• Seller: Steve H olt (Contact)
• Location: Borger, Texas
• Mileage: 8,161 Shown
• Chassis #: RM23N0G101495
• Title Status: Clean
• Engine: 383 V8
• Transmission: 4-Speed Manual

By 1970, the American muscle car trend was reaching the end of the road. Manufacturers knew that tougher emission and safety regulations were just around the corner, while insurance companies also made life tough. It was against this backdrop that this 1970 Plymouth Road Runner rolled off the line. The owner has been its custodian for twenty-five years, treating this classic to a meticulous restoration in 2006. The quality of the work is confirmed by the fact that the car still presents beautifully nearly two decades later. Having had his fun with this iconic muscle car, he has decided to send the Plymouth to a new home by listing it exclusively with us at Barn Finds Auctions.

Plymouth offered 1970 Road Runner buyers some pretty subtle and restrained paint shades, but the Lemon Twist cloaking this car’s exterior is about as extrovert as it gets. It is also the original shade that this car wore when it left the factory. The 2006 restoration was meticulous, with the Road Runner dismantled to the last nut and bolt before the body was sent for soda blasting. This revealed virtually no rust, and any that was present has been replaced with fresh steel. However, the fact that this car retains over 95% of its original metal is a graphic demonstration of how sound the foundations for this restoration were. Once the panels were massaged, fresh Lemon Twist was applied, with the stripes added in the correct shade of Black. This Plymouth has been garage-kept since that day, which means that it is as rust-free as it was when the tools were packed away for the final time. It is worth scrolling through the image gallery, because you will not only gain a sense of what this car offers, but there are a few shots taken during the build process. The trim and glass are as spotless as you would expect from a car of this caliber, and the American Racing Torq Thrust wheels add the ideal finishing touch.

Plymouth offered the 383ci V8 as the Road Runner’s entry-level engine in 1970. With 335hp and 425 ft/lbs of torque at the driver’s disposal, it was an impressive starting point that cemented the badge’s muscle car credentials. The 383 in this classic is teamed with a four-speed manual transmission and a 3.55 Sure Grip rear end. The journey down the ¼-mile will take 14.7 seconds, which remains a healthy figure fifty-five years after this Road Runner left the showroom floor. The first important point to note about this car is that it retains its numbers-matching engine. It was treated to a rebuild during the restoration, receiving new valves, valve seats, a Howard cam, Harland Sharp roller rockers, a Quick Fuel carburetor, a dual exhaust with an H-Pipe, and an MSD ignition. Those upgrades will undoubtedly have released additional powers, making it a good thing that the transmission and rear end were both rebuilt. A Centerforce clutch helps to feed the power to the four-speed, while the list of new parts also includes a fuel tank and lines that were upgraded with a fuel return system. The brakes were converted to power front discs, the front end was rebuilt with neoprene bushes and Flaming River quick-ratio steering. Rounding out the package are new rear leaf springs. That is a comprehensive list that ensures that this Road Runner runs and drives better than it did when new. Potential buyers should consider it a turnkey proposition that will provide the winning bidder with a rapid classic motoring experience.

No aspect of this Road Runner escaped the owner’s attention during the restoration, with the interior receiving a retrim in the correct Black and White vinyl. It still looks spectacular, an impression heightened by the spotless faux timber and the purposeful Pistol Grip shifter. The work wasn’t merely cosmetic, with a new wiring harness installed to eliminate potential electrical gremlins and ensure that everything works as it should. It isn’t loaded with luxury appointments, but the sports wheel, Rally gauges, Tick-Tock-Tach, and factory radio help to increase the car’s desirability and confirm its focus on outright performance.

Some cars blend into the background, barely creating a stir as they pass you on the street. There are no dangers of that happening with this 1970 Plymouth Road Runner. Its vibrant paint shade will turn heads, while its condition will undoubtedly draw admiring crowds. With so many manufacturers now focused on zero-emission vehicle technology, it is becoming critical that classics like this are preserved. Otherwise, future generations of enthusiasts will have no clear insight into what they missed when the muscle car era was at its peak. It is fine to read about these cars in books, but seeing one in the flesh is an unbeatable experience. The owner has done a wonderful job of returning this Road Runner to its best. All it needs is an enthusiast to continue treating it with the respect it deserves. That person could be you. All you need to do is be the winning bidder. I will understand if you find that concept irresistible.

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