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Coolest Muscle Car Ever

Updated on November 21, 2015

1970 Road Runner Superbird

In 1970, Plymouth lured Richard Petty back to racing for Plymouth in NASCAR races by building the 1970 Road Runner Superbird. In the Disney Movie "Cars", Richard Petty plays "The King", a Road Runner Super Bird. The Superbird was based upon the 1969 Dodge Charger Daytona because when Richard Petty saw it, he wanted something similar. Both Dodge and Plymouth produced just enough of these cars to qualify to race them in stock car racing. It has been estimated a production Superbird could achieve speeds greater than 150 MPH. The race car version could achieve speeds of over 250 MPH.

It was originally rumored that in 1971 NASCAR outlawed both the Road Runner Superbird and Dodge Charger Daytona from racing because they were labeled specialty cars and would be limited to a 305 cubic inch engine. It appears the truth was NASCAR changed the rules about engine sizes that could be used, to keep speeds down, resulting in Plymouth dropping the Superbird since it would not be as competitive with such a small engine. Additionally since tires were not as well designed as today, many terrible crashes were seen in 1970.

In my opinion, the 1970 Road Runner Superbird is the coolest Muscle car ever built.

Quick Facts about the 1970 Road Runner Superbird

also known as the "Winged Warrior" or the "Aero Warrior"

1970 Plymouth Road Runner Superbird

Production Count: 1920, one for each dealership as required by NASCAR.

Top Speed: Production models can achieve greater than 150 MPH.

Top Speed: Race car versions could achieve speeds over 250 MPH.

Length: 226.5 inches, yes, over 18 feet long.

Wheelbase: 117 inches.

List Price: $4,298 (1970).

Current Price: More than $100,000 if in very good condition.

Engines:426 Hemi (475 bhp), 440 Super Commando, 440 Six Barrel

Won 38 of 48 grand national races. Tire failures kept this number at this level.

Drag Coefficient .28(better than most cars)

Reverse hood scoops were needed to support the racing tires is a myth. The scoops reduced drag by venting air from the wheel wells.

First Stock Car to average a 200 MPH lap.

Racing versions could exceed over 250 MPH.

Won 8 races in 1971 and placed very high in the others.

Was recognized as the fastest stock car in the world.

American Muscle Car

Mopar's winged wonders

If you have netflix check out American Muscle Car's Winged Warriors Episode.

Hallmark Superbird Ornament
Hallmark Superbird Ornament

Superbird Christmas Ornament

Actually in honor of Richard Petty.

Who could believe you can even hang a Superbird on your Christmas tree. Nice!

Superbird Art with Legos

I love building stuff, especially with Legos. The picture is of my three different Road Runner Superbird Lego designs.

Road Runner Superbird Resources

There are many wonderful sites and resources online about the Road Runner Superbird and other muscle cars.

Superbirds on the Track - It is pretty cool to see how many people were racing Superbirds.

The lead character in the movie Cars races against "The King" a Road Runner Superbird. - Richard Petty obtained his nickname of "King Richard" in 1967 for his o

Richard Petty also does the voice for "The King" in the Cars movie. I also have a suspicion that the ending of the movie is related to the Greatest NASCAR finish ever, which involved Richard Petty.

The Coolest Muscle Car I Have Owned So Far

1969 Camaro

I had the pleasure of owning a 1969 Camaro for 10 years. It was the car I was supposed to have in High School, but I did not get it until six years after graduation. The 1969 Camaro is the coolest Camaro with a meaner looking body style than a '67, '68, '70 and so on.

More Superbird Racing - Richard Petty's famous #43 Superbird shown in this video.

Best U.S. Muscle Car Manufacturer?

Which American Car Manufacturer Makes/Made the Best Muscle Cars?

See results

Suberbird Products on eBay

Keep an eye out for auctions for Road Runner Superbird items. Occasionally you will see a Road Runner Superbird car posted and the auction will quickly go above $100,000.

Great Car Movies on Amazon - Check out Great Car Movies

"Conclusion" or "Waiting for my next Muscle car"

Since my '69 Camaro scared my kids when they were little, they thought it was too noisy, and because I could not picture myself handing over the keys to one of them, I sold my Camaro. Maybe when they are teenagers we will build a muscle car for them to use.

I hope those of you who love muscle cars, have been able to get one, hopefully your favorite one.

Thanks, --Todd

Dodge Challenger Superbird Kit now available

Get one if you can

HPP INC. has a super bird kit for the new dodge challenger which looks awesome. Image from

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