This 1970 Plymouth Road Runner is a project that may have already crossed the halfway point. It has a rebuilt 440 cubic inch V8 and a 4-speed manual transmission along with new paint. But the engine has been swapped and the color has been changed from Ivy Green Metallic to Hemi Orange. Will these points cause some buyers to shy away? Located in Joliet, Illinois, this Mopar is available here on eBay where the reserve is unmet so far at $10,100.
Introduced in 1968, the Plymouth Road Runner would become one of the hottest muscle cars of the decade. With its lower price, quirky graphics, and “beep beep” horn, more than 172,000 of them were sold in the car’s first generation, which ran through 1970. With a slight styling update in 1970, demand dropped by nearly half from the peak in 1969. If you bought a 2-door hardtop with a 383 V8 and a 4-speed manual, you were one of 8,000 buyers that did so that year. The VIN on the seller’s car indicates it had a 383 and not a 440 to begin with.
Though the glass is out of the car, the seller says this Road Runner does run and drive (just not legally). Though the replacement engine has been redone, the transmission slips out of gear, and you might want to replace it with another that the seller is sending along with the deal. Also, the fuel tank has not been reinstalled, so it only runs off a gas can right now. Before the car was repainted, the trunk and floor plans were replaced, as was the hood which was fitted for an AMD Air Grabber (both hoods come with the car).
Photos show a set of bucket seats that do not match well with the new colors of the car. So, they will need to be redone and the seller indicates an interior package will have to be secured. The “Bird” sits on a new set of tires and rims, so they should be ready to go when you reassemble the rest of the puzzle. This should be a cool and fast automobile when finished, but far from original if that’s your preference.
Always liked the Dust Trails available on the ’70 models!
The dust trail striping looked much better when installed level rather than uphill from fender to scoop, as they did here. To their credit, though, they did get the spacing right over the wheel well, though, which even “The Master of Mopar” can’t seem to manage.
The seller currently has two other project cars with fresh paint, but otherwise unfinished. He had also sold two additional unfinished project car with fresh paint over the last 90 days. He seems to have developed a good business plan. A thorough in person inspection would be wise.
Steve R
Yeah, looks like they bought the value sized jug of hemi orange as they’ve a 69 GTX painted the same color as this Roadrunner for sale too. Buy, do body work and paint, then sell…not a bad game plan if you’ve got the skills and time.
The big question is, how’s the work. I have so many friends, that know better, buy a car with shiny new paint only to have the paint/bondo shrink or crack, rust bubbles form or worse within a few months of bringing a car home. They saw a car that presented well, especially when compared to something with an older paint job and road wear. They ignored obvious signs of shoddy work for a pretty face and what appeared to be a reasonable price. This is in a part of California where old cars are relatively plentiful and rust is uncommon. I’d hate to see what it’s like to try and weed out pigs with fresh lipstick in the heart of the rust belt.
Steve R
Sort of owned one of these when I was 20. I’m guessing it looked like this one should if it were the stock color. Also a 4 spd 440. It was stuck between 1st and reverse and the owner didn’t know how to fix it. I fixed it for him and he threw me a set of keys and said when he buys his new car, (a used 77 mustang ll coupe) “Blech” he would give me the Roadrunner. The day before he was going to give it to me, he wrapped it around a telephone pole. It was a sad sight to see on the tow truck on the way to the junkyard. This one is very nice but way to loud for me. And yes those are ugly seats. And probably slippery. I hope the seller didn’t have them done like that. Should be black vinyl. Be nice when it’s done.
Had an FE5 70 RR hardtop in 1973 with factory N96. Paid $1,200 for it from original owner. Just a used car then. Car is long gone. The kid I sold it to totaled it. Fast. Ate gas.
Love the color and engine swap. If it turns out to be a good buy it should be quite a runner.
In Plymouth speak the color would be Tor-Red
Floor pan welding on undercarriage pic looks like amateur work to me. Likely need to redo the whole car.
First little problem is the gloss black hood, should be semi. Engine bay is a mess, which doesn’t bode well for the quality of work, so if you have to repaint the hood just to get started, I’d pass.
First little problem is the gloss black hood, should be semi. Engine bay is a mess, which doesn’t bode well for the quality of work, so if you have to repaint the hood just to get started, I’d pass.
Was it necessary to paint absolutely EVERYTHING under the hood and in the trunk orange except what should have been but the rest black? Got your 10 foot pole ready???