Auto manufacturers in Detroit have had a funny habit of letting bean counters get their way, disrupting the equity of a particular model. It’s happened in the past and it will continue to happen. An example of this phenomenon is our Pick of the Day, a 1970 Plymouth Road Runner convertible. It is listed for sale on ClassicCars.com by a dealership in Milford, Michigan. (Click the link to view the listing)
After the runaway success of the 1968 Road Runner, Plymouth introduced a companion hardtop to join the coupe. This was the time product planners had the bright idea to add Road Runners for every purpose, supposedly including a station wagon. Huh? But that’s the way of the world, it seems, if the Ford Mustang Mach-E is any indication. After the dust-up settled, we were left with a Road Runner convertible being the only concession for 1969.
While the Road Runner was a cheap performance car short of frills, Plymouth product planners wanted the model’s fun image for the convertible and added a few deluxe accoutrements in the process. The Road Runner coupe, as before, was equipped with the fewest standard frills, including an interior based on the Belvedere’s; the hardtop’s interior was closer to the Satellite’s and included bright door moldings, bright exhaust tips, bright-base armrests, rear armrests with ashtrays, and three-spoke steering wheel with partial horn ring and large padded hub. The convertible came with these extras plus front courtesy lights, pocket panel lights, and power top. Of course, they all came standard with the 335-horsepower 383.
Road Runner production reached an astounding 84,420 cars for 1969, with 2,120 convertibles being part of the pot. Plymouth saw fit to carry over the convertible into 1970, which received a one-year restyle featuring an all-new grille and taillights, fresh interiors with available high-back bucket seats, Rallye instrument cluster, available vacuum-operated Air Grabber induction system, greater availability of the 440 six-barrel , and more. Simulated side scoops on the rear quarters could be adorned with “Dust Trail” Road Runner decals that ran to the front of the car. A concession to rising prices was making a three-speed manual standard. While a similar car overall, the Road Runner was part of a dying segment in Detroit, and sales fell to 41,484, including 824 convertibles. For 1971, the Road Runner was redesigned and only available as a hardtop.
This 1970 Plymouth Road Runner convertible is one of those 824, of which 658 were built to U.S. specifications. Of those, approximately 13 were built in Yellow Gold (code DY3). The great majority of those U.S.-spec cars (429) were equipped with the standard 383 paired with an automatic like this one. Other features include black convertible top (V3X) and deluxe bench seat (H2X9), Light Package (A01), power brakes (B51), left-hand remote side mirror (G33), three-speed windshield wipers (J25), hood turn signal indicators (L31), belt moldings (M31), automatic speed control (N88, one of approximately four built for U.S. cars), Music Master AM radio (R11), and black trunk stripes (V8X).
“This vehicle is a two-owner car that spent its entire life in DuBois, Pennsylvania,” says the seller. “In December of 2019, this car’s engine was completely disassembled and rebuilt professionally from the ground up with receipts included. Two original build sheets accompany the vehicle, along with an original 1973 registration, and engine receipts.”
Aside of the cruise control, this Road Runner doesn’t have many options, but it still doesn’t come off as a taxicab like many other Road Runners that were snapped up by kids who spent all summer bagging groceries. If you aren’t a stickler for the purity of the Road Runner’s purpose, then this fine sunny cruiser may light up your life for the sum of $99,995.
Click here for this ClassicCars.com Pick of the Day.
Source: www.classiccars.com