Coolest Muscle Car Ever
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.
Muscle Car History from HowStuffWorks.com
- History of Muscle Cars
The How Stuff Works site has a information on the history of the muscle car era. - Muscle Car Inventory
How Stuff Works also has a lot of information on many of the muscle cars produced, available from the link above.
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.
- Wikipedia
Wekipedia has a nice section on this car and its history. - Aero Warriors
The Aero Warriors site primarily concerns itself with two of the most unusual automobiles ever produced and sold by United States auto makers, the 1969 Dodge Charger Daytona and the 1970 Plymouth Road Runner SuperBird. Check their videos section for - All MOPAR
The Plymouth Superbird and Dodge Charger Daytona stories.
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.
Muscle Car Shows
- Muscle Car Television
Produces Muscle Car, Horse Power, Power Block and a few other shows. Check their web site for availability in your areas as well as show information. The August 24th Muscle Car episode mentioned the Year One Goldberg Superbird Project, which is atte
Where to Find Your Superbird or Favorite Muscle Car - Specific Sites Exist to Help Locate Rare Vehicles
- LemonFree.com
The "new way" to shop and research autos online. Take a quick look at the prices across the country for the muscle car you are looking for or if you are selling one, list it for free. The Road Runner Superbird prices on this site seem much more reaso - Ebay Motors
Be sure to keep an eye out for Superbirds showing up on eBay motors. - Muscle Car Finders .Com
MuscleCarFinders.com is a nationwide muscle car company that works hard to put American muscle cars back on the road. Cars don't belong in museums, they were meant to be driven. So we find them, fix them, and sell them to a good home.
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?
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.
Variety of Superbird products on Amazon
Great Car Movies on Amazon - Check out Great Car Movies
Muscle Car Books
"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
