Many enthusiasts place great stock in originality when searching for a classic to park in their garage. This 1970 Plymouth Road Runner deserves a close look if you fall into that category. The only non-original area is the retrimmed interior, with the paint, panels, and drivetrain all as it left the factory. Muscle cars of this caliber always attract attention, with this Plymouth garnering seventeen bids since the seller listed it here on eBay in Warners, New York. That action has pushed the price to $19,100, which falls below the reserve.
Plymouth returned to its muscle car roots when it introduced its First Generation Road Runner for the 1968 model year. Sticker prices for cars of this type had climbed during the 1960s, potentially putting them beyond the financial reach of those that manufacturers viewed as their target demographic. The Road Runner represented an affordable alternative, although Plymouth performed a master stroke when it handed Warner Brothers a then-significant $50,000 for the right to use its iconic Road Runner cartoon character to market its latest offering. Our featured Plymouth left the factory in 1970, and while the company offered some fairly bold paint shades, this car’s first owner selected subtle Burnt Tan Metallic. The seller became its custodian in 2023, rescuing it after it had spent over two decades hibernating while it was under the care of its first Californian owner. They state that the paint and every square inch of this classic’s steel is original, with no history of repairs or restoration. Unsurprisingly, the paint shows its age in a few spots, but this Road Runner remains very presentable if the buyer feels that it deserves preservation. Penetrating rust isn’t an issue, with surface corrosion on the inside of the trunk pan the worst of its problems. I would address this as a priority if I were the winning bidder before there is a chance for the situation to deteriorate. The original steel wheels and dog dish hubcaps add to the subtle impression, while the remaining trim and the glass are in good order.
One aspect of this Road Runner that isn’t original is the interior. The seller doesn’t mention its condition when they took delivery, but they have treated it to a retrim in period-correct materials and colors. The effect is dramatic, with the inside of this classic looking as fresh as when it left the factory. The car has only been in their possession for two years, meaning that there has been no time for it to show wear or other problems. It retains its factory AM radio as the only creature comfort.
As the entry-level powerplant, the 383ci V8 found in this Road Runner isn’t a bad place to start. The 1970 Sales Brochure quotes power and torque figures of 335hp and 425 ft/lbs, justifying this classic’s place in muscle car folklore. Shifting duties fall to a three-speed TorqueFlite transmission, with this beauty also featuring power assistance for the steering and brakes. The first piece of crucial news for potential buyers is that this Plymouth is numbers-matching. The seller treated the V8 and TorqueFlite to rebuilds as part of the revival process, and while they added an electronic ignition and an upgraded distributor, they retained the original components for those craving total authenticity. They say that the Road Runner drives exactly as it did in 1970, making it a turnkey proposition for the winning bidder.
This 1970 Plymouth Road Runner isn’t perfect, but that could be its greatest strength. It can be considered a genuine survivor that carries that badge proudly. Some readers may view it as a prime candidate for restoration, while others will feel that preservation is the most appropriate path to follow. The listing statistics suggest that this classic has hit a sweet spot with enthusiasts, and that the bidding may intensify as the auction end draws near. It will be fascinating to learn whether we have any Barn Finders who would consider making a play for this car, or whether they will join me as interested spectators to discover whether it will find a new home.
Love it. Great lines, the steel wheels. 383 has to be one of the best standard motors of all time. Bench seat and column Torq-flite mean the whole family 👪 can enjoy a cruise on the open road. And when Mom punches the go-pedal to pull out and pass, everybody smiles 😃
They were nothing more than a Satellite / Belvidere . Anyone wanting more than a taxi cab bought a GTX
The standard Road Runner interior trim (rubber floor mat, basic upholstery) was shared with the Belvedere. Spending a few bucks for the deluxe interior trim (color-keyed carpet, premium upholstery) upgraded a Road Runner to the Satellite interior trim. The GTX, of course, shared interior trim choices with the Sport Satellite.
The GTX also came standard with the 440…
In 1970 you could order the 440 engine upgrade in a Road Runner.
Charles, you could get a 440 Six Pack, but not the single 4bbl 440 Magnum in 1970. Just like 1969, the only 3 engines available for the Road Runner were the 383 4bbl, 440 Six Pack and 426 Hemi.
Steve R
Cheap, cheerful and fast dave 👍 🏁
I am having a cautious distrust of the paint !!!
That last shot of the rear sure doesn’t look like it
has “original paint”.It looks like two-tone Brown to me.
angliagt, that’s what I thought too, but I look at the roof and think its a shadow from a building or a tree. It’s what a Road Runner was supposed to be, no frills, haul ass car.I think its a good buy at 20K
Doesn’t make sense to restore this, looking very original, the paint on the rear quarter isn’t really an issue. Just a great car to drive around in on the weekends and keep.
I would add AC and posi unit. Then get the bird professional detail and enjoy driving it. Go to shows short trips. There are some people who would tear this down and get it professionally. Rebuilt. So it just sits in the garage and get trailer to shows. Naaaa Iike I said at the top and enjoy it. I notice the fender tag has a inspection tear away strip. When the inspector looks over his part on the bird he or she tear or remove that strip with the letter T and moves it along. That really cool that it was forgotten. I would love to have this bird. Good luck to the next owner. 🐻🇺🇸
Almost as close to the definition of muscle car as you can get. Two door grocery getter, packing high performance engine. Keep it clean, and drive the doors off it, like it was originally intended.
I agree with Joe S comments. The price is right and it is a sleeper 2 door. Better than the price of the 1970 cuda a few adds latter! This one appears to be rust free compared to most Mopars of these years. It’s a survivor!
Couldn’t have said it better Joe S. Peace !
That rust in the trunk is odd. How does it get back there? On a California car yet? But I have to say i like this Road Runner . Nice
The rubber trunk mats trapped moisture, even condensation would turn the trunk into a sauna in the afternoon sun. Chrysler and GM products from that era both suffered from the same problem.
Steve R
Roadrunners were very basic with a 383 and a funny horn. This is the good looking year. Do remember they rusted away pretty quickly in the rust belt. Like the color also, don’t remember seeing that one back in the day.
I just remembered.. back in my high school daze my friend parents brought him a beautiful 70 Riad Runner B5 blue black vinyl top 383 Auto on the column. With buckets seats. Never understood that combo. It was fun. Then the car disappeared for a while and ask him were is it? He said.. Away getting a refresh. It didn’t need one of well. Time went by and a saw it. Big Plymouth name in black on the quarter panels. Car jacked up in the rear with SS Crager wheels white lettering tires and rear factory spoiler on the trunk. The leaf springs had extensions on them. Ahhhh 🤦♂️🤦♂️ the cardinal sin on a mopar! We call it Day 2 look. But it was raked to high in the back for my taste. I remember he had to go get wheel alignments on it. Too many times. I seen many road runners On this app, that’s what triggered this memory, thanks ! And helping out this old man at 66!! 😂
No Sure-Grip…that is a shame. If this car had a 4-speed and a Sure-Grip, it would double in value. It would be the ultimate bare-bones Road Runner, at that point. I love the color. I do like it, though. Amazing how many muscle cars were not ordered with limited-slip. Nearly every Ford Torino Cobra had an open diff. Lots of Mopars, too. I tend to believe that people just didn’t know any better.
Sweet Road Runner!
Bench top racing. Which car would do the 1/4 mile faster? This Road Runner or this Nova, assuming both in good running shape? (I understand the Nova is not road worthy…yet!)
https://barnfinds.com/real-ss-1969-chevrolet-nova/
Taken notice as of late muscle cars with automatics note on the Colon have become more common most non sought for obvious reason on the Colon does not lend itself to the muscle car persona..
Auction ended on 8/8/2025 with a high bid of $24,400 which did not meet reserve.
Steve R