sports wheel, a pistol-grip shifter, and a factory AM radio/8-track player.
While some enthusiasts focus on original, unmolested classics, others will compromise for something special. This 1970 Plymouth Road Runner isn’t numbers-matching, but the V8 under the hood likely makes up for it. The factory 383 would have been fast. This motor is simply faster. The listing statistics confirm that this Road Runner has generated considerable interest. Since the BIN figure looks realistic, I won’t be surprised if it finds a new home fairly quickly. If you’ve long wanted a classic muscle car, could this Plymouth be a contender?
Based only on pics, this looks quite attractive. I’m not sure the aluminum 6 barrel manifold is correct as I recall Edelbrock was having trouble keeping up with production early in 1970 and they moved to cast iron because of it. Am I correct? But who cares given this is NOM anyway and the aluminum version weighs a lot less. Of more importance is whether the body reinforcements were upgraded like factory to handle the additional torque of that tweaked 440-6.
With the 4.56 rear end and no 5 or 6 speed overdrive tranny, this is a car for local driving only. I suspect the Sunpro Tac was added because the original tac won’t work with electronic ignition. You can get a conversion kit, but you have to pull part of the dash and the instrument cluster to put it in. I did just that to my 70 AAR cuda.
I think it was actually the other way around @JohnfromSC. The way I remember it, Chrysler outsourced the original 440 six barrel and six pack manifolds to Edelbrock because they initially lacked foundry capacity. The Edelbrock intakes were aluminum until ’70 when Chrysler moved to inhouse production of cast iron manifolds. So technically, the aluminum is not correct on a ’70 motor. But I agree it’s the better option. Especially in a case like this where the motor is not NOM.
P.S. I’m already jealous of anyone who owns an AAR or T/A. But I think any car with Tic Toc Tach deserves to have it working.
Yep….this is a okay restoration and I would be pproud to drive at the ask. Good orginal ones go for a little more and with # matching – they go for a lot more. Should sale pretty quick…..he has an offer on it…
You are correct. In early 1970 Chrysler started casting their own 6 Barrel/Pack
intakes. So ion 70 it is kind of a toss up.
Looks like someone did a poor job of running lines under the car and the under car shots show rust under the body. Did not see the original air cleaner in any of the pictures either. Not a bad looking car, but looks like it would need a good looking over before you buy. It could become a money pit before you know it.
Hard not to spin those tires off with this setup. 🏁 🔥 💨
i have bought a few cars from cars from this seller bill. really nice guy honest and trustworthy. his work is of a good quality and has been doing it for years. i never saw this car in person but i am sure it everything that bill said it is in his listing.
Based on the photos, the seller’s claim that “This Road Runner features an Air Grabber hood, with most of the correct air cleaner assembly included.” is ludicrous, unless it’s in the trunk somewhere. The Air Grabber hood may be on the car, but the essential parts — the oval factory air cleaner assembly, which is the only thing that the Air Grabber will seal to, and work properly with — is not visibly present.
No biggie…..more of those air cleaners around than the cars – also aftermarket has some…..heck I just sold one I’ve had for some 45yrs hanging on the wall….sold my 6 pak stuff awhile back….wait….I think I have some carbs….
I just did the same thing a few years ago, mine was for the single 4 barrel air cleaner for the 440 and I had it for 40 plus years, got 600 bucks for it. I had no use for it, but had thought about keeping it, but was worth too much to keep it. Mine was also hanging on the wall.