Heidts and Pure Vision Designs unleash a 1970 Plymouth Road Runner that rewrites the rules of American muscle

The lights dimmed across the SEMA Show floor in Las Vegas, and suddenly, there it was. Gleaming under the spotlights in a mesmerizing shade of Inkwell Violet sat the 1970 Plymouth Road Runner “Haraka,” a collaboration between suspension innovator Heidts and master builder Steve Strope’s Pure Vision Designs. This wasn’t just another restomod debut. This was a declaration that the golden age of American muscle has evolved into something extraordinary.

For those who’ve followed the Pro Touring scene, Steve Strope needs no introduction. The founder of Pure Vision Design has spent more than two decades pushing the boundaries of what’s possible with classic Mopar iron. His 1966 Dodge Charger “Skully” became the stuff of legend, but with Haraka, Strope has outdone himself. The name, Swahili for “speed,” captures the essence of this build perfectly: a machine engineered for velocity, crafted with soul.

A Masterpiece in Motion

Step back and take in Haraka’s presence. The custom Inkwell Violet paint, developed in collaboration with PPG and applied by renowned painter Mick Jenkins, shifts and dances in the light. It’s a color that defies easy description: deep, rich, mysterious. The perfect canvas for a car that balances aggression with elegance.

The stance tells you immediately that this Road Runner means business. HRE Frozen Polished Champagne wheels, wrapped in Michelin rubber, fill the fenders with purpose. The wheel finish provides a sophisticated counterpoint to the dramatic bodywork, creating a visual tension that’s utterly modern while respecting the car’s 1970 heritage. This is muscle car design elevated to haute couture.

The Devil in the Details

Open the door and prepare to be transported. Gabe’s Custom Interiors has created a cabin that rivals luxury European sports sedans, with Italia Brandy leather enveloping every surface. The inspiration? High-end Robert Graham fashion and the refined aesthetic of Christopher Ward timepieces. It’s an unexpected fusion that works beautifully, proving that hot rod interiors can offer the same sophistication found in six-figure exotics.

But this isn’t style over substance. A Vintage Air climate control system ensures comfort in any weather, while custom Dakota Digital gauges deliver critical information with modern precision. The premium Kicker audio system provides the soundtrack for those moments when the engine’s roar needs a rest. Every switch, every stitch, every surface has been considered and executed to perfection.

Heart of a Beast

Under that sculpted hood lives a 494 cubic inch V8 that represents the best of modern performance engineering. Built with precision components from 440 Source, Billet Specialties, Edelbrock, and MSD. This isn’t your grandfather’s big block Mopar. Power flows through a Tremec TKX five-speed transmission from American Powertrain, giving the driver complete control over every one of those cubic inches.

The numbers are impressive, but what matters more is the character. This engine was built to deliver smooth, reliable power across the entire rev range while maintaining the visceral soundtrack that made muscle cars legendary in the first place.

Revolutionary Engineering

Here’s where Haraka truly breaks new ground. This Road Runner is the first B-body Mopar to receive Heidts’ all-new independent front and rear suspension systems. Think about that for a moment. For decades, Mopar enthusiasts worked around the limitations of torsion bars up front and leaf springs out back. Now, with modern independent suspension at all four corners, the game has changed completely.

Combined with USCT chassis stiffening, JRI coilovers, and Wilwood brakes, Haraka delivers handling dynamics that would make European sports car engineers jealous. This is supercar territory: precise turn-in, composed ride quality, and stopping power that inspires confidence at any speed. The old muscle car compromise between straight-line speed and corner carving? Gone.

Philosophy Made Physical

A New Benchmark

Heidts and Pure Vision Designs haven’t just built an exceptional car. They’ve created a new standard for what’s possible when traditional hot rod artistry meets modern engineering innovation. The debut of Heidts’ B-body suspension systems on such a high-profile build sends a clear message to the muscle car world: the future is here, and it’s more exciting than we ever imagined.

As the lights came back up on the SEMA floor, enthusiasts crowded around Haraka, snapping photos, asking questions, and dreaming about their own builds. Because that’s what truly great cars do. They inspire. They push boundaries. They make us reimagine what’s possible.

The 1970 Plymouth Road Runner was born as a stripped-down street fighter, a blue-collar hero for the working man. Fifty-five years later, Haraka honors that heritage while pointing toward an electrifying future where American muscle cars can hold their own against anything on the road. This is Pro Touring perfection, and it’s only the beginning.

About Heidts Hot Rod & Muscle Car Parts 

Industry leaders in the design and manufacturing of front and rear suspensions for street rods and muscle car parts, Heidts is one of the premier forces that challenges and supplies the market with not only some of the finest components but some of the finest service as well. With our ever-expanding product lines and changes to improve older suspension designs, look for Heidts to have a suspension for your ride.