1970 Plymouth Roadrunner Superbird (RM23)

Plymouth Superbird is a sports car, produced in 1970 by Plymouth. In fact, it was a highly modified "mix" of Plymouth Road Runner and Dodge Charger Daytona.

Superbird was developed for the NASCAR racing series, and to be more precise, replace the 1969 Dodge Charger Daytona. One of the main motivating factors in creating such a car was to “lure” an excellent pilot, Richard Petty.

back to Plymouth, who will be the Superbird multiple winner in the future. The main rival of the cars was the Ford Torino Talladega, which in turn was a direct response to the Aero Mopar car.

Compared with the prototype of the Dodge Charger Daytona, the Superbird lines were better developed, this leads to computer analysis and a lot of wind tunnel tests. Improved "nose" appeared retractable headlights, increased by 19 inches (47 cm) total length.

The rear aerodynamic wing is mounted on an additional stand, thereby increasing the already excellent downforce. For nearly thirty years, the formulas for calculating the Aero-wing were kept in strict secrecy, but in 1990,

A retired Chrysler engineer reveals this secret. The aero-wing facing backward, “scooping” air currents, facilitated the cooling of the brakes through special openings in the wings. This technology was also borrowed from Dodge.

Stickers "Superbird" were placed on the outer edges of the vertical stand spoiler, depicting a "cartoon" hero with a racing helmet, around which were inscribed "Road Runner" and "Superbird".

A smaller version of the label is available on the driver’s side door. Three engine options were available for the model: the 426th Hemi, the 440th Super Commando with one quad-carburetor, and the 440 Super Commando with three dual carburetors.

Hemi units were equipped with 135 models. A total of 1920 were officially built such Superbird, but judging by the information published by the company's employees, there were 2,783.

In the fall of 1968, Richard Petty leaves the Plymouth NASCAR Racing Team and leaves for the Ford team. However, the director of the Ford team Charlie Gray (Charlie Gray) felt that such a talented pilot could not keep the money for a long time.

Two years later, the “challenge” came out in the form of a Superbird. And a month later, Richard Petty again joins the Plymouth Racing Team, winning eight races against Ford's strongest opposition on NASCAR. In 1971, NASCAR imposed restrictions on

aero-cars on engine size, which should not exceed 5.0 liters. Unwilling to put up with it, Plymouth stops the release of the Superbird.