The Road Runner on premium steroids, the 1970 Superbird was the final iteration of the aero-style NASCAR wars of the pre-Winston era. However, very few examples today come close to the originality and desirability of the example here. This 440 6-BBL Superbird is unrestored with an incredibly low 5,400 original miles. Zzenith Certified in 2010, this car took a FIVA/HVA Preservation award at Meadowbrook Concours of America in Rochester, Michigan, as well. As one of only 716 produced in this engine configuration for 1970, this special Plymouth retains its original drivetrain, exhaust, belts, hoses, paint, interior and glass. It is also extensively documented with the original window sticker, factory invoice, advance shipping notice, warranty punch card, MSO and two broadcast sheets, and has a known ownership history. Shipped new to Ed Ousley Chrysler Plymouth Inc. in Prestonsburg, Kentucky, this was one of four Superbirds delivered to that franchise. The other three sold, but this one Ousley kept for himself. Eventually, he closed the dealership and opened a liquor store, and the “as-new” car was kept hidden in the store warehouse until it was brought to the attention of Alan Ranier, whose father sponsored Davey Allison’s NASCAR No. 28 Ranier/Havoline Fords. Ranier was able to convince Ousley to sell him the car, which was then kept at the team’s race shop. In 1987, it was listed in a Daytona-Superbird Auto Club Newsletter being offered as basically a brand new Superbird with 12 miles from new. Collector Jay Dow bought it as a gift for his wife, who was a former native of Charlotte, North Carolina, and a big Richard Petty fan. Some years later, the car returned to Jay’s ownership, and soon afterward, the Superbird was sold to former IMSA and GTP race car driver and collector Jim Mullen. Showing 5,200 by the time Mullen let it go, two other collectors have preserved it carefully before it entered its current place in this collection. With this car researched to be the 200th Superbird completed and the 100th V-Code example to roll off the assembly line in late 1969, the special car package was created in most part to get driver Richard Petty back into a Plymouth for 1970. To do this required many special refinements including the nose, rear wing, 1970 Dodge Coronet body pieces, a unique backlight insert, a mandatory vinyl top to cover that change and a minimum production number of just 1,920 units by January 1, 1970 to be legal for street use. This car retains the complete numbers-matched drivetrain. The V-code 440 6-BBL engine installed at the Lynch Road plant is beneath the hood, rated at 390 HP and topped by a trio of Holley 2-barrel carburetors. This is backed by the TorqueFlite automatic transmission, which mandated the A36 Performance Axle 8.75 differential package with 3.55 gears and Sure Grip on all Superbird models. Superbirds came with power steering and power brakes with front discs, and 6-BBL examples received Hemi suspension pieces as well. This car is painted High Impact EV2 Tor Red with a black vinyl top and black interior. Inside is the bench seat with silver accents, a Solid State AM radio, performance dash with 150 MPH speedometer, tinted windshield and Road Runner cartoon icons on the steering wheel and door. The body features touches like bright exhaust tips, hood pins, large black Plymouth fender decals and front fender scoops. Riding on the premium Rallye wheels design with matched Goodyear F60-15 Polyglas GT tires, this sale will even include period photos and sales ad clippings. Noted and honored as one of the most exceptional original and well-documented Plymouth muscle cars of any kind in existence today, this V-code Superbird is a car that must be seen, as well as an opportunity that should not be missed.
