Dodge had made history creating this aero package using data gathered from a wind tunnel, and they were the first American car company to do so. While the Superbird was a modified Plymouth Road Runner, it also took much of its inspiration from the 1969 Dodge Charger Daytona, specifically its redesigned aero package. The car's aerodynamic design and unique cosmetic features set it apart from other cars of the era.
#Plymouth thunderbird drivers#
Though Plymouth built the car for the race track, drivers across the country got the chance to take a Superbird out on the road. The 1970 Plymouth Superbird joined dealers' lots outfitted with a unique design and style. With these rules in place and an impressive design, the Superbird hit the road and the track. Due to these rules, Plymouth had to produce over 1,900 Superbirds, with performance-minded drivers loving the chance to get their hands on the high-performance car. These rules required manufacturers to produce one car for every two dealerships they owned for the 1970 season. At the time, NASCAR required companies to sell their racing vehicles to the public at dealerships, and the Superbird was no exception. While Plymouth primarily designed the car for NASCAR, they also produced Superbirds for the public. With this goal in mind, Plymouth redesigned their Road Runner, turning it into the now famed Superbird. After losing Petty and seeing the Charger Daytona's success on the track, Plymouth changed their tune, setting out to design a car that would bring Petty back. Before the Superbird's creation, Plymouth didn't want to create a winged car, causing Petty to jump ship and join Ford's team. Though Petty had been driving for Plymouth in the 1960s, he wanted to use a winged car in a race.
#Plymouth thunderbird driver#
Plymouth also wanted to improve their car's performance on the track and bring driver Richard Petty back to their team. Since Dodge was Plymouth's sister company, Plymouth could use their design to create their own racing monster.
The Plymouth Superbird's Creationĭue to the Charger Daytona's success during the 1969 season, Plymouth based much of the Superbird's design on the Daytona's aero-body. Alongside winning the Talledega 500, the Dodge Daytona set a NASCAR record, as it was the first vehicle to hit a speed over 200 miles per hour. When the vehicle first debuted at the Talledega 500, it took home first place. These new design changes paid off almost instantly. This new design was packaged and sold as the Dodge Charger Daytona. Dodge redesigned the Charger, adding a tall wing on the car's rear and a new nose cone to improve the car's aerodynamics. In 1969, Dodge decided to make some major changes to the Charger to compete with others on the track. Their standard Dodge Charger failed to perform well in races due to its large front grille opening that caused the car to have lots of drag and a rear design that created lift. In the late 1960s, Dodge was struggling to compete in NASCAR. Both of these factors played a crucial role in the vehicle's creation and inspired the car's iconic aerodynamic design.Ĭheck out how the Dodge Charger Daytona influenced the Superbird and learn more about the Plymouth's creation below: The Dodge Charger Daytona
Plymouth created the Superbird for two main reasons: to give its own spin on the Dodge Charger Daytona and to lure Richard Petty back to Plymouth. The vehicle is most recognizable for its tall rear wings and aerodynamic front nose cones. While Plymouth only produced the Superbird for the 1970 model year, this tuned-up vehicle made its mark on automotive history, winning many NASCAR races before new rules forced it out of the sport. The NASCAR Plymouth Superbird was a heavily modified version of the Plymouth Road Runner made to perform on the race track. Learn more about the Plymouth Superbird's history, its key features and its performance in NASCAR races. The Superbird also played a significant role in NASCAR placing new regulations on aero-body vehicles. Despite its short life, it was crucial to bringing Richard Petty, a famous NASCAR driver, back to Plymouth's racing team. Since the car was only available as a 1970 model, many people don't know much about it, if they know anything at all. The short-lived Plymouth Road Runner Superbird is one of the most impressive cars you might have never heard of.
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