Mickey Thompson Superbird

[Frenchy23]

Found this photo on Facebook... looks as if it was the company car for the National Sales Manager.
Are there any clearer photos of this car as I'd be interested in duplicating in 1/18 scale.

Here's a link to the photo, should the attachment fail to upload:
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=1444239275791182&set=gm.633700450009344&type=1&theater

Thanks!

[djcarguy]

  Dont recall seeing or hearing bout this car before or mopar an mickey t having much connection???

[Ghoste]

Was "Speedy Bob" a tire distributor or an employee of MT?  Did MT have a hand in the manufacture of his tires or just licence his name?

[Aero426]

These photos have been around a long time; surfaced about 10 years ago on the net.    My recollection is that there was a follow up story in the WW/NBOA newsletter about them.     I don't remember hearing that the car ever came to light.  

Pretty sure that M/T had tires made to his spec on the outside and distributed them via his speed parts catalog and independent speed shops.  

[Aero426]

Here is the other photo.   Rear edge of valance has either been trimmed or pranged a bit.

[Ghoste]

Another mystery 'bird then.  Hmm, and with a couple of names attached.

[tan top]

 good pictures , never seen them before , thanks for sharing 

[Frenchy23]

I've emailed the Mickey Thompson headquarters in Ohio, asking if they had any info about the car.
If/when they reply, I will post.

Thanks for the feedback!

[hemigeno]

Here is the other photo.   Rear edge of valance has either been trimmed or pranged a bit.

The front tires on that car look reeeeally wide, so they probably had to trim the valance to keep it from rubbing on those big front meats in a turn (non-Aero fenders had that problem too, depending on the width of the tire and the car's torsion bar setup). 

Guess they decided not to go with the pizza cutter look on the front...

[odcics2]

It was common to have auto parts stores and tire dealers put stuff on the sides of 'odd' cars to build traffic...

There was a hemi orange Daytona in Wayne, MI known as the "Harlow Tire" car.

The real Mr. Mickey Thompson most likely never knew about this Bird.

[Aero426]

The real Mr. Mickey Thompson most likely never knew about this Bird.

[Redbird]

Mickey somehow had a unique ability to get tires built.

In the early 1980's, lets say 1981 for real date; no one had been ( and for years previously), would, or would even consider building Land Speed Racing tires for Bonneville. Mickey Thompson did. Firestone, who built LSR tires in the 1960's wouldn't consider it. Goodyear, didn't even want to let anyone talk to their engineers. Mickey did rears 15" rim x 27.5 diameter for example at about $250 a pop. Want to go fast and with a reasonably safe tire, suck it up.

In 1981 I remember seeing cars at Bonneville with old Firestone round oval Indy tires, guess an age on those. I was next to Al Teagues lakester-before he turned it into a streamliner, in line watching one of his crew cut some frayed cords off his old front tires-then covering things up with black shoe polish. Madness or guts?

Later Mickey sold LSR tires in 2 ratings 250MPH and 450MPH. Whatever his failings, Mickey was the man.

[Aero426]

In 1981 I remember seeing cars at Bonneville with old Firestone round oval Indy tires, guess an age on those. I was next to Al Teagues lakester-before he turned it into a streamliner, in line watching one of his crew cut some frayed cords off his old front tires-then covering things up with black shoe polish. Madness or guts?

[Ghoste]

I'll go with madness.

[GOTWING]

that's my facebook page.. FRIEND ME ALL ! 

[moparstuart]

that's my facebook page.. FRIEND ME ALL ! 

LOL  i did  a long time ago