On the surface, the initial response might be, “Oh look, yet another 1970 Plymouth Road Runner!” Not exactly an attention-getter, unless of course, there is something a bit out of the ordinary, and in this case, there is. According to Hemmings statistics, this Road Runner is one of only 824 convertibles produced in ’70 and that’s out of a total run of approximately 43K cars – just 1.9%! This is definitely one to review! This Road Runner is located in Van Buren, Michigan and is available, here on Facebook Marketplace for $35,000.
Unfortunately, the listing for this rarity is scoped out in typical Facebook Marketplace brevity – there is virtually no information or details describing it. So it’s claimed to be a barn find and has the dust to prove that it has been sitting somewhere for an extended period of time. The body appears to be straight and rust-free, and best of all, there is no sign of a B-body’s nemesis, rust! The code EB5, as verified by the trim tag, Blue Fire Metallic finish has held up well but it may or may not be original. The black convertible looks recent, hopefully, it has an actual plastic or glass rear window and not just an opening. Rounding out the exterior are period correct Cragar S/S wheels.
Under the black-striped hood is a 335 gross HP, 383 CI V8 engine, connected to a four-speed manual transmission. The good news is that this Road Runner is equipped with the optional “Air Grabber” hood. The bad news is that the engine portion of it is missing. Curiously, the trim tag doesn’t display what was technically called “Fresh Air Option” code N96. How’s it run? (Or does it?) No word – and the engine image isn’t comprehensive enough to give one an idea of what else may be missing.
The interior is a bit funky looking, the upholstery appears to be more fitting for a boat than a car. It’s odd in that the door panels and seat upholstery, with their white piping, match but the carpet is a contrasting gray. Perhaps the upholstery/door panels are a later custom job? Another surprise is the lack of a center console and a black steering wheel, which is present in an otherwise sea of blue.
At first blush, the asking price does not seem out of line for a rare ’70 Road Runner convertible with a four-speed manual transmission and Air Grabber hood. And the overall condition, other than the unusual interior, appears to be quite sound. Maybe a car such as this will sell itself but a more comprehensive and detailed listing would certainly help the cause, wouldn’t you agree?
Is this a convertible with “mod top” interior? If so super duper rare! What does Galen have to say? I want this car. Alas, COVID19 depleted my bank account. Oh, well.
No, it is definitely not.
sure does look like a mod top interior.
Samascott Farms in NY state??
Yes, the orchards Samascotts are cousins. I am in upstate NY , as well.
No sir, it is most definitely not.
Not a ragtop guy, but I love it/want it!
“Mod” upholstery was more colorful and had a more defined pattern. That, and it was only available on Challenger and Barracuda in 1970.
As for the Air Grabber, without that N96 on the build tag, nobody will ever accept it as factory equipment.
Good day CC Fisher Im not a web basher or to say anyone is incorrect but if I don’t have the correct info please give me the correct info the mod Top was a vinel (however it’s spelled) option on slot of Chrysler cars 69-70 not convertible and no interior went with ithttps://www.bentonvillecdjr.com/the-mod-squad-history-of-the-rare-mod-top-mopar-muscle-cars/ here’s a link with some info have a great day
It has been on FBMP for 19 weeks…betcha more than a few people have inspected it and passed…I would bet my eyeteeth that it is loaded with bondo…that, combined with the wrong hood, shifter, and other stuff, it is not worth the price of admission…IMHO…
You are absolutely correct. That shifter is hilarious. Looks like it’s out of a Camaro, lol.
1970 Mod Top was Cuda & Barracuda only in blue or yellow and only a few dozen were ordered.
https://nihilistnotes.blogspot.com/search?q=groovy
Father Time has seemingly wisped away some of the less convenient aspects of that time period. The Mod Top would have been considered an obnoxious corporate adaptation of a symbol of the hippie movement. People would have looked at you like you were a complete poser driving around with that tacky thing glued to the top of your brand new gas guzzling V-8 car. So it’s no wonder few were sold.
Price was dropped from 55K to 35K
IF this was an original Air-grabber car, and didn’t look like some serious body work had already been performed, I’d say that it’s “In the ballpark”
As is, not quite…
That body has more waves than a hot tub and I bet there’s not enough metal left to stick a magnet to. This is basically a Bondo-filled flying brick.
I wasn’t sure this was a real barn find,
until I saw the first picture.
Didn’t you know any car with dust on it is a barn find! Silly.
lol!!!
I come here for the vibe of the connisseur, but this info on “mod” upholstery has blown me away. Thank you CC and ACB. Your dive into flower power and nihilism has sent my weekend into the ether.
Friend of mine had the same color car back in the 70s, I called it the blue wave, those quarters are loaded w Bondo, might need a new weight tag
I had a 70 FE5 RR with N96 in 1973. By 1974, rust was eating away on tops of front fenders. These cars were made like today’s China junk. Junk then. Certainly junk today.
George,
Someone peed in your Wheaties again today, huh?
Definitely some Bondo, mediocre paint, a really bad job on the interior, and that shifter? Geez… It is a convertible, 4-speed Road Runner, though. St. Louis built car. As such it would, most definitely, have the N96 on the fender tag if it were an original A/G car. It is not. The hood is worth money though…lots of money. As it sits, it’s probably worth about 25K+/- in today’s market. The seller is not far off on his (revised) asking price. At least it’s a good place to start.
Can anyone Of you find another 1970 convertible 4 speed? They’re not a dime a dozen. Hard to find.
That shifter, looks like a JC Whitney original NASCAR edition shifter, impressive looking, no?