RM23U0A170221... The San Antonio Express works it's way to the Starting Line...

[xs29j8Bullitt]

I have started preparing the FY1 440 4Spd Superbird that I own to possibly be the next restoration project that depletes my life savings...  the "triple black" Charger being another prime candidate for the next money pit as well.  Either way, I need to re-assemble the 'Bird and other future project cars to verify that all parts are on hand prior to starting the restoration.

Three days ago I tracked down the original owner of the Superbird, and spoke briefly with him for the first time since about 1983.  Many years ago he had moved 1600+ miles from San Antonio, and having a name that he shared with 673 other Americans did not help matters!  He believes that he still has some small parts, purchase paperwork, photos, racing trophies, and other material related to the car.

Also, I have begun to find evidence about the car's early history that had been described to me by a former employee of OR Mitchell Chrysler Plymouth, the selling dealership.  So far only a hint about it's use in the First Annual San Antonio International Car Show... a lot more research will be required.  But it's long wait on the dealer lot has been confirmed by a more than week long advertising blitz starting on December 31, 1970... after a full year on OR Mitchell's lot.  It still took another three months to sell, finally selling on March 3rd based on the original title application.

I have tentatively named the Superbird the "San Antonio Express" based on the SA newspaper that it was first advertised in, plus the meaning of "Express" as sometimes used in race car names... and it's apparent racing history (Drag or SCCA or ).  More pics & info as I uncover the material... grab a bag...        BTW, I plan to create a sign for car shows showing the yellow 'Bird leading a "train" of wing cars around turn 4 at a super speedway. 

To begin, the first four days of Ads... note the deep discount to $3600... the original buyer confirmed that was the asking price, but believes that the dealer accepted an even lower offer from him...    Also, some "as found" pics...

[nascarxx29]

Very cool all at the same price .My buddys car was listed a few times every time with the price reduced

[xs29j8Bullitt]

The day after buying the Superbird, installing the fenders and preparing the car for the trip down to the "farm" in the country.

[nascarxx29]

Is this OOR brothers dealer was related to the SA dealer OR Mitchell.On another note I know TX plates stay with the car .Can you search past history at DMV from front license plate

http://www.flickr.com/photos/crittenden/2341543923/in/photostream

[xs29j8Bullitt]

The Superbird spent about a year "down on the farm", before being moved back to San Antonio where it was stored in a boat storage unit to protect it from the elements...

[xs29j8Bullitt]

Is this OOR brothers dealer was related to the SA dealer OR Mitchell.On another note I know TX plates stay with the car .Can you search past history at DMV from front license plate

http://www.flickr.com/photos/crittenden/2341543923/in/photostream

Not at all likely... ORR appears to be their last name, while O.R. Mitchell used his initials.

[xs29j8Bullitt]

As it is today... I have started to clean it up and gather parts for re-assembly... even got the finish to bead water again! 

[Dave Kanofsky]

Cool start to the story!  

I'll give you every bit of the $3600 paper price...

[moparstuart]

Cool start to the story!  

I'll give you every bit of the $3600 paper price...

get in line   

[xs29j8Bullitt]

Cool start to the story!  

I'll give you every bit of the $3600 paper price...

Thanks Dave... How about a multi car trade for your Daytona?...  2 (or possibly 3) Aero cars for 1!  

I'll even finish waxing the 'Bird...

[xs29j8Bullitt]

Cool start to the story!  

I'll give you every bit of the $3600 paper price...

get in line  

What took you so long Stuart?  Amazing discount they had to offer to unload the Superbird!

[moparstuart]

Cool start to the story!  

I'll give you every bit of the $3600 paper price...

Thanks Dave... How about a multi car trade for your Daytona?...  2 (or possibly 3) Aero cars for 1!  

I'll even finish waxing the 'Bird...

troy trade  (TM)   

[xs29j8Bullitt]

Cool start to the story!  

I'll give you every bit of the $3600 paper price...

Thanks Dave... How about a multi car trade for your Daytona?...  2 (or possibly 3) Aero cars for 1!  

I'll even finish waxing the 'Bird...

troy trade  (TM)   

He's done a "1 fer" and a "2 fer"... but not a "3 fer" that I know of... Loophole to avoid the licensing fee!   

Here is when I bought the Superbird...

[moparstuart]

Cool start to the story!  

I'll give you every bit of the $3600 paper price...

Thanks Dave... How about a multi car trade for your Daytona?...  2 (or possibly 3) Aero cars for 1!  

I'll even finish waxing the 'Bird...

troy trade  (TM)   

He's done a "1 fer" and a "2 fer"... but not a "3 fer" that I know of... Loophole to avoid the licensing fee!   

Here is when I bought the Superbird...

   NICE    all great history 

[xs29j8Bullitt]

I have a fair amount of documentation for the Superbird, most of it from the ownership history request that I made before the records were destroyed in the mid 80s.

Below:
1) Broadcast Sheet
2) Manufacturer's Statement of Origin
3) Original Title (Originally titled in his mother's name due to his age & financing needed)
4) Original License Plate Receipt

[moparstuart]

very nice  great stuff

[Aero426]

I like the name.

[Arnie Cunningham]

Is that a factory pink gtx in the background of one of those photos?

[69_500]

Now if I can just talk Allen out of the Daytona before he does a restoration on it. 

[xs29j8Bullitt]

I like the name.

Thanks Doug... I had never been close to giving the car a name, but when I saw the "San Antonio Express" logo on the paper that I had copied one of the Ads out of, I had an epiphany... or maybe a senior moment  , that the the name was an excellent fit and the image of it leading a "train" of wing cars single file around a sweeping racetrack turn came to mind.

I spoke briefly with the original owner again this evening.  He has been extremely busy at work this week because he apparently works in a job connected to the now turbulent stock market.  Hopefully the stock market will calm down next week, and we will be able to talk at greater length.

A few new revelations:

> The Superbird was frequently drag raced at Aloe Field/Victoria Dragstrip:  http://www.na-motorsports.com/Tracks/TX/AloeField.html
> The original 440 HP engine suffered a catastrophic failure, and is believed to be long gone (will ask for more details)
> Him and a car load of friends made an unplanned trip to Los Angeles, CA on the spur of the moment in the Superbird
> He believes that he still has some photos of the Superbird, but believes many more were lost during a divorce...
> He believes that some old friends may have additional photos of the Superbird... he will check with them.

That's all for now... updates as available... not sure if a lot of material will yet surface, but I am hopeful...

[hemi68charger]

Cool start to the story!  

I'll give you every bit of the $3600 paper price...

Thanks Dave... How about a multi car trade for your Daytona?...  2 (or possibly 3) Aero cars for 1!  

I'll even finish waxing the 'Bird...

Oh, NOW you offer 3 cars !!!!      That was my original offer..........

[Davtona]

The Superbird spent about a year "down on the farm", before being moved back to San Antonio where it was stored in a boat storage unit to protect it from the elements...

Hey I think I been to the "farm".    Long time ago. I remember it being real dark out and very late at night. Or maybe it was real early in the morning.    But I got to say I had never seen a "farm" with that much Mopar stuff before that night. 

[xs29j8Bullitt]

Is that a factory pink gtx in the background of one of those photos?

Absolutely YES!...  RS23U0E138126:  http://www.pantherpink.com/fm3019.htm

440 HP, Column Automatic, 4:10 Dana, Air Grabber, rear go Wing spoiler, 15x7 Rallye wheels

Some interesting facts:

> I bought the car from Votaw's Wrecking Service at mile marker 61 on I10 near Flatonia, Texas for $125 IIRC
> The rear Go  Wing spoiler was stolen by an employee of Votaw's, and mounted backwards on a dark green 1969 Chevelle.  I tricked him into opening the trunk, and there were the FM3 mounting brackets.  I confronted him and the owner, but got stonewalled.  Also stolen were three of the 15x7 Rallye wheels, the fourth wheel being trapped under the GTX when the scissor jack being used toppled over.  Once again... stonewalled!
> The GTX was used by the Ed Dietz Studio in Houston to develop the model design for the Monogram 1970 GTX kit released at the same time as Kevin Kellerher's 1971 Hemi `Cuda kit
> Originally the FM3 GTX was bought as a parts car for a B5 Blue 1970 Hemi Road Runner that I owned:  http://www.sandysgarage.com/current.html, and was not for sale separately.  I was sold as part of a three car package to a well practiced liar named Jerry Calder that never intended to get the other cars... paid me $400 IIRC as a "down payment" and went on to rip off a lot of folks before being "run out" of Dallas.  By the time that I sold the car, I wanted it saved... so that was the only good part to the deal.
> I did keep a few parts from the FM3 GTX... the front bucket seats are in the Superbird, the rear seat in another car, and the 4.10 Dana is under my triple black Charger.
> The car has been owned by six different people since I sold it, and is currently owned by Scott L. in Oklahoma...


Kinda interesting how seemingly separate cars and events tie together... and how I can ramble on about them!    

[xs29j8Bullitt]

Now if I can just talk Allen out of the Daytona before he does a restoration on it. 

Tick, Tick, Tick...  time is running short    ...  The Daytona is now up on jackstands, being measured for a custom made roll-around cart.  The replacement firewall is in-stock, as well as most needed parts for the uni-body frame repair.  Also now in stock are the NOS nose cone and NOS valance, used driver's side fender, rough headlight buckets, nice used 1970 Charger fenders & hood, Etc.

If a Troy-Trade™ deal would occur, then of course the current Daytona would be redundant... 

[xs29j8Bullitt]

Cool start to the story!  

I'll give you every bit of the $3600 paper price...

Thanks Dave... How about a multi car trade for your Daytona?...  2 (or possibly 3) Aero cars for 1!  

I'll even finish waxing the 'Bird...

Oh, NOW you offer 3 cars !!!!      That was my original offer..........

As I recall you wanted 2 Aeros plus a (GASP!) Hemi `Cuda....