Back in March of 2015, we talked with a shop owner who was working on a special project car that combined classic Mopar with modern Hemi power. Our friend Gil Goldstein, part owner of G&G Automotive in Asheboro, North Carolina (his better half is the other part owner), had a customer who wanted to harness the power of a Hellcat Hemi and combine it with the status of a Superbird to make one insane car, aptly named Hellbird.

It all started when they purchased that “Hellcat crate motor” that was advertised a couple of years ago, which technically should never have been sold. But what is it they say about possession being nine-tenths of the law? That was Gil’s response when FCA wanted the engine back, and it stayed put in his shop.

So the project got under way, and some trimming here and there needed to be done to fit the engine and 4L60E transmission into the 1970 B-body Plymouth. But, as projects often do, Hellbird was sidelined by other projects that took priority. After a few cuts and test fits, the Hellbird would play second fiddle to a 1969 Daytona that just happened to belong to the owner of the Superbird. How do you decide –flip a coin?

Gil’s Watts Link design allows room for the dual exhaust, and seems to be a pretty cool idea.

That was a while ago, and Gil recently reached out to us again and showed us some of the progress on Hellbird, and let us know that it’s back on the schedule and it’s being worked on again. Of course, they can’t put a Hellcat engine in a Superbird and keep the stock suspension front and rear, so they’ve been busy adding frame connectors and adding a four-link rear suspension, customizing an oil pan, and developing a Watts-link of Gil’s own design.

He shared some photos with us so we could let you know that it’s not forgotten, and to let us know that some of the parts he’s fabricating will also be available for others who might be able to use such items. You could say Gil’s been doing a bit of R&D work for you, so be sure to hit him up if you have a project like this and need some help.

It’s a little easier to get a Hellcat drivetrain now, although a crate motor from you local Dodge dealer might be a bit of a chose. Those engines are supposed to be replacement engines for whatever reason an actual Hellcat car may need. Now they’re being pulled from wrecked cars and include all that you might need, such as harnesses and controllers. This custom build is lucky enough to get one of the original, brand new crate engines.

We’ve assured Gil that we’re all in on this build, and let him know that we want to see the progress and the updates, so hopefully Hellbird will stay on track and continue to progress along so we can share it with you.

As you can see here, this ‘bird is going to be cool as a Superbird on the outside, cool as a Hellcat under the hood, and cool as a cucumber on the inside.