Car:
Year: 1970
What makes it special: Plymouth’s Superbird was a highly modified version of the Road Runner model with well-known graphics and horn. It was the factory’s follow up stock car racing design for the 1970 season to the Dodge Charger Daytona of 1969, and incorporated many engineering changes and modifications from the Daytona’s season in competition on the track. “Superbird” decals were placed on the outside edges of the spoiler vertical struts featuring a picture of the Road Runner cartoon character holding a racing helmet. A smaller version of the decal appears on the driver side headlight door.
What made it famous: Both the Superbird and Daytona were known for featuring a protruding, aerodynamic nosecone, and a high-mounted rear wing. NASCAR’s homologation requirement demanded that vehicles to be raced must be available to the general public and sold through dealerships in specific minimum numbers. Superbird’s had three engine options consisting of a 426 Hemi V8 producing 425 hp, the 440 Super Commando Six Barrel with three 2-barrel carburetors producing 390 hp or the 375 hp 440 Super Commando with a single 4-barrel carburetor. As the 440 was less expensive to produce, the “Street” version of the 426 Hemi engine used in competition was homologated by producing the minimum number required. Only 135 models were fitted with the 426 Hemi.
Why I would want one: Any kid growing up in that time period wanted either a Superbird or Daytona. I am one of those kids.
Fun fact: Due to increasing emissions regulations, combined with insurance hikes for high performance cars and NASCAR’s effective ban on the aero cars, 1970 was the only production year.
