1970 Plymouth Road Runner Superbird
The winged Mopars first appeared in 1969 with the Dodge Charger Daytona, carrying streamlining and aerodynamic downforce to new heights in NASCAR. The 1969 regulations required that Dodge build only 500 of the pointy-nose high-wing Daytonas. When Plymouth decided to emulate the success of the Daytona with the Road Runner Superbird in 1970 NASCAR made it quite a bit more difficult, requiring that any model raced in NASCAR be built in sufficient quantity to supply all the manufacturer's American dealers. For Plymouth that meant building nearly 2,000 of its bullet-shaped NASCAR Superbirds, just for them to qualify for racing on NASCAR's two high speed ovals, Daytona and Talladega.
The Road Runner Superbird became the most popular and well known of all the NASCAR specials built during the Sixties and Seventies, helped in no small measure by NASCAR's insistence that Plymouth build plenty of them so they created a high profile on the street. Most of the street Superbirds are very well equipped with luxury options in addition to the performance equipment which was included in the Superbird package. Those included the 375hp 440 Magnum V8, Torqueflite automatic transmission, performance axle, power steering, power disc brakes and hood hold down pins.
Bonhams will be offering this example, at their upcoming Quail Lodge Auction on the 18th August, its estimated value is between $140,000 – $160,000. For more information on this and other vehicles at the sale, click on the link below. Photos courtesy of Bonhams.