Make: | Plymouth |
Model: | Road Runner |
Type: | Convertible |
Doors: | 2 |
Year: | 1970 |
Mileage: | 2,717 |
Color: | Black |
Engine: | 440 V8 |
Transmission: | Automatic |
Interior color: | White |
Vehicle Title: | Clear |
Item location: | Charlotte, North Carolina, United States |
SUMMARY
14-month rotisserie restoration completed in 2004Thoughts of the legendary Road Runner immediately bring to mind a near perfect blend of basic transportation and big performance. See, back in the '60s when muscle cars packed on premiums to increase margins, Plymouth continued to honor the tenets of the cheap speed movement. In fact, the Road Runner marque was literally created as a means to stay firmly grounded in the realm of affordability. And today, almost 50 years in to the future, that adherence to principle fosters a remarkable line-up of classics that, because of their purity, seem to perpetually gain value. Take this sinister convertible for example. Combining 440 cubic inches of Magnum V8 with 6 BBL induction, a 3-speed transmission and a ground-up, 6-figure restoration, it's an excellent example of why vintage Detroit metal will always be incredibly appealing. Shopping for an unadulterated embodiment of the quintessential muscle car? Take a look at this impressive MoPar!
BODYWORK/TRIM
This slick Road Runner's high quality rotisserie restoration was conducted at Aloha Automotive Services in Port Washington, Wisconsin. Purchased by the owners of that shop, a husband and wife team who were looking for something that could serve as both a striking show queen and a solid cruiser, the car was in pretty rough shape when found. That said, six figures of cash and roughly 14 months of work primed it for a major feature in the September, 2004 edition of Muscle Cars Magazine. And today, this Plymouth rolls as one dreamy drop-top that's poised to turn heads and drop jaws!
Replaced during the thorough restoration, every bit of this MoPar's bright ornamentation presents extremely well. At the front of the car, a fully restored grille hangs an off-set "PLYMOUTH" script between four halogen headlamps, a dressed bumper and crystal clear parking lights. Behind that grille, a familiar Air Grabber Hood centers an otherwise wind-cheating scoop between stainless pins, loud "440+6" decals and satin-finished windshield wipers. Above that hood, like-new glass rides behind pristine frames, power-operated vinyl and two chrome mirrors. Below that glass, slab-sided body panels, which do a great job conveying Plymouth's classic, broad-shouldered design language, hang traditional Chrysler door handles between stylish side scoops, clean marker lamps and subtle Road Runner ornamentation. And at the back of the car, a second chrome bumper centers crystal clear reverse lamps under factory taillights, a monochromatic deck stripe and broad "P L Y M O U T H" lettering.
ENGINE
Lift the Black Velvet hood and you'll find a 440 cubic inch RB V8 that, like the car's body, was professionally rebuilt by Port Washington, Wisconsin's Aloha Automotive Services. More popular than Chrysler's famed Hemi, and almost as feared, Plymouth's storied 440 6 Barrel was designed to be the industry's best combination of comfort, streetability and big block performance. Oxygen whips through a requisite Air Grabber Hood to a vivid Coyote Duster cleaner and three Holley 2-barrels. At the front of those carbs, Mallory Unilite electronic ignition sequences spark between a MoPar coil and familiar Chrysler Electronic Suppression cables. At the sides of those cables, Hemi Orange valve covers perfectly contrast correctly restored exhaust manifolds. Cooling is supplied by a correct, Chrysler-branded radiator, which rides in front of pliable hoses and old school squeeze clamps. And a tagged MoPar red cap kicks everything in to motion. Aesthetically, the entire engine bay looks correct, from its factory decals and Black Velvet fenders all the way to its old school fluid reservoir and familiar Road Runner horn. And functionally, a quick turn of the car's key results in a rumbling high-performance idle, hot or cold.
DRIVETRAIN/SUSPENSION
This Plymouth's chassis specs leave little question as to why Chrysler's B-body architecture was such a huge hit with performance car fans. Take a step under our lift and you'll find a tough ol' stoplight skeleton that's been refurbished to match the car's clean engine bay and glossy exterior panels. Behind the RB, a correct A727 TorqueFlite twists power to a standard 8.75-inch axle that's finished with a Sure Grip differential and tough, 3.55 gears. Below that proven drivetrain, a familiar front torsion bar and rear leaf suspension has been completely rebuilt to factory specifications. Turns come courtesy of factory power steering. Stops are provided by correct power front disc and rear drum brakes. Exhaust is handled by free-flowing, 2.5-inch pipes, which jettison cooked dinosaurs through an H-shaped crossover, polished stainless tips and dual-chamber Flowmaster mufflers. Over-restored floors, layered in glossy Velvet Black 2-stage, sport everything from fresh fluid lines to a fresh fuel tank. And power meets the pavement through attractive Rallye wheels, which spin F60-15 Goodyear Polyglas GTs around polished beauty rings and Argent center caps.
INTERIOR
Counter to today's obsession with technology and convenience, it seems old school American muscle cars only needed simple stitching, a bit of stainless trim and essential instrumentation to strike a perfect balance of 'instantly classic' and 'perpetually cool'. And when you open this Road Runner's solid doors, you'll find a cockpit where vivid vinyl seats meld seamlessly with a stylish, no-nonsense driving environment. At the sides of those seats, weather-free door panels hang chrome-laden armrests under fresh stainless trim and white, Road Runner-branded frames. At the bottom of those panels, like-new carpet is protected by color-keyed floor mats. On top of that carpet, a factory console cages a factory shifter. In front of the driver, a monochromatic steering wheel laps a body-matched dash, which hangs rebuilt Rallye gauges beside modern Kenwood audio. And behind the cockpit, a dressed and decaled trunk features a large Kicker subwoofer and a full-size spare tire.
OUR SALE INCLUDES THE FOLLOWING DOCUMENTATION
A copy of the car's Muscle Cars Magazine featureWith a storied drivetrain, a first-class restoration and a striking black on white color combination, this super cool MoPar combines big swagger with big appeal. It's fast. It's pretty. It's tons of fun. And best of all: your hard-earned money is buying a car that, if properly maintained, will keep its value year after year. If you're in the market for some sweet Detroit metal that has the bare-knuckle muscle to back up its killer good looks, this Road Runner your next classic!