1971 Plymouth Superbird 440

Part of our Most Sought After Muscle Cars Series

Whether it’s driving, restoring, or showing off, classic cars are truly an American obsession. In our case, the passion is for muscle cars, we’re taking a look at the 1971 Superbird 440 from Plymouth.

Now those are some lines! Sleek, with a powerful engine, this is a car with some attitude. More than any other Plymouth, the hardtop hits most car enthusiasts’ best-of lists.

Plymouth Superbird 440 is equipped with a 4-speed manual transmission and a 440-cubic-inch V-8, which has been stroked to 505 cubic inches. While Superbirds were available from the factory with the 440 V-8, the block is not original to this car. The engine was also originally equipped with a 4-barrel carburetor, but it has been upgraded to the Six Pack setup, with three 2-barrel carburetors.

Not many of the Superbirds actually lived out any NASCAR dreams, but it was an inspirational vehicle; truly the stuff car-dreams are made of.

While many of those Superbirds probably didn’t get too close to living out their NASCAR dreams, they inspired a generation. For those who liked the look of the car’s odd — but trendsetting — body better than the more utilitarian Road Runner, it was a question of aesthetics. But the Superbird is still bringing dreams alive.

This hardtop regularly makes best-of lists, edging out other Plymouth choices, although it was originally based on the Road Runner. Its distinctive redesign was built to meet the particular requirements of that mecca. The highest expression of muscle car power back in the day, and something every driver — whether by fantasy or aspiration — knew signified the greatest accomplishments of both engineering and driving skill.