1970 Plymouth Road Runner Superbird 440
Dubbed the ‘Aero Warrior’, the Plymouth Superbird was a sister car to the Dodge Charger Daytona. Both cars were sold with huge nose cones and rear spoilers that made them legendary among the competition. These were the first stock cars to be modified aerodynamically.
The Superbird was made to dominate stock car racing and elevate Plymouth’s race credentials at the same time. These modifications helped the car beat the Ford Torino Talladega at NASCAR.
Due to homologation requirements, both Dodge any Plymouth had to produce the Areo Warriors in substantial numbers. In Plymouth’s case, 1,920 Superbirds had to be made and they were all built in 1970. It was based off the standard Road Runner which featured cartoon character stickers and a ‘beep-beep’ horn.
While the race versions got full blown Hemi engines, most of the Superbirds got 440 Super Commandos or 440 six-packs rated at 385hp. Of the 1920 cars made, only 93 got the Hemi 426. These were conservatively rated at 425 bhp at 4500 rpm, but actually peaked at 5800 rpm producing 550 bhp.
Our feature Superbird is all original. It features the very rare and original numbers matching 440 Six Pack engine. This car is NOT a re-creation, but a real “V” Code Superbird. One of very few built. It still has all of its original body panels with VIN stamps on them. It has only 65,000 miles on it.
In Detail
| type | Series Production Car |
| price $ | $ 4,298 |
| engine | V8 |
| position | Front Longitudinal |
| aspiration | Natural |
| valvetrain | Pushrod OHV, 2 Valves per Cyl |
| fuel feed | Holley Four-Barrel Carburetor |
| displacement | 7210 cc / 440 in³ |
| bore | 109.73 mm / 4.32 in |
| stroke | 95.25 mm / 3.75 in |
| compression | 9.7:1 |
| power | 279.6 kw / 375 bhp @ 4600 rpm |
| specific output | 52.01 bhp per litre |
| bhp/weight | 214.29 bhp per tonne |
| torque | 650.8 nm / 480 ft lbs @ 3200 rpm |
| body / frame | Unit Steel |
| driven wheels | Front Engine / RWD |
| front tires | F60x15 |
| rear tires | F60x15 |
| front brakes | Kesley-Hayes Vented Discs |
| rear brakes | Drums |
| front wheels | F 35.6 x 15.2 cm / 14.0 x 6.0 in |
| rear wheels | R 38.1 x 17.8 cm / 15.0 x 7.0 in |
| steering | Recirculating Ball w/Power Assist |
| f suspension | Wishbones w/Torsion Bars, Telescopic Shock Absorbers |
| r suspension | Live Axle w/Semi-Elliptic Lead Springs, Shock Absorbers |
| curb weight | 1750 kg / 3858 lbs |
| wheelbase | 2941 mm / 115.8 in |
| front track | 1516 mm / 59.7 in |
| rear track | 1491 mm / 58.7 in |
| length | 5588 mm / 220.0 in |
| width | 1941 mm / 76.4 in |
| height | 1560 mm / 61.4 in |
| transmission | A833 4-Speed Manual |
| gear ratios | 2.65:1, 1.93:1, 1.39:1, 1.00:1 |
| final drive | 3.54:1 |
| top speed | ~230 kph / 142.9 mph |
| 0 – 60 mph | ~5.5 seconds |
Auction Sales History
1970 Plymouth Superbird RM23V0A117604 – did not sell for $105,000. Raced in NASCAR by Roger McCluskey. Includes 1970 NASCAR race program listing car’s VIN. In Superbird Registry for NASCAR race program #1242. Pictures available showing car being raced by McCluskey. Complete restored to street configuration for driveability and enjoyment. 63,370 original miles. Genuine V-code 440 Six Pack 4-speed car. Rare Alpine White with White interior, 1 of only 2. Body side graphics as they appeared when car was raced. A833 4-speed manual transmission with Hurst Pistol Grip shifter. Chromed Magnum 500 wheels with Goodyear Blue Streak tires. High back bucket seats, Dana rear end. Fuel, alternator, temperature and oil pressure gauges, Tic-Toc-Tach. Solid State push-button radio. Power steering and brakes. New engine and drivetrain circa 2003. Auction Source: Kissimmee 2014, #WhereTheCarsAre by Mecum
1970 Plymouth Superbird 2-Door Hardtop 440/390 HP – sold for $160,000. The low-mileage subject of a masterful rotisserie restoration, this Tor Red-on-White 1970 Plymouth Superbird boasts multiple awards including the 2007 Grand National Best Restored of Show and First Place at Mopars on the Strip and the West Coast Spring Fling, also in 2007. Also featured on the cover of Hemmings Muscle Madness, this superb ‘Bird features the vaunted 440/390 HP Six Pack engine and 4-speed manual transmission and retains all its original sheet metal. It is documented with two factory build sheets and a complete photographic record of the restoration. Auction Source: 2011 Monterey Daytime Auction by Mecum
1970 Plymouth Superbird 440 – sold for $110,000. This Superbird benefits from single ownership over the past 24 years, and only three owners from new. The car wears a quality repaint in its factory-correct livery of Lemon Twist, and is equipped with a black vinyl roof, correct decals, locking hood pins, rally wheels with trim rings, and chrome-plated exhaust trumpets. The interior remains in excellent, original condition, featuring black vinyl upholstery with silver accents and a rare front bench seat. All Road Runner adornments, including the three-spoke steering wheel with “beep-beep” horn, remain with the car, and this example is one of only a handful fitted with dealer-installed air conditioning. The car also features a tachometer, full instrumentation, power steering, power brakes, and a 150-mile-per-hour speedometer. Auction Source: 2008 Meadow Brook Concours
