Few cars have intrigued automotive and race enthusiasts for generations more than the winged “aero-cars.” Built for track performance and aerodynamics, these winged Mopars took NASCAR by storm starting in 1969 with the Charger Daytona and continuing on in 1970 with the Plymouth Superbird. While most of their legacy lives on the track where 426cui HEMI engines burbled from under their hoods, a handful of the production winged Mopars actually saw some of that HEMI power for the street as well. Rare as they are, one such HEMI Superbird will actually be making its way to the Dana Mecum’s 25th Original Spring Classic Auction in May.
The ‘70 Superbird being offered by Mecum is a genuine Code-R HEMI car.
Equipped with a TorqueFlite automatic transmission, this car is one of the rarest Superbirds built, second only to the HEMI Superbirds equipped with the optional four-speed manual transmission.
Of the 1,900 some Superbirds that were produced in 1970 (actual reported production numbers vary a bit, with the most common numbers being between 1,920 and 1,935 total cars produced), 135 Superbirds are reported to have been produced with the optional 426cui HEMI engine.
This was the rarest of the engines available, with the 440cui Super Commando V8 being standard and the 440cui Six-Pack V8 being the other engine option.
Of those 135 HEMI Superbirds, 77 are reported to have been built with the TorqueFlite automatic transmission, while just 58 were produced with the manual option.
With fewer than 30 known HEMI/automatic Superbirds to be known to exist today, this Vitamin C Orange example is an amazing auction find. In addition to its already rare status, the car also sports a special-order black vinyl top, as well as a white-on-black interior with bucket seats.
Enjoy the car daily or just take it out for shows with the added comfort of power steering and power front disc brakes.
Documented with its broadcast sheet, the HEMI Superbird will make its way across the auction block at the Indianapolis, Indiana auction on Saturday May 19th, with the lot opening for bids at 5:10pm. If you’re a muscle car, Mopar or aero-car collector, this is one lot that shouldn’t be overlooked.