1970 superbird for sale/ question

[mcode]

I was under the impression that all superbirds came with the oval style rear end crossmember. Can anyone please explain why this superbird has a circular style rear end crossmember?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=180636941750&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT#ht_500wt_1064

[hemi68charger]

Not sure what you're referring to.. It all looks fine to me.. The chassis of a Superbird is no different than any other b-body other than the obvious aero-mods around the back window and complete front clip...

[LeeBoy]

I was under the impression that all superbirds came with the oval style rear end crossmember. Can anyone please explain why this superbird has a circular style rear end crossmember?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=180636941750&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT#ht_500wt_1064

Are you talking about a Dana rear verses the 8 3/4 rear in this car? Dana's came in Hemi and 440 4 speed cars. 8 3/4 came in 440 auto cars

[Aero426]

The rear X-member behind the bumper on a Bird should have an oval hole.   My understanding is that in the spring of 1969 on B-bodies, the hole changed from round to oval.  

[BigBlockSam]

 

[Aero426]

If that back panel has been replaced with the earlier design, it would account to being different.   Many people may not be aware of the change.

[maxwellwedge]

The rear X-member behind the bumper on a Bird should have an oval hole.   My understanding is that in the spring of 1969 on B-bodies, the hole changed from round to oval.  

True

A12 cars, for example, being later cars should have the oval hole.

[mcode]

Yes, exactly! The rear x member! My question is, why install an incorrect x member on a desirable car?

[Aero426]

I do not think the running change is widely known.   It can be fixed.  Where is Corn Dog when you need him?

[mcode]

You mention it could be fixed. How can we be certain it's not a rebody?

[Aero426]

The incorrect panel is only one piece of the puzzle.  While it needs explanation, a conclusion should not necessarily be drawn from that alone.    If the running change took place in spring of 1969, then it is not likely that a 1970 B-body would be built with the round hole.   So then you would need to see evidence that the car was a 1968 or early 1969 body that has been updated with 1970 quarters and tail panel.    In that scenario, the round hole is not the only cue on the body you would be looking for.

Other factors to consider:
Is the VIN on the Superbird VIN list?  
Are the correct numbers on the rad support and/or trunk rail?
Ownership history - is it a known car?
What documentation exists prior to it being taken apart?
Does it have an original build sheet / fender tag?
Are the other Superbird unibody cues present?

[hemi68charger]

The rear X-member behind the bumper on a Bird should have an oval hole.   My understanding is that in the spring of 1969 on B-bodies, the hole changed from round to oval.  

Wow !!!!!!!

Learn something again !!!!!

[nascarxx29]

http://picclick.com/Plymouth-Road-Runner-180636941750.html

Does it have a fender tag and other numbers like vin decal back of Dr door etc to check the valadity of the car.
B30 J98550 has to be on the fender tag as other known numbers to check out the car origins.A buildsheet shares these numbers
A example of a real superbird fender tag
http://www.collectorcarsforsale.com/parts/Plymouth-1970-Superbird-Fender-Tag-For-Sale_250749628840.html

[nascarxx29]

I cant say for certain if its same car .But on a old post XS29 was at a Don Garlits or Fl mopar show .And there was a white superbird project car for sale
Found the post but different vin white superbird
http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,75091.msg842710.html#msg842710

[daveco]

Fender tag for car in question:

[TiMopar]

As far as I'm aware all the repro cross-members available prior to the AMD available oval hole piece had the round hole. To explain further, I ordered one way back when from Shermans when they first became available for my 70 GTX. When it turned up it had the round hole and I phoned to question them regarding the difference. They didn't know what I was talking about. All the other suppliers asked were equally clue-less. As I had 68 & 69 b-bodies here to compare to, I saw the difference, but was unaware as to why. Someone on here or Moparts provided the answer, being that it was a Federal Safety mandate to prevent the fuel tank neck breaking off in the event of a collision to the rear-side. In the event on my GTX I just used the centre section with the oval hole and fabricated the rest. I don't think personally that it's a big issue on the Bird....

[TiMopar]

I was under the impression that all superbirds came with the oval style rear end crossmember. Can anyone please explain why this superbird has a circular style rear end crossmember?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=180636941750&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT#ht_500wt_1064

Are you talking about a Dana rear verses the 8 3/4 rear in this car? Dana's came in Hemi and 440 4 speed cars. 8 3/4 came in 440 auto cars

I think you'll find 8 3/4's came in Hemi auto cars also unless equipped with an axle package....

[hemi68charger]

I was under the impression that all superbirds came with the oval style rear end crossmember. Can anyone please explain why this superbird has a circular style rear end crossmember?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=180636941750&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT#ht_500wt_1064

Are you talking about a Dana rear verses the 8 3/4 rear in this car? Dana's came in Hemi and 440 4 speed cars. 8 3/4 came in 440 auto cars

I think you'll find 8 3/4's came in Hemi auto cars also unless equipped with an axle package....

That is true.............

[nascarxx29]

[Aero426]

Note that the date of the engineering drawing is dated March 6, 1969.   That is before the change is believed to have taken effect.   

As to the white Bird, it is listed in the club database twice, starting in 1977.    The rear panel appears to have been changed out.  But, I don't really see a reason to suspect a rebody. 

[hemi68charger]

Note that the date of the engineering drawing is dated March 6, 1969.   That is before the change is believed to have taken effect.   

As to the white Bird, it is listed in the club database twice, starting in 1977.    The rear panel appears to have been changed out.  But, I don't really see a reason to suspect a rebody. 

Me neither.. It was probably rusted out like many cars I've seen in the past.....

[nascarxx29]

That area behind bumper is a rust zone.

[WINGIN IT]

The incorrect panel is only one piece of the puzzle.  While it needs explanation, a conclusion should not necessarily be drawn from that alone.    If the running change took place in spring of 1969, then it is not likely that a 1970 B-body would be built with the round hole.   So then you would need to see evidence that the car was a 1968 or early 1969 body that has been updated with 1970 quarters and tail panel.    In that scenario, the round hole is not the only cue on the body you would be looking for.

Other factors to consider:
Is the VIN on the Superbird VIN list?  
Are the correct numbers on the rad support and/or trunk rail?
Ownership history - is it a known car?
What documentation exists prior to it being taken apart?
Does it have an original build sheet / fender tag?
Are the other Superbird unibody cues present?


Did you catch the "hand written" buildsheet?  

[daveco]

In one of the photos there is what looks to be a zip lock bag with the remnants of a build sheet. Maybe the data of the tattered original was entered on a blank for ref?

[Aero426]

Here's an old Polaroid photo of the same car, about 1977.   The owner at the time stated it was an original white car, repainted blue.  You can see it also has a white interior as called out on the fender tag.  It actually was owned about an hour from my home.