This 1970 Plymouth Road Runner provides enthusiasts with the best of both worlds. It runs and drives exceptionally well, and the seller includes most of the steel required to return the car to a rust-free state during its cosmetic restoration. Sure, there’ll be plenty of work for the new owner, but anyone handy with a welder should be able to tackle it relatively easily. I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder Curvette for spotting the Plymouth listed here on eBay in New York Mills, New York. The seller set their BIN at $16,900 OBO.
Plymouth’s First Generation Road Runner graced showroom floors from 1968 until 1970. It proved a sales hit during its first two years, although volumes dropped substantially by the time this Road Runner rolled off the line in 1970. It is a genuine mystery machine, with its exterior cloaked in Gray primer. I have scoured the listing images, but have no idea what paint shade it originally wore. An in-person inspection will undoubtedly reveal the truth, either via the Fender Tag or unmolested paint in some isolated spot. There is no way to sugar-coat this, because this Plymouth has fallen foul of the rust issues that plague these classics. However, it isn’t all gloom and doom. The seller includes a significant collection of new steel, and while it won’t completely eliminate the problems, it will make a huge difference. The replacement parts include a complete floor pan, one rear quarter panel, rockers, frame rails, and a crossmember. That will dramatically shorten the new owner’s shopping list, representing an excellent starting point for this restoration. The trim and glass are in good condition, and the Road Runner rolls on a shiny set of Magnum 500 wheels.
Frustratingly, the seller supplies no engine bay photos. However, I did manage to screenshot the above image from this YouTube video linked to the listing. They do confirm that this Road Runner is numbers-matching. Plymouth quoted power and torque figures of 335hp and 425 ft/lbs for the 383ci V8 hiding under this classic’s hood. The car sends its power to the rear wheels via a four-speed manual transmission, and while it has power steering, the brakes are unassisted. The video seems to support the seller’s claim that this Road Runner is in good mechanical condition. The V8 sounds sweet and tough, and the Plymouth is said to run and drive extremely well.
This Road Runner’s interior requires almost as much love as its exterior. A total retrim would seem the only solution, as so many components require replacement that buying each item individually will potentially cost more than a complete kit. I’m unsure what the story is with the gauges, but these might also require restoration or replacement. On the positive side, the dash and pad look salvageable, and this interior will undoubtedly score points for its pistol grip shifter and factory radio/8-track player.
Okay, I admit that returning this 1970 Plymouth to its former glory will take time, but at least the seller has provided its new owner with a starting point. The fact that it has no mechanical needs is a bonus, further enhanced by the Plymouth’s numbers-matching status. This classic won’t appeal to everyone, but I can’t think of a vehicle that could pull it off. If you have an iconic muscle car project on your Wish List, could this Road Runner be a contender? It is worth noting that the listing indicates that the seller is fielding one active offer. Therefore, you may have to fight to take this Plymouth home.
This is the car the kid traded in on the Cordoba,, :) In the late 70s, you literally couldn’t give these away. By the time the Cordoba became appealing, these were pretty shot. Sometimes the 3rd or 4th owner, tried their darndest to kill it to no avail. What DID eventually kill them, was rust, or that oak tree like on the convertible post. Lot of money for a rusty car, I suppose it is driveable, a big plus over the “Fred Flintstone” ones that come through here for the same money. Perhaps that’s my disadvantage to all this, is my memories of these clunkers could be had for $500, tops. Obviously, the sellers are “banking” on us old farts, that know better, are gone by now.
Sold, 12/22/2025.
Steve R
Yikes. It appears to be almost complete, but the lumpy body work and supply of metal that comes with it should scare anybody but a seasoned Mopar restorer. If you like welding and doing high end body work for free, the buyer might not lose too much actual cash.
The 65 Belvedere that I restored (with lost of subcontractor help) 20 years ago had one tenth of the problems this one has . . . . and it cost me the better part of $30K. But it was a solid car that I owned and put a couple thousand hours of my labor into finishing it. It was a car that I’d had for 20 years and never got around to doing it right. So I’m glad that I did it, but I knew going in that it was a money loser at the time.
Good luck to whoever bought it, I can tell you from experience that they’re going to need a lot it.