Rare 1970 Plymouth Road Runner Superbird

A rare orange 1970 Plymouth Road Runner Superbird arriving at and leaving South OC Cars and Coffee at the Outlets at San Clemente. Based on the Plymouth Road Runner, the Superbird was a homologation special for the 1970 NASCAR season, during which it won 18 victories and was credited for bringing Richard Petty back to Plymouth. Like the Dodge Charger Daytona, it featured dramatically revised bodywork with an aerodynamic nose cone, pop-up headlights, and large rear wing. Parent company Chrysler purchased the rights to use the Road Runner cartoon character logo and horn sound from Warner Bros. Production ended after only one year due to slow sales and revised NASCAR regulations. It is generally believed that 1,935 Superbirds were built, around 1,000 of which still exist.

Of the American muscle cars that are generally considered exotic, most are either better classified as super sports cars (Shelby Cobra, Dodge Viper, etc.) or special editions of existing muscle cars that only highly devoted muscle enthusiasts would recognize. This one is definitely an exception. Yes, it's essentially a special version of the Road Runner. But come on, just look at it! A five-year-old who knows nothing about cars can easily identify it from a distance.

The Superbird is far from being pretty, but it's certainly special and cool. With its comically long overhangs, strange-looking nose, and rear wing big enough to put any kid in a suped-up Civic to shame, it looks no less cartoonish than the Looney Tunes mascot adorning both sides of that wing. And with an overall length greater than that of a Bentley Mulsanne, I imagine parking can be quite a challenge.

This example is driven regularly, and I've seen it both at Cars and Coffee events and randomly cruising on the freeway. Even the rain wasn't a deterrent. I'm glad the owner is willing to give others a glimpse of such a unique and interesting piece of automotive history!

Would you add a Plymouth Superbird to your car collection? Leave a comment on YouTube and let me know!