Exactly one year ago today, Hurricane Ian, the worst storm Florida has experienced since 1935, wrecked havoc on Florida, the Carolinas, and several areas of the Caribbean. In addition to claiming over 161 lives and causing an estimated $113 billion in damages, it submerged both contemporary and vintage cars, some of which were well-known makes including a McLaren P1 and a 1970 Plymouth Superbird.
This iconic Mopar, one of the rare “winged warriors,” experienced significant destruction during the hurricane, being flipped onto its roof and dragged out of storage by the flood. The resultant damage included substantial impairment to its vinyl top, hood, trunk lid, and wing. Disheartened by the disaster, the initial owner decided to part ways with the damaged Plymouth just weeks after the calamity.
However, the subsequent owner envisions a future for this Superbird and has exhibited it at the 2022 Muscle Car and Corvette Nationals (MCACN). Post the show, he has undertaken a mission to restore this iconic car to its former glory. The Superbird, although still dismantled a year post-damage, has seen significant progress with the body dents rectified and the shell nearing readiness for a respray.
Auto Archaeology on YouTube is documenting the Superbird’s restoration progress. The car now has a brand-new tail panel, spotless Satellite frame rails, and a spotless trunk floor. The damaged front fender has been painstakingly repaired and preserved, and the classic towering wing is once again straight.
Even though the car is now simply a shell with primer applied, it marks the beginning of a restoration odyssey that will bring back one of the best Plymouth Superbirds. Its road to resurrection is all the more moving and inspiring because it was destroyed and flooded just a year ago.
The rarity of this Superbird is intriguing. It is believed that Plymouth manufactured around 1,935 of these models in 1970, with an additional 47 shipped to Canada, a number not as scarce as the 1969 Dodge Charger Daytona, of which only 503 units were built.
This particular Mopar is not an ordinary Superbird with an entry-level 440-cubic-inch (7.2-liter) four-barrel V8. It’s housed with the exclusive Six Pack version of the engine, accompanied by a trio of two-barrel carbs. This specific engine variant found its place in only 716 Superbirds, making it a rare and valuable piece, potentially worth up to $500,000.
When will this Superbird make a comeback on public roads is the lingering issue. Despite the fact that frame-off restorations can take up to five years, there is hope that this Superbird will hit the road sooner, possibly by the end of 2024.
The 1970 Plymouth Superbird, which underwent a makeover after being subjected to Hurricane Ian’s wrath, serves as a testament to hope and fortitude. It is a powerful example of the passion and commitment of car enthusiasts who are determined to preserving automotive history by reviving items that were once destroyed by nature.