1970 Plymouth Superbird

Description

OFFERED WITHOUT RESERVE

For the 1969 NASCAR season, Dodge had the new bullet–like winged Charger Daytona, and Ford had sleek fastback Torino Talladega and Mercury Spoiler models, while Plymouth was saddled with the brick–like Road Runner. Plymouth’s star driver, Richard Petty, had enough and switched to Ford that year. To win Petty back Plymouth created the Superbird. It worked: Petty’s teammate, Pete Hamilton, captured the 1970 Daytona 500 and “King Richard” was on his way to another NASCAR Championship when a serious injury ended his season.

As with the Daytona, contractor Creative Industries hastily completed these limited–production automobiles from a special batch of Road Runners built at Chrysler’s Lynch Road assembly plant in Detroit. These one-year wonder Superbirds were costly starting at $4,298, there were few options available, and just seven paint choices were offered. Validation documents submitted to NASCAR show this Superbird, the 137th of 1,969 built, was sent to Creative Industries on 10 November 1969 and completed the next day. Most were equipped with the standard U-Code 440 “High Performance” single four–barrel engine and TorqueFlite automatic combo as on this example.

This 1970 Superbird is a true “barn find” showing 62,942 miles which are believed original. The original owner stored the ‘Bird for many years in a remote western Kansas barn. The consignor’s father discovered and acquired it about twenty years ago, the arid climate of the region helping preserve the car. Out of concern for its condition after years of inactivity, the original 440 four-barrel engine was removed and a similar 440 Six-Barrel V8 installed, but the original engine and all removed components have been carefully kept and are included in the sale.

Highlights

• Barn find “Winged Warrior” Plymouth Superbird

• Offered from over 20 years of ownership

• Powered by a replacement 440 cu–in Six-Barrel engine (original U-Code 440 included)

• Three-speed column-shifted TorqueFlite automatic transmission powertrain

• Professionally refinished in “High Impact” FY1 Lemon Twist paint as on the data tag

• Optional 15 inch Rallye wheels with Goodyear Eagle #1 NASCAR tires

• The correct chassis number is stamped on the radiator support

• Superbird–unique limiter blocks are welded to trunk hinges

• Superbird specific rear window trim is present

• The chassis number (RM23U0A160705) decodes as:

  • R – Mid Size

  • M – Price Class

  • 2 – Number of doors

  • 3 – Body Type (hard top)

  • U – 440 four-barrel

  • 0 – 1970 model year

  • A – Lynch Road, Michigan, final assembly plant

  • 160705 – Sequential production number

  • Factory options on the 1970 Superbird include:

  • FY1 – Lemon Twist “High Impact” paint ($14.05)

  • G15 – Tinted windshield ($25.50)

  • J55 – Undercoating ($16.60)

  • R11 – Radio Solid State AM (61.55)

  • W21 – Rallye road wheels ($43.10)

  • U84 – F60-15 Raised White Letter tires ($63.25)

• The Data Tag decodes as:

  • 29158 – Gate Number (unique)

  • 160954 – Assembly Plant Sequential Number

  • 115 – 440 four-barrel Automatic

  • 052 – Chrysler 8 3/4”, 3.55:1 rear axle ratio

  • 26 – 26 inch Radiator specific to Superbird

  • V19 – Special Order Black Vinyl Roof Material

  • V88 – Delete of Transverse Sport Stripe

  • FY1 – Lemon Twist paint

  • H2X9 – Black Interior, bench seats

  • TX9 – Black interior (as opposed to white)

  • B30 – 30 November 1969 production date (all Superbirds have this date)

  • J97137 – Vehicle order number, 137th Superbird to be produced

  • E86 – Engine designator code, 440 four-barrel

  • D32 – Transmission found in Superbird, automatic

  • RM23 – Superbird Designation

  • UOA – 440 High-Performance

  • 160705 – Sequential production number

Features

• The installed 440 Six-Barrel engine has been enhanced with:

  • Mopar electronic ignition and vacuum advance

  • MSD 6AL ignition box with MSD Tach adapter

  • MSD coil

  • Ceramic coated full length “Hooker Competition” headers

  • Flow-Cooler water pump

  • BE Cool aluminum cross flow radiator with 16 inch electric cooling fan

  • 7-quart oil pan

  • Chrome valve covers

• New battery

• Black vinyl top (all Superbirds were manufactured with a vinyl top)

• Standard Black vinyl bench seat interior

• Column shifter

• Power steering

• Power disc brakes

• "Beep-Beep" horn

• Heavy-duty suspension

• Performance axle package

• Pop-up headlights

• Aerodynamic nosecone

• Front spoiler

• Competition type hood

• Hood pins

• AM radio

• Heater

• Functional vent windows

Known Imperfections

• Data plate is missing from the left inner fender (included in sale)

Included

• Original U-Code 440 four-barrel engine and all other components replaced during restoration

• Original window sticker

• Original Kansas title and registration

• Restoration receipts

Ownership History

This 1970 Plymouth Superbird is a true two-family “barn find” showing 62,942 miles which is believed original. The consignor states, “In the early 2000s, my dad found this car in a barn in the middle of nowhere in western Kansas. He bought it from the farmer (the original owner who was a WWII veteran) and painstakingly restored it over a few years to get it drivable. My father removed the original engine so he would be able to drive the car without worrying that it would break down. He documented everything he did to the car during the restoration process. The original engine has been stored (along with all of the other parts he replaced during the restoration) and will be sold in this sale with the car.”

Henry Weber of Grainfield, Kansas was the original owner of this 1970 Superbird. The original Bill of Sale shows the Superbird was purchased new at Harries Motor Co. in Wakeeney, Kansas, on 29 July 1970 for a total cost of $3,605, a substantial discount from the $4,627.45 showing on the sticker, and delivered two days later.