1970 Plymouth Road Runner Super Bird Tribute

Description

If you're going to build a tribute car, why not build one of the most outrageous machines of the muscle car era? This 1970 Plymouth Road Runner Super Bird tribute offers all the performance and jaw-dropping looks at a fraction of the price of a real one, and with a lot of authentic parts, even the pros might need to give this one a closer look before deciding if it's real.

It's just too cool to own a car that was so fast it was outlawed, and that's a big part of the thrill of the Super Bird. This replica has exactly the right look, thanks to a genuine steel nose cone and towering rear wing, both of which were actually used on NASCAR-spec cars when they were new. Other little details that are correct include the vents on the fenders and the extended hood, not to mention the Petty Blue paint, which really is the only color for a Super Bird. The only possible demerit might be the lack of a vinyl top (all 'Birds used a vinyl top to hide the sloppy work needed to eliminate the tunnel-like rear window), but you have to admit that it looks ultra-clean without it. It does have all the correct markings a decals, which are a big part of the Super Bird look, and to be honest, this tribute car fits together better than many originals, which is a testament to the effort invested in the build. This was clearly a labor of love.

The Super Bird had a standard Road Runner interior, and you could get any options you wanted, so finding buckets and a console is a nice treat here. The seat covers are recent and look great on the high-back buckets and there's nice woodgrain on the console that matches the steering wheel. The dash offers a full array of Rallye gauges, including a factory Tick-Tock-Tach, as well as a pair of auxiliary gauges underneath. You'll be surprised to see A/C on this one, a very cool addition to the features list, although it probably needs a recharge to be fully effective. An AM/FM/cassette stereo lives in the center of the dash, up high where it's easy to see, and the back seat looks almost new. The Super Bird's trunk is positively massive and includes a correct mat and space-saver spare with jack assembly, correct braces for the wing, plus the signatures of Richard Petty and Dave Inman. Too cool!

The 440 cubic inch V8 was rebuilt to stock specs, and while it's not a Six-Pack, it does generate the kind of big torque that makes this Super Bird a blast to drive on the street. Nicely detailed and fairly stock looking, it's got a big dual-snorkel air cleaner up top, completely with reproduction decals, plus Hemi Orange paint and a set of finned valve covers for dress-up. A big radiator up front means this smooth V8 stays cool and with power steering and a TorqueFlite 3-speed automatic transmission, it's surprisingly easy to drive for something with this much speed potential. A recent dual exhaust snarls and cackles the way it should and the underside of the car is shockingly clean, albeit not detailed for show. There are no major deviations from stock, which means you get the real experience. And we love the plain-Jane steel wheels and poverty caps wrapped in fat 255/60/15 BFG radials for an industrial-strength look.

Priced a Super Bird lately? Yeah, incredible. So if you want the feel and the gawking stares as you drive by, why not take this tribute for a spin instead. It's just as much fun for a lot less cash. Call now!