There was one magazine in my collection as a kid that wasn’t 1993 or newer. It was one I swiped from my stepfather’s collection, a collection of custom muscle cars, vans and T-buckets that had to date from about 1978. The builds were typical for the day, which meant lots of colors and intricate paintwork, and I was enamored. Not so much with the vans or the T-buckets, but seeing a 1969 Shelby GT500 with lace painting details on a dark wine red body sitting on freaking huge Cragars and the Firestone white-letter tires sold me.
This 1970 Plymouth Road Runner falls into that category too. A 383/automatic car with the Air Grabber hood scoop, the Plymouth is already a fairly desirable car, especially when you learn that the 57,000-plus miles on the odometer is correct and accurate. But the paintwork…I could go on about the Road Runner itself, but the car is a time capsule. Just look at it:
The last time I saw that type of wheel it was on a Mazda B2200 that had been slammed in the weeds…in 1991. And while it’s not my first choice for a muscle car, it’s nice to see a period-correct wheel here. The price isn’t low, but it isn’t stupidly high either at $26,500. That kind of money will land you a decent product from the Musclecar era no matter the make. Some things could use some attention, and it’s no fire breather, but that paint…
eBay Link: 1970 Plymouth Road Runner 383
Nothing wrong with that car that sandpaper can’t fix.
Neat! Some guys would hate on it but I’d cruise it the way it is.
I think that it would need a wheel swap to some Cragar S/S to go with that paint to make it more period correct.
Other than that I’d leave it as is.
Or some Ansen Sprints. I’d also throw a 6-71 and a big lumpy cam on that 383 and drop the nose another inch to complete the look.
Either wheels would look a lot better than what on the RR right now.
That’s a Street Freak if there ever was one!
Those wheels are awful, they were awful in the 80’s and they are awful now. They are in no way period correct for this car.
That being said, I woulds slap on some ansens and drive the shit out of it the way it is….Great street freak vibe going on…might need a little more altitude out back and a lot more tire….and maybe side pipes….bitchin find….I love it.
Yeah, hated those wheels as much now as when they were new. Crap they sold at Sears and Pep Boys. Looks like might be factory paint under the graphics. First thing I’d do is to try color sanding through it, and if it didn’t work, oh well. Actually, right after turning the wheels in at the aluminum recycle place.
Love it! Seems like a good value to me. From the ebay listing you can also see a picture with the white interior next to the paint work, very striking, wow.
What a beautiful car. I too had my dad’s old collection of Hot Rod and Car Craft magazines and have always been enamored with the street freak look. All I would do is throw on a set of Keystone Klassics (My favorite old-school wheel), a chromed out blower, Air Shocks, and a vanity plate that says: “ENVOUS?” absolute perfection. Oh almost forgot, it also needs tall gold anodized valve covers, I love those.
Simply terrible! The 1970’s equivalent to a late-model Civic slammed to the ground, sporting a fart can, a huge rear wing, and “racing” decals plastered all over it.