This Classic Muscle Car Just Sold For $1.65 Million
Only 1,935 units of the Plymouth Superbird were ever built, and one of them just broke a record selling at auction for $1.65 million.
Written by Allison Stone
Reviewed by Kathleen Flear
Classic cars
are like fine wine, they only get better—and more valuable—with age. At least that can be said for a 1970 Plymouth Superbird auctioned at Barrett-Jackson Las Vegas for a record $1.65 million. According to
Fox News
, the sale beat out a previous record from May when a rival 1969 Dodge Daytona muscle car sold for $1.3 million. Read on with car ownership super app
Jerry
to find out just what made this car worth its 7-figure price tag. History of the Superbird
While a Plymouth car like the Superbird is highly-sought after today, in its time it was a short-lived attempt by Chrysler to enter a segment that was dominated by Ford and Chevrolet. It only lasted a single production year with 1,935 units built.
According to
trustauto.com
, the Superbird was based on the Plymouth Roadrunner, but it was inspired to compete with the likes of the Dodge Charger Daytona. Frequently changing NASCAR rules gave both of these cars a short production life. Both the Daytona and the Superbird were built to do one thing—win a NASCAR trophy—but their incredible speed is exactly what led to their eventual downfall.
In 1971, a year after the Superbird blazed its way through the season, NASCAR limited engine size in response to safety concerns.
When the Superbird was dropped from racing, the production of its street-legal counterpart was also axed.
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Specs of the 1970 Plymouth Superbird
The vintage racer came fully restored at auction and was just one of 135 that were still equipped with the original 426 cubic-inch Hemi V8 engine. The model sold at auction is finished in a Tor Red exterior paint and black interior. It maintains its original aero nose, rear wing, fender-mounted air scoops, and front spoiler.
The inside seats are trimmed in black vinyl with silver accents, and the dashboard maintains the factory tachometer, AM radio, and 3-spoke steering wheel. It sits on 15-inch Rallye wheels with Goodyear Polyglas raised white-letter tires.
The 426 Hemi V8 engine produces 425 horsepower at 5,000 rpm and 490 pound-feet of torque at 4,000 rpm. The TorqueFlite 727 automatic transmission gets from 0 to 60 mph in just 5.5 seconds.
Updates include power steering and power brakes with front discs.
MORE: AMC Eagle Models Were Some of the Most Ground-Breaking Vehicles
Get affordable insurance coverage with Jerry
Whether you’re cruising in a souped-up vintage muscle car or running errands in a Honda Civic, you can get a great deal on insurance coverage.
With the exception of big-ticket models like the 1970 Plymouth Superbird, classic cars are almost always
cheaper to insure
than modern cars, but finding the right plan can still be a hassle. Luckily, car insurance comparison app Jerry can help with that. A licensed broker, Jerry does all the hard work of finding cheap quotes from the top name-brand insurance companies and buying new car insurance. Jerry will even help you cancel your old policy. Sign up today!
MORE: Take a Look at This Forgotten Classic: The 1971 Plymouth Barracuda
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