Plymouth Superbird

Plymouth Superbird

The 1970 Plymouth Superbird is one of the most visually dramatic and historically significant American automobiles ever produced. Created solely to make the Plymouth Road Runner competitive in NASCAR superspeedway racing, the Superbird featured a protruding nose cone and a towering rear wing that rose nearly two feet above the trunk lid. These aerodynamic devices were functional -- they reduced drag and generated downforce at speeds exceeding 180 mph on the high banks of Daytona and Talladega -- but they also created one of the most outrageous and unforgettable automotive designs in history.

The Superbird was based on the 1970 Road Runner, itself based on the B-body Belvedere/Satellite platform. The aerodynamic modifications were developed by Creative Industries in Detroit and included a flush-mounted rear window (replacing the recessed standard window to improve airflow), a sheet metal nose cone that extended the car's length by approximately 18 inches, retractable headlights behind spring-loaded covers, and the iconic rear wing mounted on tall struts that cleared the trunk lid to place the wing in undisturbed airflow.

Three engine options were available: the base 440 Super Commando with a single four-barrel carburetor producing 375 horsepower, the 440 Six Barrel (Six Pack) producing 390 horsepower, and the legendary 426 Hemi producing 425 horsepower. The majority of street Superbirds were equipped with the base 440, as NASCAR homologation required a minimum production number and Chrysler needed to sell as many as possible. The Hemi option added substantially to the price and was ordered by a minority of buyers.

The driving experience of a Superbird is defined as much by the attention it attracts as by its performance. The nose cone limits forward visibility and adds substantial overhang, making parking and maneuvering a challenge. The wing provides no benefit at street-legal speeds but creates significant visual drama in the rearview mirrors of other drivers. The 440 engine provides strong, effortless performance, and the car rides and handles like a standard Road Runner -- which is to say, competently but without the precision of a sports car.

On the NASCAR circuit, the Superbird was devastating. Richard Petty, who had defected to Ford due to the lack of a competitive Plymouth aero car, returned to Plymouth specifically for the Superbird. Pete Hamilton won the 1970 Daytona 500 in a Superbird, and the car won numerous other races during the season. The Superbird and its Dodge Charger Daytona predecessor were so dominant that NASCAR ultimately changed its rules to restrict winged cars, effectively ending the aero warrior era.

Approximately 1,935 Superbirds were produced for the 1970 model year, the minimum required for NASCAR homologation. Today, the Superbird is one of the most collectible and valuable muscle cars, with its outrageous styling making it an instant crowd magnet at any car show. Hemi-equipped Superbirds are among the most valuable American muscle cars ever produced.