A rare example of the Plymouth Superbird, dating from the 1970s, will be put up for auction and has the potential to reach a value of up to R$ 5 million. The auction house Mecum Auctions will organize this event, which is scheduled for January 2027.
This vehicle has a notable history of world-renowned automotive competitions. The first owners were brothers and drivers Jim and Larry Lindsley.
The car is equipped with a 7.0-liter Hemi V8 engine, which was used by the Lindsley brothers in speed races held in the Bonneville desert, in the United States. In 1975, this engine allowed the Superbird to reach an impressive speed of 354 km/h.
Originally manufactured in 1970, the Superbird is classified as one of the most desired muscle cars of that era. Its production was limited to only 1,935 units, of which 135 came equipped with the Hemi V8 engine. However, the model belonging to the Lindsleys gained extra relevance due to the performance achieved at the Bonneville salt flats.
Shortly after acquiring the car, the brothers began using it in speed tests. In one of the first attempts, the Superbird exceeded the mark of 322 km/h, reaching 332 km/h. With the car's advancement, the results progressively improved, culminating in a record of 354 km/h in 1975. According to the vehicle's record, the average speed in the attempts was 349 km/h.
To achieve this record, the Superbird used an engine that had been specifically prepared for competition. The original Hemi engine was removed after the first years of competition and was preserved, allowing the car to be displayed in its original configuration. Furthermore, a restoration was carried out that restored the appearance the vehicle had during the Bonneville period.
Mecum has not yet disclosed the final selling price. Prior to the auction, the current owner announced the example for US$ 1 million, but the sale did not materialize. The requested value is consistent with the rarity of the model, given that in previous auctions, a Hemi Superbird reached US$ 1.65 million (which is equivalent to approximately R$ 8 million) in 2022.