Scene at a 1966 Plymouth product strategy meeting somewhere in Detroit:…let’s listen in… “…I say we combine a solid Chrysler B chassis, foundation of the Belvedere and Satellite, bolt on a streamlined yet slab sided shell, strip out most of the creature comforts, including carpet, drop in a 383ci power plant and name the whole thing for a cartoon bird. Yeah that’s the ticket. When you're done it should run sub 14 second quarter miles and sell for a pip under $3,000. Let's plan on selling about 2,000 in 1968.”

Well, they didn't sell 2,000. They sold over 42,000, then 84,000 in 1969 – winning Motor Trend 1969 Car of the Year honor. By 1970, Plymouth's $50,000 investment in licensing the Road Runner image and sound (the horn does go beep-beep) showed the company had more guile and cunning than a thousand Wil E.Coyotes. The 1970 Road Runner variants included the Superbird which rescued "The King" from a year in blue oval purgatory and hemi versions featuring the retractable air grabber hood.

The 1970 version could be purchased as a convertible and even with the top down it could dust off most red light rivals you'd happen to meet on Main St. GMP recreates this legendary muscle car in fabulous Lemon Twist yellow. This bird should top many a muscle car model awards list for 2006. The model has four opening parts and an easily detached roof. It is both well crafted and easily dispatched with. You can probably tell I hate displaying convertibles top up, but if that's a feature you enjoy, dig the working window cranks that enable displaying your convertible in rain/winter mode. There are optional rear quarter windows packaged separately in the styrofoam coffin. The air shock influenced stance is high, hunching from back front like a cat backed in a corner. Sitting proudly on white lettered fatigued Goodyear Polyglas GT's, the car is instantly equal parts heritage and hellion. Shut lines are tight. The only loose fit is at the joint where the rear bumper wraps around the side. The front bumper doesn’t share this problem.

Body contours are kept at a minimum by Plymouth with the simple body molding and side scoops are well articulated. Perhaps the most striking aspect of the body markings aren’t the delicate Road Runner and Plymouth badging, but the color decal of the Road Runner in full pursuit mode on the front fenders - color decals then and now are almost unheard of on a production vehicle. Because the car is so stark, GMP’s execution of details like the polished chrome exhaust tips, GT striping , beveled grill with “race track” trim, BEEP BEEP rear license plate and in-bumper fog lamps shine that much more. Add to the list of marvels the chrome trimmed door interiors and sills, the faux wood grain console (with interior light mounts!) and foldable front bucket seats. Curiously the seat belts are hard molded plastic for those riding up front yet for the backseat the buckles are chrome photo-etched. The trunk has a full fledged spare complete with bolt on mount.

The engine compartment is par for the course for GMP which means every engine block part, wire, label and plumbing can be found. The orange air filter cover with the 383 Road Runner lettering should have some silver painted trim and a silver wing nut but that’s a minor quibble. I’ll let the photos do the talking. I’m not a big underbelly fan, but you gotta’ love one that works for it’s money, as in working drive shaft, working suspension with extra gonzo the big beefy leaf spring rears. All the platform extrusions are present and the threaded brake lines uncanny realism. I don’t even see how they mounted the body on the chassis – must be elfin magic.

This new Road Runner platform should be a big tin pusher for the folks in Tom Long’s employ. There are a significant number of hemi-winged-spoiler-appearance trim variants to keep the creative types in Georgia awake for months. But for the moment, you can own this very hip Lemon Twist jewel. I’m glad I do – and so will you.

-Rusty Hurley