Finding a classic car with five decades under its belt that doesn’t require hundreds of hours and thousands of dollars to address rust issues is the dream of most enthusiasts. That is what is on offer with this 1970 Plymouth Road Runner. It is a solid and largely original classic that will leave its next owner with some choices. Should they treat it to a light restoration or retain it as a proud survivor. Let’s take a look and assess the best path if it found its way into your garage. The Road Runner is listed here on eBay in Warners, New York. Bidding has raced to $27,250, which is short of the reserve.
The seller indicates that this Plymouth only recently found its way to its current location. It spent its life in California, which is an enormous bonus when considering the question of rust. They state there is some in the trunk pan, although they supply no photos that allow us to assess the extent of the problem. Otherwise, the car remains rust-free and rock-solid. Its Burnt Tan Metallic paint exhibits the type of deterioration we might expect following exposure to harsh UV rays, but it remains presentable and holds a decent shine. There is evidence of a color mismatch on the passenger side rear quarter panel that may indicate previous repair work. Otherwise, the panels are straight, and the gaps are consistent. The chrome is in good condition for its age, with no signs of missing pieces. The glass is flawless, while the steel wheels and dog dish hubcaps make this Plymouth a genuine sleeper.
The seller describes this Road Runner as 95% original, and I suspect that the changes representing the remaining 5% may have occurred inside this classic. The seats wear newer covers, while there is also a new carpet set and an aftermarket radio/cassette player. It is tidy but has a few shortcomings that the next owner may decide to address. The dash pad is badly cracked and is beyond repair. Replacements retail for around $500, and a new headliner to replace the torn original adds $200 to the total. A few smaller pieces are missing or damaged, and only an in-person inspection will determine which of these parts the buyer could salvage. However, returning the interior to its original glory will not cost a fortune and could represent a sound investment in a car of this caliber.
Plymouth produced 14,057 examples of the Road Runner Coupe equipped with a 383ci V8 in 1970. Of those, 6,888 buyers backed that motor with the three-speed TorqueFlite transmission. This is one of those cars, with the original owner also selecting power steering and power front disc brakes. This car would have been the least potent within the Road Runner range that year, although, with a ¼-mile ET of 14.7 seconds, it was hardly slow! The seller indicates they recently replaced the rear wheel cylinders with the front calipers and master cylinder recipients of a rebuild. They recored the radiator and treated the vehicle to new rubber hoses and a fuel tank. It runs and drives well, with no issues or problems. It currently serves as a daily driver, making it a turnkey proposition for its next owner. They include a great selection of paperwork, including the original Window Sticker, dealer documentation, Owner’s Manual, Warranty Card, and a diary documenting all work performed on this classic.
With forty-two bids already submitted, interest in this 1970 Road Runner is high. It would be safe to assume that while some may be interested in returning the car to a factory-fresh state, others will be keen to allow it to continue proudly wearing its survivor tag. I admit I’m torn on which option I would choose because both have their attractions. If you found this classic parked in your garage, what would be your plan of attack? More importantly, are you willing to bid on this beauty to make that dream a reality?
Having owned a 70 RR in 1973, I know these rust. There cannot be many of these left in this condition. Mine was like every other muscle car 49 years ago, a daily driver snow, rain and blazing sun. If my garage wasn’t full, I would be bidding.
Leave it as is, they are only original once
It’s nice to see a very stock 1970 roadrunner. Usually there are rust bucket falling apart. Also having power steering and power brakes are a Plus. Those aftermarket exhaust tips should not be on it most likely they were turned down exhaust tips behind the bumper. The only thing I would do detail it and replace the dashboard padding. Take off the exhaust tips and put the correct ones turned down …and enjoy the vehicle the way it is. Good luck to the next owner. 🐻🇺🇸
All California cars had turned down exhaust tips. The state law prohibited otherwise for any vehicle sold new in California. It was for noise reduction, nothing to do with cleaner air.
I think this is the most plain muscle car I’ve ever seen.
Pure fuselage. I’d find the right upholstery and dash pad. Also need AC. Then drive.
Sorry Bill, but “Fuselage” styling only applied to the ’69-’73 C-body Mopars, and adding A/C to this car would be pure blasphemy.
That’s what a muscle car is supposed to be, lots of motor in a car with the smallest amount of options – heavier is slower !
I’ll bet this car had a rubber mat instead of carpeting too
You are right, I’m off by a year.
https://www.hagerty.com/media/car-profiles/fuselage-body-1971-74-plymouth-satellites/
You have a low threshold for blasphemy.
I think this is the ugliest rr I’ve ever seen! Plus that front seat.whoooooooo
Plain is the word for sure! When I was a kid my dad had a 69 RR and plain was the word for that one also. It had a 4 speed and dad changed the cam, heads intake manifold and put a bigger Holley carb and headers. It was a 383 and ran real strong. Bench seats and very few creature comforts. One day I came home from school and went to the barn to feed the horses and the car was gone! I asked dad about it when he got home and he ignored all questions about it, I found out years later my mom made him sell it, only vehicle that ever made dad smile!
Tough choices Dad had to make.
No dust trails = no sale!
A fine example of what the Road Runner was all about,,, cheap thrills with out much frills. It might as well be a paper grocery bag, or an undercover cop car…it does have a municipal vibe going on. Neat.
I’ll pass…..missing the passenger arm rest pad….how hard can that be to replace ?
Wow, no sale because of a missing arm rest pad ? Tough customer ! LOL
Are those spots on the driveway oil leaks?
Have you never washed a car? If it were leaking that much oil the motor would have blown up. Yeesh
A buddy’s dad had a white one, black top and interior, 21,000 miles, original tires, spare never out of the trunk, rear seat believed to have never been sat on, air grabber with black out stripe and deck lid/quarter panel end stripe. It had one minor surface rust spot on the bottom of each front fender. Almost traded my 75 Vette straight across for it but his wife said no, she liked it to much. They got a divorce several months later, she got the car and promptly sold it. Yeah, it was a 426Hemi four speed car to boot.
To Terry,Ya ive heard that story a lot. i was married twice and they both tried to get my 68 chevelle ss conv.I was lucky that i bought it before i was married.They both tried to get it,but i had a good lawyer.Thanks that i didnt loose it because a devorise.I did sell it years later-miss it .