Sunday 24th May 2020

Plymouth Superbird | Pic of the Week

Perhaps the most iconic of the muscle cars is 50 years old in 2020 - least we could do was a wallpaper tribute

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Funny how history works out. Today, five decades after the Plymouth Superbird's solitary year of production, it's revered as one of the period's true legends. Of course, the wild look contributed to that, but the fact that it worked - with Richard Petty taking eight NASCAR wins in 1970 - secured the Superbird's place in history.

Only problem being that, 50 years ago, it was seen as a bit OTT. Who'd have thought? It's rumoured that Superbirds were left unsold as late as 1972, some even converted back to Road Runners just to get the things off the lot. Meaning that, even though nearly 2,000 were made, it's unclear exactly what happened once they left the factory.

Anyway, that's a long time in the past now. In 2020, the Superbird can revel in its status as an emblem of the era's excess, right up there with the original Mustangs, Challengers, Corvettes and Camaros as a legend of the breed. Nothing had quite looked like a Superbird before it (Dodge Daytona aside), and nothing would after - regardless of contemporary popularity, we're certainly glad it existed. So happy 50th, Plymouth Superbird - middle age suits you just nicely.

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[TdM-GTV]

How could that car not excite you. What a great looking thing!

[Roy m]

Great era for Americana - preferred the Dodge Daytona myself

[anonymous-user]

Incredible looking car,even today.
Saw 1 in the flesh last year.
Wouldn't want one myself mind

[Speed1283]

Roy m said:

Great era for Americana - preferred the Dodge Daytona myself

Me too

[XR]

Oh my that's right at the top of my all time favourites

I was lucky to be taken for a ride in one about 20 years ago, in fact it may have been longer, anyway it was for sale for 15k but before I could muster the funds it was on its way to Jersey (to someone who already had one iirc)

[aeropilot]

Roy m said:

preferred the Dodge Daytona myself

So do I.

Better looking, nicer inside and much rarer.

[emperorburger]

aeropilot said:

Roy m said:

preferred the Dodge Daytona myself

So do I.

Better looking, nicer inside and much rarer.

What were the comparative production figures?

[aeropilot]

emperorburger said:

aeropilot said:

Roy m said:

preferred the Dodge Daytona myself

So do I.

Better looking, nicer inside and much rarer.

What were the comparative production figures?

About 1900 Superbird's and about 500 Daytona's.

[emperorburger]

aeropilot said:

emperorburger said:

aeropilot said:

Roy m said:

preferred the Dodge Daytona myself

So do I.

Better looking, nicer inside and much rarer.

What were the comparative production figures?

About 1900 Superbird's and about 500 Daytona's.

That's significant. Is this reflected in the values?

[aeropilot]

emperorburger said:

aeropilot said:

emperorburger said:

aeropilot said:

Roy m said:

preferred the Dodge Daytona myself

So do I.

Better looking, nicer inside and much rarer.

What were the comparative production figures?

About 1900 Superbird's and about 500 Daytona's.

That's significant. Is this reflected in the values?

Yes.

[TurboBlue]

My favourite car on Grand Tourismo 5! Spent all my upgrades on it, running a supercharged hemi with 700 bhp. Used to fly past Bugatti's on the Daytona circuit. Rubbish at corners so any modern bendy circuit was bad, couldn't put the power down and was forever going sideways.

Would love a drive in a real one!

[DuckAvenger]

[belleair302]

Hot Wheels meets Thunderbird 2.

[BigMon]

Absolutely ridiculous.

I love it.

[Mr E]

A few years ago we took the boy to Goodwood FOS.

He loved Pixar’s Cars.

Walking in from the campsite on Friday morning, as we got to the turning circle at the bottom of the hill, we were greeted by that powder blue Superbird waiting it’s turn.

The boy shouted “look, it’s the king”, and I took great delight in explaining that it was a real car, driven by a real multiple NASCAR champion and legend. Oh, and and the guy driving it was the same guy who did the voice for the film.

We then stood on the start line while it fired up the hill making a noise like God. Shouting.

I bet he doesn’t remember it.

[aeropilot]

Mr E said:

We then stood on the start line while it fired up the hill making a noise like God. Shouting.

Imagine what it would have been like being somewhere like Talladega or Darlington standing by the wall as 20 of them thundered past at 200mph.......

[Coatesy351]

Roy m said:

Great era for Americana - preferred the Dodge Daytona myself

The blue car is a superbird.


Daytona

[aeropilot]

Coatesy351 said:

Roy m said:

Great era for Americana - preferred the Dodge Daytona myself

The blue car is a superbird.

More than likely its not even a Superbird, but a clone, as no one would be stupid enough to deface a real Superbird to look like that

[FourWheelDrift]

Richard Petty's real Superbird on the road - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C9LFgsLQATc


1970 Charlotte 500 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1VXG1ZKVmWY

[generationx]

Love this, another classic homologation special. The changes made were fantastic - is it true the "vents" on top of the front wings were covering a hole which gave more race tyre clearance?

I've learned most of the information on these cars by watching Mark Worman restoring them (if he's to be believed). They're fantastic things. What always surprises me is the sheer size of them, as commented above they must have been amazing to watch in period.