Sam Posey’s Mother’s 1970 Plymouth Superbird Heads To Auction

When it comes to Mopar muscle, few cars carry as much mystique as the 1970 Plymouth Superbird. Built for NASCAR glory and offered only for one model year, the winged warrior quickly became a legend on both the track and the street. Now, one very special example—originally purchased in June 1971 by Mary J.P. Moore, the mother of racing driver and broadcast journalist Sam Posey—is crossing the block on BringATrailer.com. Bidding wraps up Thursday, September 4, at 1:05 p.m. EDT.

A Family Connection To Racing Heritage – 

Mary Moore purchased the Vitamin C Orange Superbird as a lightly used car near Pawling, New York, and kept it in her care until her passing in 2010. During that time, the car became an integral part of the Posey family’s story. After her death, Sam Posey sold the car to its current owner and his late brother. That handoff was even captured in photos showing Posey exchanging keys, adding another layer of provenance to an already significant piece of muscle car history.

This Superbird didn’t just live in the garage—it has been celebrated in the hobby. It appeared in Hemmings Muscle Machines (July 2005), Hagerty Classic Cars (2014), and Mopar Action (2019), often spotlighted with Posey himself featured alongside it. For collectors, that kind of documented press coverage is nearly as valuable as the fender tag.

Built For NASCAR, Sold To The Streets –

Chrysler engineered the Superbird specifically for NASCAR homologation, requiring about 2,000 street cars to qualify. With its pointed aerodynamic nose cone, 24-inch rear wing, fender vents, and cartoon Road Runner graphics, the car was both outrageous and effective. On the track, drivers like Richard Petty proved its worth. On the street, it turned every head.

This particular car rolled out of the Lynch Road Assembly Plant in Detroit finished in high-impact Vitamin C Orange (EK2) with a black vinyl roof. It wears black nose-cone graphics, white “Plymouth” quarter-panel script, hood pins, and simulated rear scoops. A remote driver’s mirror, flip-up headlights, and chrome dual exhaust tips add to the factory flair.

Muscle Under The Hood –

Underneath the hood sits a 7.2-liter (440 cubic-inch) Super Commando V8 with a four-barrel carburetor. From the factory, it was rated at 375 horsepower and 480 lb-ft of torque. The big-block is paired with a four-speed manual transmission and Dana 60 rear axle with 3.54:1 gears, making this one of the more desirable Superbird setups. A Hurst pistol-grip shifter puts control right in the driver’s hand.

The drivetrain is complemented by power steering and power-assisted front disc brakes, both welcome options for a car that measures over 18 feet in length. Rallye 15-inch wheels are wrapped in period-correct Goodyear Polyglas GT tires, completing the muscle-era look.

Inside The Cockpit – 

The interior remains true to its day-one configuration: black vinyl bucket seats up front, a matching rear bench, and coordinated door panels. The dash houses a 150-mph speedometer, factory gauges, and the famous “tic-toc” tachometer with integrated clock. The Road Runner “Beep Beep!” horn button is a reminder that this is still, at its core, a Plymouth Road Runner—just taken to NASCAR extremes.

Other factory touches include Chrysler’s Solid State AM radio, lap belts with shoulder straps, and rubber floor mats. The odometer shows just 29,000 miles, with the seller noting that Mary Moore put fewer than 8,000 miles on the car during her long ownership.

Refreshed, Not Restored – 

Around 2011, the car was carefully disassembled and refreshed. The work included refinishing the nose cone, refurbishing headlight assemblies, replacing the carpeting, and sprucing up the engine bay. The seller is including a binder full of photos documenting the process, alongside the factory broadcast sheet, inspection reports from the 1980s and 1990s, and various period service records. Importantly, the car will also come with its Connecticut registration, marked as an antique.

A Superbird With A Story –

Among the 1,920 Superbirds built, this example stands out. Its condition, documentation, and family connection to Sam Posey give it a unique place in Mopar history. Add in published magazine features, low mileage, and desirable equipment, and you have a car that appeals to collectors, historians, and hardcore muscle car fans alike.

As the auction clock ticks down, bidders will be vying for more than just another winged warrior. They’ll be fighting for a piece of racing heritage tied to one of America’s most respected drivers and commentators.

If you’re looking to own one of the most iconic Mopars ever produced—and one with a personal link to the Posey racing family—this Vitamin C Superbird might just be the ultimate catch.

1970 Plymouth Superbird 440 Image Gallery: