A legendary 1970 Plymouth Superbird, once owned by NASCAR legend Richard Petty, heads to auction with an estimated value of $1 million.
Few cars embody the golden age of American muscle like the 1970 Plymouth Superbird, and when one comes with a celebrity pedigree, its allure grows exponentially. This month, a Superbird once owned by NASCAR icon Richard Petty will cross the auction block, with bids expected to reach between $900,000 and $1 million.
A Legend in Both Racing and Collecting
Richard Petty, affectionately known as "The King," is a seven-time NASCAR champion and Daytona 500 winner. This Superbird holds a special place in his storied history—it was the only street-legal Superbird he ever owned. Petty held onto the car for over three decades, from 1982 to 2013, before parting with it.
The car has since undergone a meticulous restoration at Petty’s Garage in North Carolina, completed in 2014 at a cost of $26,900. This included stripping the car down to its core, repainting it in pristine white, refreshing the vinyl top, and polishing the chrome to a brilliant shine. Petty’s signature on the trunk and dashboard, along with a personal note, adds an irreplaceable touch to this automotive masterpiece.
Performance Meets Provenance
Under the hood, the Superbird retains its original 440 cubic-inch Super Commando V8, capable of producing 390 horsepower when new. Paired with an A727 automatic transmission and an 8.75-inch rear end, this car remains a powerful example of late 1960s and early 1970s Mopar engineering.
With just 28,394 miles on the odometer, the Superbird strikes a balance between preservation and usability. The interior, featuring custom black leather seats embroidered with Petty’s likeness, has been impeccably maintained. A signature on the dashboard reminds future owners of its heritage: "Take care of my car!"
An Auction Star
Plymouth only produced 1,935 Superbirds for the 1970 model year, making them a rarity on their own. However, Petty’s ownership history, combined with the car’s appearance on TV shows like MTV Cribs, My Classic Car, and Stacey David’s Gearz, elevates its status as one of the most significant examples in existence.
Whether you’re a fan of NASCAR, muscle cars, or automotive history, this Superbird is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to own a piece of both racing and cultural legend. With its unique provenance and impeccable restoration, this Superbird promises to draw plenty of attention when it hits the auction block.
For more details, visit the Mecum Auctions listing, and prepare to witness a true piece of American muscle car history take center stage.
