When considering what makes an automobile iconic, it stands to reason numerous scenarios play a big part in any vehicle deemed necessary in its history. Going back to the early twentieth century, the Ford Model T might be considered one of the first icons, based on its mass production and a price that was within reach of most consumers. The ’55 Chevy is instantly recognizable and loved for its timeless styling. Even Chrysler’s Mini Van changed motoring when it began offering families an innovative new design for traveling back in the mid-eighties. However, the Plymouth Superbird had an entirely different reason for getting so much ink in the books, as its goal was only one-fold: to win big in NASCAR. It did, and the street versions remain among the most sought-after muscle cars ever, no matter the condition or what’s under the hood. This 1970 Plymouth Superbird here on eBay is a factory Hemi example, so if you’ve got $779,000 to spare, head over to Prior Lake, Minnesota, and drive this bad bird home.
Of the approximately 1,935 Superbirds produced in 1970, most were equipped with a 440 engine, and at 375 horsepower, that one was no slouch. Next up was the 6-Barrell version of the 440, giving you an extra 15 HP, but some 135 buyers drove away with a 426 Hemi, upping the ante to 425 firepower, which is what can be found in the bay here. The seller boasts that Mopar guru Dave Wise has thoroughly inspected this one and reports it as an all-numbers-matching car. Tons of additional original documentation and an owner history dating back to day one are included. A build sheet and fender tag affirm that this is the real deal, with the number 113 stamp significant as it indicates a 426 Hemi engine and automatic transmission.
The fit and finish on display here pretty much speak for themselves, with a look over the report indicating correctness and the verification of one body panel replacement. There’s no reason given. but the right rear quarter was replaced around 1972, and it’s believed a NOS part was used. Of the seven colors available for the Superbird, this one is painted in Lemon Twist (FY1), one of the High Impact offerings of the period that drew plenty of attention no matter what Plymouth wore it. The finish here is rated as a 7.5, showing a thickness consistent with one respray over the factory coating.
Many of these cars came with a bench seat and a column shifter, so it’s nice to find buckets and a console inside here. It’s also hard not to notice the other Hemi in the mix, a black Dodge Super Bee that looks mighty sweet itself, so maybe you and the owner can work out a deal for the pair. Considering the seller’s asking price is about equal to the combined total of every house I’ve ever bought, that’s a large chunk of change, but with everything this one’s got going for it, the market might support the asking price. However, there is an option to make an offer. Is $779k a bit on the high end or about right for what you’re seeing here?
Why, oh WHY do I gaze lovingly at this car, knowing that I will NEVER be able to own it?! It’s got to be an addition!: I’m totally addicted, LOL! A real beauty, GLWTA!! :-)
I do the same thing. I think of it as an exercise in self-torture.
Never in a million years………..GLWTA!!!
I think it’s ironic that the majority of these cars sat unsold on dealer lots for well after the model year was over- nobody wanted them!
But now if you own one you are truly one of the lucky!
Why would you specify that car with that engine… and an automatic gearbox?
Why not? The 727s reputation speaks for itself.
Because 4 speeds are more fun is my guess
Automatics are quicker at the drag strip. It’s fine if you’re only going a 1/4 mile at a time, LOL! Besides, even as a dedicated devotee of the third (3rd) pedal, I will concede that an A/T is easier to live with in stop & go rush hour traffic. This will never see rush hour, but the A/T also makes it easier to live with at cruise nights and parade duty.
With respect, I’m not sure how many hundreds of miles you can go with a dual-quad hemi and even the 25 gallon tank at 4-6mpg. Cool car to be sure, but unless you had budget for it plus another I can see why they might have sat on dealer lots. If you had that kind of money, you might buy an E-type jag or similar.
Still, I would like to have the problem that I have to lengthen my garage to fit it.
Does anyone want to deliver this by driving it to me upon purchase?
I had a person named Kowalski who said he had previously delivered Mopars by driving them.
I was a lil concerned on his eyes and lack of sleep and passed.
Love the car
I was quite lucky to restore the body on a B5 blue Superbird, I have loved them ever since I spent a half hour walking around a Vitamin C “bird in 1970 that the local gas station owner bought new. I was 12 and I still pine for one but reality says not.
Mike, shell out three-quarters of a million and DRIVE it home? Hard pass. lol
From Peasant to King. Who’d of thunk?
Sorry, cool car and I would love to own one (and may someday) but, not an automatic. To bring that kind of coin, even in today’s market, it would need to be a 4-speed and still have all of the attributes of this car.
$779k car would look very fitting at my $250k house. Wouldn’t that have the neighbors talking.
Hagerty value guide numbers:
#4 $283K
#3 $396
#2 $529
#1 $719
With that….why be fishing…..take it to Mecum…or somebody – you’ll get that money.
Also putting your other cars always sends another message….he’s not trying to sell…
Exactly! You don’t sell a car like this on ebay!
Did Any One Notice The Speaker In The Door Got To Knock $100,000 Off The Price lol.
Speaking in the door was the first thing I saw.
Superbirds are art work, but to drive this isn’t the car. My preference is a 1970 Cuda 340 4sp
I can’t shell out 770,000 to sit it on display, 50k and a driver is what I prefer. I also like higher RPM shifting
I was too young but wanted a Superbird, Sublime Green, 440 6 pack, and 4 speed.
I was eleven years old when these dropped onto dealer lots, so no, it wasn’t happening! If only I had a time machine…
It was 1968, I was nine (9) years old, and my Dad was at the local Chrysler-Plymouth dealer, negotiating the price on his latest company car (Fury III), when I saw a Road Runner on the showroom floor, and was immediately smitten. I piped up, “Hey Dad, how about one of these for a company car?” He just smiled and said that his company wouldn’t pay for one of those. I was crestfallen! They had me at the Road Runner decals, and when I heard that “Beep Beep” horn, I was sold!
Never understood the attraction of these cars. Thought they looked like a kit car when I saw them on dealer lots back then and now. I’d rather spend $700k on Ferrari or Lamborghini
I live in Palm Springs, where everybody and their brother (except me) has a Ferrari, Vette, or Lambo. NOBODY has a Superbird.
These cars are SO ugly and way overrated. The price people ask for these cars are nuts…completely. I’m a Mopar and muscle car guy but no thanks. Take it to Mecum or better yet the grossly overpriced and overrated Barrett Jackson sale.
I would love to be able to afford a clone before I’m a total wrinklebag , As a traditional hack I would skip doing the back window as 95% wouldn’t know the difference and I wouldn’t really care until as I would probably gear it for 100 mph less than it’s intended purpose 411 5 speed The wing and the nose and the hood aren’t cheap but make the super bird maybe the 528 Hemi , yes standard tranny. B5 blue or pink ( seriously the combination of blacks whites and flat blacks with pink are a something I didn’t realize for a long time)with a stripe on trunk and wing , buckets , pistols grip.
Already my clone is over budget
My 67 GTO beat out some guys Superbird in the 67 to 70 stock class years back. Mister Superbird was apoplectic about it. I appreciate the rarity of them. But they’re butt ugly in my books …
Ugly back then ugly through the years and still ugly today. Good news for collectors but I wouldn’t be caught dead on the street driving one!
Just my humble opinion!
To each his own. Setting aside aestethics for the moment, they are historically note worthy as an example of one of the earliest attempts to apply aerodynamics to automotive design, the Chrysler Airflow being the first. They are also classic examples of the “Win on Sunday, Sell on Monday” ethos employed by the Big Three in the 1960’s, so for those reasons alone, they are significant and worthy of preservation, whatever the relative merits of the shape is as a standard of beauty, or lack thereof.
BTW, the Chrysler Airflow was also a sales flop upon its initial release, and for the same reason. The styling was too radical for the buying public at the time, and in both cases, the customers stayed away in droves. Now those principles are widely accepted, and used by automakers in their designs all over the world, and is also part of the reason that cars all look like melted bars of soap and have become virtually indistinguishable from one another!