Plymouth Superbird 1970, Estados Unidos

Plymouth Superbird 1970, Estados Unidos
Fotografia

A Road Runner on steroids, the Superbird was Plymouth’s way of bringing a gun to a knife fight. Cars like this 21,838-mile wing car were built late in 1969 to do just one thing—get Richard Petty back home in a Chrysler product and win some superspeedway races. The Road Runner had been named the 1969 Motor Trend Car of the Year, and this version took the aspects of aero-styling learned from the Charger Daytona program and applied them to a slightly redesigned Road Runner shell for the 1970 model season.

This four-owner car still hosts its original engine, transmission and interior, making it among the select examples that have retained serious originality. Moreover, the U-code 440/375 HP V-8 Super Commando engine is backed by its original 4-speed manual transmission, meaning this car also came from the factory with the Hurst Pistol Grip shifter rather than the column-style automatic handle. Painted in Alpine White, one of the six mandated exterior colors chosen to keep production simple, this car has the mandatory black vinyl top which covered factory rear window changes. Its original black interior hosts bucket seats, AM radio, podded dash design and Beep-Beep horn steering wheel center. Indeed, large Road Runner Superbird graphics are affixed to the towering rear wing, as is the word Plymouth spelled out on the quarter panels, stylized nose cone, fender-mounted air extractor scoops, hood pins and chrome exhaust tips, all from the factory. Rounding out the package are 14-inch Rallye wheels with Goodyear Polyglas raised-white-letter tires.

Benefitting from a comprehensive restoration by Randy DeLisio of Lyons, New York, this car has its original broadcast sheet, owner's manual, numerous photos, extensive receipts and paperwork for its provenance. The King came back, and the Superbird proved to be the winner before NASCAR rules changes made it uncompetitive. Today considered the highlight of any serious collection of muscle cars, this ‘Runner example retains the attitude that helped establish the legacy of the Superbird.