Plymouth Superbird
The winged warrior — built to win Daytona, sold to meet homologation, impossible to ignore.
The Plymouth Superbird was built for one purpose: winning NASCAR superspeedway races at speeds exceeding 200 mph. NASCAR required manufacturers to produce one street car for every two dealerships to homologate their race car — Plymouth built exactly 1,920 Superbirds. The combination of a pointed aerodynamic nose, flush rear window, and a 23-inch rear wing makes it the most visually extreme production car of the muscle car era.
History
After Dodge's Charger 500 and Daytona had dominated 1969 NASCAR, Plymouth needed its own aero car for 1970. The Superbird used the Road Runner's B-body with an extended nose cone (borrowed from the Dodge Charger 500), a flush rear window plug, and the now-iconic tall rear wing. Richard Petty, who had left Dodge, returned to Plymouth specifically to drive the Superbird. In its single NASCAR season, the Superbird was dominant.
NASCAR banned the winged cars after 1970, making the Superbird a one-year wonder. Plymouth dealers struggled to sell the unusual-looking cars at first — some were converted back to standard Road Runners by embarrassed dealers. Today, those conversions are deeply regretted. Original Superbirds with the 426 HEMI are worth $300,000–$500,000; HEMI cars with documentation approaching $1 million at auction.
Notable Versions
426 HEMI Superbird
Only 135 HEMI Superbirds were produced. Values start at $300,000 for documented examples.
440+6 Superbird
The performance-sweet-spot option. More attainable than the HEMI with nearly equivalent street performance.
Richard Petty race car
Petty drove the Superbird to victory at multiple 1970 superspeedway events. The race cars bear no resemblance to the street versions.
What to Look for When Buying
Key inspection points from experienced collectors.
The nose cone and wing must be original
Reproduction noses and wings are widely available. Only original stampings and fitment confirm an authentic Superbird.
Road Runner conversions are the primary fraud risk
Converting a Road Runner to Superbird appearance is straightforward. Verify the VIN-encoded body code (RM23) confirms Superbird.
Use the Winged Warriors registry
Every known Superbird has been catalogued. The registry is the gold standard for verification.
HEMI cars are in a different value tier
135 HEMI Superbirds were built. If you're looking at one, bring an expert and prepare for a seven-figure conversation.
Quick Specs
- Engine options
- 440 Super Commando (375 hp), 440+6 (390 hp), 426 HEMI (425 hp)
- Wheelbase
- 116 in
- Production
- 1,920 total (135 HEMI cars)
- Transmission
- 4-spd manual, TorqueFlite automatic
- Wing height
- 23 inches above deck lid
Market Price Guide
Approximate USA asking prices
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