Investment Grade Numbers Matching Road Runner Superbird 440 Six Pack V8 390 HP

1970 Plymouth Road Runner Superbird Description

Ever have one of those moments when you find a rare classic with a price that seems too good to be true? The 'coolest of the cool' that's survived almost 50 years of vehicle downsizing, fuel thirsty gearheads and stoplight fisticuffs? Well, you don't have to worry about getting pinched back to reality this time because this killer Plymouth Road Runner Superbird is a fully documented, mostly original muscle car that's comfortable on either the strip or the show field! Not only is this awesome coupe a highly exclusive wing car that sports just 29,768 miles, it also wears 100% original sheet metal, features a correct 440 6 BBL powertrain and sports a fresh white on black color combination. If you're looking for a bad to the bone investment that's fun to look at, a blast to drive and ready to hit the show circuit as soon as it rolls out of our showroom; congratulations, you've found your next car!

With an original window sticker and two original broadcast sheets, there's no questioning this Plymouth's well-preserved authenticity. Here's a detailed look at how the car rolled down Chrysler's Lynch Road assembly line:

FENDER TAG

RM23:
- R: Plymouth Road Runner
- M: Medium
- 23: 2-door hardtop
V0A:
- V: 440 cubic inch V8 that utilizes three 2-barrel carburetors to produce 390 horsepower
- 0: 1970 model year
- A: Produced at Chrysler's Lynch Road manufacturing facility
162346: Assembly sequence number
E87: 440 cubic inch high performance V8 that utilizes three 2-barrel carburetors to produce 390 horsepower
D32: Heavy duty automatic transmission
EW1: Alpine White exterior paint
H2X9:
- H: High trim grade
- 2: Vinyl bench seats
- X9: Black interior
TX9: Black door frames
B30: Assembled on November 30th, 1969
J97583: Order number
V19: Special order full vinyl roof
V88: Transverse R/T stripe delete
26: 26-inch radiator

EQUIPMENT LISTED ON THE BROADCAST SHEET:

A13 Superbird Package
A36 High Performance Axle Package
B41 Front disc brakes
B51 Power assisted brakes
C23 Rear armrests that are complete with ashtrays
C65 Air Foam bench seats
C93 Carpeting
D32 Heavy duty A727 Torqueflite transmission
D56 3.55 gears
E87 440 cubic inch high performance V8 that's complete with three 2-barrel carburetors
F25 Mopar red cap battery
F96 Oil pressure and temperature gauges
G41 Rearview mirror that's complete with day/night mode
H11 Heater that's complete with a defroster
J11 Glove box lock
J15 Cigar lighter
J25 Variable, 3-speed wipers
J45 - Hood pins that are complete with lanyards
L76 Heater control lamp
M21 Drip rail moldings
M81 Front bumper guards
N41 Dual exhaust
N42 Chrome exhaust tips
N51 Maximum engine cooling
N65 7-blade fan
R11 Music Master AM radio
S15 Hemi extra heavy duty suspension
S25 Heavy duty firm ride shocks
S31 Front sway bar
S77 Power steering
S79 Steering wheel that's complete with a lower half horn ring
W21 Rallye wheels
U84 F60x15 red-wall, polyglas tires
V01 Monotone paint
V19 Special order vinyl roof
V88 Transverse R/T stripe delete
Y39 Special order car

Throughout the '60s, Chrysler and Ford were heavily vested in the "Win on Sunday, sell on Monday" sales mentality. And Dodge's Charger 500, despite its NASCAR-inspired tweaks, just wasn't getting the job done. In an attempt to one up Ford's slick and equally fast Torino, Chrysler went to the drawing board and began exploring aerodynamics. While aerodynamics wasn't a new concept, it had yet to be seriously studied by major auto manufacturers. And Chrysler's foray into the subject eventually culminated in testing full scale models at Lockheed Martin's North Carolina wind tunnel. Engineers quickly realized the benefits of a wind-cutting nose, but the real epiphany came when they employed a large rear stabilizer. Not only did that 'rocket nose' and 'park bench' spoiler combination create 'zero lift' downforce, it also produced immense directional stability, permitting speeds in excess of 200 MPH. Not surprisingly, Dodge's storied Daytona won the first race it competed in, and would eventually become one of the most successful NASCAR stock cars of all time. And Plymouth, looking to lure NASCAR star Richard Petty back into the fold, followed Dodge's impressive Daytona with the equally slippery, and some say better, Road Runner Superbird.

When you take a close look at this super clean coupe, it seems only fitting that the car's entire 43 year existence was spent in the hands of one very meticulous owner. Purchased new by Ronald North of Huntington, Indiana, it's the recent beneficiary of a modern, two-stage paint job. Thanks to very little exposure to the elements, that unique body was a solid, all-original piece that needed nothing more than prep work. A correct layer of Alpine White presents exceptionally well and, when combined with matte horizontals and correct Superbird call-outs, creates iconic muscle car looks. And today, this Plymouth is one stunningly straight showpiece that has no gremlins, suffers no thin spots and displays a high level of fit and finish.

As you step back and stare at this 'bird's sinuous body, many adjectives come to mind. Wicked... Astonishing... Dreadful... Infamous... But, in reality, Chrysler spent a lot of R&D time making sure the car fit one specific descriptor: functional. Every piece of this Road Runner was whittled to maximum efficiency in pursuit of one goal: lapping large race tracks at a very high rate of speed. At the front of the car, a downforce producing nose hangs sleek, flip up headlights between a small grille, standard hood pins, hidden parking lamps and a body-matched chin spoiler. Behind that nose, drag reducing air extractors lead the eye to a cool 'Hustle Stuff' tachometer, clean glass and a show worthy combination of straight stainless trim and pliable black vinyl. At the sides of those extractors, prominent fender lines and Superbird-specific C-pillars frame bright marker lights, a correct Chrysler mirror and familiar chrome door handles. And at the back of the car, a Superbird-specific wing rides above a small "road runner" emblem, clear tail lights, a prominent "P L Y M O U T H" script, bright exhaust tips and an original chrome bumper.

Raise this coupe's long hood and you'll find a correct, 440 cubic inch RB V8 that's fully detailed, completely sorted and ready to go. More popular than Chrysler's famed Hemi, and almost as feared, Plymouth's 390 horsepower, 440 6 BBL powerplant was designed to be the industry's best combination of comfort, streetability and big block performance. Oxygen whips through a correctly decaled cleaner to three 2-barrel carburetors, which are bolted over a glossy, Hemi Orange intake. In front of that intake, a familiar points distributor sequences fire through fresh Chrysler Electronic Suppression wires. Behind those wires, Hemi Orange valve covers perfectly contrast correctly restored exhaust manifolds. Cooling is supplied by a big, 26-inch radiator, which utilizes pliable hoses and simple squeeze clamps to send water past fresh V-belts and rebuilt engine accessories. Power is provided by a tagged Mopar red cap battery, which is wired to a correct Chrysler voltage regulator. Aesthetically, the entire engine bay looks spectacular, from its new decals and Alpine White fenders to its old school fluid reservoir and clean Road Runner horn. And functionally, a quick turn of this Plymouth's ignition results in a rumbling, high-performance idle, hot or cold.

Hoist this specialized B-Body and you'll find a fully sorted undercarriage that, thanks to an acute combination of low mileage and impeccable maintenance, rolls exactly the way it came down Lynch Road's assembly line. A clean layer of undercoating protects weather-free floorpans that, while exceedingly nice, certainly aren't a stranger to the blacktop. Behind the Super Commando mill, an original A727 Torqueflite, which wears a matching 162346 partial VIN, provides solid, poignant shifts through all three gears. That proven transmission sends power to an 8.75-inch Chrysler rear end which is equipped with correct 3.55 gears. At the front of the car, Chrysler's beefy Hemi suspension utilizes Cosmoline-replicating torsion bars, an A12 sway bar and standard power steering to make quick work of big bumps and tight curves. At the back of the car, that same Hemi suspension hangs correctly staggered springs at the sides of a painted, leak-free fuel tank. Stops come courtesy of standard power front disc and rear drum brakes. Exhaust is handled by aluminized tubes that bend around an H-pipe crossover, traditional turbo mufflers and correct stainless tips. And all this Mopar goodness rolls on pristine Rallye wheels which twist F60-15 Goodyear Polyglas GTs around subdued center caps and bright stainless trim rings.

Inside this famous Plymouth, a completely original interior is clean, well-optioned and surprisingly stylish. Seating, an ultra-rare all-bench set up, displays no significant signs of wear. In front of those benches, a straight, crack-free dash hangs original factory gauges beside a familiar Music Master radio. At the bottom of that dash, well-maintained carpet is protected by rubber, "road runner" branded floor mats. At the sides of that carpet, original door panels carry the seat's silver stripe motif around black frames, dent-free stainless and traditional chrome hardware. Above those panels, old school shoulder belts frame a tight, black headliner. In front of the driver, a monochromatic steering wheel spins a silver horn ring around a cool Road Runner centerpiece. And behind the passengers, the car's cavernous trunk is complete with a plaid mat, dual decklid decals, a correct tire and an original jack.

Like most of our investment grade classics, the sale of this awesome Superbird includes substantial provenance. Here's an itemized list of what the car's new owner will receive:

Two original broadcast sheets
Original factory paperwork
An original owner's manual
Original warranty paperwork
An original window sticker
Vintage registrations
An original tax affidavit
Vintage inspection receipts
A Chrysler Plymouth maintenance manual
A spare set of keys
A few photos

At RK Motors Charlotte, we love anything with tires and a motor. But if you get the impression that we're particularly fond of this B-Body, you'd be exactly right! Rare and interesting cars ALWAYS get our blood flowing; and this Plymouth, with its correct drivetrain, striking originality and unbeatable pedigree, is dripping with the scarce qualities that literally define the term "investment grade". If you're looking for a unique, incredibly documented Mopar to show AND enjoy, this world class Superbird is your next classic!