The 1970 Plymouth Superbird is a legendary American muscle car coupe known for its aerodynamic design, powerful performance, and distinctive styling. Produced as a homologation special for NASCAR racing, the Superbird is an iconic example of late 1960s and early 1970s muscle cars that combined speed with striking looks. This generation of the Superbird features a bold wedge-shaped aerodynamic nose cone and a prominent rear wing designed to improve high-speed stability and downforce on the racetrack. Although detailed factory dimensions for the 1970 Plymouth Superbird are not always broadly documented, its base is derived from the Plymouth Road Runner platform, which measures approximately 5.3 meters (209 inches) in length, around 1.96 meters (77 inches) in width, and about 1.3 meters (51 inches) in height. The curb weight typically ranges in the vicinity of 1,650–1,700 kilograms (3,640–3,750 pounds), depending on optional equipment and specifications of the era. The Superbird is powered by a range of potent V8 engines, including the 426 cubic inch (7.0-liter) HEMI, delivering formidable horsepower designed for competitive racing. Beyond its performance attributes, the Superbird is renowned for its rarity and collectability, marking it as a pinnacle of American muscle car history. Enthusiasts value its unique combination of size, aerodynamic innovation, and muscle car heritage, making it a standout in size comparison discussions among classic coupes of its time. Whether compared to its contemporaries or modern performance vehicles, the 1970 Plymouth Superbird remains a significant and fascinating symbol of automotive engineering and style.
Discover the standout features that make the 1970 Plymouth Superbird a leader in its class
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The 1970 Plymouth Superbird is a distinctive muscle car known for its aerodynamic styling. It measures approximately 5,538 mm (218 inches) in length, which includes its iconic aerodynamic nose and tall rear wing. The width of the Superbird is around 1,930 mm (76 inches), while its height stands at about 1,280 mm (50.4 inches). These dimensions make the Superbird longer and somewhat lower than many other muscle cars of its era, a design choice primarily focused on improving high-speed stability and reducing drag for NASCAR racing.
The 1970 Plymouth Superbird's width of roughly 1,930 mm (76 inches) is typical of full-sized muscle cars from the late 1960s and early 1970s. This relatively wide stance contributes to enhanced stability and better handling during high-speed driving, especially on straightaways, which was essential for its success in NASCAR. However, this width also means the Superbird requires more careful maneuvering in tight parking spaces compared to narrower vehicles. While its wide body helps cornering performance and road grip, it can make navigating narrow city streets and parking garages a bit more challenging.
The 1970 Plymouth Superbird stands at about 1,280 mm (50.4 inches) tall, making it relatively low-slung compared to many contemporary vehicles. Despite this low height, the Superbird is famous for its tall rear wing which extends above the car’s roofline dramatically. This wing was designed to provide downforce at high speeds, improving traction and stability. The height of the main body keeps the car aerodynamic, while the wing, though tall, does not significantly increase the overall height to detract from the Superbird’s low profile street and track presence.
The 1970 Plymouth Superbird has an estimated curb weight around 1,550 kg to 1,630 kg (3,417 to 3,594 lbs), depending on specific engine and equipment configurations. This relatively heavy mass is partly due to its robust construction, large V8 engines, and aerodynamic modifications. The weight contributed to a solid, planted feel at high speeds but also impacted acceleration and fuel efficiency compared to lighter muscle cars. However, the power from its big-block V8 engines helped overcome the weight to deliver impressive straight-line speed and overall performance on the racetrack and street.
The 1970 Plymouth Superbird features a typical 2-door coupe layout accommodating up to five passengers with two front bucket seats and a rear bench seat. Interior space is fairly standard for muscle coupes of its era, providing ample headroom and legroom for front occupants while rear seating is more compact, suitable mainly for shorter trips or smaller passengers. The design prioritizes driver engagement and performance styling, with functional instrumentation. It lacks some modern amenities but offers a classic cabin feel with enough space for a small family or group during spirited drives.
Most standard residential garages are roughly 2.4 to 2.7 meters (8 to 9 feet) wide and about 5.5 to 6 meters (18 to 20 feet) deep. With the Plymouth Superbird's length of around 5.5 meters (218 inches) and width of approximately 1.93 meters (76 inches), it fits comfortably in terms of width. Lengthwise, it can fit in many standard garages but could be a tight fit in shorter spaces depending on garage depth and any shelving or stored items. Homeowners should measure their garage dimensions carefully, but overall, the Superbird generally fits in a standard two-car garage, though maneuvering it may require extra caution.
The 1970 Plymouth Superbird is a modified and aerodynamically enhanced version of the 1969 Road Runner. While the overall chassis and dimensions are similar, the Superbird is slightly longer due to its distinctive aerodynamic nose cone and large rear wing. The 1969 Road Runner measures approximately 5,300 mm (208 inches) long, while the Superbird extends to about 5,538 mm (218 inches). Width and height remain similar, although the wing on the Superbird adds to the effective height profile. These dimensional changes were aimed at enhancing high-speed stability and NASCAR performance, setting it apart from the more standard Road Runner.
Compared to contemporaries like the Dodge Charger and Ford Torino, the 1970 Plymouth Superbird is comparable in width and height but distinctively longer due to its aerodynamic features. The Dodge Charger of that era was around 5,082 mm (200 inches) long, making the Superbird longer by roughly 45 cm (18 inches). The Ford Torino's length varied but was generally shorter as well. The Superbird’s additional length primarily comes from its aerodynamic nose and rear wing, designed for NASCAR racing rather than street practicality. While sharing a similar width of nearly 1.9 to 2 meters, the Superbird's unique dimensions emphasize aerodynamics more distinctly than many muscle cars of the time.
The 1970 Plymouth Superbird is renowned for its purpose-built aerodynamics aimed at NASCAR dominance. It featured a pointed nose cone, flush-mounted grille, and a massive high-mounted rear wing, which significantly reduced drag and increased high-speed stability. Under the hood, it could be equipped with powerful big-block V8 engines producing up to 425 horsepower, delivering strong acceleration and top speed. The Superbird's suspension and chassis were tuned for high-speed handling on oval tracks but retained road manners suitable for street driving in a coupe body style. Its rarity and racing pedigree make it one of the most iconic and collectible muscle cars from American automotive history.
The 1970 Plymouth Superbird, being a performance-focused coupe, offers a trunk space that's comparable to other muscle cars of its time. While exact trunk volume measurements are scarce, it features a rear trunk area capable of holding a moderate amount of luggage or groceries. However, the presence of aerodynamic modifications such as the rear wing and the sloped nose cone does not significantly intrude on the trunk space. The space is practical enough for everyday errands but less spacious than larger sedans or modern cars. Its cargo capacity favors performance and styling over utility, making it most suitable for enthusiasts who prioritize driving experience over cargo volume.