440 V8 Swap: 1970 Plymouth Road Runner

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The Road Runner was born in 1968, Plymouth’s version of a mid-size budget muscle car. It sold like hotcakes in its first three years, though sales tapered off in 1970 as the same body and styling were still in play. A 383 cubic inch V8 engine was standard fare and this ’70 edition was built with one paired with a 4-speed manual. But now a 440 V8 and automatic transmission live under the hood in a very overall presentable muscle car.

Styling was refreshed in 1970 (in advance of a full redesign in 1971). The grillwork and taillights were the most noticeable changes to the feisty car with the gimmicky graphics and cartoon horn (Meep Meep!). As the story goes, Chrysler paid Warner Brothers $50,000 to license the likenesses of the RR and Coyote and another $10,000 to develop that distinctive horn sound. Plymouth dealers delivered about 175,000 of the first-generation Road Runners.

This 1970 Road Runner looks like a daily driver. The body and paint are quite presentable with little to no rust, but it won’t win any beauty contests. The machine has nearly 140,000 miles on it, yet the interior looks mostly original and is largely okay (the console looks a bit homemade, perhaps added when the 4-speed shifter was replaced with an automatic).

We’re told this Plymouth runs and sounds great. It sports new tires, shocks, headers, and exhaust. The hood reflects the N96 Air Grabber option which is also indicated on the cowl tag. A disc brake conversion kit comes with the deal for the buyer to install. Located in Holly, Colorado, this beefed-up Mopar is available here on eBay. The current bid is $20,400, the reserve is unmet, and the “take it home now” price is $45,000. It looks ready to outrun a coyote any day!

Auctions Ending Soon

Comments

  1. Mike Wismer

    Where’s the 4spd I’d reinstall it and take the wood box hiding the 4spd jump. The engine is painted corporate blue used on 1972 and newer color. If it’s a72 motor horsepower was down.

    Like 2
  2. Mike Wismer

    Wood box covering 4spd hump. 1972 440cid was rated with 225hp

    Like 1
  3. Big Bear 🇺🇸

    They want $45,000 BIN price!!! FF4 paint code is Lime Green. Does that look like Lime Green???! And the 440 is a regular 440 not the HP Hemi orange 440 with 375 horsepower. The corporate blue we called them boat anchor back in the day!😂 I noticed the rear seat is black. The home made center console why? It does have a automatic brake pedal. So it’s not a 3 pedal ride. Ok the price is high it should be 25,000 to 30,000 dollars. It’s a nice road runner but ??? 🐻🇺🇸

    Like 3

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