This 1970 Plymouth Road Runner Convertible is a rare factory four-speed example finished in Limelight green with a white top and black interior, and it’s now listed for sale as a non-running project. Plymouth built just 658 Road Runner convertibles in 1970, and only 179 were equipped with the heavy-duty four-speed manual transmission, making this one of the most desirable configurations for Mopar enthusiasts. The car retains its original 383ci V8 but is currently disassembled, with the engine, transmission, and K-member removed in preparation for frame and floor repairs. Listed here on ebay, the seller notes significant rust in the frame rails and floor pans but includes replacement rails from another car. While this one will need extensive restoration, its rare color combination and original drivetrain make it an appealing candidate for a serious Mopar collector.
Finished in the high-impact FJ5 Limelight (sometimes called Sublime), this convertible exemplifies Plymouth’s “in-your-face” muscle car styling of the era. The contrasting white convertible top and black interior give it a striking, period-correct look. While the seller doesn’t know how many were produced in this specific color combination, it’s certainly among the rarer options.
The body appears complete but will need attention. The seller discloses that the passenger-side quarter panel has a dent from being towed into a storage unit, though they describe it as minor. The car has been in storage for several years, and the photos provided were taken the day it was placed there. The interior is reportedly complete and intact, which is a plus for anyone taking on the restoration.
The biggest challenge here is structural. The seller makes no secret of the fact that the frame rails and floor pans are rusty, though replacement rails are included. The engine is the original 383 four-barrel, but the transmission is a non-matching-numbers unit. According to the listing, the drivetrain and K-member were removed to begin the repair process. The car currently sits on a jig with front-wheel skates, and the seller is willing to reinstall the drivetrain for shipping after full payment, though it will remain non-running.
For Mopar enthusiasts, the rarity of a 1970 Road Runner Convertible with a four-speed manual makes this project worth considering despite the work ahead. Restored examples bring strong money at auction, and the factory high-impact color only adds to the appeal. Would you take on the challenge of bringing this rare ragtop back to life, or would you hold out for a running, driving example?
Love how the pics in the article are all on the hook 🪝 lol 👍
It would be to the sellers advantage to mention if it’s a bench seat 4 spd or a bucket seat car. Cause if it’s a bench seat it makes it even more rare. Gonna need a lot of work though. Glwts and peace!
Plymouth called it Limelight, Dodge called it Sublime.
buy it now for $48,000.00 and only 5 pictures on the listing LMAO
Incredibly rare and desirable, great color combination, 4spd transmission, yet only 5 pictures taken several years ago. This is the sort of car that people will overlook a multitude of problems, at least put in the work if you want to get paid.
Steve R
It will be a stunner when restored. It is sure nice when the fender tag is decoded.
“Passenger side quarter panel has a dent from the tow driver hitting the storage unit, nothing major.”
I bet there were some words exchanged…
Limelight is a relatively rare color primarily because of the spring introduction of FJ6 Sassy Grass Green, which while similar, most found more attractive than Limelight — enough so that Sassy Grass made the cut for ’71, but Limelight did not.
This is a remarkably lightly equipped Road Runner convertible. It’s not even a sure bet that it came equipped with Rally Wheels like the one present on the left rear. That one isn’t likely original to this car, given that it has a dark argent center cap from a ’71. It may well have had wheel covers or even poverty caps (which were more rare than people know today, thanks to the collector car auctions convincing people that they were a common muscle car era look). Wheel options didn’t appear on the fender tags, so unless there’s a build sheet lurking somewhere in this car, there’s no way to know.
Elizabeth, Plymouth built 824 1970 RR convertibles. You are correct that only 179 had the 383 and the A833 (4 spd) driveline configuration. I own one of them.
I can’t get over the prices people put on these cars…No one in their right mind would pay anything close to the 48 grand to actually start this adventure. Even if you were going to do ALL the work with your own hands.
Drop it off at Graveyard Cars, mortgage your house, and come back in 18 months.
Am I the only one who saw the Ebay pics showing the frame rust?
Scary…especially at this price.