Debuting in 1970, the Superbird represented Plymouth’s response to the Dodge Charger Daytona, a high-performance muscle car purpose-built for NASCAR racing homologation. Resembling the Daytona closely, the Superbird made its way to dealership floors, offering an array of Mopar’s formidable big-block V8 engines.
Differing from the Daytona, which had a limited production run of just 503 units, the Superbird saw the light of day in nearly 2,000 examples. While this makes it more prevalent than its Dodge counterpart, the Superbird remains one of the scarcest and most coveted muscle cars. HEMI-powered Superbirds can command prices exceeding $1 million.
Precise production figures remain elusive, with estimates ranging from 1,920 to potentially 2,783 units built. Nevertheless, most Superbird experts concur that Plymouth manufactured 1,935 for the US market, accompanied by an additional 34 to 47 units shipped to Canada. This was a substantial number by early 1970s muscle car standards, yet it retained its exclusivity.
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Similar to other prominent American high-performance vehicles of the era, the Superbird exclusively featured Chrysler’s top-tier V8 engines. The base Superbird came equipped with the 440-cubic-inch “Commando” RB engine, delivering a formidable 375 horsepower. Next in line was the six-barrel “Super Commando” iteration of the same engine, pushing out 390 horses. Finally, the HEMI variant boasted the legendary 426-cubic-inch V8, a powerhouse generating a staggering 425 horsepower.
In terms of color options, the Superbird was more restrained than the Road Runner. Plymouth offered it in just seven hues: Alpine White, Limelight, Lemon Twist, Tor-Red, Vitamin C, B5 Blue, and Corporate Blue, also known as Petty Blue. Lemon Twist emerged as the most commonly chosen color, adorning more than 400 cars. So, which color stands out as the rarest? According to most data, Petty Blue was applied to only about 50 Superbirds.
However, there is an interesting twist in the story. Plymouth inadvertently painted a few cars in Burnt Orange, a color that wasn’t officially part of the Superbird’s palette. While some sources suggest there were only a handful of these Burnt Orange Superbirds, others claim just a couple of examples exist. Regardless, Burnt Orange Superbirds are arguably the rarest of them all. Additionally, some owners opted to customize their Superbirds by repainting them, resulting in one-of-a-kind vehicles, such as the Moulin Rouge example showcased here.
This particular Superbird, a base four-barrel 440 car, is scheduled to go under the hammer at the Kissimmee auction in January 2024. However, it deviates from its original color. A close examination of the fender tag and broadcast sheet reveals that it was originally finished in FJ5, denoting Limelight Poly, a vibrant shade of green. At some point in its history, someone decided to give it a bold pink makeover. This color, Moulin Rouge (known as Panther Pink for Dodge), was a spring-only option in 1970 and a special-order paint in 1971.
While having a bright pink hue on a muscle car may be considered unconventional, many enthusiasts find this Superbird captivating, especially when paired with a white vinyl top and white seats. It’s important to note that this Mopar underwent a professional restoration, resulting in a flawless appearance both inside and out. The engine bay is impeccably clean, and the car comes equipped with a floor shift automatic, power steering, power brakes, a full console, and bucket seats. While the odometer reads 44,797 miles (72,094 km), it remains uncertain whether this represents the actual mileage.
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For collectors seeking an extraordinary and eye-catching Superbird, this Mopar will be up for auction at the Kissimmee event in January 2024. It’s part of the Kevin Sergent Mopar & Wing Car Collection, which includes nine additional Superbirds and a 1969 Dodge Daytona. What do you think this unique Superbird will fetch at auction?
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