Description
Lot #650 - One of only 135 HEMI Superbirds, this has its original matching-numbers engine with original VIN tag and most of its Broadcast Sheet. It has been upgraded to HEMI 4-speed and 3.54 Dana rear. It's finished in beautiful Alpine White with the original top. It also has both original jacks. It rides on Polyglas tires over Rally wheels. It's also equipped with Tic-Toc-Tach, power steering, power brakes and AM radio. Between October 23 and December 15, 1969, a total of 1,935 Superbirds were produced. The Superbird was a highly modified '70 Road Runner with modified Coronet fenders and hood. They were designed for better aerodynamics and to compete on the NASCAR circuit. The body was further refined from the previous year's 1969 Dodge Daytona. The rear wing was mounted on large vertical struts to keep the wing in an area of less-disturbed air above the roofline. This wing would keep the required downforce on the rear axle. Additionally, its height had to be designed to allow trunk lid clearance (which was modified), but the final location was perfect for maximum downforce. The fender scoops were for tire clearance and not for heat extraction as some had believed. The air inlet was also modified from that of the Daytona. NASCAR's homologation rules required that racing vehicles had to be made available to the public. The Indy 500 requirements for the 1969 Daytona raised that limit so there was at least one Superbird for every two dealers in 1970. Richard Petty had left Chrysler for Ford in 1968 and the Superbird was built to lure him back, which he agreed to for the 1970 season. In 1971, due to the higher speeds of the aero cars, engine displacement was limited to 305ci. Many Superbirds sat unsold in dealer lots for as much as two years since some buyers did not care for the style. Some were even converted back to 1970 Road Runners.