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Plymouth Superbird

2008-08-07T20:27:02Z

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{| border=0 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=4 style="float:right; margin:0 0 .5em 1em; width:250px; background:#fff; border-collapse:collapse; border:1px solid #999; font-size:83%; line-height:1.5; " summary="Infobox Automobile"
|- style="text-align:center; background:#f0f0f0;"
| colspan=2 style="padding:0; background:#996; color:#fff; border-bottom:1px solid #999;" | [[Image:Norm nelson superbird.jpg|300px]]
|- style="color:#fff; background:#996; font-size:larger;"
! colspan=2 | '''Plymouth Road Runner Superbird'''
|-
! colspan=2 style="text-align:center; font-weight:normal; background:#ddb;" | [[Chrysler]]
|- style="vertical-align:top; background:#f0f0f0;"
| Production
| 1970 (1920 units)
|- style="vertical-align:top;"
| Class
| Intermediate
|- style="vertical-align:top; background:#f0f0f0;"
| Body Style
| 2-Door Coupe
|- style="vertical-align:top;"
| Length
| 232"
|- style="vertical-align:top; background:#f0f0f0;"
| Width
| 76.6"
|- style="vertical-align:top;
| Height
| 53.2"
|- style="vertical-align:top; background:#f0f0f0;"
| Wheelbase
| 117"
|- style="vertical-align:top;"
| Weight
| 3600-3800 lbs
|- style="vertical-align:top; background:#f0f0f0;"
| Transmission
| 4-Speed Manual, RWD<br>3-Speed Automatic, RWD
|- style="vertical-align:top;"
| Engine
| 7.0L (426 cid) Hemi V8<br>7.2L (440 cid) V8<br>7.2L (440 cid) 3x2 V8
|- style="vertical-align:top; background:#f0f0f0;"
| Power
| 375-425 hp
|- style="vertical-align:top;"
| Similar
| [[Dodge Charger (B-body)]] Daytona
|- style="vertical-align:top; background:#f0f0f0;"
| Platform
| B
|}

The ultimate Road Runner in 1970 (or ''ever'') was undoubtedly the '''[[Plymouth]] Road Runner Superbird'''. To understand the origins or existence of the Superbird (and similar cars like it, such as the 1969 [[Dodge Charger (B-body)]] Daytona), a little history lesson is in order.

==Plymouth/NASCAR Connection==

Back in the 1960's/early '70's, many muscle cars such as the Dodge Charger R/T, Ford Torino GT and Plymouth's Road Runner not only served many faithful civilian owners with cheap-speed, bang-for-the-buck value, but many served double duty for race car drivers on the ''NASCAR'' circuit as well. Car companies took their relationships with NASCAR ''very'' seriously in those days. The old adage "Win on Sunday, Sell on Monday" was never more true in the 1960s and 1970s. For a car to legally compete on the NASCAR circuit, a like-model had to be available to the general public, and ''as a general rule,'' a minimum of 500 copies had to be available. NASCAR racing meant big advertising bucks for the car companies. After all, what could be a more ringing endorsement for a car company than having a big-named driver such as Richard Petty or Cale Yarborough win the Daytona 500 in a car made by your company?

==The Richard Petty Connection==

And speaking of [[Richard Petty]], it was he that was indirectly involved with getting the Superbird project off the ground, so to speak. In 1969, Richard Petty, who until that time had driven and brought numerous racing victories in Plymouths, did the unthinkable and defected to [[Ford]] that year. Petty was supposedly not happy with the way the new-for-1968 Plymouth Road Runner bodystyle was aerodynamically unfriendly compared to the equivalent Fords. Plymouth saw what race driver Buddy Baker was able to do with his outrageous '69 Charger Daytona race car, such as set NASCAR records by reaching an unheard-of 200 MPH speed record and as such, Plymouth was determined to win Petty back and was willing to pull out all the stops to do it.

And so, after Dodge discontinued the Charger Daytona after 1969, Plymouth applied largely the same technology to the Road Runner in 1970... to win Richard Petty back. And they did, with this car.

Now that you know some of the "why" of the Superbird, here's a rundown on some of the "what" of the car itself:

==Superbird/Charger Daytona Similarites/Differences==

While there are some obvious similarities between the '69 Charger Daytona and the '70 Superbird, the only real things they truly have in common are the front windshield and the side glass. Their sheet metal nose cones and tall cast aluminum rear wings were different as well. For example, the snout on the Superbird points downward more and the grille is on the underside, where it's in the front center section on the Daytona. The headlight "buckets" and turn signals are also different. The rear wing is more swept-back on the Superbird, but it is adjustable like on the Daytona. In addition, Superbirds all had standard vinyl roofs. This was done simply because it was less expensive to fill in the rear plug window with bondo and place a vinyl top over it then leading with a torch and then sanding which was done on all the Daytonas.

Although this was known as the ''Road Runner'' Superbird, the Superbird was really more of a '''GTX''' than a Road Runner (but perhaps Plymouth didn't feel ''GTX Superbird'' rolled off the tongue like ''Road Runner Superbird'' did). For example, the Superbird shared the GTX's dashboard and interior that was standard on upper-level Satellites. Its drivetrains mirrored the GTX as well, such as the 375 hp 7.2L (440 cid) '''Super Commando''' V8 was standard (instead of the Road Runner's 335 hp 383 V8), with the 390 hp 440 3x2 '''Six-Pack''' and 425 hp 426 2x4 '''Hemi''' V8s as options. A 4-speed manual (with the ultra-cool pistol-grip shifter) or 3-speed automatic transmission could be had with any engine, and the automatic could have a column or floor console shift. All Superbirds had power front-disc brakes and the split top/bottom taillights as standard equipment (again, like the GTX), but unique decals such as the large ''PLYMOUTH'' decals on the rear quarter panels and the Road Runner cartoon character holding a racing helmet surrounded by the words ''ROAD RUNNER SUPERBIRD'' in a circular pattern on the side of the rear wing left no doubt as to what this car's intentions were and where it came from.

Plymouth made many more Superbirds than Dodge made Charger Daytonas (the ''unofficial'' number is 1935 (official is 1920) vs. the Daytona's ''unofficial'' number of 500). More Superbirds were made because NASCAR implemented a new rule in 1970 which would allow limited production cars to race only if enough were made to reflect half the number of dealerships of that automobile manufacturer. Because of the additional two foot nose cone, these cars were long and difficult to park. They were also very expensive (well over $4,000) which was as much as a new Chrysler Imperial. The nose cones and wings were manufactured by Creative Industries and were painted in fast drying lacquer which often didn't match the color of the enamel paint from the factory. Because of the high cost and subpar quality, like the Daytonas, scores of Superbirds lounged on dealer's lots well into the 1971 (and even 1972) model years. In fact, it's been documented that some dealers on the east coast actually removed the Superbird's rear wing and nosecone and installed standard Road Runner front ends to move them off their lots (a main way to tell a "converted" Superbird is if it still has the unique Superbird rear window and plugs on top of the rear quarter panels where the wing was removed).

==From Zero to Superstar==

Even though the Superbird was a major sales dud with the buying public when new (just like the Charger Daytona), true-to-form, it is now one of the most valuable and sought-after Mopars ever made. Even a "base" 440-4 matching-number Superbird can now command well into the $100K range, and they only go up from there. Plymouth would probably have been glad to ''give'' a leftover Hemi Superbird away back in 1971, but today they can fetch $300,000 and up.

==Colors==
*Tor Red (looked reddish/orange)
*Limelight Green
*Lemon Twist Yellow
*Vitamin C Orange
*Corporation "Petty" Blue
*Alpine White
*Blue Fire Metallic (B5)

NOTE: All were made with black vinyl tops

==Photos==
<gallery>
Image:06 race.jpg
</gallery>

==See Also==
{{Plymouth}}
{{Road Runner}}

==External Links==
*[http://www.Thedocsonline.com/index.html Plymouth Superbird Info and Sales]
[[http://www.musclecarclub.com/musclecars/plymouth-superbird/images/plymouth-superbird-1a.jpg]]

Mopar

2008-08-07T20:12:29Z

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[[Image:Mopar.jpg|thumb|300px|Right|'''M'''over '''O'''ver '''P'''eople '''A'''re '''R'''acing]]'''Mopar''' (short for '''MO'''tor '''PAR'''ts) is the automobile parts and service arm of [[Chrysler Group]]. The term was first used by Chrysler in the 1920s and has been in continuous use ever since.

When Chrysler bought [[Dodge]] in 1928, the need for a dedicated parts manufacturer, supplier and distribution system to support the growing enterprise led to the formation of the '''Chrysler Motor Parts Corporation''' (CMPC) in 1929.

Originally used in the 1920s, Mopar (a simple contraction of the words MOtor and PARts) was trademarked for a line of antifreeze products in 1937. It was also widely used as a moniker for the CMPC. The Mopar brand made its mark in the 1960s – the muscle car era. The Chrysler Corporation built race-ready Dodge and Plymouth "package cars" equipped with special high-performance parts. Mopar carried a line of "Special Parts" for super stock drag racers and developed its racing parts division called Mopar Performance Parts to enhance speed and handling for both road and racing use.

Mopar has passed into broader usage among car enthusiasts as an unambiguous reference to the Chrysler parent company, as the Chrysler name also refers to a company brand. The term has thus become an inclusive word for any Chrysler-owned brand, but generally any [[Dodge]], [[Chrysler]], [[Plymouth|Plymouth]], [[Imperial|Imperial]], or [[DeSoto (automobile)|DeSoto]], and later [[American Motors]] (AMC) or [[Jeep]], vehicle. Thus, for example, a car club for owners of any Chrysler Corporation vehicle might describe itself as a club for "Mopar enthusiasts."

The term Mopar is most closely associated with the [[muscle car]]s produced by Chrysler, Dodge, and Plymouth during the 1960s and into the early 1970s. They were famous for the wide selection of engines and carburetor combinations available for their cars. Class "LA" engines included the 273, 318, 340, and 360, and were predominantly used in the base model cars. Class "B" and "RB" included the high performance engines including the 383, 400, 413, 426 wedge, 440, and 426 [[HEMI|Hemi]]. The 440 engine was available with a single four-barrel [[carburetor]] (magnum) or three two-barrel carburetors (six pack). The Hemi (named for its hemispherical combustion chambers) still serves as the pinnacle of power in Mopar automobiles.

== Mopar being Sold? ==

Cerberus Capitol Management is now engaged in contract talks with the United Auto Workers as it looks for ways to cut costs. Cerberus my close Chrysler's Mopar Performance Division and Chrysler Transport. The union is reportedly opposed to the sales for fear of job losses; the units employ roughly 1,300 unionized workers. Chrysler's four-year contract with the UAW expires on September 14. Analysts are saying that the sale of the units would allow Cerberus to focus on Chrysler's core business of making cars and trucks, and help raise much-needed cash.

== External links ==
* [http://www.TheDOCSonline.com/index.html MOPAR Information and Parts locators]
* [http://www.mopar.com Official website]
* [http://www.mymopar.com MyMopar]
* [http://www.moparnuts.com MOPARNuts]
* [http://www.massmopar.com Massachusetts Mopar Group]
* [http://www.moparwebring.org Mopar Webring]
* [http://www.moparnats.ch Mopars of Switzerland]
* [http://www.moparts.org Moparts]
* [http://www.allpar.com Allpar]
* [http://groups.cardomain.com/groups/10023 Mopar group on CarDomain]
* [http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2007/08/29/cerberus-may-sell-chryslers-mopar/ Selling of Mopar?]

HEMI

2008-08-07T19:59:22Z

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[[Image: 426.jpg|thumb|250px|right|426 HEMI]] In the late 1930s Chrysler began experimenting with different types of engine designs to improve the performance of their cars. The first hemispherical shaped (half sphere) combustion chamber engine was developed prior to World War II, but it was used very little. During the 1950s, Chrysler continued to modify this engine design for a number of passenger cars. It was not until 1964 that the 426 Hemi engine caught the racing world by surprise.

In 1951, Chrysler introduced the Hemi V8 engine to the public. This engine had 331 cubic inches and featured hemispherical combustion chambers. This engine produced 180 horsepower at 4000 rpm. The first cars to host this new engine were the New Yorker and Saratoga lines. Chrysler, DeSoto, Dodge, Imperial, and Plymouth were the first cars to offer a Hemi engine as an option. Chrysler referred to these engines as the "Red Ram", "Firedome" and "Firepower" motors. These early 301, 331, 354, and 392 ci motors, had little in common with the 426 except for the basic valve train arrangement and spark plug location.

In 1955 Chrysler introduced the first car in North America to produce 300 horsepower and 345 pounds of torque. The 1955 Chrysler C300 featured a 331 ci Hemi with 345 pounds of torque at 3200 rpm.

Horsepower for the early Hemi peaked in 1958 with a dual 4-barrel version of the 392 rated at 390 hp.

== The Race HEMI ==

[[Image: HEMI_Basic.jpg|thumb|150px|left|HEMI Diagram]] In the early 60s, Chrysler released two new engines -- a 413 and 426 ci with a wedge shaped cylinder head design. These engines were called the "Max Wedge". The "Max Wedge" was making a name for itself on the drag strips and Chrysler decided it was time to be taken seriously in the NASCAR circuit. The 426 Max Wedge was strictly a race engine and was offered in Plymouths as the Super Stock 426 and in Dodges as the 426 Ramcharger.

The Hemi engine reintroduced in 1964 was the called the "Race Hemi". This engine was developed from the 426, but featured a Hemi-head. The result was the 426 Hemi.

The 426 had iron heads, a 12.5:1 compression ratio, and single Holley 4-bbl carburetor mounted on a cross ram manifold. Engines intended for the drag-strip had an aluminum cross ram with dual Holleys. In 1965 the A-990 race Hemi was introduced with aluminum heads and magnesium intake manifolds.

== Street HEMI ==

[[Image: HEMI_Pistons.jpg|thumb|200px|right|Pistons from 6.1 HEMI]] In 1966, the Street Hemi became available. The street version 426 differed from the race Hemi by a lower compression ratio (10.25:1), milder valve timing, and different intake and exhaust manifolds. Cast iron heads were used instead of aluminum. The Street Hemi came with dual Carter 4-barrel carbs mounted on an aluminum dual-plane intake manifold. The engine's advertised horsepower and torque ratings stayed at 425 hp at 5000 rpm and 490 foot-pounds of torque at 4000 rpm. Many people claim the output was closer to 500 hp. The 426 Hemi was a $1,100 option on many models and came with either a 4-speed manual or a Torque Flite automatic transmission.

In 1968, the Plymouth Road Runner made its debut with a base price of $2,986. For an additional $714.30, it could be fitted with a Hemi. Out of the 44,599 Road Runners made in 1968, only 1019 were delivered with a Hemi engine.

1971 was the last year for the 426 Hemi option. Between the years 1966-1971 the 426 Hemi option was ordered in approximately 10,000 cars. Very few changes were made to the Hemi motor though its seven year run. Concerns about emissions led to major detuning of all high performance engines. Insuring a Hemi car was also a bit difficult.

In 1993 Mopar began manufacturing a new Hemi block which made parts once again available. A complete Hemi engine is not currently available, but one can be assembled for about $10,000. Today, restored original Hemi cars carry a very high price tag.

== HEMI List ==

*241 Cubic Inch
*259 Cubic Inch
*270 Cubic Inch
*276 Cubic Inch
*291 Cubic Inch
*315 Cubic Inch
*325 Cubic Inch
*330 Cubic Inch
*331 Cubic Inch
*341 Cubic Inch
*345 Cubic Inch (5.7L)
*354 Cubic Inch
*370 Cubic Inch (6.1L)
*[[392 HEMI|392]] Cubic Inch (6.4L)
*[[426 HEMI|426]] Cubic Inch
*472 Cubic Inch
*528 Cubic Inch

==External links==
* [http://www.hemi.com/ Official Page]
* [http://www.thehemi.com/engines.php The HEMI Site]
* [http://www.71superbee.com/Hemi/ Superbee.com]
* [http://thedocsonline.com/index.html TheDOCSonline HEMI DATA]

HEMI

2008-08-07T19:58:24Z

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HEMI

2008-08-07T16:41:16Z

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HEMI

2008-08-07T16:35:44Z

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