Documented Restored Numbers Matching Road Runner Superbird 440 Super Commando V8

SUMMARY

What happens when you take some of Detroit's most serious muscle, ull out all the stops and create a NASCAR-inspired super car? Well, ou 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, hat wasn't quite the result. In fact, he 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, heir outrageous nature virtually guaranteed that, n time, hey would become exclusive classics serious collectors dream of owning. This highly authentic Superbird is a fully documented, -owner dreamboat that wraps rare Black, hite 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, t's a chance to turn your reverie into reality!

HISTORY

Throughout the '60s, hrysler and Ford were heavily vested in the "Win on Sunday, ell on Monday" sales mentality. And Dodge's Charger 500, espite its NASCAR-inspired tweaks, ust wasn't getting the job done. In an attempt to one up Ford's slick and equally fast Torino, hrysler went to the drawing board and began exploring aerodynamics. While aerodynamics wasn't a new concept, t 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, ut 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, t also produced immense directional stability, ermitting speeds in excess of 200 MPH. Not surprisingly, odge's storied Daytona won the first race it competed in, nd would eventually become one of the most successful NASCAR stock cars of all time. And Plymouth, ooking to lure NASCAR star Richard Petty back into the fold, ollowed Dodge's impressive Daytona with the equally slippery, nd some say better, oad Runner Superbird.

BODYWORK/TRIM

Like many investment grade classics, his impressive Plymouth spent the majority of its 46 years in the hands of one very meticulous enthusiast. Traded in 1971 by its original owner, he car was nabbed by that enthusiast for a whopping $3,300 from Al Davenport Plymouth of Portsmouth, irginia. In 2012, hen that enthusiast decided to pass his beloved 'bird to a third owner, he car benefitted from a thorough, .5-year restoration that consisted of a little bodywork and quite a bit of detailing. During that refresh, ccomac, irginia's Durbin's Auto Body stripped mostly original sheetmetal, elded up a fresh trunk pan, prayed correct Blue Fire Metallic 2-stage and installed a fresh vinyl top. And today, his warrior rolls as one super slick, ll-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, 40 cubic inch RB V8 that's authenticated by a familiar 2536430 casting number and matching partial VIN. More popular than Chrysler's famed Hemi, nd almost as feared as Plymouth's 440 6 BBL, his Super Commando V8 was designed to offer an exceptional combination of speed and civility. Oxygen whips through a correctly decaled, ual snorkel air cleaner to a big Carter carburetor, hich is bolted to a glossy, emi Orange intake. At the front of that intake, familiar points distributor sequences fire through reliable 7mm High Temperature plug wires. Behind those wires, emi Orange valve covers perfectly contrast correct, ast iron exhaust manifolds. Cooling is provided by a big, 6-inch radiator, hich utilizes pliable hoses and simple squeeze clamps to channel water past a correct, -blade fan. A correct MoPar red cap utilizes an old school Chrysler voltage regulator to supply the jolts. And, esthetically, verything 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, either the big 440 nor its A727 companion has ever been fully rebuilt. And after the car's restoration, he 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, hanks to an acute combination of low mileage and impeccable maintenance, emains very close to the way it left the Lynch Road assembly line. Factory undercoating protects solid floors that, hile exceedingly nice, ertainly aren't a stranger to the blacktop. Behind the Super Commando, n 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, hrysler's beefy Hemi Suspension utilizes heavy-duty torsion bars, n A12 sway bar and standard power steering to make quick work of big bumps and tight curves. At the back of the car, hat 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, olished Dynomax mufflers and correct stainless tips. And all that MoPar goodness rolls on stylish Rallye wheels, hich twist F70-14 Goodyear Polyglas tires around bright stainless trim rings and color-keyed center caps.

INTERIOR

Inside this famous Plymouth, 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, straight, rack-free dash hangs correct Rallye gauges beside a correct AM/FM radio. At the bottom of that dash, ell-maintained carpet centers a factory shifter on a correct console. At the sides of that carpet, right door panels complement bright door frames. Above those frames, tight headliner backs a cool Richard Petty autograph. In front of the driver, correct, ood-trimmed steering wheel spins satin spokes around a cool Road Runner centerpiece. And behind the passengers, he 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, his 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.

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OUR SALE INCLUDES THE FOLLOWING DOCUMENTATION

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