Remember when anything Hemi was going for a starting bid of $500K, and things only went more crazy from there? Those days are behind us, as might be evident when we see where this 1970 Plymouth Superbird goes. Currently, it’s here on eBay at about $215,000 with no stated reserve. In other words, if the auction ended now, that would be the price. That’s hardly likely to happen, though bidders will have the final say. If you hit the high number, expect to send a transport truck to Rochester, NY to pick up your new toy.
The Superbird, and its corporate cousin the Dodge Charger Daytona, were NASCAR homologation specials. That is, they were released to qualify race versions for stock car competition. The Daytona was available in 1969 only, the Superbird, built on the Road Runner, was available in 1970. Production numbers for the Superbird are variously reported as 1920 (two for every dealer in the US), or 1935, though some have claimed as many as 2700+. Of those, and again, numbers differ according to source, about 135 were Hemis. The so-called “elephant engine” was the top dog. Other engine choices included a 4-barrel 440-CID and a 440 with the “Six Pack” of three, 2-barrel carbs. The Hemi displaced 426 cubic inches and made 425 horsepower. Of the 1970 Hemi Superbirds, only 58 had a four-speed stick, as does this car, replete with Pistol Grip shifter.
This car is said to be wearing its original interior and to have most of its original sheetmetal. It was restored about twenty years ago, but is noted as highly original underneath and very good to excellent in other areas, such as the paint. The car is documented and inspected for authenticity, with a build sheet included, seat-spring marks and all. Dave Wise, Mopar guru, has inspected the car, also.
Obviously, this level of collectible is not for everyone because the price bumps most of us aside, but if you have a spare few hundred thousand rattling around in your couch cushions, how do you decide if this car is for you? Likely not on the quality of the resto, which is outstanding. You already know there’s a premium for the Hemi—if you want the baddest engine, you bid accordingly. So what do you think of the color? I say that’s an awful lot of green. But good on whoever gets this car. My only request is that he or she keep the Superbird visible in the hobby. Show it, drive it, and let the rest of us see and enjoy it, and dream.
A friend of mine has a white 70 Super Bird and has owned it since he was in high school
What parent would let a teenager purchase something like this? They must have had a hefty life insurance policy on him.
Larry didn’t say his friend brought it new, just that he purchased it while in high school. Many of my high school friends bought used cars on their own using money from part time or summer jobs.
If the friend purchased it at the height of the fuel crisis, used muscle cars getting 7-9 mpg were trading for 500 to 800 dollars.
David, you missed my point. Even years back, you needed a parents signature to title a car if you were a minor. If you were 18 and still in high school, chances are you still lived under the old mans roof and he was going to have a say what was on his driveway. What parent is going to risk his or hers kids life with a car with this kind of performance and questionable handling at best? If a Mopar was a wanted item, most parents wouldn’t allow anything north of a 318, and many, just a slant six. At least that was the norm with my group of friends. None of our parents would allow us HP cars, even if we used our own funds. That is a sign of good parenting, one that I followed with our kids. They all turned out great (and not injured or dead). Kids my complain about strict parenting, but deep inside they know they are loved and cared for..
My parents co signed a loan for me at a dealership for a used Duster 340 for me when I was 18, they weren’t really aware of muscle cars , to them a car was an appliance . Color , stripes etc didnt mean anything to them .
I turned 18 in 1983. By then, I had already owned a 69 Z/28 with a 302, a 68 Camaro SS 396, a 70 Chevelle SS 396 & a 70 Challenger with a 383. All the people I ran with in high school also had muscle cars with hi-po engines in them. In the late 70’s & early 80’s, these cars were dirt cheap & easily available. It’s what we could afford.
I graduated high school in 1976. Our student parking lot was full of all kinds of neat cars, Camaros, Mustangs, Challengers, Road Runners, etc. One car that stood out to me was the 68 or 69 bright green AMX complete with side pipes. There was quite the smoke show in front of the building on the last day of school. Myself, I was into the custom van scene at the time so my ride was a 1969 E-100 with a 6 cylinder. Not exactly a hi-po machine. But I certainly had a lot of fun with that van.
You would need a very competant inspection on this boid. Being from Rochester, NY makes one suspicious, especially for that kind of coin. Sure would love to rip thru the gears one time with that Hee – Mi motor. Good luck and Happy motoring.
Cheers
GPC
Rochester in 1960s and 1970s was home to Eastman Kodak, Xerox, and Bausch & Lomb among others. There was more than enough money around for an executive to afford to buy and garage a hot car.
Yes, but the question would have to be did that actually happen? Remember, folks hated these when new, so just as much chance someone scooped it up for dirt cheap and daily drove it for awhile. Either way, I think what GasPumpChas is getting at, is that for this kind of price, you’d want a through inspection either way just to make sure the underside isn’t swiss cheese.
This is cheap. Barrett Jackson just sold an orange Hemi Superbird for more than $1 million. I am in my late 60s and remember these new. The local dealer had a slime green one. Couldn’t sell it. It got sent back to Chrysler. Whatever. Still a million times better looking than new junk of today.
The people who buy the million dollar cars on Barrett Jackson just do it because they want you to see them buy it. You can say that $1 million was over priced.
A problem in our society when that kind of thing is possible, while others can barely get by. I did very well financially, but even this is out of my reach. I am not so much jealous of someone who can plunk down a million at the drop of a hat, as I am disgusted.
$1,650,000 to be exact…
Is this the one that sold a week or so back or just trying to capitalize on it….on the cheap ?
Is this the one that sold a week or so back or just trying to capitalize on it….on the cheap ?
I’d have Galen look it over extremely well. A Hemi Bird just sold at auction for a shade over one million, can’t remember if it was a auto or four speed.
The one @ Mecum Las Vegas did $1.6 million with fees . If this is an original Hemi Super Bird the listed bid is a bargain . I’m sure the seller is trying to ride the “Mecum Wave”. Side note , a 440 Bird sat at a local small town dealer for almost 2 years , I know the owners daughter as I bought all their wholesale vehicles for years , and it is 100% true . I live in PA close to the MD line and Maryland outlawed them due to the nose cone not being a bumper and therefore illegal on MD. roads , local folks were scared to buy it if they would get arrested if they ventured into MD . The guy that bought it still has it in the same small PA town .
Charlie,
You are correct, as delivered in MD, the front bumpers didn’t pass inspection requirements. Dealers were very upset, a couple even converted cars to the regular front end.
That said, MoPaR finally issued a special glue-on rubber chin strip to allow the cars to pass inspection, and then I guess the rubber strip could be removed, as the MD state inspection is only one time, when you first register the car [once per owner],
$275K now with 4 days left.
Yep I think everything from Rochester rots if it stays in Rochester . Cool city very hard on cars and people but cruising lakeshore Bulevard in the mid to late 70s was a rush like no other !! Got my first ticket over 100 mph there . Rev on the Red line !!!
I’m glad the prices are coming down! Maybe one day a regular Joe will be able to buy one if he so desires!
Myself, I would be in it at about $8000. And even then I would have to do some borrowing.
These were pretty laughable on the street back in the day. Way to flamboyant and unpractical.
One guy at my high school had a yellow one. I bet he didn’t even pay $2000 for it, and it was flawless and ALL ORIGINAL.
Oh well, times change. When they get below 10G’s let me know. Even then I probably won’t really want it…..my garage isn’t long enough!
I remember seeing one just like this in Herkimer NY at a dealership when I was about 6 years old. My father and my brother paid it no mind but I was in awe.
I can remember my local dealer having a white one on the lot seems like almost 2 years. It was a 440-auto car. The guy who bought it kept it till just a few years ago & cashed out.
Could you also get a dark green vinyl roof on these?
Surprised the tuff steering wheel was not available on these.
Squigly. I get your point but let me reference 3 kids I was in school with. Kitty got a brand new 1965 Corvette coupe. Frankie got a new 1969 Road Runner with a 383 and Wayne got a gorgeous new 1970 GTO Judge. They were good kids and never got in trouble for racing or anything like that.
The original owner is believed to be Cool Joe Machado 😎