I’m a Roadrunner Baby brings to mind the desert Southwest and a commercially successful version of a song sung by Bo Diddley. Speed is the key for Plymouth Road Runner muscle cars and the cartoon is represented in sticker form on the tail fin. A rare 1970 Plymouth Road Runner Superbird Coupe will star among other rarities at Bonhams MPH December Sale. The auction will be on Saturday, December 16, 2021 at Bicester Heritage, which is the final event of the year for Bonhams 2021 motoring calendar.

All joking and references aside, this 1970 Plymouth Road Runner Superbird Coupe is believed to be one of only four examples in the United Kingdom. The car is estimated fetch between 90,000 to 110,000 British Pounds at auction… and 90,000 pounds translates to over $119,000 in U.S. terms.

Collectors Dashboard evaluates high-end collectibles as an alternative asset class. This means collectibles are attracting the same capital that could have been invested into stocks or bonds. Many collectibles now cost thousands of dollars (or much more). Classic cars that cost more than $100,000 easily fit within the theme of collectibles and alternative assets. Just do not be confused — there is no such thing as a guaranteed profit in stocks, bonds or in alternative assets.

According to Bonhams press release:

“Developed specifically for NASCAR racing, the Superbird was a highly modified, short-lived version of Plymouth’s Road Runner ‘muscle car’, named after the cartoon character. Features include its distinctive protruding nose cone, a high-mounted rear wing as well as its ‘Road Runner’ cartoon character graphics and ‘beep beep’ sounding horn.

Fewer than 2000 Superbirds were produced to meet homologation requirements for racing and of these, only 300 were powered by the 426cu/7.0-litre Hemi engine of this example and were capable of top speeds of more than 200mph. Production was limited to one year due to the increasing emissions regulations, combined with higher insurance premiums for high performance cars.”

(Image courtesy of Bonhams press release)

Other cars at auction include the following:

• 1973 BMW 3.0 CSL Coupé, estimate £60,000 – 80,000
• 1998 Lotus Esprit V8 GT, estimate £50,000 – 60,000
• 1997 Rover Mini SPI Margrave Saloon, coachwork by Wood & Pickett, estimate £25,000 – 28,000

The racing built version of the 1970 Plymouth Road Runner population stands at only 300 factory built examples. Couple that fact with the Bonhams estimate of only four existing in all of the United Kingdom. Collectors will be wondering how to protect the tail fins transporting the car from Southampton by shipping container. Many investors should be saying Beep Beep ahead of the holiday season.