Photo: Classic Car Cowboy via The Drive
One of the most celebrated muscle cars ever produced, the Plymouth Superbird is extremely rare. Fewer than 2,000 units left the factory, and the one we’ll cover today is the only Superbird finished in Rallye Red.
Found in a Texas barn, the five-decade-old aero warrior is pretty decrepit by all accounts. Mopar specialist David Wise revealed to The Drive that “there were features about the trim tag that led me to believe that this paint was factory-original.” Upon closer inspection, it all checked out.
“There were multiple areas that I extensively inspected under the factory undercoating and on the A-pillar behind the fender that was clearly originally red,” added Wise. “I verified multiple areas with a material density meter to confirm the thickness,” confirming that Chrysler workers finished this vehicle in Rallye Red at Lynch Road Assembly in Detroit, Michigan.
Currently owned by a historics dealership by the name of Classic Car Cowboy, the Superbird is undergoing a mechanical overhaul as we speak. With 59,948 miles (96,467 kilometers) on the odometer, the 440 Super Commando four-barrel V8 should run fine after some tender loving care.
The vehicle identification number also confirms an 8-3/4” rear axle (code 052) and the TorqueFlite 727 three-speed automatic transmission. The one-of-one Superbird used to develop 375 horsepower and 480 pound-feet (651 Nm) of torque when it was new, which are pretty adequate numbers for a muscle car that weighs about 3,800 pounds (1,724 kilograms).
Plymouth offered two other engines for the 1970 model year, namely the 440 Super Commando with a trio of two-barrel carburetors (390 horsepower) and the street version of the 426 HEMI. The 7.0-liter engine is the rarest of the lot because only 135 Superbirds were optioned with it.
According to an official from Classic Car Cowboy, the Rallye Red aero warrior should be up and running in time for the Carlisle Chrysler Nationals this July. Going forward, the dealer intends to complement the mechanical restoration with a serious overhaul of the body, floor, and interior.
“There were multiple areas that I extensively inspected under the factory undercoating and on the A-pillar behind the fender that was clearly originally red,” added Wise. “I verified multiple areas with a material density meter to confirm the thickness,” confirming that Chrysler workers finished this vehicle in Rallye Red at Lynch Road Assembly in Detroit, Michigan.
Currently owned by a historics dealership by the name of Classic Car Cowboy, the Superbird is undergoing a mechanical overhaul as we speak. With 59,948 miles (96,467 kilometers) on the odometer, the 440 Super Commando four-barrel V8 should run fine after some tender loving care.
The vehicle identification number also confirms an 8-3/4” rear axle (code 052) and the TorqueFlite 727 three-speed automatic transmission. The one-of-one Superbird used to develop 375 horsepower and 480 pound-feet (651 Nm) of torque when it was new, which are pretty adequate numbers for a muscle car that weighs about 3,800 pounds (1,724 kilograms).
Plymouth offered two other engines for the 1970 model year, namely the 440 Super Commando with a trio of two-barrel carburetors (390 horsepower) and the street version of the 426 HEMI. The 7.0-liter engine is the rarest of the lot because only 135 Superbirds were optioned with it.
According to an official from Classic Car Cowboy, the Rallye Red aero warrior should be up and running in time for the Carlisle Chrysler Nationals this July. Going forward, the dealer intends to complement the mechanical restoration with a serious overhaul of the body, floor, and interior.
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Posted by Classic Car Cowboy, LLC. on Tuesday, December 15, 2020
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