This is the hard-to-miss, and very short lived, 1970 Plymouth Superbird (RM23-V0A-155803). This Superbird is the 83rd example of just approximately 1,920 examples produced in 1970, which reportedly makes this car the earliest surviving example known to exist. From the factory, this Superbird was equipped with a number of desirable options such as the 440 C.I. Super Commando V-8 and 6 BBL Carburation, a beautiful shade of yellow which was color code Y119 from the factory when it was originally painted, vinyl bucket seats, rallye road wheels, and much more. The 1970 Plymouth Superbird was essentially a short-lived, highly modified version of the original Plymouth Road Runner, and it came from the factory with one of the world’s largest factory wings, and well-known graphics printed throughout the car to make it clearly different from the stock Road Runners. The Super Bird was designed and created specifically for NASCAR racing, and also as a way to lure former NASCAR driver Richard Petty back to the Plymouth brand for the 1970 racing season. Today, Richard Petty’s Dinoco Blue Superbird now resides at the Richard Petty Museum, in Level Cross, North Carolina. The same “Dinoco Blue” is also shown in the movie CARS (2006).
How many made? Just 1,920 total units built. This example is 1 of approximately 665 total examples produced that were equipped with the 440 Super Commando Six Barrel V8 engine from the factory, of which only around 288 or so are said to survive to this day.
Engine: Superbirds had three engine options: the 426 Hemi producing 425hp, the 440 Six barrel producing 390hp, and the 440 four barrel producing 375hp. Only 135 Superbirds in total were fitted with the 426 Hemi V8, making that engine the rarest of the the three. The 426 engine was used in competition and was homologated by producing the minimum number required.
Debut: The SuperBird was essentially a modified Plymouth Roadrunner and didn’t have a formal debut as it’s own car.
Top speed: more than 150mph
0-60mph: around 4.8 seconds
Photo credit: @am_media_ny
Research: @rarecarsonly