| High performance and low cost were Plymouth's | | | | Beep' sound which was unmistakable. |
| design goals for a brand-new model in 1968. The | | | | Mike Cenky of Huber Heights, Ohio owns this '70 Road |
| company believed that the time was right for a | | | | Runner hardtop with such an six-barrel 440 engine |
| factory hot rod for the youth market, and its guess | | | | installation. A retired phone company employee, Mike |
| was right on the money. It would have the macho | | | | acquired the four-speed model in 1988 in "fair condition." |
| name of Road Runner. | | | | I redid the powertrain and suspension system which |
| It was also a very "B Body"budget-friendly machine | | | | both needed attention." |
| which made it another very important reason for | | | | As he was restoring the Road Runner, Mike came |
| purchasing. The high cost ruled out many of the | | | | across some interesting clues that provided firm |
| muscle cars of the era. | | | | indications of the car's early history. "The engine had a |
| Less money meant less chrome on the body, along | | | | scatter shield, there was an indication of once having a |
| with feweroptions. | | | | drag-style line-lock set-up, and the rear wheelwells had |
| In fact, those that intended their Road Runner for the | | | | been trimmed for large racing slicks. |
| drag strip sometimes ordered the Runner with the | | | | "I bet that it made many runs down the drag strip |
| small hub-cap-style wheel covers and even deleted | | | | during those days." He indicated, though, that type of |
| the radio. | | | | activity is not in his plans for the orange beauty. "Oh, I |
| A member of the Belvedere line, the new model came | | | | might get on it once-in-awhile, but that's about it!" |
| with a stock 383cid engine capable of 335 | | | | Cenky did, however, make several minor changes for |
| horsepower. But that was just the beginning, the | | | | better driving comfort. "I used a wider eight-inch rear |
| awesome 426 Hemi and 440 Six-Barrel engines would | | | | wheel. Then too, I changed the factory 4.10 ratio rear |
| become available the following model year. | | | | end to a 3.54 unit which makes the car much more |
| Of course, the Hemi has been a legend for many | | | | streetable." For a cleaner look, the small Road Runner |
| years, but that triple-carbed 440 engine had adopted a | | | | decals-normally on the front quarters-and small |
| cult following of its own. A significant body change had | | | | chrome RR emblems on the rear quarters. |
| been planned for the '70 model, but that would be put | | | | The car is coated in a flashy Tor Red color, a color |
| off until the 1971 model year. | | | | which is carried to the exposed wheels which carry |
| The 1970 440 continued to be capable of 390 | | | | the small wheel covers, and in MOPAR style, also into |
| horsepower when equipped with the so-called Air | | | | the engine compartment. It's highlighted with that broad |
| Grabber induction system. That interesting system | | | | black hood stripe which contains the hood scoop and |
| provided a solid connection between the hood scoops | | | | is outlined by two narrow stripes. There is definitely a |
| and engine once the hood was closed. The sides of | | | | racecar look about this stunning machine. |
| the pop-up Air Grabber door were eye-catching with | | | | The car also carries the Super Track Pack which |
| evil-looking shark's teeth etched on the sides. | | | | included front disc brakes, heavy duty cooling package, |
| The front end was menacing-looking with the blackout | | | | special cooling fan, and the Dana rear end. The interior |
| grille containing twin headlights mounted in its ends. The | | | | is done in black vinyl and sports bucket seats. |
| aggressive bumper contained a pair of round parking | | | | Cenky explained that even though the car is 36 years |
| lights on either side of the license plate. | | | | old, most people at car shows know exactly what it is. |
| When looking at the '70 Road Runner, and comparing it | | | | "I am always hearing from them that they owned one |
| with the other garnish MOPAR muscle machines of | | | | or knew somebody that did," he explained. |
| the era, it appeared downright stripped. Oh, there was | | | | Mike's long been a Chrysler fan, and it comes naturally. |
| a stripe and 440+6 lettering on the hood, but that was | | | | "My dad worked for the company for many years |
| about it. About the only eye catcher was the simulated | | | | and all we ever had were Chrysler cars." And over |
| rear-fender-scoop cut-out. | | | | the years, |
| Some of the models did, however, have a dust trail | | | | Mike has owned a number of vintage performance |
| that reached from near the front of the front fender | | | | MOPARs, including a '67 440 R/T, a '70 Dodge |
| and disappeared into that scoop. | | | | Challenger 440 Six-Pack, a '72 340 Plymouth Duster, |
| The only sizable name identification externally was the | | | | and a '70 Chrysler 300. |
| "Road Runner" lettering contained in a stripe located on | | | | There is no mistaking the look of those Chrysler-built |
| the rear end of the car, just above the tail lights. As far | | | | '60s and early muscle machines, and they are certainly |
| as engine identification, in addition to the | | | | a favorite of mine." |
| aforementioned 440+6 designations on the hood, there | | | | And ours too! |
| was also a "440" in the rear of a hood bulge. | | | | DON'T MISS AN ISSUE. CLICK HERE TO |
| With that famous name, the company made the most | | | | SUBSCRIBE NOW & SAVE 50% OFF THE COVER |
| of it with a special horn to sound like that famous | | | | PRICE! |
| cartoon bird. The horn made the Road Runner 'Beep | | | | |