Editor’s note: This is the eighth in a 10-day series featuring cars to be sold June 23-25 at Barrett-Jackson’s 2016 Northeast Auction.
Once upon a time in NASCAR racing, Chrysler designers and engineers were granted unrestricted access to the outer edges of their own imaginations. Sheer horsepower and advanced aerodynamics led to a car designed not only to conquer the track, but to bring “The King,” Richard Petty, back on the track and to the brand.
The Plymouth Superbird dominated the speedways of America like nothing before.
In 1969 and 1970, NASCAR changed eligibility requirements from 500 production units to one unit per U.S. dealership. For Plymouth, this meant 1,920 Superbird needed to be produced to be eligible for competition.
The standard package included the 375 horsepower, 440 cid Super Commando V8 with a single 4-barrel Carter carburetor. Upgrades were to either the 390 horsepower, 440 cid Plus-Six Super Commando Six-Pack V8 with three 2-barrel Holley carburetors or the 425 horsepower, 426 cid “Hemi” V8 with dual-quads. Some 135 of the later were produced.
After winning or placing on the podium in 38 of the 48 major races during the 1970 NASCAR season, the Superbird was outlawed, making the car very notorious and highly desirable.
Offered with reserve at Barrett-Jackson’s inaugural Northeast auction, this 1970 Plymouth Hemi Superbird, lot 676, has undergone a rotisserie restoration with attention to detail that showcases the character of this machine for future generations.
Finished in Alpine White, this Superbird still carries its original Street HEMI engine along with the correct 3-speed automatic transmission and driveline components.
Mopar expert Galen Govier produced a 20-page visual inspection document for this car that confirms its authenticity and rarity as one of only 77 Hemi Superbirds produced with the TorqueFlite automatic transmission.
Additional features of this Superbird include power steering and power brakes with vented discs up front. The 8-3/4 rear end houses 3.55 gears, which keep the HEMI engine in a playful range, but still civil during cruising hours. A Rally dash, 3-speed windshield wipers and an AM radio are also included.
Shouldn’t that be a 9 3/4 rear end, not 8 3/4?
Not necessarily. The standard rear assy. with an automatic trans would be the 8 3/4″ unit. The 9 3/4″ would be std. with the manual transmission or an extra-cost option with the automatic. Most Superbirds were dealer ordered so they have the 3:55 8 3/4″ rear.
S.D. is correct with the HEMI you would get the Dana 60 9 3/4″ rear with standard 3:54 gears.