speed_staff's avatar
Author:
SPEED Staff
Login For More
Rate this article:
  • 0/5 Stars
  • Related Photos
SPEEDtv.com Store
DVD: David Jefferies Story
The David Jefferies Story is a reminder of the much loved and much missed Yorkshireman.
Our Price: $24.95
Visit Button
Buy Button
Man-Made Thunder
The book examines the sport of stock car racing through the eyes and ears of the men behind the wheel and the wrenches.
Our Price: $49.00
Visit Button
Buy Button
Unisex Sandwich Cap
Unisex Velcro back hat with SPEED logo on front. PINKS logo embroidered on left and PAO logo on right. One size fits all.
Our Price: $24.95
Visit Button
Buy Button
Speedway T-shirt
Men's 6 oz. 100% Cotton Jersey Short Sleeve Tee. SPEED logo imprinted on the front center chest.
Our Price: $24.99
Visit Button
Buy Button
Ferrari Red Classic Hat
100% cotton twill. Ferrari shield embroidered on front, piping on the peak and Ferrari logo embroidered on back strap adjuster.
Our Price: $30.00 ($27.00 Member)
Visit Button
Buy Button
Footer Bg
  • Zoom More Photos Button
  • Camera Icon
101 Cars: Plymouth Superbird
Written by: SPEED Staff
SPEEDtv.com   
06/23/2008
Charlotte, North Carolina
 
Plymouth engineers adapted fenders from the 1970 Dodge Coronet. (Photo: SPEED) ยป More Photos

If imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, Plymouth was really impressed by the 1969 Dodge Charger Daytona. Build as a direct response to the aerodynamic Ford and Mercury NASCAR racers, the Daytona had a bullett nose, convex rear window, and a towering rear wing. It owned NASCAR late in the 1969 season. Plymouth borrowed Dodge's data to make the Road Runner just as slippery. But making a "Superbird" wasn't all that easy. The Road Runner's fenders didn't align well to a nose cone, so Plymouth engineers adapted those from the 1970 Dodge Coronet. Radiator ducting differed to avoid the Daytona's engine-overheating problems, and the rear wing was swept further back. Like the Charger 500 and Daytona, the Superbird's conversion was by Creative Industries, who had to crank out 1,920 cars, one for every dealer, to meet NASCAR's latest homologation rules. Whatever, the Superbird did what it was supposed to - lure Richard Petty back to Plymouth and make Plymouth competitive in NASCAR. Imitation just wasn't quite enough for Plymouth, however, as Bobby Isaac won the driver's championship... in a Daytona.

Specifications
Engine: OHV V-8: 440 ci four-barrel; 440-ci three two-barrels; 426-ci four-barrel
Horsepower: 375, 390, 425
0–60 mph: unknown; 5.9 seconds, 4.8 seconds
Top Speed: 140-plus miles per hour
Price New: $4,298; $4,548; $5,139
Value Now: $85,000; $115,000, $160,000
Plymouth Superbird Photos



Claim to Fame

The ultimate and last of the NASCAR aerodynamic specials.


Soundtrack

“Runnin' Wide Open" by Joe Diffie


Perfect Passenger

Who else but Richard Petty?!


Behind the Wheel
The Winged Warriors/National B-Body Owners Association has the skinny on these cars.


Did You Know?
Like the Charger 500 and Daytona, a convex rear window was also installed, but to save expensive hand finishing of the bodywork, all Superbirds had vinyl tops.


The Perfect Drive
Anyone for a road trip to the Richard Petty Museum in Randleman, North Carolina?



Get Your Copy of 365 Cars You Must Drive

Catch 101 Cars You Must Drive on SPEED! Premiering Monday, June 23rd at 9:00pm ET/6:00pm PT.

Check out the 101 Cars Countdown!




Is the Superbird your favorite NASCAR model ever, if not which? Leave comments below!
View All Comments