Photo: Mecum Auctions
In 1969, Chrysler found a great way to make its muscle cars stand out. It introduced the High-Impact color palette, which included the flashiest exterior colors available at the time. And needless to say, the High-Impact Mopars are among the most sought-after classic vehicles today.
Whether it's Plum Crazy, Sublime, or Top Banana, these hues can send Dodges and Plymouths well into the six-figure territory at public auctions. Sure, these cars also need to include the right options to get there, but a flamboyant Dodge Challenger will almost always fetch more dough than a mundane example finished in a plain hue. On the flip side, a classic muscle car finished in a solid color is nothing to sneeze at. Especially if you're into sleepers.
As much as I love Mopars dressed in Panther Pink, Citron Yella, and even Butterscotch, I can't say no to an unassuming Plymouth HEMI Road Runner. Like this 1970 hardtop in Alpine White. Now, this is a color that does a fine job at keeping a "Coyote Duster" under the radar, don't you think?
But that's not the only reason I'm showing you this Mopar that goes "beep beep" when you hit the horn. This Road Runner is also a very rare gem. Sure, Plymouth sold almost 37,000 examples in 1970, but how many left the factory with the 426-cubic-inch (7.0-liter) HEMI V8? Exactly 152. That's less than 0.5% of the total production! And the Alpine White car you see here is even rarer than that. How so?
Well, for starters, it's a hardtop model. If we exclude the 74 coupes and the three convertibles, we're left with only 75 hardtop models. Then there's the transmission. The HEMI Road Runner was available with a four-speed manual or an automatic that year. This one comes with the latter, and it's the feature that makes it the rarest 1970 hardtop out there. Because only 16 vehicles were built like this.
I could go on with the fact that the Alpine White paint, black vinyl top, and black interior turn it into a one-of-one gem, but this bit of hard-to-confirm info is unnecessary. You won't find a scarcer 1970 Road Runner unless you go with a HEMI Convertible or a drop-top with a 440 and an automatic gearbox. And yes, this hardtop is even rarer than a HEMI Superbird.
Scarcity aside, this Mopar is also a finely restored example that spent no fewer than two years in the shop. It's perfect no matter how you look at it, and the engine bay is cleaner than a hound's tooth. It's also very original, still carrying the factory body panels and the numbers-matching 426 HEMI V8. The options list is quite rich, too, including bucket seats, a full console, Rallye wheels, power steering, and power brakes with front discs.
Can it be described as perfect? Well, it would be if it were painted Moulin Rouge (or Panther Pink, as it's called on Dodge cars), but that's just me. If I ignore my strange love for pink muscle cars, this Road Runner is one of those cars that makes me scream, "It doesn't get better than this," and "Shut up and take my money!"
Speaking of the latter, this Road Runner is actually looking for a new owner. Part of The Kevin Sergent Mopar and Wing Car Collection, the Plymouth is scheduled to go under the hammer at the Kissimmee auction in January 2024. And I'd be shocked if it doesn't change hands for at least $150,000.
As much as I love Mopars dressed in Panther Pink, Citron Yella, and even Butterscotch, I can't say no to an unassuming Plymouth HEMI Road Runner. Like this 1970 hardtop in Alpine White. Now, this is a color that does a fine job at keeping a "Coyote Duster" under the radar, don't you think?
But that's not the only reason I'm showing you this Mopar that goes "beep beep" when you hit the horn. This Road Runner is also a very rare gem. Sure, Plymouth sold almost 37,000 examples in 1970, but how many left the factory with the 426-cubic-inch (7.0-liter) HEMI V8? Exactly 152. That's less than 0.5% of the total production! And the Alpine White car you see here is even rarer than that. How so?
Well, for starters, it's a hardtop model. If we exclude the 74 coupes and the three convertibles, we're left with only 75 hardtop models. Then there's the transmission. The HEMI Road Runner was available with a four-speed manual or an automatic that year. This one comes with the latter, and it's the feature that makes it the rarest 1970 hardtop out there. Because only 16 vehicles were built like this.
I could go on with the fact that the Alpine White paint, black vinyl top, and black interior turn it into a one-of-one gem, but this bit of hard-to-confirm info is unnecessary. You won't find a scarcer 1970 Road Runner unless you go with a HEMI Convertible or a drop-top with a 440 and an automatic gearbox. And yes, this hardtop is even rarer than a HEMI Superbird.
Scarcity aside, this Mopar is also a finely restored example that spent no fewer than two years in the shop. It's perfect no matter how you look at it, and the engine bay is cleaner than a hound's tooth. It's also very original, still carrying the factory body panels and the numbers-matching 426 HEMI V8. The options list is quite rich, too, including bucket seats, a full console, Rallye wheels, power steering, and power brakes with front discs.
Can it be described as perfect? Well, it would be if it were painted Moulin Rouge (or Panther Pink, as it's called on Dodge cars), but that's just me. If I ignore my strange love for pink muscle cars, this Road Runner is one of those cars that makes me scream, "It doesn't get better than this," and "Shut up and take my money!"
Speaking of the latter, this Road Runner is actually looking for a new owner. Part of The Kevin Sergent Mopar and Wing Car Collection, the Plymouth is scheduled to go under the hammer at the Kissimmee auction in January 2024. And I'd be shocked if it doesn't change hands for at least $150,000.
Google News