It would be hard for me to pick a favorite year model from the first-generation Plymouth Road Runner offerings, as all 3 are good choices and still in high demand. But I might have to give my nod to the ’70, probably since I owned one in the early eighties when a decent example could still be picked up for not much more than a thousand bucks. But how times have changed, and even project cars are exchanging hands for more than I ever imagined back when I sold mine for a mere $1,400 back in 1985. A case in point is this 1970 Plymouth Road Runner for sale here on eBay, which is going to need body work, floor mending, and interior attention. The B-Body is located in Satellite Beach, Florida, and it does look like some project seekers are taking note, as 22 bids have raised the price up to $6,300 so far.
Probably the best news here is under the hood, as the 383 motor has been rebuilt and things are looking to be in good order in the engine compartment. A fender tag is still present, and while it shows the car was originally equipped with the same size powerplant, this one is stated as a non-number-matching block. It’s also a factory 4-Speed car, although no word on whether or not that’s still the original component. There’s a 3-inch exhaust system and out back is an 8 3/4 rear end, so from a drivetrain standpoint, maybe there isn’t a whole lot left to do.
Unless you’ve got some unusually strong metal skills and a lot of patience, I’m guessing both of those quarter panels are going to need replacing, especially on the driver’s side, where it looks like a different door has already been installed. The front fenders and passenger side door may be salvageable. The car was originally EF8 Ivy Green Metallic, so the color hasn’t been changed, but this body has a long way to go before it’ll be ready for a respray. There is a fairly nice set of Cragars all the way around if you happen to like aftermarket wheels.
The interior isn’t a whole lot better, with quite a bit of the dash missing and what is still there not looking so good, plus there are no photos from the undercarriage either. But the seller mentions that the driver’s floor pan needs to be changed out, which does appear pretty ripe with rust, and the car also needs a new trunk pan, so who knows what else is lurking on the bottom. This one’s a bit too far gone to capture my interest, but if it gets into the right hands might be a decent project for somebody. What do you think?
well it looked decent from the passenger side anyway…
Mopar or no car they say.
In this case Stan. No car! Its a candidate for the Demo Derby. Can you recommend a good Detailer?
First thing first.. GET THAT BATTERY CABLE OFF THE HEADER!!! If that’s melts the electric system is going up in flames! Ok.. back to the Runner… It’s at $6,500 and this Runner needs plenty of work. It may go up to or near $10,000 and to me that’s the max on this. So you have a 383 rebuild but not matching to the Runner. Hopefully it has the stamp HP next to the distributor area. At least the seller was up front about the body needs. It has no back seat or wiper assembly. Dash looks like a mess etc etc. This one can be saved but at what cost? Find a donor Satellite and keep the cost down. Good luck to the next owner.. 🐻🇺🇸
I was stationed in Satellite Beach in the Air Force. In those days, rusted cars only 2 or 3 years were a common sight. If this car has been in that area since the 70’s, it is almost certainly a total rust bucket.
Well i guess removing the tag was to alllow quick transferable…why remove it? Consider it a mattress tag or um maybe for some questioning if it came with car.
I’ve seen worse mopar cars but this is a frame off restoration to ensure all rust is gone.
A four speed is cool though and a rebuilt engine too.
MoPars don’t have frames, so you cannot do a “frame-off restoration” on a MoPar.
Rebuilt engine but needs work runs and drives? That’s a pretty lame description imo.Who rebuilt it Mickey mouse? It should be purring like a kitten.A knowledgeable seller would tell you as well as supplying receipts saying that in the description imo.The ignition wires look like spaghetti as well as other under hood wiring a pet peeve of mine. Rot bucket money pit imo.And if I was to put big$ in a car it better be a #’s car for possible resale down the road for whatever reason as you never know what life will throw at you.imo.Glwts.
I asked seller “Is there stamp HP next to the distributor area?”
He replied “yes”.
No pistol grip!
I was looking at this and similar Mopars on eBay, and they all have one thing in common. They’re terminally overpriced rust buckets with rather nice wheels. Talk about putting lipstick on pigs!
Rot bucket!