SUPERBIRD VS DAYTONA ..?
The Plymouth Superbird and the Dodge Charger Daytona are two legendary muscle cars that epitomize the peak of American automotive engineering in the late 1960s and early 1970s. Both vehicles were designed with aerodynamics in mind, featuring distinctive elongated noses and towering rear wings to dominate NASCAR races. The Superbird, developed in 1970, was Plymouth’s answer to the Daytona, which had debuted a year earlier in 1969. Under their hoods, they housed powerful Hemi engines capable of exceeding 425 horsepower, enabling top speeds over 200 mph. These cars not only showcased cutting-edge performance but also boasted eye-catching aesthetics, with vibrant paint jobs and aggressive styling. Limited production runs and their racing pedigree have since made them highly coveted collector’s items. Their impact on motorsports led to rule changes in NASCAR, demonstrating their influence on racing regulations. Today, the Superbird and Daytona are celebrated as icons of automotive history, representing the zenith of the muscle car era.
Fun facts:
When the Charger Daytona was taken to Talladega for the first time in 1969, it turned in a lap speed of 199 m.ph. This was a factory car on Goodyear Polyglass GT tires. It was the first car in NASCAR history to exceed 200 m.p.h.
Chrysler built enough of the cars to meet the NASCAR figure for a "production car". Stock Chargers and Roadrunners were sent to a vendor who installed the front fiberglass nose cone, rear spoiler, and flush backlite.
The Charger raced in 1969 and the Superbird in followed in 1970. Both cars racked up wins and set records.
NASCAR banned the "Winged Warriors" after the 1970 season and reduced the engine size to slow the cars down. Wasn't long before crafty engine builders had the horsepower back up to where 200 m.p.h. was again the norm.
When I was a kid, a guy one block over was a salesman for a Plymouth dealer. He was driving a yellow Superbird home in the hopes of getting someone to notice it and hopefully buy it. They were slow sellers. High insurance premiums for big block performance cars were a part of it.
Today, either car in pristine restored condition nets 6 figures at auction. Hemi cars bring a lot more. the 6 month warranty on the Hemi engine meant only a couple hundred were made. Most were 440's.
The Plymouth Superbird and the Dodge Charger Daytona are two legendary muscle cars that epitomize the peak of American automotive engineering in the late 1960s and early 1970s. Both vehicles were designed with aerodynamics in mind, featuring distinctive elongated noses and towering rear wings to dominate NASCAR races. The Superbird, developed in 1970, was Plymouth’s answer to the Daytona, which had debuted a year earlier in 1969. Under their hoods, they housed powerful Hemi engines capable of exceeding 425 horsepower, enabling top speeds over 200 mph. These cars not only showcased cutting-edge performance but also boasted eye-catching aesthetics, with vibrant paint jobs and aggressive styling. Limited production runs and their racing pedigree have since made them highly coveted collector’s items. Their impact on motorsports led to rule changes in NASCAR, demonstrating their influence on racing regulations. Today, the Superbird and Daytona are celebrated as icons of automotive history, representing the zenith of the muscle car era.
Fun facts:
When the Charger Daytona was taken to Talladega for the first time in 1969, it turned in a lap speed of 199 m.ph. This was a factory car on Goodyear Polyglass GT tires. It was the first car in NASCAR history to exceed 200 m.p.h.
Chrysler built enough of the cars to meet the NASCAR figure for a "production car". Stock Chargers and Roadrunners were sent to a vendor who installed the front fiberglass nose cone, rear spoiler, and flush backlite.
The Charger raced in 1969 and the Superbird in followed in 1970. Both cars racked up wins and set records.
NASCAR banned the "Winged Warriors" after the 1970 season and reduced the engine size to slow the cars down. Wasn't long before crafty engine builders had the horsepower back up to where 200 m.p.h. was again the norm.
When I was a kid, a guy one block over was a salesman for a Plymouth dealer. He was driving a yellow Superbird home in the hopes of getting someone to notice it and hopefully buy it. They were slow sellers. High insurance premiums for big block performance cars were a part of it.
Today, either car in pristine restored condition nets 6 figures at auction. Hemi cars bring a lot more. the 6 month warranty on the Hemi engine meant only a couple hundred were made. Most were 440's.