Modern day Superbird

[ACUDANUT]

http://www.digitaltrends.com/cars/modern-day-plymouth-superbird-yep-194-mph/?utm_source=o1&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=o1gallery

[ACUDANUT]

Why not call it a Modern day Daytona ?

[Ponch ®]

Ive seen that car in person and have met some of the people involved in building it. I appreciate all the work that went into it and all that, but I personally don't get the whole concept of emulating something that was entirely different. Beyond that, the horsepower is impressive but the very same shop builds "normal" (ie without wacky body work) Challengers, 300s, Chargers, Mustangs with similar numbers all the time.

By the way, that car was stolen last year from the shop that does most of the work. They found it a few weeks later stripped. It was all over the internet (facebook, jalopnik, etc). Last I heard It was getting rebuilt. I'm in no way, shape or form, implying anything, but the free publicity the shop got out of it was nifty.

[Spitz]

Ponch, I'm with you, I can't stand the looks of these new "Superbirds" The ratios are off and they scream poser.

[Ponch ®]

Ponch, I'm with you, I can't stand the looks of these new "Superbirds" The ratios are off and they scream poser.

same deal with the 'cuda conversions also being done to the new Challengers. It is not and will never be a 'cuda or superbird. Be happy with what you own.

Mind you, the same crowd that gets all worked up and excited over wannabe cars like these is generally the very same crowd that thinks putting a HEMI or SRT badge on a lower trim car (ie on a V6 or a run of the mill 5.7, respectively) is a crime that should be punishable by death.

[myk]

HIDEOUS.  They riced out a Challenger and they somehow think that's a great thing...

[1974dodgecharger]

No history involved with this car why would they think its special.....buy one of these thinking it will increase in value over time u will lose....

[Spitz]

Yes Ponch, you are right on the money, be happy with what you own.

myk, Ricing out a Challenger is a good way to lose value on that car

1974Dodgecharger if they really think these new "superbirds" will increase in value they're in a dream world. I might suggest the looks may hurt their resale.

[Mike DC]

Wing cars aren't big sellers to the general public.   Not 45 years ago, not now. 

[1974dodgecharger]

Wing cars aren't big sellers to the general public.   Not 45 years ago, not now. 

yup, imagine when all the baby boomers all DIE OFF who grew up with the wingbird these cars will then be rotted away in some garage where the great great grandson will see it and then put to the crusher due to decreased value of them....

[kab69440]

I think the Cuda conversions look awesome. I'd take one of those.

[Spitz]

I have to say that I don't believe the winged cars are going to die off, I have kids coming up to my superbird and bowing before it and chasing me down the street, they all know exactly what it is. Some are in totally awe. Neighborhood kids will knock on the door and ask to see it. The winged cars are in the history books and IMHO will stay there.
Spitz

[DrHemi]

Not a fan of the headlights. Proportions look odd too

[1974dodgecharger]

I have to say that I don't believe the winged cars are going to die off, I have kids coming up to my superbird and bowing before it and chasing me down the street, they all know exactly what it is. Some are in totally awe. Neighborhood kids will knock on the door and ask to see it. The winged cars are in the history books and IMHO will stay there.
Spitz

Is that because of fast and furious,,,,because no kid knew anything about wings except on a civic until then.......


As with anything kid wise, kids like so,etching because recent media not because they have history with it.....

[Mike DC]

Hey, I got into Chargers because of "Dukes."  Today I know the whole story of the wing car program. 

[wingcar]

Back in the day my Superbird was used as my daily driver.  I can't tell you how many owners of brand X (and some Mopar owners as well) would point and laugh, but I didn't care because I thought the car looked cool, even if it was a bit over the top for the street.   I appreciated the history behind the car, and the fact that I was a pilot gave me an understanding of the aero dynamics involved in the design.   Best thing is that I got to enjoy the car before they became to value to drive on the road full time.  My Bird saw a lot of road trips and cruise nights, and I enjoyed every minute of being behind the wheel.   But, even back then I realized that the Superbird and Daytona were niche cars and not everyone would care for them.  It's always been that way...sure many collectors would like one do to their unique looks and low production figures, but for them it's all about the dollar value and not the car itself.  Most wingcars have become much like that book on Shakespeare you have on your shelf...it makes you look good to own it, but when was the last time you actually opened it up and read it?  (And, for that matter when was the last time most wingcars were "opened up"?)
   
When I first saw the Challenger wingcar I thought it was pretty nice overall....and still do.  However, I think the car looks good in some colors and not so good in others.  The rear wing looks a bit larger than it needed to be but I could live with it as is.  The nose on the other hand I believe needs a little redesign.  I would square off the corners of the nose and get rid of that point in the middle.  Basically follow the dimensions of the original wingcars.   It would make the whole assembly look better in my opinion.  (Many would say there is nothing you could do to make the wingcar nose look good).  I have seen the cars in person at SEMA and feel that HPP did a credible job overall.  Would I own one...more than likely not.   It's not for everyone, but then it was never intended for the masses...just as the originals were never intended to be appealing to everyone back in 1969 and 70.   

[Ponch ®]

What I don't get is that these aren't really "kids" who are trying to emulate something they saw in a movie. These are generally well established guys with with a lot $.

Maybe it's just me, but if I had $200K to spend on a car and really wanted a Daytona or Superbird, I'd just buy a real one. Or if you want something super fast and with creature comforts, you could still have a pretty decent resto-mod/pro-touring clone built for that kind of money (along the lines of what was on the FF6 movie).

I get the whole "uniqueness" factor of the modern Challengebird / Cudallenger, but I guess I am sort of a purist when it comes that type of thing.

[wingcar]

Just because you can doesn't mean its a good choice....
(this maybe photo shopped...look at the scoops on the front fenders...)
Either way, it's much the same as people painting cars other than Chargers like the General Lee.

[Ponch ®]

Either way, it's much the same as people painting cars other than Chargers like the General Lee.

There you go.

then they're like "oh but at least its a Dodge". So was the Aries, but no one (in their right mind, at least) is building Gen Lees / Superbird "tributes" with them...

[Stevearino]

I agree with Wingcar that it wasn't wrong to try to do this but that a little more effort should have been made to get the proportions correct. The wing is way taller than it needs to be and the best part of the original design of the Superbird nose is lost because it sweeps up instead of rolling down like the original. Makes the front look stumpy and fat. The design just needs a little TLC.