First there was the Dodge Charger Daytona in 1969, followed by the Plymouth Road Runner Superbird in 1970. Both were Chrysler attempts at putting a more aerodynamic product on racetracks in NASCAR. Street versions were produced and sold, with the Superbird coming at 1,935 copies. The seller’s “barn find” is 1 of 458 built with a 440 cubic-inch V8 and a 4-speed manual. Needing some body work, this rare ‘Bird is in Des Plaines, Illinois, and is available here on craigslist for…..$145,000. Kudos go to Tony Primo for this tip.
Like the Daytona, the Superbird had an enormous sloping snoot (extending the length of the car by a foot and a half) and a ginormous rear wing. Neither of these features was particularly helpful to the street cars until you got up to highway speeds. Richard Petty was able to score eight wins in NASCAR with his Hemi-powered ‘Birds. Rumor has it that Plymouth had trouble selling the cars at dealers and the Superbird ended up being a one-and-done.
The seller doesn’t tell us much about this Superbird. Supposedly, it’s the real deal and everything on the Plymouth is numbers matching except for the engine block. We’re told the 440’s core is period-correct, and the odometer reads 65,000 miles. This rare car is part of a collection as the listing includes other cars in the fold (with no details). We don’t get to see the interior of this machine and no mention is made if the Superbird runs. Craigslist is not the place to sell a classic like this.
440 w the 4 on the floor Dixon.
For info…Call 📞 only. No texts 📱
If you are going to ask $145,000 at least read the ad prior to posting to see if it makes sense.
Steve R
Steve R. I agree. Seems to me that this seller either isn’t very motivated or is just plain lazy. Weird ad and defiantly an optimistic price.
or his waifes nagging him to sell and he doesnt want to.
Yeoww. The world really has gone mad. 145 grand? OK I get it it’s rare and was a significant part of automotive history, but driving this on a public road makes no sense. For that price it will sit in someone’s private collection.
Passed on one of these at $2500 as a teen back in 1982. Never forgave myself. It would have been my 1st car. I was afraid to drive it home once I saw it. It crossed Barret/Jackson in @2017/18….. $180k Fully restored.
$145k for this one? Hmmmm, needs too much work as presented.
What are the chances of that lift failing – or the ’55 having no leaks?
Was Kinda thinking the same thing myself. You’d think you’d put the big buck car on the lift and the lower value car below. If the lift fails (unlikely if installed properly), you’re screwed either way. But I can virtually guarantee that old Chevy is leaking something…
I like these cars, but the boys who built the “Scraptona” have the right idea, when it comes to driving something shaped like this, IMO.
Looks like the one featured on an episode of American Pickers a few years ago.
That’s not the least impressive listing ever on Barn Finds, but it’s close. The idea of buying a $145,000 collector car from someone without the command of basic English seems a rather poor choice.
In this original condition, can it be worth more then the restored ones you see all the time? Reminds me of 1979 in high school out on the weekends cruising McD’s, I could picture a car in this condition…those were the days.
When these came out, we all laughed at something so absurd. Dealers couldn’t sell them for all sorts of reasons. Fit in very few garages. Gave insurance salesmen wet dreams. Plus they had the curse of the big block that no one remembers today, they used way too much gas. Yes, high test was only 35 cents a gallon, but the average guy made not too much an hour. People tend to think of those gas prices along with todays wages. Finally, not nailing every curb and parking bump was a myth. The front ends of these were always scuffed. Maybe today when they only see the inside of a climate controlled garage and trailered to shows, the noses are pristine, not at all true in the real world. Finally, they attracted way too much attention from the wrong crowd. Driving one was asking for trouble. Let the nepo babies buy these to show off, I could care less. I like regular cars that are all around great and I can afford.
Looks like someone already took care of dismantling that nose on this one.
That looks like one I’ve seen on American Pickers
Worked for Chrysler & Plymouth dealer I’m El Monte Ca. From 1968 to 1971.We were allocated 3 of these,in different colors and drive trains. We had one that was Plum Crazy Hemi,4spd,white one that was white 383 4 bbl. automatic,last one was yellow 440 4 bbl. 4 spd. Twin to this one.They sold yellow car,it got repossessed the next month,brought back to us for new trans.and bodywork. White car was taken by owner for his collection. Plum Crazy car wad still there when I left in 71.I drove it twice,after giving it going thru because it had been setting there so long. Everyone is correct you couldn’t drive up drive way or especially Ca. Street storm drains.Don’t know what happened to it but wouldn’t mind having it now ha ha.That Hemi would get rubber in all 4 gears without any problem at all.Ah the memories of that time,great to be alive and almost carrfree.
Thanks Robbo. Never knew the Superbird was available w the 383.
That Hemi lays rubber in all 4 gears.
Wow short list of cars that can do that I bet. 👍
They didn’t. Only three engines were available in the Superbird, the 440-4bbl, 440 six pack and the 426 Hemi.
Steve R
I don’t think that any were delivered with a 383, the lowest engine was 440 4bbl, then 440 6bbl, then the Hemi.
I’ll bet Steve R can tell us.
Didn’t mean to step on your post, Steve R, I’m a slow typer!
I didnt know that the ’68-70 charger was available with the slant 6.
& the ’71 chevy biscayne with the strait 6 & powerglide.
Ribbo, you’re memory sounds a little cloudy. Superbirds were never available in FC7 Purple or, as mentioned with a 383.
Whew, I had to read that post using Google translate.
I buy all my SuperBirds off craigslist….
Just my opinion but I think these cars were so ugly. I liked Mopars for sure but not these hideous things
owned a Daytona in the early 80s. nose was beat up.it had a BS paint job like this one. only that nasty lookin’ Picasso in my city of chiraq is uglier. IMO
Seriously, could we get some more pic’s? How about the interior. Put it on the lift and show us the bottom side too.
Perfect car to let your kids learn how to parallel park.
Lol
Alot of money with very few pictures in the add. I know these cars are rare but more info is needed and maybe throw in the 55 chevy for the price and for not showing enough pictures. I do like that it is a 4 speed but at least show interior and undercarriage shots!!!
I wanted the Superbird when I was in high school and too young to buy one. I worked part time and a Dodge/Plymouth dealership was next door. A friends dad owned the dealership and he would let him drive a blue 440 Challenger. Fun car.
did my test in a 75 malibu wagon in 76 i was 16
Lucky dog!! I can see why you’d want to share that memory.
FYI, this Superbird was featured on American Pickers: Season 22, Episode 22, titled “Auburned, Over and Out”.
Worst part of these were that they were SLLOOOW in street drags. Usually had the wrong gearset. A sublime green one sat in the dealer showroom for 2 years where I grew up. Was finally bought by a grandma type. You would see her tooling around like it was a Valiant. Must have been a heck of a salesman…
Why would they be slow? They were just Roadrunners with some fru fru tacked on that maybe added 200 lbs. I don’t recall anybody calling a Roadrunner with at least 375 HP slow. You could also order one with any gearset Mopar made. They were funny looking but I don’t think that they were slow.
We always called them superchichens.
Witty folk you are!
Many have made fun of the ad and car owner. I purchased a 1970 GTO Judge, located in Ontario, Canada, an online ad and no pictures. With skepticism, I contacted the seller. The seller was an adult male in his early 40’s, still living with his parents. The car was originally owned by his uncle. The seller was with his uncle the day his uncle purchased the Judge, in 1970. The seller mailed me photos of the vehicle with a handwritten letter. Soon after, I purchased the Judge. The vehicle was in very good condition and numbers matching. The seller was definitely strange but it worked out well. Nice Judge, numbers matching and unmolested. Had I ignored the online ad (poorly written and no photos), I would have missed a great opportunity.