– Project started with a ’70 Satellite donated by Rick Brannon
– Unique NASCAR 780-hp Mopar® R5 race engine from Evernham Motorsports
– Period-correct mods combined with updated competition technology
In conjunction with Gillette Evernham Motorsports and former pro wrestler, actor and auto enthusiast Bill Goldberg, this custom-built Gloss Black and Petty Blue Superbird was built by the crew at YearOne in Braselton, Georgia, paying homage to the legendary Petty Enterprises Superbirds that were campaigned during the 1970 NASCAR (National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing) season. The legendary Plymouth “Wing Cars” as well as the Dodge Daytona Chargers were later outlawed because of their superior aerodynamics over the competition.
HISTORIC NASCAR FLAVOR BUT MODERNIZED
“Bill Goldberg had approached us with an idea to re-create a Superbird that would be as close to a genuine racecar as possible, but streetable,” said Kevin King, president of YearOne. Soon afterwards, some 4,000 hours of labor were put into the project, along with some great cooperation from many suppliers, most notably a complete NASCAR-spec powertrain donation from Ray Evernham of Gillette Evernham Motorsports.
RE-WORKED FLOOR PAN
The overall appearance of this Superbird tribute had to have “the look” so numerous period-correct NASCAR modifications were done, inside and out. Included in the racing-spec mods were raising the transmission/driveshaft tunnel on the floor-pan, fitting a stout X-brace to tie the sub-frames together, cutting out the floor area about the rear axle for extra differential clearance, adding wheel tubs for required clearance.
NASCAR DODGE R5 RACE ENGINE
The ultra modern engine at the time of the build was the 358-cid Dodge Motorsports unit that normally was used on the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series (and shared nothing with any production Mopar engine that was ever produced). It developed some 780 horsepower @ 7,800 rpm (slightly detuned to operate on pump gas). In reality, these unique engines produce between 780 and 850 horsepower depending on tune, and could rev to 9,800 rpm while still delivering peak power output. Using a 4.180-inch bore and 3.255-inch stroke, they displaced 358 cubic inches (maximum size per NASCAR rules) and featured 12.0:1 compression and P7 aluminum cylinder heads. A race-prepped 830-cfm Holley four barrel is used. Trick powerplant!
INTERIOR HIGHLIGHTS
A YearOne replacement “Tuff” steering wheel was used along with a Flaming River steering column. The roll cage was built with safety in mind and also ease of ingress and egress.
The bucket seats are surrounded by the custom-built roll cage and special heat shields were incorporated into the flooring to help protect occupants from the heat buildup of the exhaust.
MAJOR LEAGUE PROJECT
Included is a Tex Racing T-101 4-speed manual transmission feeding an 8 ¾-inch Mopar rear end with 3.90:1 gearing. Slotted 6-piston Baer disc brakes were used front and rear.
Modern rack and pinion steering, tubular A-arms and coil-over suspension was part of the modifications done to the front end of the chassis, along with a lightweight tubular K-member was also incorporated in the design, all from Magnum Force.
The standard leaf springs were abandoned on the rear suspension and replaced by an adjustable 4-link arrangement and coil-overs.
EXTREME ATTENTION TO CONSTRUCTION DETAILS
Also part of the modifications made to the car (which started out as a stock 1970 Plymouth Satellite donated by Rick Brannon) was the use of coil-over shocks on all four corners, tubular control arms, a tubular K-member and rack and pinion steering updated the front end, and a four-link arrangement with Panhard bar was added for the rear axle. Inside, a traditional full roll cage and NASCAR-themed bare bones interior was used, albeit with twin Kirkey aluminum-framed racing bucket seats with G-Force Racing Gear belts.
AGGRESSIVE AND SLEEK STANCE
With these great efforts done by the YearOne shop (which is known as the Ghostworks Garage), the body of the car was done in full “retro,” which included reproduction Superbird front nose, rear wing and streamlined rear window plus scoops for the front fenders. True to the original Plymouth Superbirds build back in 1970, a pair of Dodge Coronet front fenders are used along with a specially modified hood front section that matched up with the front nose cone.
SUPERBIRD-SPECIFIC FEATURES
Superbirds came with special covers for the A-pillars to help streamline the airflow and a pair of reproduction pieces was added, as was authentic windshield clips, which were standard equipment on 1970-era NASCAR Grand National Stock Cars.
Superbirds featured a revised aerodynamic rear window and to add to the authentic NASCAR racecar theme of the car, aluminum support straps were added.
The front Dodge Coronet fenders were fitted with the Superbird scoop coverings, with the tops of the fenders getting holes added including screening material. On the real racecars, the function of these scoops only was to cover these holes, which were used for tire clearance.
ROLLING STOCK
Getting the right wheel and tire combination for the car was essential, 15 x 9.5-inch NASCAR steel wheels were chosen as were a set of g-Force 27.0 x 10.0-15 BFG Short Track tires. Using theses wheels (with brake cooling holes) and race rubber, the rolling stock selection greatly adds to the “ready to race” appearance. A simple yet effective Petty Blue pinstripe adds some color to the wheel, as do the Red Baer calipers.
RICHARD PETTY APPROVED
When the car was first shown at a NASCAR Cup event at Atlanta Motor Speedway, Darryl Gwynn and YearOne held a press conference in the AMS media facility, showing the car off and explaining to the assembled motorsport press the reason behind the project. The NASCAR stars were impressed, to say the least, particularly the King himself, Richard Petty. According to him, our Superbird was similar to the cars he remembers driving, although it was much nicer! A number of NASCAR’s current stars joined the King in signing the top of the rear wing.
STARTING BASE
The donor car, this 1970 Satellite, was the starting point and needed much in the way of replacement body panels, fitted with YearOne’s restoration pieces. Tons of prep and in the end, it was extensive work involved to make it all right and properly fitted.
MISSION ACCOMPLISHED
The finished product looks fantastic and the car has a unique mixture of “old school” and modern technology. There’s been a number of “tribute” Plymouth Superbirds built over the years, and few if any can match the expertly done preparation and well-engineering that builders of this one accomplished!
Author: James Maxwell
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