The Plymouth Road Runner was one of the most successful of the 1960s mid-size muscle cars. Perhaps only the Pontiac GTO eclipsed it in terms of demand. First-generation (1968-70) production exceeded 172,000 copies, not bad for a car that didn’t exist three years prior. This ’70 Road Runner is original in terms of paint color (Limelight, a “Hi-Impact” selection) but not in terms of its key mechanical bits (though period correct). Located in Hammonton, New Jersey, this Mopar and all its trophies are available here on eBay where the no-reserve auction stands at $40,300.
This “Bird” is the RM21 pillared coupe, which saw upwards of 16,000 units leave the assembly line in 1970. The seller has detailed every code on the cowl tag to confirm how the car left the factory 53 years ago. It had a 383 cubic inch V8 (335) hp, but a 375 hp 440 resides there now (from 1968). It also has a 4-speed manual, with this one circa 1969 using a Pistol Grip shifter from the year Plymouth was born. The Road Runner (“Beep Beep”, ya’ll!) also has long tube headers and a Flow Master exhaust. We assume this package will do a nice job of scorching the Earth!
We assume the FJ5 Limelight paint is a redo and appears to have been well done. It’s flanked by a black vinyl deluxe interior (code X9). If this car ever had any rust, there’s no sign of it now. The seller has gone with plain black steel wheels with dog dish hub caps, but a full set of Rallye wheels and tires will go in the trunk for the buyer to do as he/she wishes. Driving this car will take a bit of effort for those used to power accessories as both the steering and brakes are manual.
Two mileage readings are provided, 53,000 and 15,000 with perhaps the latter indicating how much ground has been covered since all the work was done. The seller is moving and won’t have room for the Mopar in his/her new digs, which now provides an opportunity for another fan of these magnificent machines. Though it has gone way past that now, the starting bid was set at $3,501, the car’s original MSRP amount (cool beans!).
The seller is going to have to install a set of air shocks to support the weight of all of those trophies on the trunk lid!
Nice and worth a bid. Rust free at the Salt Flats of the Northeast. The vehicle had to be from another part of the USA originally, or was lucky to survive winter in a garage every year. Pics of the underside would be nice.
Nice sharp looking Mopar! I wouldn’t mind owning it! This is a true muscle car.. Pistol grip 4-speed, manual steering and brakes! Going to need muscle 💪 to drive it! 😂. .. ok.. Any true Mopar people know air shocks are used for towing. If the back is sagging you re-arc the springs or add leafs to it . Then the back will sit just right. No shackles or air shocks on Mopars!!! There is 4 days to go so I won’t be surprised if this goes over $50,000. This is a trophy roadrunner. I been to good shows where they look underneath to see how it looks. So I doubt they is any rust. Good luck to the next owner. 🐻🇺🇸
Am I the only one who rolls their eyes when they see stuffed animals on cars, or little stuffed crying kids leaning against the bumper, or matching plastic models sitting on the air cleaner?
There are quite a few details and a couple of big things that need to be tended to or re-done altogether on this ‘trophy winner’ to get it to anything approaching a #1 car. As it is, it’s driver quality imho.
I totally agree with regards to the stuffed animals!?? Where did that ridiculous trend ever start?
I also agree with some of the details of this car needing addressed to really make it “correct.” But as it’s sits it looks like a great driver
It started back in the 50’s with the females at Hot Rod car shows. I agree it is time to drop that idea.
And then there’s that hideous paint color and fonky trunk-wing thing.
All it needs is a pair of foam dice hanging from the rearview mirror to complete the jackass look.
Beautiful Road Runner! It sold so well, because at the time it was the fastest car one could get for the money
Manual steering? Oh yes, Mopars PS is the absolute worst. Manual breaks, are you kidding me? The hard tops were so much more beautiful. The stupid spoiler was an idiot move in a car like this, made no sense at all except for looks, but of course, it looks hideous. Finally, the color is childish. A nice solid classic color would make this car shine, plus, loose the idiotic dime store caps and get some real wheels on this. This idea of 100% factory as whats on the build sheet is stupidity. If investment is the key here versus actual pleasure, then what you say is true. Though if a car that will make you smile is more up your alley, then at least do the wheels and if money were no object, store the big block and make a nice small block for optimal handling, plus put in modern brakes and suspension pieces.