Upgraded 440/4-Speed: 1970 Plymouth Road Runner

It is undeniable that, from this angle, the 1970 Plymouth Road Runner is an aggressive vehicle. Thankfully, it has the muscle to justify its looks, courtesy of the updated 440ci V8 under the hood. It presents beautifully and will certainly make its next owner proud the moment they slip behind the wheel. I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder Curvette for spotting the Road Runner listed here on eBay in Clarkston, Michigan. The bidding has raced to $62,100 amid intense action, though it remains below the reserve.

Introduced for the 1968 model year, Plymouth’s First Generation Road Runner reached the end of its production life when our feature car rolled off the line in 1970. Its successor adopted Chrysler’s “fuselage” design philosophy, which I have never really warmed to. The First Generation looks crisp and aggressive, especially when finished in a shade like the Deep Burnt Orange cloaking this car’s panels. The original owner complemented that shade with a Black vinyl top, and when you add Magnum 500 wheels to the equation, this Plymouth is simply stunning. The paint shines deeply, the panels are laser-straight, and there is no evidence of rust. None of this is surprising, because the seller states that the Road Runner has only clocked 3,800 miles following a nut-and-bolt restoration. Therefore, if you yearn for a muscle car that presents in as-new condition, this Plymouth would be a contender. Of course, the functioning Air Grabber hood tells us that this Road Runner is more than a pretty face.

Muscle cars were reaching the literal and metaphorical height of their power when this Road Runner rolled off the line. Buyers could still order one with the brilliant 383ci V8 under the hood, which was the case with our feature car. However, lifting the hood now reveals the legendary 440 Six-Barrel. The builder teamed that brutal motor with a four-speed manual transmission, a 3.54 Dana 60 rear end, power steering, and power front disc brakes. The 440 delivered 390hp and 490 ft/lbs of torque from the factory, but the builder sought more during the car’s recent refurbishment. They added Edelbrock Performer RPM aluminum cylinder heads, an Indy camshaft, an MSD Pro Billet distributor, and TTI headers. The breathing improvements should have unlocked additional ponies, and the figure should now be comfortably north of 400. Potential buyers can consider the Road Runner a turnkey proposition that drives as impressively as it looks.

The term “as-new” emerges again when we assess this classic’s interior. Trimmed in Burnt Orange vinyl to match the exterior paint shade, it appears to be virtually perfect in the supplied images. The seats are spotless, the painted surfaces shine as deeply as the exterior, and there is no carpet wear. The dash and pad look perfect, and while it doesn’t feature luxuries like air conditioning, the bucket seats, console, pistol-grip shifter, remote driver’s mirror, Tick-Tock-Tach, and AM radio would make life feel pretty special. The builder added additional gauges, but the buyer could easily remove these if they prefer a “stock” appearance.

The 1970 Plymouth Road Runner is a desirable classic, and when they present as nicely as this one, they will invariably generate enormous interest when they hit the market. This beauty has attracted thirty-four bids, and with a strong Watch List tally, I believe that action is far from over. However, people may need to act quickly because the auction’s end is approaching. Is this a classic that you would consider pursuing further, or will you remain an interested spectator to discover where the bidding heads?