Superbird Body Kit. from Ted Janex

[70Sbird]

My name is Jim Palazzolo.  In 1993 after doing some research I bought a superbird kit from Ted.  I had already seen his ads for years with pictures of the kit parts laid out on a driveway next to a superbird.  Ted was very patient and answered all my questions, and I was very thorogh about how to go about the build. I was no expert on these cars but I wanted a superbird since I was a kid. To me this car had to be "real" to me without the price tag, because I was never going to sell it. So basically any money put into this dream car of mine would be  gone forever, I would never see a dime back out of this car.  I had already picked up a clean satellite  and ted was helpful day or night when I needed advise on headlight bucket assembly and installation, wing trunk braces, nosecone mounting brackets and even how to cover the fiberglass windshield pillar mouldings with polished stainless steel tape.  They came out PERFECT, as did the whole car.                             That brings me to why I am writing this.  Ted Janak spent hours explaining everthing in detail helping whenever I called. He understood how convincing the car had to be to ME! His parts made it happen. It won at 1995 mopar nats , autorama, power tour, ect, ect.         

so what was won at Power tour 1995?

Just askin?

[hotrod98]

Didn't realize power tour had winners...I thought they just had long haulers.

[pettybird]

Hey Jim it's Doug Croxford--you have my 'bird window plug!

Still have the car? 

My name is Jim Palazzolo.  In 1993 after doing some research I bought a superbird kit from Ted.  I had already seen his ads for years with pictures of the kit parts laid out on a driveway next to a superbird.  Ted was very patient and answered all my questions, and I was very thorogh about how to go about the build. I was no expert on these cars but I wanted a superbird since I was a kid. To me this car had to be "real" to me without the price tag, because I was never going to sell it. So basically any money put into this dream car of mine would be  gone forever, I would never see a dime back out of this car.  I had already picked up a clean satellite  and ted was helpful day or night when I needed advise on headlight bucket assembly and installation, wing trunk braces, nosecone mounting brackets and even how to cover the fiberglass windshield pillar mouldings with polished stainless steel tape.  They came out PERFECT, as did the whole car.                             That brings me to why I am writing this.  Ted Janak spent hours explaining everthing in detail helping whenever I called. He understood how convincing the car had to be to ME! His parts made it happen. It won at 1995 mopar nats , autorama, power tour, ect, ect.         

[limelightsuperbird]

This is Jim . Sorry I didn't reply sooner, I am busy spending time with my wife and dogs and building and restoring my old cars. Hello to Doug. Been awhile, hope all is good. Will have the bird until I'm gone. Thanks again to you and your mother, Carol. You were both key players in making this dream realized.  I ran out of room when writing my last post. Must be a character limit? As far as The Power Tour, It was the first road trip on the fresh build. My wife and I left 2 weeks early from Michigan driving the car both interstate and country roads sightseeing. We ended up in L.A. 5 days before power tour was pulling out back to Mich.They had a kickoff party rooftop at petersen museum and we never left it. They gave out items similar to a car show That you could only get there. Items from Kicker, Mothers, Cragar,ect. We went 7000 miles in 2 weeks and what a ride its been all these years. With all the magazine, television and shows across the country our trophy collection is immense.   Plus a movie appearance Oct. 2011 REAL STEEL

[limelightsuperbird]

Well, out of space for a second time right in the middle of a thought. So getting back to Teds' parts, They are what is responsible for all the positive event exposure and awards. Built to the best of my abilities at age 25, none of the repro parts show ant signs of cracking, bubbling or delaminating. I once set a model car superbird I built on the birds' roof at a car show and it melted  and collapsed. Shows how hot the rear window plug gets. I've driven in 20 degree december before its snowed yet. Even the wing is perfect with hitting many a michigan pothole. I decided to write here just to give my real world experience using Teds' parts because I've heard many bad things about superbird reproduction fiberglass. After 29,000 miles and many long hot days in the sun, his parts have stood the test of time

[nascarxx29]

I bought and sold wingcars and to Ted .I never had any parts issues.And I had the early 80ish parts
I drove this clone from TX to NJ and never worried about it .It was fun car to drive daily. I later sold it

[limelightsuperbird]

Your daytona is awesome. I love the black stripes, door scoops and painted nosecone rubber. If it were mine, my  birds' drivetime would be cut in half. I like stock look and custom. For many years I have had another car minus engine plus many parts to build another one similar to a particular white  car with multicolor stripes and sidepipes I remember as a kid. Any other pictures of your daytona or others I would like to see. My wife loaded a couple pics ( she uses the computer much better than I am able) but we are not sure how to add more. Building a base model 70 superbee hood for my bird -center twin scoops built into a raised bulge. Finishing fab work on fiberglass ducting to air cleaner (to look similar to a 70 road runner air grabber). Been looking forward to having a second hood for many years.  I always like the way my wifes' 74 challenger hood bulges up when sitting in it.

[nascarxx29]

The power bulge hood works out nicely on a superbird
http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,51236.0.html

[moparstuart]

Your daytona is awesome. I love the black stripes, door scoops and painted nosecone rubber. If it were mine, my  birds' drivetime would be cut in half. I like stock look and custom. For many years I have had another car minus engine plus many parts to build another one similar to a particular white  car with multicolor stripes and sidepipes I remember as a kid. Any other pictures of your daytona or others I would like to see. My wife loaded a couple pics ( she uses the computer much better than I am able) but we are not sure how to add more. Building a base model 70 superbee hood for my bird -center twin scoops built into a raised bulge. Finishing fab work on fiberglass ducting to air cleaner (to look similar to a 70 road runner air grabber). Been looking forward to having a second hood for many years.  I always like the way my wifes' 74 challenger hood bulges up when sitting in it.

this one ?  my buddy wayne perkins car

[moparstuart]

 

[limelightsuperbird]

My wife calls this the Wicked Bird.  If anyone has pictures of this car, please post.  I'm thinking of doing another superbird clone, and paint it like this.

[limelightsuperbird]

Yes that is the car. Years ago I believe Doug told me it was restored back to original. I only had 1 picture of it all these years, so I didn't know what the back looked like. Any more pics of it or other custom birds would be great.  Thanks for the pics! This is ours at the Detroit Yacht Club back 2002 or 2003

[moparstuart]

My wife calls this the Wicked Bird.  If anyone has pictures of this car, please post.  I'm thinking of doing another superbird clone, and paint it like this.

wayne has only just started the restoration in the last 5 years , the car should be done this year


  4speed six barrel car
http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,57850.0.html 

[moparstuart]

here is what the wing looked like close up  , on wayne clone now

[moparstuart]

 

[limelightsuperbird]

We originally built the bird as a 440 six pac ,4 speed , 8 3/4  with 4.10 suregrip. 1n 2000 we installed a new motor same as the Hot Rod build-440 stroker solid roller hemi conversion into 520 cubes. In 2001 we upgraded to a keisler TKO2  5 speed and switched a new 3.73 gear. The newer trans has a lower 1st gear so it still goes like a 4.10 out of the hole, and way lower rpm on the freeway. Once while traveling through Kansas we were giong 130mph for at least 15- 20  minutes and again going thru the Nevada desert and you wouldn't even know it. The motor is balanced for 7500 rpm but i have never turned the rev limiter above its lowest 4600 rpm setting. As hard as it takes off I would be afraid to turn it up, and I had to weld in subframe connectors shortly after putting the new motor in.  I NEVER wanted to modify the undercarraige but had to. Even painted body color they still are noticable. I only kept the hemi conversion decals on the quarters for a couple years, much cleaner look without them plus not good for judged shows. I have made the engine look stock and widened the rear wheels 2" on the backside  so the trim rings are stock with 275-60-15's

[nascarxx29]

This retro superbird remains like this today
http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,68248.0.html