Many enthusiasts believe that muscle cars reached the literal and metaphorical peak of their power in 1970. Like Superman and kryptonite, tighter emission regulations would eventually reduce these cars to shadows of their former selves, explaining why classics like this 1970 Plymouth Road Runner attract so much attention. It doesn’t just present beautifully, because lifting its hood reveals its mighty 440ci Six-Pack V8. It appears to need nothing, and I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder Curvette for spotting this potent Plymouth listed here on eBay in Celeste, Texas. Cars of this caliber are rarely cheap, with the seller setting their price at $89,500 for this magnificent Road Runner.
Plymouth launched the First Generation Road Runner in 1968, catching the crest of the muscle car wave with a vehicle considered an affordable option to the more expensive GTX and the Pontiac GTO. This generation remained on sale until 1970, with our feature car rolling off the line during that year. There is no way that we can describe it as a shrinking violet, because its Lemon Twist paint is about as bold as it gets in the automotive world. Its presentation is seemingly impossible to fault, with the paint shining beautifully, and the original factory panels as straight as an arrow. The seller’s image gallery includes several underside shots, and while the floors and rails aren’t as pristine as the exterior, they confirm the car’s rust-free status. This Road Runner features the desirable Air Grabber hood and rolls on wide steelies fitted with dog dish hubcaps and narrow whitewalls. The trim is spotless, and there are no visible issues with the glass.
Enthusiasts consider a Road Runner with a Hemi under the hood to be the most desirable, but there were excellent alternatives that cost considerably less. Decoding the VIN and reviewing the Broadcast Sheet confirms that the first owner ordered this 1970 example with the 440ci Six-Pack V8, a three-speed A-727 TorqueFlite transmission, and power steering. Plymouth’s 1970 Sales Brochure quotes power and torque figures of 390hp and 490 ft/lbs, which feed to the road via a Dana 60 rear end. That is a recipe for rapid motoring, allowing this Road Runner to convert its tires into smoke effortlessly. The seller confirms that although the vehicle doesn’t feature its number-matching V8, the 440 under the hood is date-correct. While not stated specifically, it appears this Plymouth is a turnkey proposition with no mechanical needs or shortcomings.
Surveying this classic’s interior confirms Plymouth’s focus on affordability with the Road Runner. It features a bench seat, no console, air conditioning, or power accessories. However, the dash houses a pushbutton radio, and the gauge cluster features a Tick-Tock-Tach. The overall presentation is impressive, with no wear or issues with the Black vinyl trim or carpet. The dash and pad are excellent, and there is no appreciable wheel wear. If I were to mark the interior harshly, I would identify the slightly odd fit of the headliner on the rear sail panels as a fault requiring attention. However, it appears to be an installation fault that the buyer could address in their garage without spending a dime.
While some readers may be disappointed that this 1970 Plymouth Road Runner isn’t numbers-matching, others won’t see that as an issue. They will view this classic as a genuine muscle car that would look right at home parked in their garage. The paint shade ensures it turns heads wherever it goes, because Lemon Twist owes nothing to subtlety. The seller’s price sits at the top end of the market, a key consideration given that values have softened during the past year. We can only speculate whether they will rebound, but if they do, landing this classic today could be a canny move. Is that a risk you would consider taking? Or, would you consider purchasing this Road Runner purely for the wonderful ownership experience it promises?
I’m not a fan of steelies and dog dish caps, so I’d have to slap a set of Magnums on this “Screaming Yellow Zonkers” Road Runner; the bench seat and column shift I could live with, I’d just let the Lemon Twist outside and the Six Pack under the hood do all the talking! GLWTA!! :-)
Yessir Moparman, except I love steel wheels.💁♂️ The 440 and Torq-flite are a great combo on the streets.🚥🏁
Love these cars. Look good from every angle to me. This one sounds great in the video. 👍
Be one heck of a taxi ride. I couldn’t find the number of “Lemon Twist” RoadRunners were made in 1970, I never saw one. One of the 10 “High Impact” colors for 1970. Certain colors just weren’t popular, yellow/taxi, black and white/police car, red/fire chief, but this person didn’t think that way, apparently. This was an awesome machine. Naturally, performance was it’s specialty. It could do 0-60 in 5.8 sec, and the 1/4 mile in just under 14 sec, and about 100mph,,,4 speed a tick faster, spinning the tires the whole way, I’m sure., well worth the price. This cars base price was right around $3grand, but the 440/6pack and automatic, closer to $4grand. Even still, this car was actually a bit faster than the hemi, and cheaper too. It’s a heck of a car, I just can’t get past the color. In a rare shift of opinions, I’d have to think this car would be more desirable WITH a 4 speed,,,that’s right, you read right, I’m not a total loss.
Oh, one more thing,,,no not the price, who cares, but 390hp? Maybe with 1 carb disconnected, these were well over 400 HP.
This is one fine car. AF Lt who worked for me had one identical to this one and it really cooked. Had the dog dish covers and all.
Really nice bird! Makes me want my 69 back 😫 numbers matching doesn’t matter to me. Honestly I guess it’s a big deal if your buying cars like this for investment but if your buying for fun, pride and the joy of cruising around and showing it off at cruise ins who really cares if it has original this or that. Two different types people look at these cars. Those of us who love and enjoy them and the people who buy them to sell. That car has obviously been previously loved! I hope it’s bought to love and enjoy. I want my 69 back 😫
The whitewalls are hideous.
The Road runner may have been launched with affordability in mind but at nearly ninety grand my eyes are watering. I thought the 440 was GTX only territory? Splitting hairs, this is one fine automobile. Not sure about the yellow though, it would look better on a ‘Cuda.
440-6 became available in ‘69 with the A12 option on the roadrunner and superbee. In 70 it was an option on all the high performance mopars except the A body (darts and such).
At least you can find it in the parking lot.
Suddenly it’s 1970. My mouth is watering and it’s not just the lemon yellow 💛
This is a nice looking car. The problem is, it’s listed by the Texas dealer featured countless times on this site which has a history of listing worn out projects at eye watering prices. Maybe it’s the cynic in me, but I have a feeling there is something not right not visible in the pictures somewhere on this car.
Steve R