On The Streets Of Bakersfield: 1970 Plymouth Road Runner
There’s nothing I like more than a nice, clean, largely original B-body Mopar! Patrick S. sent this one in, and it is just my style: not rusty (though my Mopar products would suggest otherwise!). This car looks like it may be wearing its original paint, or at least an older respray. There is a distinct lack of rust and a large presence of all of the parts that are supposed to be here. Furthermore, this looks to be a functional vehicle, though it isn’t directly stated in the ad, but we will get to that in a minute. The lack or rust may be due to its location in–you guessed it–Bakersfield, California. Find it here on eBay with a seemingly reasonable asking price of $27,000.
The seller states that the interior is all original, and it looks the part. The seller also describes the interior as “like new,” but I have to say I disagree on that particular description. That being said, the interior is in nice condition if the front seats look as nice as the rears pictured here. This Road Runner has the potential to be a great daily-type vehicle that you wouldn’t have to panic about someone leaning on it at a car show (still, I personally wouldn’t allow it!). Plus, there would be little concern about someone getting your carpet dirty. I just wish the seller would have vacuumed the carpet to help with the sale.
The engine is the part of the car that the seller provides the most information about. To quote the ad, “New Radiator, Balancer on Crank, Drive Shaft, Copper Fuel line, Gas Tank and fuel sending unit. Engine is a 383 Blue Printed and Balanced, with new TRW HP Rod Bearings, HP Rings on Aluminum Pistons, 900 Lift mid range cam and cam bearings, oversized valves in head and a new Holly Double pumper on top.The Motor has about 100 miles on the engine. All new exhaust and mufflers. ” This 383 is hooked up to a 727 HP with a Hurst shifter.
Some might say this is the “bad side” of this Road Runner, but I don’t see any rust, so I’d have to say there isn’t a bad side! I would be tempted to get some color matched paint, blend this stuff in, and just enjoy this as a nice, rust-free B-body. The seller is also including the window sticker, booklet, and original California blue license plates. With restored examples bringing $30,000 to $70,000, for the price this car seems like a nice driver-quality example.
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Comments
The window sticker shows it as a 4 speed/AC equipped car…too bad it’s not that way now…
agree–original 4 speed in car would have been great
Decent overall except drive train
Lacking four speed👍
I see it’s got a “WIFI” coil on it. Where can I get one of those?
(the coil wire is right below it)
The 1970 Roadrunner has always been my favorite year. I’d love to find an air grabber 4spd model, but the market price probably precludes that.
There is a lot of missing or inaccurate information in this ad. It doesn’t have a double pumper carb, .900 lift cam, is it matching numbers.
The picture selection for the ad also raises questions. Why show the back seat but not the front, same with the tach but not the rest of the instrument cluster or dash, why are ther no up close pictures of areas that are prone to rust or body damage. Why has the coil wire been removed? The plates are early 1970’s, but more likely 1972 or 1973.
This car definitely has potential, but the price seems a stretch unless/until the car checks out after a thorough inspection.
Steve R
I agree, the ’70 was my favorite too, of the “original” ones. They changed it just enough on the outside, so it wasn’t just a Satellite.( even though, it still was) The front looked downright mean.
I toatley agree with you steve!! I love it when somebody catches every little detail! Big or Small!! Thanks JOHN M.
As far as the blue Cali plates go my original 1970 P car was a 633 BSW…these seem like they are close enough to be 1970..as you figure it out by the letters.
Not to mention the plates on there were last registered in 2014 and by the numbers they are closer to 1995 than they are to 2014.
That said I was trying to figure out…does this have the original block? Doesnt seem like it. Looks like seller or someone put a fair amount of money into it though…..but its value is in its orignality so…..
that is a double pump carb
No, it’s not. Look again. It’s a dual feed vacuum secondary carb. Just in front of the rear float bowl on the passenger side you will see the vacuum pod.
Steve R
Coil wire is probably a poor mans antitheft device. Thinks that the thieves are too stupid to pop the hood!
There is alot of stuff not connected when you look. I don’t think this is turn key. Hmmmm this or 5 years later with something something Corinthian whatever. Kinda niche on the red one and green one is a winner in everyones heart. OR maybe this is a sign the market on old investment iron is moving to ev and ai.
Shame about the missing 4-speed, but looks like a possible rolling resto project. Price is not bad, but that is a far from a perfect interior (pictures maybe? duh), and I would be deeply suspicious of the body, not for rust but Bondo. Would want to see receipts for engine (900 lift cam?) If it were a few hundred miles closer I would consider going for a look, hard to pass up, lots of great potential!
I’d beware of sin that you can’t see like you guys have all said.Think its out of the price range he is asking because of the drive train?? hard to find ones that the ironworms haven’t gotten..
Good luck to the new owner..
900 Lift mid range cam ??? – must be a special grind ,, :)
I bought one in 1970 brand new exactly the same , inside ,outside , 4 speeds pistol handle shifter , had a great time ,draging Chevelle 396 ,340 Dart swinger !
Can you say pistol grip?
Four speeds are over rated.
Strange that car has not been completed
This will cost owner as well as non originality
I’ll have to say for its age,not so bad. 1969’s were better.
i would really like a closer look around the back glass. you can fix body work but when you get into the top area you are talking big money repairs
Can’t really tell from the pictures, but the areas around the top of the windshield and rear glass look very suspicious. Note that the window sticker showed an original vinyl roof. Not sure this is a driver or a half assembled drive-train kit car. Title also show reconstructed or rebuilt. Would have to see this one in person.
Cool old Mopar despite the funny car camshaft(ha ha!). It has decent back seats but I really would like to see the front of the interior a bit more, kinda important. I have a strange feeling that it will be compared to a Honda pretty soon like the GTX a few days ago.👺
$15,000.00 max. It doesn’t appear the owner took very good care of the car. How the heck does one muck up the rear side panels. Looks like there might be junk on the rear seat shelf.Why would anyone who lives in Bakersfield remove the air conditioning. Removing the 4speed–insane. If the engine was balanced an blue printed 100 miles ago, why where the distributor wires not replaced. The red fan belt looks old too.
It needs body work & paint: $15K minimum. Interior from what you can see $1500.00. Without the air and 4speed, I don’t think I would bring much more than my $15K for value plus the $16,500.00 for paint and interior or $31,500.00. Adding the extra $12,000.00 owner wants puts this at $43,500.00, and renders it “salesproof.” Generally these kind of cars really suffer price wise when the engine drive line are replaced. I can’t see the air-conditioning can be had for less than $4000.00, the 4speed clutch assembly about the same, so that puts the price at over $50K and I have seen them for less.
Nobody noticed the title says rebuilt that would be the big concern what happened to cause this to be rebuilt?
A few little things. rally wheel ctr caps are wrong, but what kills me is the way those correct exhaust tips are not on the hangers as they are supposed to be.
cant you fix that right??