With so many Mopar wing cars tipping the scales at around the same cost as an average house these days, it’s no wonder that some fans who have always wanted a Plymouth Superbird or Dodge Daytona are taking the DIY route. Kits are available to help turn a Plymouth B-Body into an instant Superbird replica, and it appears that someone thought this 1970 Satellite here on Craigslist was a good candidate to take on that journey. There’s still a long way to go before this one’s ready to amaze anyone, but if you see potential here, it’s located in Lakewood, Washington, and is hoping to find a new owner who can finish what’s already been started. Considering all that needs to be done or redone here, I’m not sure if the asking price of $15,000 is exactly a bargain, yet it’s not entirely outrageous either. Curvette, thanks for finding this unusual project and sending us the tip!
We’ve featured a few Superbird clones and tributes on this site in the past, such as this 1970 Plymouth Satellite here on Barn Finds just last month. However, that one was finished and ready for the next owner to enjoy, but it also cost a lot more than the one being featured today. I’m not sure why the builder here didn’t choose a more solid car to begin with, but perhaps this was the one he already had on hand. It’s great that the proper rear window plug is already in place, and the wing is already standing tall. However, and somebody correct me if I’m wrong here, has that replacement quarter on the passenger side been installed right over the existing rusty panel?
It appears that the fender tag is still present under the hood, but the seller doesn’t share what engine originally powered this Satellite when it was new. Not that it matters anymore, as there’s no power plant of any type in the bay now, nor a transmission in the tunnel. If it’s a clone you’re after, you’ll need to source either a 440 Super Commando or Six Barrel to keep this one true to Superbird form, unless you happen to have a spare 426 Hemi at your disposal. But if a tribute will do, something smaller and less potent should suffice.
Along with the mechanicals and exterior, the interior will also require plenty of attention, and it appears that several parts inside are missing. The floor pans aren’t in the best shape either, and with no photos of the underside supplied, it’s unknown what condition the rails are in. I applaud the enthusiasm of whoever wanted to create a Superbird here, and I hope someone will take over and make that dream come true, though it will likely be a major undertaking. What are your thoughts here?
Disclaimer:
No offense to those present, but the Daytonas/Superbirds were a bit over the top for an average vehicle and always will be. It’s not like anyone is going to take it to any race course to see if it’s stable at 205 mph. And the cost and labor just doesn’t make sense for what it takes to build a faithful clone. And at the end of the day, it’s still a clone.
Have you ever driven one by chance come back to me when you have.
In 1975 I drove a 70 superbird that had a 440engine,2-3barrel carbs and a 4speed transmission. It also had a six-way power driver’s seat.
It was a special ordered car by a Chrysler executive that worked at the Kokomo,In. transmission plant.
It was for sale for3700.00.
Wife wouldn’t let me buy it.
Fastest car I’ve every drove
The Superbird/winged Daytona were impressive for what the represented and accomplished for the time and for the audacity of the build by looking outside of the box.
That said, a trashed out rusty Satellite with a wing kit to be a Superbird is akin to attaching fat fenders and long nose to a 1st gen Fiero with the expectation of creating a classic.
A apt quote by a local hero of our past once offered a similar analogy in saying something about a pig and lipstick.
Ugly then, this one really ugly now.
Nice one, Mike and Curvette! That black and white “paint scheme” gives me an idea: when I have more time, maybe a photoshop police version of a Superbird is in order.
Lets see someone try and outrun THAT Police car!!! That would be funny.
Could anyone here even imagine a real Superbird being ordered to be a Police Car? Imagine a show like Adam-12 with Pete Malloy and Jim Reed driving a Superbird?
Ok. I think thats a bit overboard on my part. But still……. That would be cool.
Ha, it’ll be a few days before I can get to it, but that’ll give me thinkin’ time on the A-12 Superbird.
How about this one? Sorry for threadjacking your article, Mike!
Love it! And thanks for keeping a vinyl top in the mix…
If I remember correctly…New Mexico had 2 of them.
AJ, I Googled for New Mexico Police Superbird, and way too many different stories and rumors came up that I don’t have time to track down.
Pep Streebek would approve..😆
Muzz Amil Amil Muzz!!
With the bubble gum lights on the rear wing! (that ought to slow it down a little!)
I just don’t understand the fact that there is a market for fakes? Ii guess people buy fake Gucci purses etc, but I still don’t get it.
To much work for a fake or tribute especially on a wing car… no interest,,,,
Agreed. Too much money without a drivetrain just move on here.
Who knows if a Superbird riding down the street is real or not and who cares?
You might like BMWs and I don’t. You may like warm beer and I don’t.
If you don’t like fakes then I’m sure you don’t like NASCAR or the drags. All those cars are simply fakes.
A 1950 Ford with a 350 Chev motor is a fake. A 1932 Ford fiberglass hot rod is a fake. Let people have what they want and maybe can afford.
There is a monumental difference between a hot rod and clone. They are not the same.
Whoever gets this one, I would be interested in the metal Folgers coffee can- that is a true classic.
$15, 000 ???? Not today,. not tomorrow, not in my lifetime! Most, (but admittedly not all) 60s and early 70s Mopar’s are in comic book territory price wise, but not this one. Nope, this one is full tilt Gonzo.
Dumb question here,but what do you mean by a rear window plug. Is it whatever is black going around the back window? TYIA
stock rear window is recessed; the flat window was an aerodynamic necessity on superspeedways
$15K? The owner will have a hard time even giving this freak nightmare away. The ‘bird parts are the only things that are worth anything here.
For that special someone who wants a clone (why?), at least start with an operating vehicle, tack on the ‘birdie doo-dads, paint it and then you’ll get your clone lookie-loos at the cars and coffee meet-up. I don’t get it.
15k + another 75-100k to finish. pass. it will aways be a fake.
What does the complete kit cost for one of these?
I just checked Ebay and an aluminum wing and a nose will cost up to 12K. I doubt those one has the high priced pieces but the wing and nose probably weren’t cheap.
A friends dad owned a 70 Superbirb and it was mint factory stock. His son would occasionally drive it to school. Those rides home from school would be 5 16 yr olds in the Superbirb with the Speedo pegged at the 150 mph mark. The car would bury the speedo with 5 people in it without much effort.
And they wonder why the insurance companies balked at muscle cars.
Who knows if a Superbird riding down the street is real or not and who cares?
You might like BMWs and I don’t. You may like warm beer and I don’t.
If you don’t like fakes then I’m sure you don’t like NASCAR or the drags. All those cars are simply fakes.
A 1950 Ford with a 350 Chev motor is a fake. A 55 Chev with a 4 spd trans is a fake.
I will take the 55 Chevy with a 4 speed, don’t mind a fake as long as you know it.
That thing is a piece of junk!!!!!!!
Was that a “How To Make Your Own Superbird in 10 Easy Steps” manual sitting in the trunk?
Geeeezzz Louise!
If someone has a lot of money, you can make this look good. With a lot more money you could even drive it. I will pass
I don’t know who will buy this – Joe Dirt already has one! Sorry nobody else said it – I just had to,