June 6, 2017
Posted By : Barrett-Jackson
Written By : independent automotive journalist Steve Magnante

THIS BIRD IS MADE OF METAL: A 1970 Plymouth Superbird ready to fly over the Northeast Auction block

THIS BIRD IS MADE OF METAL: A 1970 Plymouth Superbird ready to fly over the Northeast Auction block

June 6, 2017
Posted by Barrett-Jackson

Written by independent automotive journalist Steve Magnante

Representing the legacy of the Superbird NASCAR program, this 1970 Plymouth Superbird (Lot #671) will be heading across the Barrett-Jackson Northeast Auction block at No Reserve.

Representing the legacy of the Superbird NASCAR program, this 1970 Plymouth Superbird (Lot #671) will be heading across the Barrett-Jackson Northeast Auction block at No Reserve.

[Lot 671 - 1970 Plymouth Superbird_rear_3-4](Representing the legacy of the Superbird NASCAR program, this 1970 Plymouth Superbird %28Lot #671%29 will be heading across the Barrett-Jackson Northeast Auction block at No Reserve. Representing the legacy of the Superbird NASCAR program, this 1970 Plymouth Superbird %28Lot #671%29 will be heading across the Barrett-Jackson Northeast Auction block at No Reserve.)It’s not fiberglass … it’s steel. Ever since the Plymouth Superbird arrived on the scene in 1970, its outrageous aerodynamic nose cone has been erroneously described as being made of fiberglass. But give it a light knuckle tap and you’ll hear it ring like the thin-gauge sheet metal structure it really is. The only fiberglass components in the snout are the headlamp buckets – coincidentally the same as those used in the 1969 Charger Daytona.

The same goes for the wild tail-mounted wing, which is also thought to be fiberglass. But think about it: Designed to produce as much as 600 pounds of down-force at 200 mph, fiberglass just wasn’t strong enough for the job. Instead, during those pre-carbon-fiber days, Chrysler’s designers chose die-cast aluminum for the wing material.

[Lot 671 - 1970 Plymouth Superbird_engine](Representing the legacy of the Superbird NASCAR program, this 1970 Plymouth Superbird %28Lot #671%29 will be heading across the Barrett-Jackson Northeast Auction block at No Reserve. Representing the legacy of the Superbird NASCAR program, this 1970 Plymouth Superbird %28Lot #671%29 will be heading across the Barrett-Jackson Northeast Auction block at No Reserve.)To allay any potential perception the sky-high wing was weak and would collapse in the real world (it stood 23.5 inches above the trunk lid), the Chrysler public relations department circulated a press photo showing husky, full-sized NASCAR drivers Charlie Glotzbach and Buddy Baker sitting directly on top of the wing. And in the trunk of every one of the 1,935 Superbirds built, unique stamped-steel supports run from the trunk floor to the underside of the quarter-panel. Placed directly beneath each vertical stabilizer, they keep the bodywork from distorting while transferring downforce into the chassis at racing speeds.

According to Dave Wise of MMC Detroit, Lot #671, a 1970 Plymouth Superbird heading to the Northeast Auction at No Reserve, is serial #1721 of the Superbird NASCAR program. This beautifully restored example of Plymouth’s bid for NASCAR supremacy wears its correct Lemon Twist paint and packs the 375-horsepower 440 Super Commando wedge. Inside, while many Superbirds came with column-shifted TorqueFlite automatic transmissions and bench seats, this one has the factory-optional C16 center console and floor-mounted automatic shift handle.

[Lot 671 - 1970 Plymouth Superbird_interior](Representing the legacy of the Superbird NASCAR program, this 1970 Plymouth Superbird %28Lot #671%29 will be heading across the Barrett-Jackson Northeast Auction block at No Reserve. Representing the legacy of the Superbird NASCAR program, this 1970 Plymouth Superbird %28Lot #671%29 will be heading across the Barrett-Jackson Northeast Auction block at No Reserve.)Beyond the wild nose cone and wing, Superbirds featured many unique items not found on Road Runners. When lost to time, replacement is costly, if not impossible. But here, every little detail is present – including the modified Dodge Coronet-sourced front fenders, twin fender-top air vents, stamped stainless A-pillar shields, non-convex rear window and the irreplaceable B-pillar merge caps. Everything is here, including the Build Sheet, verifying this ’Bird’s authenticity.

It’s funny; when the Superbird was new, many Plymouth dealers actually had a difficult time selling them. A fair number had their aero add-ons removed and were transformed into Road Runners in hopes of a faster sale. Now, many Superbirds are blue-chip investments. As you stroll through the car display area at the Northeast Auction, spend a few minutes with this one and soak in what a correct restoration looks like. One thing, though – you’ll have to trust us about the metal nose cone and spoiler. The only person welcomed to tap or rap these oft-misidentified items is the winning bidder. It could be you.

For up-to-date information on this vehicle, click HERE.

[Lot 671 - 1970 Plymouth Superbird_side](Representing the legacy of the Superbird NASCAR program, this 1970 Plymouth Superbird %28Lot #671%29 will be heading across the Barrett-Jackson Northeast Auction block at No Reserve. Representing the legacy of the Superbird NASCAR program, this 1970 Plymouth Superbird %28Lot #671%29 will be heading across the Barrett-Jackson Northeast Auction block at No Reserve.)

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