Never Had Any Green Cars Until....

[Old Moparz]

Now.

I can't stand having my cars as projects, but this one was so far along & something I've always wanted, I couldn't say no. I looked at it over a month ago in New Jersey & actually passed on it because it still needed work to get it on the road. After looking at a few other cars that were, to put it nicely, "mechanically & aesthetically challenged within their retail market share" This one was worth it.

It's a real 1970 Road Runner Coupe, that was originally a 383, 4 speed car, but now has a fresh, 1969 440HP inside. The car was taken down to a shell, the quarters, wheel houses & cowl were replaced due to rust. The front floors were patched, but the rest of the sheet metal & frames were all solid. The seller said it was red, but had wanted lime instead when they painted it, inside & out.

The plan was to get up early, leave at 9AM & pick it up on Saturday at lunchtime. I didn't leave to go get it until almost lunchtime. I picked up a bad case of conjunctivitis last Wednesday & could barely focus my eyes when I got out of bed. It made for a long drive from Newburgh, NY to the Jersey shore, & an even longer one coming home. I was glad my wife went along & doesn't mind driving while towing.

Just loaded the car & decided to snap some pics before leaving. You never know, it could be the last time it looks this nice the way people drive these days.


Testing out my new axle straps. Had to buy them since I've always used chains on ugly, rusty, project, or parts cars. First time I'm hauling something nice & probably fooled my neighbors.


There's a few things missing, but they're either in a box in the trunk, or already in the bed of my truck. There's just some minor stuff still needed to buy.


It came with a wood grain wheel, but I need to get a crack fixed. There's new carpet, door panels & a headliner in Legendary boxes.


Safe at home, just had to cover the hole where the air grabber door goes to keep crap off the cleanest motor I've ever owned. That will take some getting used to on my part.


I promised Charger Fan a pic of the garage without snow on it. Maybe this will shut him up?

[SuBLimE 69]

Score !   Nice car !   Something about those green Mopars ...Simply sexy
Finishing one that clean is almost like cheating ! !

[mustanghater]

nice

[Just 6T9 CHGR]

Congrads! 

Looks like a great car to tinker with.  Why did the seller let it go unfinished like that?  All the hard stuff looks like it was done already.

69HP huh?   Any chance you could check trhe VIN # to se if its my #'s matching block??

[Old Moparz]

Thanks guys, I appreciate the compliments.

Score !   Nice car !   Something about those green Mopars ...Simply sexy
Finishing one that clean is almost like cheating ! !

I guess I ain't playing fair then.      I'll still work on the Charger & gather the parts as I find them, it's just that I was cheated on my own '70 GTX 25 years ago. Maybe this one will be a good substitute for it. I got the GTX back then only needing to rebuild the motor, but the flatbed driver put it on backwards & caught a tree with the door on the way to my house after I bought it. Door, hinge post, fender & the trim.      I bought a bunch of parts for it, but finally gave up when the estimate to repair it was more than it was worth. I saved most of them, but probably won't need it with this one being almost done. (Including an air grabber hood.)

Here's the GTX I had.



Here's a few more pics of the Road Runner I can post before my eyes explode & I have to get back to bed. Missed 3 days of work already. Light hurts my eyes, so having this parked in the sun was tough with conjunctivitis. (pink eye)   

Rechromed bumpers, restored grille & yellow/green headlights? They can stay I guess, they kind of match the car.


8 Quart oil pan, Doug Thorley headers, 11:1 six pack pistons & rods, this should be fun!


New gas tank, straps & springs, freshened 3:55 rear, P275 x 15 in the back on steel wheels.

Congrads!
Looks like a great car to tinker with. Why did the seller let it go unfinished like that? All the hard stuff looks like it was done already.
69HP huh? Any chance you could check trhe VIN # to se if its my #'s matching block??

Chris, I think the seller has a similar problem that I do, getting side-tracked with different cars.     He said he found something else he liked more, a Super Bee if I recall. The car was supposed to be from PA, & the motor from Florida. When my eyes clear up I'd be happy to check the block ID, but since it was from down south, I doubt it'll match. Yours wasn't stolen, was it? Maybe I won't check.  

[ChargerSG]

Looks good, you get that one buring rubber in no time...

[RD]

the car is beautiful OM, try not to get this one dirty ok.

[MoparYoungGun]

It's gorgeous !

Hope you get well soon Old Moparz!

[BrianShaughnessy]

Wholey crap Bob...    You've been sandbagging on us       It's a beaut.      

When's it gonna be hitting Highland??   Or Bear Mt.      

Not much time left...   

[Old Moparz]

It's gorgeous !

Hope you get well soon Old Moparz!

Me too, thanks.

Wholey crap Bob...     You've been sandbagging on us       It's a beaut.     

When's it gonna be hitting Highland??   Or Bear Mt.     

Not much time left...     

Sandbagging? Nah, just being patient & lucky enough to be reasonably close to go see it in person. I had my sights set on Dane's Daytona replica, but that didn't work out. When someone posted about it with the link to it on Moparts.com, my jaw dropped. I figured I would have a lot of competition trying to buy it. So, by default, I had looked at a few other cars in case I didn't get it. I had always loved the '70 Plymouths since I had that crunched GTX, & even have a '70 nose on my '69 Satellite.

I came real close to buying a Burnt Orange GTX in CT recently, but there was work that needed to be done & re-done on it. (Too much for the asking price IMO.) Of all the '70's I looked at in person, on the internet, & on eBay, this was the best one for the buck. (I'd like to think so anyway.) Someone I know from Moparts.com had it listed back in July so I went to see it. I bought some parts from him a few years ago, so that made it easier. Called him back & said I wanted it, sent him a deposit, & went to get it this past Saturday.

As far as getting it to the Highland & Bear Mt. cruises, I doubt it. The trans is out & one of the few things I have to go hunting for is a bellhousing. You got any in stock?     I'd love to do a Keisler trans, but that would mean selling a car I don't want to sell. This one could be on the road this year if I can push, but spring is more realistic. You're welcome to drop by if you want, I have coffee, beer, water & Juicy Juice, just have to sneak it past my daughter.  

[Lowprofile]

Congrats! I' M closet Roadrunner whore! Back in the day, I had a Plum Crazy 70'RR w/ a white interior, 383ci, 4 speed. That car looks awsome in Limelight.

[jaak]

Great looking Car!!!!  I think 70 RR are the coolest looking of the 2nd gen.            

[Old Moparz]

That's a fine lookin' green car you got there.   Dig the yellow headlights.     

O.M., you were trying to purchase the Daytona I have?

Hey AllBlueRT,

Sort of, but no sweat.      I had posted about it on Chris's '70 Charger site & thought you read it. I was making plans to fly out to see it, but Dane emailed & it was sold. I was confused about how you ended up with it, but realized you were in on a trade/sale over it. I'm glad to see another member/enthusiast has it, & not a BJ flipper hopeful. It's all about being in the right place at the right time, & being in New York didn't help. Everyone has a story of finding or missing out on a certain car.

Here's a few more pics while my eyes are still working. 30 minutes til eyedrops & blur.   

The gauge cluster looks like it has new facing to me. There's a nice AM radio & bezel in the trunk.


The air box is in nice shape & has a box of parts to go with it in the trunk. That includes the switch & bezel I had hunted for a few years for the other hood.


Always liked a nice ass.   

[Brock Samson]

That's a dynamite Ride there ya' lucky Fart!

congrats! 

[Just 6T9 CHGR]

Nah, mine wasnt stolen as far as I know.  I thought the car was a NJ car so it could have been a possiblilty....a stretch but a possibility

[73rallye440magnum]

that car is NICE i love 70 GTX/Roadrunners. awesome car.

[Big Lebowski]

  Nice Road runner, it looks like a really clean keeper.

[dd44068]

WOW that is a sweet ride good luck with it, and lets see some pics when she is done.

[Johnny SixPack]

Wow!  

What a beaut, OM.

Congrats!

Oh yeah, remember to wash your hands.  

[derailed]

nice find, always loved that color on 70s

[694spdRT]

Great find! 

You should have that one on the road in no time.

[Wakko]

That car is AWESOME.  I really like the yellow lights in the middle, really looks like a race car with it. 

[41husk]

great find, and as far the clone wing car, I doubt interest will ever fade much.

[BB1]

That is FrEak'en Cool   

[4402tuff4u]

Very nice find Bob! Maybe I'll see it in Carlisle next year if you decide to show it. It looks like most of the major body work is done. I wish my car was at that stage. Did you get fender tag or built sheet with it? What gears does it have?

[Old Moparz]

Thanks again for the compliments.  

If there's no setbacks with it & it's done, Carlisle is a very strong possibility next year. I'll have to see if my wife would go along so I can bring the Scamp too. She hates driving the Scamp, so she'll probably drive this one if she does go. That's okay with me, it'll be cool seeing her go through the gears, she hasn't done that in ages. She used to have an '88 Mustang GT with a 5 speed, & a '69 Suzuki motorcycle. Besides, I'm sure it'll be hot out & the Scamp has A/C, & I hate the heat.  

The Road Runner is supposed to have a 3:55 rear, which shouldn't be too bad on the 4 hour drive to Carlisle. I don't want to trailer it, that wouldn't be any fun.        I was told there was no fender tag or build sheet, & since it was a 383 originally & now a 440, it doesn't matter. The VIN says it's a Road Runner & the clear title agrees. That's one of the reasons I liked this car over a few others I saw, it'll be a driver I won't worry too much about.

Right now I think I have to go outside, uncover it, & look at it again to believe it's here.  

[CB]

WOW, cool looking RR you got here. Looks like fun  times lays ahead !
Congrats, Bob

[PocketThunder]

thats a pretty cool license plate on your trailer 

[Old Moparz]

thats a pretty cool license plate on your trailer  

Shh, it's not real, but I am trying to get that one.

[DC_1]

Sweet !!!!!     

[gb70]

I've always liked the '70 B Bodies, GTX'S, RR's, SuperBees. 

Great color and looks to be well done.  Have fun and keep us posted as progress continues.

I did not look close enough, is there P/S ?  If not, add.  You will be glad that you did.

[Silver R/T]

meep meep nice bird

[Shakey]

Good Score OM!  She's a beauty!

I see the trailer is set up out in front of the garage - is that where you will be sleeping for the next little while or did the wife know about this purchase? 

[dart3404]

Very nice find! Congratulations! Gotta love that color 

[cudaken]

 I like the garage! I could live in something like that.

Good score on the Runner.

                                   Cuda Ken

[Charger_Fan]

Sweet!! Look at that, no snow & everything looks warm, cheery & green!



Oh & speaking of green, sweeet car, Moparz!! Cheating or not, THAT'S the kind of project car to have.
Geez, I don't log on to the site for a couple days (I know, strange of me ) & look what happens!  That's a great looking 'Runner you snagged, good for you!

[Old Moparz]

I've always liked the '70 B Bodies, GTX'S, RR's, SuperBees.  

Great color and looks to be well done.   Have fun and keep us posted as progress continues.

I did not look close enough, is there P/S ?   If not, add.   You will be glad that you did.

It's amazing to see my own level of enthusiasm increased by having a project that's not equal to scaling a cliff with a step ladder. I've already decided to call the guy who's done some engine work for me, & drop off the 4 speed to make sure it's okay to bolt in. It's one of the few mechanical things it still needs. I'll definitely post pics as it's further along.

It has P/S & even has the P/S cooler next to the fluid resevoir. The GTX I had didn't have P/S, but I never got to drive that car.

Good Score OM! She's a beauty!


I see the trailer is set up out in front of the garage - is that where you will be sleeping for the next little while or did the wife know about this purchase?

Don't have to sleep in the trailer, my wife not only knows about the Road Runner, she went with me to get it, & shared the driving to tow it home. This is the first "old" car I ever got with a manual trans & my wife likes to drive stick, so she wants a turn in the driver's seat too. I may lose time behind the wheel because of this, but it'll be worth it to get her more interested.

My eyes feel better today so I may go outside & peek under the cover & look at it again.

Thanks, Bob

[Old Moparz]

My eyes feel better today so I may go outside & peek under the cover & look at it again.

Thanks, Bob

Heck when I get a new car I'm out in the garage every hour till I go to bed lookin' at it.  

So what are your plans, I'm sure you already explained and I missed it?   Are you staying with the modified look?

Normally, that's how I would be as well, but the conjunctivitis really slammed me. At first it was like bad allergies, but by Sunday it was like having the flu with the aches & pains, a fever, no sleep, & all at the same time while someone keeps throwing sand in my eyes everytime I opened them.     Today was the first time I felt good & tomorrow it's back to work. Besides, it's raining right now.  

As far as the car's appearance goes, I'll leave it the way it is for now. I like the semi-stock look & the black steel wheels. I may go with different wheels at some point or just add the dog dish caps, but that would cost money & I squeak when I walk, remember?     I am more interested in getting to see how it runs & work any bugs out it may have. It's been off the road for years & supposed to have been in a barn in PA. The seller showed me tons of photos from start to finish in a photo album. I'll have to see if he'll make a set of prints, or at least a disc, for me. I'll post those some other time if he does.