Eric Minoff
Vice President, Head of Department - US
LOT 41
1970 Plymouth 'Hemi' Superbird Coupe Chassis no. RM23R0A176668 Engine no. CA176668 Transmission no. CA176668
Sold for US$425,600 inc. premiumLot to be sold without reserve
Lot 41
The Orange Collection
Complete with original Broadcast Sheets and authenticated by Galen Govier
1970 Plymouth 'Hemi' Superbird Coupe
Complete with original Broadcast Sheets and authenticated by Galen Govier
1970 Plymouth 'Hemi' Superbird Coupe
1970 Plymouth 'Hemi' Superbird Coupe
Chassis no. RM23R0A176668
Engine no. CA176668
Transmission no. CA176668
Chassis no. RM23R0A176668
Engine no. CA176668
Transmission no. CA176668
426ci OHV 'Hemi' V8 Engine
2x Carter 4bbl Carburetors
425bhp
3-Speed Torqueflite Automatic Transmission
Independent Front, Live Axle Rear Suspension
Front Disc, Rear Drum Brakes
*The wildest of the NASCAR homologation specials
*Exceptionally rare as one of 135 'R-Code' Hemi-powered Superbirds
*Correct original color scheme of 'Hi-Impact Vitamin C' over pearl white interior
*Well-detailed restoration, awarded an AACA Senior National First Prize
*Detailed authenticity report by marque expert Galen Govier
*Documented with numbers-matching, date-coded engine and transmission
*Includes original Broadcast Sheets, Owner's Manual, and Fender Tag Decoding
*A must-have for muscle car or homologation special collectors
THE MOPAR WING CARS
By the late 1960s, NASCAR was enjoying unprecedented popularity all around the country, and with that popularity came sponsors, piles of money, and intense competition from manufacturers. Engineers, sometimes working after hours to skirt corporate racing bans, kept pushing out bigger, more powerful engines in order to keep their cars in front of the pack. With the advent of the Superspeedways at Daytona and Talladega, they had to look even further to find that edge. Suddenly, aerodynamics came into play as teams and manufacturer design staff realized they could achieve heretofore unheard-of speeds with the same power.
Ford fired the opening salvo in 1969 with the Torino Talladega, a fastback Torino with a unique dropped nose design that helped it cut through the air at speed. It was surprisingly effective, with LeeRoy Yarborough taking the '69 Daytona 500 and Firecracker 400 wins. Ford won 5 of the first 6 races, and later took 11 races on the trot.
Chrysler Corporation had to respond and did they ever! Midway through the 1969 season, they dropped a bomb in the form of the astounding Dodge Charger Daytona. Based on the mid-sized Charger, it had an aggressively pointed aero front end and a huge 23-inch tall rear wing. This was a car with one clear goal: To win on high-speed ovals. Despite proving itself a winner, Ford's momentum was too much to overcome for 1969. But in 1970, the Dodge Charger Daytona was joined on track by its twin, the Plymouth Superbird, and Mopar retook the crown. But as speeds quickly exceeded 200mph at Daytona and Talladega and a big-money aero war looming, NASCAR pumped the brakes and banned the aero cars for the 1971 season.
In the showrooms, Ford, Mercury, Plymouth and Dodge all offered roadgoing versions of their NASCAR supercars to conform with regulations. Suddenly, the wildest racing cars on the track were the wildest muscle cars on the street. But they were expensive, impractical, and produced in limited numbers. Very few buyers stepped up – and tales of MoPar dealers removing wings and nosecones to make them saleable are enough to bring tears to the eyes of today's collectors! For the Superbird, total numbers vary, but it is widely accepted that fewer than 2,000 were built for the US and Canadian markets. Today, they count among the most desirable muscle cars in history, and a uniquely American take on the homologation special.
THE CAR OFFERED
Proudly offered from The Orange Collection is this extraordinary 1970 Plymouth Superbird, one of a reported 135 cars originally powered by the legendary 'R-Code' 426 cubic-inch Hemi V8 engine. Finished in the iconic shade of 'Hi-Impact Vitamin C' orange paint over a white interior, this car is documented by the respected Mopar historian Galen Govier, and is presented with an older, detailed restoration, awarded an AACA Senior National First Prize in 2014.
Accompanying documentation is extensive, verifying this as a genuine Hemi Superbird. The history binder includes original Broadcast Sheets, fender tag decoding, photographs, owner's manual, and detailed analysis reports from Galen Govier, dated 2005. Per the detailed inspection, this car was produced on December 8, 1969, and is said to retain its correct, date-coded and serial-matching 426 Hemi engine and automatic transmission and is restored to its factory colors and options. Extensive photos document the meticulously detailed restoration and include detailed shots of relevant stampings, castings, and numbered parts and panels to thoroughly authenticate this Hemi Superbird as one of the finest examples extant.
Born and bred on the high banks of Daytona, the Plymouth Superbird legend was cast from the moment it turned a wheel on track. Unforgettable looks, legendary 426 Hemi power, and an enviable motorsports pedigree make this Superbird an exceptionally rare opportunity to add one of America's greatest muscle cars to your collection.
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