1970 Plymouth Road Runner Superbird Coupe

New streamlining and aerodynamic downforce techniques helped the winged Mopars achieve new successes in 1969. Racing regulations dictated that at least 500 examples of the Dodge Charger Daytona's be constructed to qualify for racing.
For the following season, Plymouth wanted to imitate the successes of its sibling company with their Road Runner Superbird. By now, rules required a higher number of vehicles to be constructed to satisfy the homologation requirements. Satisfying this rule only allowed them to qualify them for racing on NASCAR's two high speed ovals, Daytona and Talladega.

The season-opener was the Daytona 500 which was won by Pete Hamilton driving a Petty Enterprises Plymouth Road Runner Superbird. The Superbird was built atop the same mid-sized Chrysler platform as the Dodge Charger, but the two cars were uniquely different, evident in the bodywork. The Superbird had a nose that was 1-inch longer than the Changer's and had a raised entry angle.

The rear wing on the production based cars did little other than turn heads. It was given this height so that is could allow enough room for the trunk lid to open without interference with the wing. For the NASCAR entries, the angle of the wing and the height were carefully tested for each track to provide optimal performance at speeds.

Most of the road-going Superbirds were equipped with plenty of luxury and convenience options, as well as performance equipment. The list includes the 375 horsepower 440 Magnum V8, Torqueflite automatic transmission, performance axle, power steering, power disc brakes, black vinyl roof, and hood hold down pins.

This 1970 Plymouth Road Runner Superbird is finished in Lime Light Green High Impact color which was original to the car. It was special ordered without the rear transverse tape stripe. It came from the factory with bucket seats, console, tinted windshield, undercoating, outside mirrors, AM radio, rim blow steering wheel and Rallye road wheels.

The engine in this car has the period-correct Edelbrock three two-barrel carburetor intake manifolds that were used on the production 440 Magnum Six Barrel engines. The dashboard and the inside of the light wing were signed by Richard Petty.

In 2007 this Road Runner Superbird was brought to the Quail Lodge Resort & Golf Club in Carmel, California where it was auctioned at the Bonhams auction, An Important Sale of Collectors' Motorcars and Automobilia. Bidding reached a high of $98,000 (plus premium and taxes) which was enough to satisfy the reserve and the lot was sold.

By Daniel Vaughan | Apr 2008