The Plymouth Superbird Was Created Just for Richard Petty
NASCAR’s first official race took place in 1948, and since then, NASCAR has changed and evolved over the years. From legendary drivers to remarkable vehicles, the history of NASCAR is a rich one. There is one particular vehicle that is directly connected to the famous driver Richard Petty. The 1970 Plymouth Superbird was created just for Petty.
Find out the fascinating details behind why this impressive car was made for Petty, and what the Plymouth Superbird was all about at its core.
Who is Richard Petty?
In July of 1937 Petty was born in North Carolina. He started racing cars at a relatively young age. Some fans could argue that Petty’s love for NASCAR and racing was embedded in his blood and genetics.
Petty’s father was a triumphant racer. Later in life, one of Petty’s own children followed the family’s footsteps and pursued a career in NASCAR. Petty’s reputation on the tracks was a remarkable one.
Throughout his career, he won the Daytona 500 a total of seven times. There was a reason he was known as “The King”. Petty’s love for cars and driving runs so deep that he even managed to contribute to the popular animated film Cars through voice-overs. Petty is deeply connected to NASCAR and the world it is associated with.
The history of the 1970 Plymouth Superbird
The history of the Plymouth Superbird impacted NASCAR. Not many cars have a history or story as interesting as the one behind the notorious Plymouth Superbird.
The car hit the tracks in 1970, but how it got there is rather fascinating. Richard Petty’s skills and reputations made him a hot commodity in the world of NASCAR. When Petty had expressed that he wished to use a winged car for his races, Petty’s Plymouth team decided that it wouldn’t be a good idea.
As a result, Petty decided to switch teams and went to Ford. When Plymouth realized their hesitance resulted in losing Petty all together the immediately began to design a car to win him back. That car was the 1970 Plymouth Superbird, and Plymouth’s planned worked.
Petty went on to win eight NASCAR races while driving the Plymouth Superbird. However, due to a change in the rules, 1970 would be the only NASCAR season that the Plymouth Superbird would be able to make an appearance. However, the history of the car most definitely lives on.
What were some of the features and highlights of the 1970 Plymouth Superbird?
NASCAR drivers and fans were beyond impressed when the Plymouth Superbird was released. The car was capable of accelerating from zero to 60 in just under five seconds. There was no model at the time quite like the Plymouth Superbird.
The vehicle’s ability to travel at 200 mph was monumental for the day and age. The stick shift and pistol grip gave the car a unique feel. The vehicle’s ability to produce 425 horsepower was just one more of the many noteworthy features of the car.
Plymouth’s Superbird created quite a splash when it hit the NASCAR tracks. Audiences and drivers were immediately intrigued by the vehicle. The 1970 Plymouth Superbird has a deep and direct connection to one of NASCAR’s most legendary drivers. Petty and the Plymouth have a special bond and knowing the history, it makes sense why. NASCAR fans love to learn about the vehicle’s past and why it was created just for Petty.
