1970 Plymouth Road Runner Convertible - Mecum Kissimmee 2016 Lot F112

Lot F112: 1970 Plymouth Road Runner Convertible, formerly of the Brett Torino Collection
ESTIMATE: $175,000 - $225,000

Road Runners were one of the most impressive packages to emerge from Detroit during the muscle-car era. Illustrated by the popular Warner Brothers cartoon character, these Plymouths were created not so much to create a stir but to have a vehicle whose price was more in line with the youth market. They had hoped to sell 2,500 in the 1968 debut; instead they sold 52,000. When named "Motor Trend" ‘Car of the Year’ in 1969, Plymouth put over 80,000 more on the street. So when 1970 rolled around, with a new decade and minor restyling, Road Runner was mature enough to warrant a car as upscale as seen here.

Before that, in the middle of 1969, Plymouth had released a small batch of Road Runners equipped with a new version of the 440 Super Commando engine. These engines featured three Holley 2-barrel carburetors atop an Edelbrock intake and extreme-duty internal parts. In 1970, that engine joined the standard-production lineup and the 440 Six Barrel could now be had in cars like this FY4 Citron Mist Metallic Road Runner convertible. That availability did not mean the company produced these cars in large in numbers. In fact, this car is one of only 20 convertibles equipped with the V-Code 440 Six Pack and 4-speed driveline combination. In 1971, a major restyling meant no more convertibles were ever again built on the B–body platform.

Showing 35,528 miles, this beautiful car was well-equipped as it came off the St. Louis assembly line on October 20, 1969. This included the new Air Grabber fresh-air hood option, bucket seats with center console, Rallye dash cluster with Tic-Toc-Tach gauge, and A01 Light Group. Complementing the beautiful paint are contrasting black interior and top, as well as the factory-tinted windshield.

The driveline was built for punishment—the V-code 440 engine is backed by an A833 4-speed with console-mounted Pistol Grip shifter and A34 Super Track Pak, which consisted of the 4.10 Sure Grip Dana 60 differential plus power disc brakes, 26-inch Hemi radiator, and more. The driveline in this car is original, as is the sheet metal. Other options include the extra-cost 5-spoke wheels and Solid State radio. Sold new at Jim Bethel Chrysler Plymouth in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, the car was meticulously restored in 2007 by Restorations by Julius in Chatsworth, California. Most importantly, the car is documented with the original window sticker, original broadcast sheet, and restoration invoices and photos.


HIGHLIGHTS
- Produced October 14, 1969
- Sold new at Jim Bethel Chrysler Plymouth in Murfreesboro, Tennessee
- Restored in 2007 by Restorations by Julius in Chatsworth, California
- Original sheet metal
- One of 20 440 Six Pack Convertible Road Runners produced in 1970
- Original V-Code 440 Six Pack engine
- Original 4-speed transmission
- A34 Super Track Pak
- Power brakes
- Correct FY4 Citron Mist Metallic
- Air Grabber hood
- Black vinyl bucket seats with console
- Rallye instrument panel
- Pistol Grip shifter
- Solid State radio
- Tic Toc Tac
- Tinted windshield
- A01 light package
- Styled chrome wheels
- Original window sticker
- Original broadcast sheet
- Restoration invoices and photos
- 35,528 miles