We have already featured two others this week (1, 2), so why not a third Superbird? This one was in storage for over 25 years, but underwent a respray 10 years ago and some more recent restoration work. It’s ready to drive now and does look stunning. With all these Superbirds hitting the market, it makes you wonder if we are about to see a shift in values. This one is located in Mansfield, Massachusetts and is listed here on eBay with the option to place a bid or buy it now at $149,000!
As with the other two cars we already featured, this one is fitted with the 440 V8 and column shift automatic. The automatic and bench seat surprised some of you, but that is just how most of these came. They were built to go fast in a big circle, so why would it be any different? So, of the three we’ve listed so far, which one would you pick and why?
Even if you cant afford the real deal, you could always order our Superbird logo t-shirt!
wow we could almost have our own racing series
Headliner car – dunno if I love ’em or hate ’em
I think the point was to sell just enough quick and dirty. Filling the car with options would make it to expensive. I’m guessing the build sheets on these show few options.
If you baught one to race wouldn’t you strip it anyway?
In 1970, they had to sell 2000 units – 2783 or so were built – to homologate the model for NASCAR duty (500 was all that was req’d for the previous year Charger Daytona). The biggest option for the ‘Bird was the 426H and only 135 units were so equipped.
A good many of the race cars of the time were initially purchased as a “body in white” incomplete vehicle, and most of the chassis was cut away for tube frames and cages of race duty spec. This is where the production numbers get a little greasy: The 2783 figure includes body-in-white cars while other internal Chrysler memoranda that doesn’t include them shows different figures. The math between the different numbers doesn’t jive, so we’ll probably never know an exact number. Chrysler record keeping at the time was horrible.
Regardless of the numbers, the ‘Bird and it’s Daytona predecessor were built with a single-minded purpose: To win NASCAR. In the end, the cars didn’t matter. The 426 Hemi was so far superior to anything else on the track that the writing was on the wall. NASCAR banned the 426H for 1971. They did allow the use of the smaller A117 404 inch race Hemi for a short time before banning it as well – thus ending the glory days of NASCAR.
Very good info. How do you come up with all this info?
Are you a MoPar guy, or do you know spec’s on other vehicles as well?
I heard these were a tuff sell at the dealerships when new…is this true?
I think they were a tough sell……most had no higher performance than a good Charger, were more expensive and many of us considered them ugly.
Ive read that some were turned back to a stocker at the dealer so as to sell them
I happen to live in the area where this is being offered for sale. I’ve seen this car at the local ice cream place.
My girlfriend thought it was the ugliest car she had ever seen. I tried to explain the history and the cool factor of it. She still wasn’t having any interest in it. Probably a good thing it’s way out of my price range.
Girls…….Lol.
In Baltimore, the dealership that sold them was “Doug Griffiths Chrysler, Dodge Plymouth” located off the Baltimore Beltway. I was in my first year of high school in 1970 and would often ride past there with my parents and I lusted for those cars. They had about 8 or ten of them lined up for sale. He also had the TVR franchise. Tiny cars with huge green house glass, but they weren’t nearly as exciting to see as the winged cars……..
Back in 1985, I had $10K to buy a car. I had it narrowed down to 3:
a Superbird, a 69 Camaro Pacecar Convertible, or a 1970 Vette Convertible.
The first 2 could be found in Hemmings, but I would have to travel to look at them, while the Vette was easier to locate locally. I bought the Vette and although I really enjoyed it, the other 2 are “I kick myself for not buying it” cars.