1970 Plymouth Road Runner Superbird

Description

SUMMARY

• Highly authentic 3-owner car / 1.5-year restoration completed in June of 2014
• Original 440 cubic inch Super Commando V8
• Original A727 Torqueflite 3-speed automatic transmission
• Mostly-original sheetmetal / Correct Blue Fire Metallic paint / Correct Black vinyl top
• Correct White & Black interior
• Correct 8.75-inch rear axle / Correct Sure Grip differential / Correct 3.55 gears
• Sale includes: Original Broadcast Sheet / Restoration photos / Galen Govier Fender Tag and Broadcast Sheet decodes
• Correct power steering / Correct power front disc and rear drum brakes
• Correct Hemi Suspension
• Polished stainless exhaust / Polished Dynomax mufflers

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What happens when you take some of Detroit's most serious muscle, pull out all the stops and create a NASCAR-inspired super car? Well, you should have a wildly popular halo that generates huge buzz and creates truckloads of revenue. In the case of Plymouth and their coveted Road Runner Superbird, that wasn't quite the result. In fact, the division managed to barely surpass the 1,920 cars required to meet NASCAR's renewed homologation rule. And while these slow sellers lingered on lots and didn't do much for the brand during their day, their outrageous nature virtually guaranteed that, in time, they would become exclusive classics serious collectors dream of owning. This highly authentic Superbird is a fully documented, 3-owner dreamboat that wraps rare Black, White and B5 Blue aesthetics around an original 440/A727 drivetrain. And if you're a serious MoPar enthusiast who's looking for a crown jewel classic to lead your collection, it's a chance to turn your reverie into reality!

HISTORY

Throughout the '60s, Chrysler and Ford were heavily vested in the “Win on Sunday, sell on Monday” sales mentality. And Dodge's Charger 500, despite its NASCAR-inspired tweaks, just wasn't getting the job done. In an attempt to one up Ford's slick and equally fast Torino, Chrysler went to the drawing board and began exploring aerodynamics. While aerodynamics wasn't a new concept, it had yet to be seriously studied by major auto manufacturers. And Chrysler's foray into the subject eventually culminated in testing full scale models at Lockheed Martin's North Carolina wind tunnel. Engineers quickly realized the benefits of a wind-cutting nose, but the real epiphany came when they employed a large rear stabilizer. Not only did that 'rocket nose' and 'park bench' spoiler combination create 'zero lift' downforce, it also produced immense directional stability, permitting speeds in excess of 200 MPH. Not surprisingly, Dodge's storied Daytona won the first race it competed in, and would eventually become one of the most successful NASCAR stock cars of all time. And Plymouth, looking to lure NASCAR star Richard Petty back into the fold, followed Dodge's impressive Daytona with the equally slippery, and some say better, Road Runner Superbird.

BODYWORK/TRIM

Like many investment grade classics, this impressive Plymouth spent the majority of its 46 years in the hands of one very meticulous enthusiast. Traded in 1971 by its original owner, the car was nabbed by that enthusiast for a whopping $3,300 from Al Davenport Plymouth of Portsmouth, Virginia. In 2012, when that enthusiast decided to pass his beloved 'bird to a third owner, the car benefitted from a thorough, 1.5-year restoration that consisted of a little bodywork and quite a bit of detailing. During that refresh, Accomac, Virginia's Durbin's Auto Body stripped mostly original sheetmetal, welded up a fresh trunk pan, sprayed correct Blue Fire Metallic 2-stage and installed a fresh vinyl top. And today, this warrior rolls as one super slick, all-American muscle car that's so cool it'll make you feel guilty!

ENGINE

Raise this coupe's long hood and you'll find an original, 440 cubic inch RB V8 that's authenticated by a familiar 2536430 casting number and matching partial VIN. More popular than Chrysler's famed Hemi, and almost as feared as Plymouth's 440 6 BBL, this Super Commando V8 was designed to offer an exceptional combination of speed and civility. Oxygen whips through a correctly decaled, dual snorkel air cleaner to a big Carter carburetor, which is bolted to a glossy, Hemi Orange intake. At the front of that intake, a familiar points distributor sequences fire through reliable 7mm High Temperature plug wires. Behind those wires, Hemi Orange valve covers perfectly contrast correct, cast iron exhaust manifolds. Cooling is provided by a big, 26-inch radiator, which utilizes pliable hoses and simple squeeze clamps to channel water past a correct, 7-blade fan. A correct MoPar red cap utilizes an old school Chrysler voltage regulator to supply the jolts. And, aesthetically, everything in the clean engine bay presents great; from the car's cool factory decals and B5 Blue fenders to its old school washer reservoir and requisite Road Runner horn. According to this Plymouth's current owner, neither the big 440 nor its A727 companion has ever been fully rebuilt. And after the car's restoration, the moody 6 BBL induction noted in accompanying build photos was happily exchanged for a correct 4-barrel set-up.

DRIVETRAIN/SUSPENSION

Park this specialized B-Body on a lift and you'll find a fully sorted undercarriage that, thanks to an acute combination of low mileage and impeccable maintenance, remains very close to the way it left the Lynch Road assembly line. Factory undercoating protects solid floors that, while exceedingly nice, certainly aren't a stranger to the blacktop. Behind the Super Commando, an original A727 Torqueflite hangs a high performance “PK3410670” assembly stamp opposite a matching partial VIN. That proven transmission sends power to a correct 8.75-inch Chrysler rear end that spins a correct Sure Grip differential around correct 3.55 gears. At the front of the car, Chrysler's beefy Hemi Suspension utilizes heavy-duty torsion bars, an A12 sway bar and standard power steering to make quick work of big bumps and tight curves. At the back of the car, that same Hemi Suspension hangs correctly staggered springs at the sides of fresh KYB Gas-A-Just shocks and a stainless fuel tank that feeds stainless fuel lines. Stops come courtesy of standard power front disc and rear drum brakes. Spent gases traverse polished stainless tubes on their way to an H-shaped crossover, polished Dynomax mufflers and correct stainless tips. And all that MoPar goodness rolls on stylish Rallye wheels, which twist F70-14 Goodyear Polyglas tires around bright stainless trim rings and color-keyed center caps.

INTERIOR

Inside this famous Plymouth, a striking White & Black interior adds to the car's rare and exceptionally attractive aesthetics. Correct bench and bucket seats display no significant signs of wear. In front of those thrones, a straight, crack-free dash hangs correct Rallye gauges beside a correct AM/FM radio. At the bottom of that dash, well-maintained carpet centers a factory shifter on a correct console. At the sides of that carpet, bright door panels complement bright door frames. Above those frames, a tight headliner backs a cool Richard Petty autograph. In front of the driver, a correct, wood-trimmed steering wheel spins satin spokes around a cool Road Runner centerpiece. And behind the passengers, the car's cavernous trunk hides a fresh mat beneath a fifth Rallye wheel and a fifth a Goodyear tire.

PROVENANCE

In addition to significant historical provenance, this Plymouth's substantial documentation includes Galen Govier Fender Tag and Broadcast Sheet decodes. Here's a detailed look at how the car left Chrysler's Lynch Road assembly plant.

FENDER TAG:

• E86: 440 cubic inch Super Commando V8 that utilizes one 4-barrel carburetor to create 375 horsepower
• D32: A727 Torqueflite automatic transmission
• RM: Plymouth Road Runner
• 23: 2-door hardtop
• U: 440 cubic inch Super Commando V8 that utilizes one 4-barrel carburetor to create 375 horsepower
• 0: 1970 model year
• A: Assembled at Chrysler's Lynch Road facility
• XXXXXX: Production Sequence Number
• EB5: Blue Fire Metallic body paint
• P: Premium trim grade
• 6: Vinyl bucket seats
• XW: White & Black interior
• EW1: White upper door frames
• B30: Scheduled for production on Sunday November 30th, 1969
• J98254: Vehicle Order Number (Special-order Superbird)
• V19: Special-order vinyl roof
• V88: Transverse sport stripe delete (add “Road Runner” nameplates)
• 26: 26-inch radiator
• C16: Woodgrain-trimmed console that's complete with a floor shifter
• 115: 440 Super Commando V8 with automatic transmission and heater specs
• 052: Heavy-duty 8.75-inch axle that's fitted with 3.55 gears, a Sure Grip differential and 10-inch drum brakes
• 670: 440 Super Commando-spec A727 Torqueflite automatic transmission
• 15: Lynch Road Assembly Gate Sequence Number
• 102: Lynch Road Assembly Base Sequence Number
• 175835: Lynch Road Assembly Line Sequence Number

BUILD SHEET:

• B: Broadcast Copy: Station #- Lynch Road
• 176602: Sequence Number: Broadcast Print
• B30: Scheduled for production on Sunday November 30th, 1969
• J98254: Vehicle Order Number (Special-order Superbird)
• RM: Plymouth Road Runner
• 23: 2-door hardtop
• U: 440 cubic inch Super Commando V8 that utilizes one 4-barrel carburetor to create 375 horsepower
• 0: 1970 model year
• A: Assembled at Chrysler's Lynch Road facility
• XXXXXX: Production Sequence Number
• Y05: Build to specifications for U.S.A.
• STD: Dealer stock order type
• Y39: Special order
• E86: 440 cubic inch Super Commando V8 that utilizes one 4-barrel carburetor to create 375 horsepower
• D32: A727 Torqueflite automatic transmission
• D56: Heavy-duty 8.75-inch axle that's fitted with 3.55 gears
• D91: Sure Grip differential
• T86: F70x14 Polyglas white sidewall tires
• P: Premium trim grade
• 6: Vinyl bucket seats
• XW: White & Black interior
• EW1: White upper door frames
• V01: Monotone paint style
• EB5: Blue Fire Metallic body paint
• V19: Special vinyl roof
• NO: Performance hood paint treatment
• 355: B-Body automatic transmission floor shifter
• X9: Black steering column
• 7000: Steering: Power / N88: No / L65: No
• 16TT: 3-spoke woodgrain steering wheel
• 47X9: Black horn button
• 2998956: 26-inch Maximum Cooling radiator
• 2863257: 26-inch radiator inlet hose
• 3438172: 37-amp mono-pulley alternator
• 2863223: 18-inch 7-blade fan
• 1851959: 1.06-inch fan spacer
• 2642969: 70-amp 27-series red cap battery
• V88: Transverse sport stripe delete
• 2405466: 2-way intake vacuum fitting
• 115: 440 Super Commando V8 with automatic transmission and heater specs
• 3418554: Carter AVS 4-barrel carburetor
• 3410670: A727 Torqueflite automatic transmission
• 2538936: Red 36-tooth speedometer pinion
• 2996161: 3.24-inch x 51.50-inch propeller driveshaft
• 3432052: Heavy-duty 8.75-inch axle that's fitted with 3.55 gears, a Sure Grip differential and 10-inch drum brakes
• 63: 14-inch x 5.5-inch Magnum 500 wheels
• TX9: Black-painted spare wheel
• 16: 14-inch x 5.5-inch stamped steel spare wheel
• 2944424: Brushed trim rings
• 3466479: B-body 440 engine K-frame that's complete with skid protection
• 2835862: .88-inch front sway bar
• 2462067: Firm ride front shocks
• 3400592: Firm ride rear shocks
• 29: Front disc brakes
• 1857781: .91-inch x 41-inch Hemi left torsion bar
• 1857780: 91-inch x 41-inch Hemi right torsion bar
• 2539794: Hemi 6-leaf left rear spring
• 2539964: Hemi 5.5-leaf right rear spring
• 6700: Brake pedal: B51 automatic transmission-less J41
• 3412452: 800 RPM in neutral idle label
• 3402068: F70x14 load range tire label
• 00: Left H-pipe exhaust
• 3404802: Right H-pipe exhaust
• 3404014: Left tail pipe that's complete with chrome tip
• 3404013: Right tail pipe that's complete with chrome tip
• BP5: Car height: B-Body power steering
• 65: B-Body power disc master cylinder
• 06: 6:00 AM broadcast print hour
• 75: #75 broadcast print sequence for the hour
• A13: Road Runner Superbird Package
• A36: Performance Axle Package
• STD: Hardtop Road Runner Décor Package
• STD: Rallye Instrument Cluster
• B41: Front disc brakes
• B51: Power brakes
• NO: Belvedere Seat Belt Group
• C16: Woodgrain-trimmed console
• C23: Rear armrests
• C55: Front bucket seats
• NO: 6-way adjustable driver's seat
• C93: Carpet
• NO: Accessory floor mats
• STD: 37-amp alternator
• F25: Heavy-duty 70-amp battery
• F96: Oil pressure gauge
• G15: Tinted windshield
• G33: Chrome remote driver's mirror
• G31: Chrome manual passenger's mirror
• G41: Day/night rearview mirror
• H11: Heater that's complete with a defroster
• NO: Rear window defogger
• J11: Glovebox lock
• J15: Cigar lighter
• NO: Electric clock
• J25: 3-speed wipers paired with an electronic washer system
• STD: Beep-Beep horn
• NO: Dress up pedals
• J45: Hood pins
• J55: Undercoating and hood insulation pad
• NO: Instrument panel woodgrain
• NO: Rear spoiler (Wing instead)
• NO: Courtesy light
• NO: Glovebox light
• NO: Ash receiver light
• NO: Trunk light
• NO: Hood mounted turn signal indicators
• NO: Headlamp time delay with timer
• NO: Headlamp-on signal
• L76: Heater controls lamp
• NO: Door edge moldings
• M21: Drip rail moldings
• NO: Body sill moldings
• NO: Wheel lip moldings
• NO: Body belt moldings
• M81: Front bumper guards
• NO: Rear bumper guards
• N41: Dual exhaust
• N42: Chrome exhaust tips
• N65: Torque drive fan
• N51: Maximum Cooling Package less fan
• N85: Tachometer that's complete with a clock
• NO: Auto speed control
• NO: Carburetor Fresh Air Package
• NO: Power windows
• R21: AM/FM radio
• NO: Rear speaker
• STD: Telescopic antenna
• S15: Hemi front suspension
• S25: Firm ride shock absorbers
• S31: Front sway bar
• NO: Lower-half horn ring
• S77: Power steering
• S81: Woodgrain 3-spoke steering wheel
• STD: Wheel trim rings
• W23: Magnum 500 wheels

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OUR SALE INCLUDES THE FOLLOWING DOCUMENTATION

• An original Broadcast Sheet
• An original Sales Invoice documenting the car's August, 1971 purchase
• The aforementioned Galen Govier Fender Tag and Broadcast Sheet decode
• A vintage Owner's Manual
• A book of restoration photos

Serious collections are built around rarity. And this incredible Superbird, with its original drivetrain, striking color combination and unbeatable pedigree, is dripping with the enticing qualities that literally define the term “exclusive”. If you're in the market for some solid, investment grade muscle that'll continue to build equity for years to come, this top notch Plymouth is exactly the car you've been searching for!