Plymouth equipped the Superbird with plenty of performance features. Plymouth definitely built this car for speed so creature comforts were somewhat lacking. Other items left off the option list include rear seat speaker, rear window defogger, and headlamp delay. Cruising during the summer in the Superbird will be warm since air conditioning isn’t an available feature. A 150 mph speedometer, along with temperature and fuel gauges, was also included. Power steering was standard along with the “beep-beep” Road Runner horn. A black or white bench seat was standard but customers could dig a little deeper into their wallet and spring for bucket seats. Truth is, it was to hide the body work needed for creating the aerodynamic rear window. Many ask why Plymouth would choose to place a vinyl roof on such a graceful car. The nose extension, front spoiler, and rear convex window help reduce drag and the rear stabilizer wing helps increase high speed stability. It’s another piece of the puzzle in the Superbird’s aerodynamic design. The piece that really catches your eye is the giant 24-inch stabilizer wing with Road Runner graphics on the rear of the car. Fender vents and racing-type hood pins are giveaways to the car’s NASCAR roots. It eliminates front end lift and lowers drag by limiting airflow under the car. The spoiler does more than just look good.
One of the first things you notice is the aerodynamic nose cone, pop-up headlamps, and spoiler on the front of the car. A visual walk around the car reveals so many features that make this car so remarkable. Plymouth concocted a canvas of vivid colors like Alpine White, Vitamin C Orange, Lemon Twist, Lime Light, Blue Fire Metallic, Tor-Red, and Corporation Blue for this stunner. Customers could choose from several outlandish paint choices. Simply put, it grabs your attention and refuses to let go. To say it’s unique would be an understatement. It’s one of the most visually stunning muscle cars ever created. What an experience it is to see a Superbird for the first time. Compared to the base 440 engine, the Hemi could distance the quarter. From 0-60, the 426 Hemi Superbird clocked in at 4.8 seconds and sprinted the quarter mile at 13.5 seconds running 105 mph.
Plymouth thunderbird driver#
Car and Driver tested the winged warrior and came up with some pretty impressive stats. This comprised of a 3.54:1 rear end with a Dana Sure Grip axle.Īsking if the Superbird is fast would be like asking the road runner if he could outrun the coyote.
Plymouth thunderbird manual#
When the manual was checked off on the option sheet, the A33 Track Pak was also included. Buyers wanting to manually shift could opt for the available Type A-833 4-speed. The Performance Axle Package, which included a 3.55 rear axle and Sure Grip differential, was also included with the TorqueFlite. The standard transmission offered on the Superbird was the TorqueFlite 727 3-speed automatic. Production numbers were 1,084 for the 440 4-barrel, and 716 for the 440 6-barrel, and only 135 for the 426 Hemi. As usual, production of the Hemi-equipped version is low due to the engine’s hefty price tag.
Plymouth thunderbird drivers#
And what Plymouth muscle car would be complete without a Hemi? For drivers wanting the real deal, Plymouth offered a 426 cubic-inch Hemi spewing 425 horsepower and a whopping 490 foot pounds of torque. Next up was the optional 440 6-barrel cranking out 390 horsepower and 490 foot pounds of torque. The standard power plant was the GTX 440 pumping out 375 horsepower and 480 foot pounds of torque. Plymouth didn’t create a car as radical as the Superbird and not give it what it needed to take flight. In the case of the Superbird, the number that had to be built to satisfy those requirements was close to 2,000. In 1970, the rule was changed to a formula based on the number of a brand’s dealers. NASCAR homologation rules dictate that for a vehicle to be raced, a certain number of production cars have to be made available to the general public. Now that the Superbird was ready for the track, it had to be made available for the average Joe to purchase. Plymouth’s Superbird – Love it not for itself, but for what it stands for”.
A car that stands out like no other from a time when going to the extreme was the norm. A car that is so radical and different, it immediately captures your attention and leaves a lasting impression. Produced for only one year, this winged warrior has so much history and aura attached to it. In this edition of Muscle Car Milestones, we’ll take an in-depth look at the 1970 Plymouth Road Runner Superbird.
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