When the Plymouth Superbird and Dodge Charger Daytona first appeared at dealerships in the late 1960s, consumers didn’t know what to make of the funky front nose and humongous rear wing. Buyers did soon realize just how potent and powerful the Chrysler aero cars were though, and many quickly became street racers, track cars, or attention-grabbing daily drivers.
Only a lucky few had the foresight to realize that this future collectible would one day command six-figure amounts, including the Kansas Plymouth dealership that kept their blue Superbird untitled and in pristine condition for almost 20 years after it was built.
Today this rare muscle car has just 671 miles on it, with just two owners on its title and all its original parts. This one-of-a-kind 1970 Plymouth Superbird heads to Mecum’s Kissimmee, Florida auction next month where it is expected to bring between $300,000 and $450,000. Delivered to Sampson Motors in Junction City, Kansas, at the end of 1969, before journeying 90 miles down the road to another dealer in Seneca, Kansas.
This blue Superbird was one of just 1,935 ever built, and packs the 440 cubic-inch Super Commando V8 with a single Carter carburetor on top of the engine, which produced 375 horsepower and 480 lb-ft of torque according to the factory. A column-shift three-speed TorqueFlite automatic sent power to the rear wheels, and it ticketed for $4,454, with just two options selected: Rallye wheels and tinted windows ($43.10 and $25.90, respectively).
The Superbird spent most of the next 20 years at Seneca before being bought in 1989 by William Carney, before again being sold to Wayne Schmeekle, who made it a part of his muscle car collection. Everything about this Superbird is showroom condition, and were it packing a HEMI instead of a 440, the price would probably eclipse a million bucks.
But a 100x return on the original investment is still a pretty good deal, don’t you think?