An automotive icon with a royal NASCAR pedigree is set to cross the auction block in January 2025. The 1970 Plymouth Superbird, once owned by racing legend Richard Petty, will headline Mecum’s Kissimmee auction on January 18. This extraordinary muscle car is a piece of motorsport history and an emblem of the muscle car era.
Petty, famously associated with the Plymouth brand, owned this Alpine White Superbird from 1982 to 2013. It became a staple of his Petty Museum collection and remains his only personally owned Superbird. A signed letter from Petty accompanies the sale, confirming its unique status.
The car’s restoration, completed in 2014 by Petty’s Garage, retained much of its original interior while adding Petty’s embroidered profile to the seats. It was refinished in Alpine White with a contrasting black vinyl roof. Its original driveline is intact, featuring a 440 CI Super Commando V-8 engine, dual-snorkel air cleaner, and A727 automatic transmission, paired with a 3.55 Sure Grip rear axle. The Superbird’s aerodynamic enhancements, including the towering rear wing and pointed nosecone, highlight its homologation roots in NASCAR.
Plymouth built only 1,935 Superbirds in 1969 to meet racing requirements, making them rare collectibles. Petty’s car is further distinguished by a signature on the trunk, preserved under clear coat, and a personal message and signature on the dash pad.
This Superbird’s celebrity extends beyond the track. It has appeared on shows like MTV Cribs, My Classic Car, and MotorWeek. For collectors and fans, this auction represents a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to own a piece of racing royalty. As it crosses the block, the Petty Superbird is poised to capture the spotlight and command a premium price befitting its legacy.
Shawn Henry