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Here are a few pictures taken from one of the Hot Rod Power Tours.  We are on I-40 heading west heading to L.A. to rendezvous at the Petersen museum for the 3 day kick off party. It was nothing but thunderstorms when we left Detroit all the way until St.Louis. We drove on past flagstaff and spent the night in Kingman, AZ.  pic 1

Now entering California!  San Bernardino County, I-15 south of Barstow.  pic 2

Beverly Hills,  Rodeo Dr.  Next stop LA.-LA. land, Wilshire Blvd.    pic 3

Heading to Hot Rod Power Tour. Passing Roswell, Santa Fe and Albuquerque. Starting to see some other classic cars going our way. The semis are always going off the shoulder 1/4 mile ahead. We think they are staring in their mirrors, so we stay back aways to avoid stone chips.

Fun times. Goodland, KS. Quick shot in the morning before another several hundred miles of sightseeing. Good food, good people, good cars.

Cool. were those pics taken in the 90s?

Met Carl from Hot Rod Magazine when he interviewed me when I won the 25th Anniversary award at the Mopar Nationals.  This photo was taken in Denver, CO. while on the Tour '97, after a great day of driving 500 miles thru scenic Utah and the Rocky Mountains.

Yes, all the pictures I am posting here were taken 1995-1996.  I finished my car August of 1995 and went on the Power Tour - April 1996.

This shot is from Mopar Natls 1995.  Car was just done and was very surprised we won.  

Entering St. Louis, Missouri and finally a break in the weather. 10 hours straight of lightning and downpours.   I-70 westbound leaving Illinois.

Las Vegas Speedway and what a beautiful day to put the car on the high banks. Gets the heart racing.

My wife Chrissy and our car and our friend Tracy's car on the Power Tour driving thru the desert.  There are lizards and road runner birds running around everywhere.

great looking car   :drool5: :drool5: :drool5:   and the perfect color ,,hard to believe its a clone you did an amazing job  :2thumbs: :2thumbs:



here is my clone  i'm not bias at all about the color    :smilielol:

 :drool5:  nice Superbird !! awasome pictures ! thanks for sharing  :cheers: :cheers: :2thumbs:

Waiting in line at the drag strip staging lanes - Indy Mopar Nationals 1995. Does anyone have a copy of Action Bobs Video of this event?

Leaving L.A. where the sky is . . . . chocolate milk brown!  Talk about smog, also the traffic BACK THEN was horrendous.  

Leaving Vegas . Drivers meeting 5:30 am this morning and we didn't even get into town until 1:20 am last night. It was 117 degrees when we went through the desert city of Needles, a week earlier.

Shot from overpass , don't know who took it, but they knew it was my car and sent it to us.  pic 1

Yellow bird with airgrabber.  pic 2

Our friend Tracy, who we met on the Power Tour, took this picture in his mirror, from his camaro.  I believe we were clipping along at about 100 mph. We kept switching up which one of us was the lead car.

Yellow Superbird is from Colorado.  It had custom 70 Roadrunner Air Grabber hood.

This was taken downtown Mt. Clemens, MI final day of power tour. Went by quick.

 Zion National Park, southwest Utah. Breathtaking scenery.

Las Vegas Speedway. Don't let the door swing open into the fender. The banking is ALOT steeper than it looks.

This was always one of my favorite pictures - Zion National Park, beautiful

In line at Indy.  Among some fine winged cars. (pic 1)

Rocky Mountains.  The older gentleman in picture with green superbird hat on, liked my car so much he said to me, "You have the car, you should have the hat".  He took it off his head and gave it to me.  I will never forget him or how nice he was. (pic 2)

Those are awesome pictures...   :2thumbs:

Sitting in the driver's seat!!  Entering Illinois. Light sprinkles and a bit cooler. Our destination today is the cruise and show at Hardees in Springfield.

 :cheers: :popcrn: :drool5: :2thumbs:

Quote from: limelightsuperbird on January 29, 2011, 07:04:07 PM
Yellow Superbird joined the tour entering Colorado.  It had custom 70 Roadrunner Air Grabber hood.

cool any picture of the yellow cars air grabber hood  ????

Don't know who took this shot.  Years ago my nephew said he googled my name and superbird and this pic came up.  Go figure!

Another Mopar Nationals shot

East of Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Gas was only $1.17 then.  I couldn't afford to make this trip now.

Entering Colorado with tour, Filler up! pic 1

Cringe worthy shot - stuck in the rain. Heading out of Michigan to start our trip. 7 a.m. and thunderstorms  for the next 3 states.  pic 2 :'( :'( :'(

Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Must have been quite a sight seeing AND hearing the wing cars racing around the tracks in person back in the day.

Superbird riding off in the sunset out west. One of my favorite pics it screams FREEDOM!

Truly a great story and even better pictures - just love it when someone has the nerve to really drive their pride and joy.  I can't tell you how many time I get yelled at for driving mine.  This was a real treat and I know how GREAT it feels to get up everyday for 2 weeks and put the petal to the metal.  AGAIN GREAT STORY.

Quote from: SBBob on January 29, 2011, 11:40:56 PM
Truly a great story and even better pictures - just love it when someone has the nerve to really drive their pride and joy.  I can't tell you how many time I get yelled at for driving mine.  This was a real treat and I know how GREAT it feels to get up everyday for 2 weeks and put the petal to the metal.  AGAIN GREAT STORY.

:yesnod: :yesnod: :yesnod: :yesnod: :yesnod:  great story and fantastic pictures

Thanks.  Glad you enjoy the pics.  I've been reliving them myself.  Haven't looked at them in awhile.  Time sure flies.
This pic is from ST. Ignace

Took these at the '96 Winged Warrior meet in Ann Arbor, Mich. We meet Doug and Carol Croxford. They are very nice and helped us out with a complete bird rear window plug assembly. Still wear the event t-shirt all the time.

Belle Isle. , Detriot River, Detroit, Mich 2002

Here is the first day we took the car to an event. Just happened to be the Mt. Clemens Cruise. Hood was still unpainted in the garage and still in need of rear window stainless. It poured all the way home. :'( :'(

Summer 2000.          

After removing the 440 + six, nows the time to really clean the engine compartment for the big hemi.  I can't believe what a couple of baked lobsters we were from all the shows.   pic 1

This was my wifes first and only engine build. She really had to muster up some muscle to set the crank in and torque the heads. She never had worked on a car before and its running great to this day.    pic 2

Out ran the storm this time.  Wiiiiindy and hail, get it in the bird cage!!!  pic 1

Las Vegas again.  Oh no !  NOT another ticket!
pic 2

Denver, high up in the snow covered mountains.  It was weird seeing skiers from the freeway, in April!  pic 1

Overview shot at Mopar Nats. pic 2, 3, 4

Really great pictures of the road trip and getting them out and reliving the trip.  I do the same about my road trip from Seattle to the 1999 Talledega reunion.  Here are a couple of pictures and we were lucky enough to have video of the trip and I get it out and watch it a least once a year.  Enjoy!  Yo, SBBob

Thank you so much for posting the very cool pics.  I always wanted to go to the reunion myself.  Sooner or later hope to make it down there.  These pics you posted almost brought tears to my eyes, I will be printing these for sure, and putting on my garage walls.  Thanks so much.  Jim  again, WOW :cheers: :cheers: :cheers:

It was truly a great trip - with 6 aero cars every stop was a car show.  It took a year of planning and saving the money to make it happen, but everyone that went said it was one of the highlights of there life.  Hope you get to the next one.  Here are a couple of more pictures.

WOW ! More great pics. I will never get tired of seeing wing cars 24/7!

Eyes on Classic Design car show, Henry Ford Estate, Grosse Pointe, Mi.

Quote from: moparstuart on January 29, 2011, 10:11:17 PM

Quote from: limelightsuperbird on January 29, 2011, 07:04:07 PM
Yellow Superbird joined the tour entering Colorado.  It had custom 70 Roadrunner Air Grabber hood.

cool any picture of the yellow cars air grabber hood  ????

I will see if I have some pics, Jim

At our first judged show, Capac, Mi.

Parade in Novi, Mi.  Tor red superbird was owned by Harold Sullivan, noted hemi mopar collector.

Found better pictures of this retro superbird
http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,34728.0.html

44th Detroit Autorama, Cobo Center: Feb. 16,17,18, 1996.   pic 1



Didn't beat the rain this time. Rust never sleeps.   pic 2

Detroit Renaissance Center appears to be floating on cars roof.  pic 1


Cruisin' in the Bird.  pic 2

Fathers day show 1996

Couple bird shots

Those old pics. are great. Rob.

Pistol grip and stock interior. Sun Tac and oil,temp guages added without drilling holes. CD player w/600 watt amp. and 2,10" subwoofers in the trunk.  

Downtown, Belle Isle, Detroit.  Ambassador Bridge  to Canada in the background.

Mt. Clemens Tour end. This shot from roof of County Building.

Westbound I-40 driving through New Mexico. Hard to believe we were in Amarillo, TX. last night!  pic 1

1994 My old dually and Jim Shermans' superbird. He has owned it since 1976.
He gave me complete access to his bird while I was building mine. pic 2

Having fun with the old cars at Woodward Cruise. We have been to all of them, and actually go cruising there most of the year.  pic 3

mag shots - my proud moments

Woodward shots - double vision

More pics at the park.

Award sponsored and presented by Fine Lines reproduction brake and hydraulic components co. Picture taken thru wing.

Me with Oven Mitt at Woodward.  Pic 1

Superbird corner.   pic 2

Chrysler World Headquarters and Tech Center and museum, Auburn Hills, MI. They had the car on 3rd floor lobby on display thru the winter months 1998. The car is so long it fit in the elevator by less than 2". Todays cars are much shorter! We cruise by here all the time too.

Sighted on Woodward - Topless Daytona!!  pic 1

Sox and Martin, The Boss.  John Pappas- owner.  pic 2

Time for the bird to get a new set of tires. I'm glad they were still making the same ones!  pic 1

I-75  near Chrysler Tech Center.  pic 2

Quote from: limelightsuperbird on January 31, 2011, 09:56:29 PM
Sighted on Woodward - Topless Daytona!!  pic 1

Sox and Martin, The Boss.  John Pappas- owner.  pic 2

We repainted John's Sox's car last year. Also restored his FY1 4sp v-code Superbird years ago. Welcome to the site and a great story! :2thumbs:
Ken
(http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c108/hemityme/MVC-619S.jpg)

Quote from: Hemi_tyme on February 01, 2011, 02:46:15 PM

Quote from: limelightsuperbird on January 31, 2011, 09:56:29 PM
Sighted on Woodward - Topless Daytona!!  pic 1

Sox and Martin, The Boss.  John Pappas- owner.  pic 2

We repainted John's Sox's car last year. Also restored his FY1 4sp v-code Superbird years ago. Welcome to the site and a great story! :2thumbs:
Ken
(http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c108/hemityme/MVC-619S.jpg)

Thanks for letting me know. I will be posting more as I dig'em up, Jim.
Here it is spotted again at Mopar Nats 1995

Again at Nats.

Daytonas, Nats '95

Petty look alike at Nats

This is a reply to MOPARSTUART about yellow Superbird air grabber hood. It is identical to the green hood you posted. Same raised ridge faded into air grabber. Pic was grainy, wouldn't load clearly. I can see it good in person though, Jim

Quote from: limelightsuperbird on February 01, 2011, 09:30:35 PM
Nats daytona '95

That F6 daytona is member John TPR car

Two more things on my bucket list...Hotrod Power Tour and Woodward Dream Cruise in the bird.

Great pics.

We have a great spot for Woodward. Main drag right in the middle of all the action! All wing cars welcome FREE!

Racers at Winged Warrior Meet '96

Kansas City Party ! We are parked near right lower corner of white tent, main isle.   pic 1

Vegas roundy round.  pic 2

Always runnin' to the store !  pic 3

Climing the steep Rocky Mountain grades.   pic 4

1986, St. Ignace, Superbird minus nosecone blackouts!! Gotta love Petty Blue!  pic 1


Orange bird spotted at Car Craft Super Street Meet, National Trail Raceway, Columbus, OH.  1996. Red plymouth next to bird is original hemi car.   pic 2


Blue daytona at Nationals '95. It has license plate on front like bottom car.  pic 3


Same daytona at Woodward years later with different tires?  pic 4

Striking daytona taken at Mopar Nats.  pics taken 8-13-89. To me, the dark tinted rear glass really adds a more stealthy look for sure! I have seen plenty of black ones , this one definitely stands out.

Some more Woodward.

And more!

Recall wheels!   pic 1

440 , 4 speed bench seat car. 1996. Then owned by Harold Sullivan.  pic 2

Jim Shermans' superbird. 440 six pac, auto on column.  pic 3

Local custom silver superbird with airgrabber hood taken at Woodward.  Note chromed body parts/trim including 1/4 panel scoop inserts and tailight bezels.   pic 4

Autorama mid 80's

Quote from: limelightsuperbird on February 01, 2011, 10:19:22 PM
This is a reply to MOPARSTUART about yellow Superbird air grabber hood. It is identical to the green hood you posted. Same raised ridge faded into air grabber. Pic was grainy, wouldn't load clearly. I can see it good in person though, Jim

the green one is the one i built for my car , my original hood had a six pac scoope crudely installed so it had to change , 

my clone was built with real steel superbird parts from a car that was crushed way back in 1979

Quote from: limelightsuperbird on February 02, 2011, 05:09:24 AM
Recall wheels!   pic 1

Local custom superbird with airgrabber hood.  pic 2

440 , 4 speed bench seat car. 1996. Then owned by Harold Sullivan.  pic 3

Jim Shermans' superbird. 440 six pac, auto on column.  pic 4

that is my buddy milt woods  custom superbird with the air grabber , once i saw his car I knew that was how I was going to fix my hole in my hood problem.

Quote from: limelightsuperbird on February 02, 2011, 04:22:18 AM
Striking daytona taken at Mopar Nats.  pics taken 8-13-89

This car lived near me it was a bucket seat column auto
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e67/75414/Texasdaytona-1.jpg)  TheXX29l9B402971 black on red daytona when George H owned it

You did a ton of hard  fab work on that hood  and it looks spectacular. Great job!!  I've done all of my own custom welding too since the late '70's and I'm very impressed with your metalworking skills. Not everyone can pull it off! :2thumbs: :2thumbs:

Also, thanks for the info and pic of black daytona. My motto has always been the more pics and info on these cars the BETTER! Can't get enough, Jim :yesnod: :yesnod: :yesnod: :yesnod: :yesnod:

The black daytona from the nats.The blue daytona with different rims just a guess Dennis Fortins car
The black red car was on ebay and was a orig A4 silver column car.I have its vin and other info I recorded from it.I saw it in Houston TX.It later got sold in 87 in TX .Then it came to the east coast .And I saw it again .And met the guy who had it in NJ  was Pat D had owned it. and sold it to George.Who turned out to be the guy who sold my friend. Bill the white on red on daytona seen in supercars book.his name was George Harrison like the famous beatle  .He had the car in a mopar magazine 80- or 90s wearing PA plates 69 WING XX29L9B402971.When George had it was black with tinted windows centerlines.And after market floor shifter.
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e67/75414/WING_CAR_ARTICLE_10.jpg)

I can't get enough! Thanks so much for the article. I've never seen it. I try to put cars and owners info to memory too. Helps me to get to know all the winger wonders! Thanks again, I am the Birdman :icon_smile_tongue: :laugh: :yesnod: :hah: :hah:

I collect original newspaper dealer selling ads owner to owner car historys pictures magazines etc to document the cars historys :Twocents:

 Your archives must be incredible. I would love to give all that material a good look over.  

Here is the car that sold Me!!! I had grown up seeing it when it would be parked at Direct Connections side lot (now Mancini Racing) riding in the car with my parents. I had only seen 1 before, a yellow bird driving in front of us that quickly turned never to be seen again. I was 11 and just thought some guy had customized a car with a painted wooden wing. I didn't even get to see the rest of the car. All I could remember how tall that wing was and the standing roadrunner bird on the rear quarter extension.  First time I saw it that limegreen superbird I was in aw! At first I said to myself " I can't believe they really make that car". When I saw the front end I really took it in !  Then and there I thought this car is different from any other, looks like it only has 1 purpose- GO FAST! Better than even the ferrari and lambo posters that hung on my  bedroom walls.  I love ALL old cars, but having one of these winged cars surely meant owning it until death. Once old enough to get my license I would routinely drive my '69 caddy convertible up to Direct Connection  to stare at the green bird  and talk about it with owner, Mike Shank. He was always patient with my long line of questions, and would always point out all the special attributes and pieces of his bird. I would always catch up with him at local car shows like Carnival of Cars at the Ford Proving Grounds in Shelby or Freedom Hill Park in Sterling Hgts. Seeing Mikes' bird when he was still here, I always couldn't help but think why did the winged cars sit unsold for so long like he would say..    pics are from these 2 shows, 1986

Carnival of Cars, still '86. Yellow bird has Ontario, Canada front and rear plates. This style bracket mounts low on the nosecone.   pic 1

Whte bird with daytonas.  pic 2

Another yellow bird. Sleepy eyes.  pics 3 + 4

Hope this next bunch of pics really pumps up anyone getting ready to build their wing car. Who's building them?  Near Michigan?  I'm interested.

The following pics are the beginning stages of the buying and build of MY superbird as it happened in 1994-1995.. I was lucky the framerails and inner wheel wells were usable. The rest of the rear sheetmetal was turning back into earth. They didn't make 1 piece trunk floor back in '94, only 2 piece. Painstaking to remove all that bad metal and duplicate spot welds in their original locations. Well worth it though, I can see progress even this early in the build. Finishing the installation of the second quarter panel already. Sooooooo  excited!  Again these are from 1994-1995.  I am these posting to pump everyone up on their  own projects and give bird builders some reference pics.

Here is the day we brought the car home. A guy I used to work with in the early '90s and his brother would cruise the back country roads EVERY weekend in search of classic cars. When he mentioned this to me I told him if he ever ran across a 1970 road runner to let me know. For the next 1-1/2 years he would periodically come in excited of a find. Every time I would say " it has to have a scoop on the 1/4, you better double check". This played out several times, meanwhile I worked on my other classics. Finally the day came, I was handed a piece of paper with a phone number and price...$200. He said he was lucky to have spotted it so far back even with binoculars while his brother took his turn driving. It was 1/2 mile back in a farmers field, No tires and sinking in the ground. I eagerly called back 5 times until I reached the owner and set up a meeting for that same evening. The car was 40 miles away, it would be dark and I didn't know what to expect.. Oh Yea, this will work, This is gonna be MY bird. Hurried up and payed the man. Came back the next day with shovels, 4 tires, a big jack and trailer.

Boy, somebody went to town on the cars interior. Tore up everything, even a softball size hole in the windshield. Some thing besides just mice have been calling its interior home. Now I'll have to save some more money to get this dream car build started. I painted the car yellow just so it wouldn't rust outside while I spend the next few months saving more money and getting my bird kit ordered from Ted Janak. I had researched this years before finding my bird and I knew Ted needed lead time to build the parts for the kit. During this time I will also pick up a 1973 imperial lebaron for its 440 to rebuild and install in the bird. It was hard to not just tear it apart right away, but I had already restored enough cars to know how to have a plan and do it right. "Don't disassemble until your ready to build ", I kept telling myself. So for now I Will order tons of parts from year one , build a six pac motor and find a donor car for a 4 speed transformation. I love it when a plan starts to come together!

Ted called after a few months and said the superbird kit will be ready in about 8-10 more weeks.  I have by now already built the 440 six pac I always wanted with TRW 10.5-1 forged pistons, 509 Mopar purple shaft, hi volume oil pump, double roller timing set, ported 452 heads, lightweight Competition Cams pushrods, brand new six pac setup with aluminum intake Jet Hot coated silver and the hi-po exhaust manifolds Jet Hot coated cast gray. Also installed a Pertronix pickup in the new distributor and Holley fuel pump with all stainless fuel lines to the carbs. It's painted, oil primed and ready to fire. Later, once the car is done I end up ripping apart the stock replacement motor mounts, so I ordered Mighty Mount brand because they claim they can't come apart. Never had a problem again. Here I have started removing the front sheet metal, 318 with m/t valve covers and the interior. This is just the beginning!

really cool read...I just read the thread start to finish.

Quote from: limelightsuperbird on February 04, 2011, 03:39:09 AM
...  I have by now already built the 440 six pac I always wanted with TRW 10.5-1 forged pistons, 509 Mopar purple shaft, hi volume oil pump, double roller timing set, ported 452 heads, ...

Sounds like a killer machine.. Are you running power brakes? Auto? The reason I ask is the .509 Purpleshaft may give you fits with regards to low rpm vacuum production. I know that a stock center carb on a factory duel plenum requires vacuum. Then, you have the booster (if you're running power brakes) and the headlamp buckets require it to stay closed. I had a '70 six pack Charger R/T once in which I put a .484 purpleshaft and I had problems with the brakes and adjusting the center carb. Sure, things can be modified here, then there, etc...

Good luck on the build.........

When I built this car back in 1994 I knew the 509 mopar cam might make low vacuum. I figured if I had any trouble with the power brakes I would add a reserve vacuum can either in the nosecone or up in the dash so it would be out of sight. I really only would lose power brakes if I pushed the pedal many times within a few seconds in dead stop traffic. Never while any speed over a crawl. I had only lost power three or four times in the six years that motor was in the bird. It never happened enough to make me add the can, but I always told others to be aware when they drove it because you would have to be ready for it. I am quick and when it would happen I was always ready. I ran my idle a little higher than stock since it was a stick. From the first day I got it running and adjusted the carbs I never had to touch them again. I added a vac. reserve can to my tubbed regal back in 1991 that I still own. It has a Kenne Bell stage v 468 C.I. and it cured the problem on that car very well, and it had it bad. Any more question please ask. Here are more pics continuing my build.  I would also like to add at this time I am a 1 man Resoration shop since I was 14 years old. It is how I earn a living, not just a hobby. That first car was a white 1965 mustang convertible, white with red top and interior. I'm 100% self taught and the only work outsourced is engine block machining and chrome plating. Everything else is done by me, EVERYTHING.

Sand, sand everywhere! And spraying self etching primer. Sometimes it seems like sandblasting is the longest part. Kind of like teaching myself to load, crop, resize, and post. All part of the learning curve. Don't be afraid to learn something new. I try to learn new things everyday.

 :scope:  :drool5: awesome pictures  guys !! thanks for posting  :cheers: :cheers:   :yesnod: love looking at this stuff  :yesnod: :popcrn:

Thank YOU for looking.  I'll be posting all of the build pictures shortly, up until we went on the Hot Rod Power Tour, for now.  Many more to come.  I've never shared these pictures before and had I thought about it before hand, I would have posted these pictures FIRST, before the finished project.  Don't want to confuse anyone, thinking I am restoring the bird now.  Although, I do have a car I've been thinking about cloning too. 

For anyone reading this thread, if you happen to have any pics of superbirds with wacky, wild paint schemes , please post them for me.

Thanks again for the comments :cheers: :cheers: :cheers:

Here is a pic of the motor already done waiting to go in. It's gonna sit on the stand for several months until all the welding and painting is done. The other three pics show some of the factory markings I found during disassembly. The bottom cowl shot shows a HUGE run, with a white crayon line swiped across it. Hard to see it because of the shadowing. You can also see it in the earlier engine compartment shot. Does anyone know what the door markings mean?

More sandblasting and priming.

Original tire decal and lots of bondo. I have to finish gutting the inner firewall and weld in a trans hump from  a rusted out hemi orange 383 road runner. Everywhere I grind more I find bondo. Time to slice and dice. Replacement panels are from Sherman replacement parts ( Jim has had his superbird since 1976).

Drivers side engine compartment sandblasted. Cut off the 1/4 panels and getting ready to install the trunk floor. Passenger door sandblasted ready for primer.

Work, work, workin' on the trunk floor. Getting it welded in along with spare tire and jack holdown brackets. It's a little cramped in there when grinding. Applying filler to the car for the first time. Getting into some bodywork now!

Now the trunk floor is sanded and primed. More sandblasting continues on door jambs and any areas I can access with the 1/4's off.  Doors and jambs now get a coat of self etching primer.

 Always great to see a before cars starting point and work progession tilll show ready. :2thumbs: :2thumbs: on your build

The level of workmanship is something to admire.

Thanks again nascarxx29! I agree with you and hope to view start to finish pics of yours and others builds and restorations. You don't usually get to see the whole effort that much in detail. Here I have just finished welding the pass. 1/4 on and starting to do some grinding. Welding up the tail panel trim holes too. This is also when I notice how small the rear tire looks. I decide to cut the rims in half and weld in a 2" strip of steel to widen them on the backside. This will offset them too far inboard so I fab 1" buillit aluminum spacers from scratch. Now the wheels are centered between the framerail and wheel well opening and I fit 275-60-15's in there. I had to change the rear wheel studs to long racing style ones because the stock ones were now too short. Then I cut some off them to the length I needed. Stock looking lug nuts fabbed from stainless steel hex stock finish them up. Seems like a lot of work just to use the stock trim ring and not alter the face of the wheel but I am glad I did it.

 Here the left side trunk floor extension and outer wheel well are welded in. Next comes some cutting and a lot trimming to test fit the new 1/4... then the wheel well is welded up. Notice how straight the leafsprings are. I will put super stock springs on it when I assemble it.

Now I can test fit the set of fenders and the hood I will later modify like Creative Industries did back in the day. The passenger 1/4 is primed now and I'm also test fitting a second set of fenders I have. Welding up more trim holes too.

In the top two pics I have sandblasted and primed the trunk jamb, underside of trunk, roof and rear window channel The window channel  will of course require some welding repairs. Next on to dropping the rear axle and suspension to finish sandblasting the underside. Wrapping up the metal work on the driver side 1/4 panel in bottom pic. Does anyone know what the axle markings represent?

Test fitting the 1/4 extensions and tail light bezels and finish work on the lower rear tail panel in first pic. Third pic down shows the right front corner push in. I weld on lengths of chain and pull in back out, then lots of hammer and dolly work to get it straight. Bottom pic shows rear end and k frame with suspension. Manual drum brakes will be upgraded to power disc plus a complete rebuild of the  suspension with urethane parts. I will rebuild the original 318 steering box because the pressure spring inside it gives good road feel, compared to boxes from cars with larger engines. I will also use 318 car torsion bars for a smoother ride than the thicker big block ones.

These 4 pics show the undercarriage primered and ready for paint. :icon_smile_big: Now onto smoothing the 1/4's and doors.

First is a shot of the bare front subframe in primer. Next some shots making huge strides in getting the bodywork done. More priming, more sanding. It's getting straight now.

The doors and 1/4's are super straight now. Time to modify the front fenders as was originally done by Creative. Then I sandblasted them inside and out and got 'em mounted. It's really coming along now.

The pics I have posted since the bodywork has begun were all taken at my brother in laws' garage. He was very nice in letting me use his garage for a month to get the car ready for paint. At the time my wife and I were waiting to move into our first and only house with huge pole barn. Most buy a house for the house. In our case we got lucky and bought our house for the pole barn. Just so happened the house was nice too. All work done to the car prior to the bodywork was done in a 1 car garage.  In the bottom pics it's obvious the Ted Janak superbird kit has arrived. The parts are perfectly made and his fiberglass gelcoat only required some normal quick 600 sanding prep just to make the paint stick. Because of that this part of the build is SPEEDING along!

Now is the funnest time of the build. The nosecone and extensions fit perfect. Here I am building up the tops of the fenders with fiberglass to match the contour of the nose. You can see in the second pic where I painted black to show how much height was needed to get it right on. A great friend of mine I've know for 16 years grew up in the house right next to Creative Industries and saw all of the daytonas and superbirds as they were built there. One of my favorite story's is how Creative had very little storage space and all of the neighbors were quite upset for 2 years having the wing cars in various stages of completion parked up and down both sides of their street and also the other neighboring ones. His stories of all the trash nosecones and wings are bummers for me. You wouldn't believe how many daytona hoods, etc. they would stuff in the dumpster! I will get his pictures and post them later on. Attention to detail NOW makes for a much better fit and finish than ones built there.  In the bottom pics I have the trunk lid off to repair the trunk gutter, and then reinstalled with it's last coat of freshly sprayed primer.

Top pic shows the hood under construction next to the Janak extension. Now that the front fenders are done I am excited to start painting the interior in the next three shots. Awesome!!!!   Janak windshield wind deflector can bee seen in bottom pic.

Next I paint the undercarriage. Helps to use goggles with pull off sheets.  And in the bottom pic I have removed the front fenders to paint the backside. Lots of progress !

Here I have painted the front sub frame and engine compartment.  Bottom shows front fenders reinstalled for the last time, they will not be coming back off! You can see the hood has been completed and is to the right of the bird.

The top pic shows some last minute priming and sanding before painting the exterior body. The bottom 3 pics were taken at 11:00 p.m. on Christmas eve. I transported the bird to a larger building to spray it. Having a lot of room and heat will make it a joy.  It takes about 2 hours to tape it all up to avoid any overspray. I apply the first coat of paint at 1:30 a.m. Christmas morning! I built the trailer back in 1986 and still use it all the time.

Top pic is the last one I have before painting it. Finished spraying about 8:00 a.m. Christmas morning 1994. Then I went home to get some sleep. The bottom three pics were taken at 10:00 p.m. Christmas evening.  Now on to some assembly and painting the wing, rear window plug and the rest of the body parts.  

Incredible thread. I LOVE IT!!!!!!!    :cheers:

Thanks, Steve.  I have more to post so enjoy!  I would very much like to see your pics too.    :icon_smile_big:

I am also enjoyong your thread! If you want to see the pics of my clone build you will need to click this link:


http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,59899.0.html

hahahahahaa....  Sorry to say, but there are NO PICS of my restoration as it has yet to happen..  :shruggy:  One day..... I have 4 grandsons so I figure the day will happen....

With a lot of wet sanding and polishing it really shines. First I carefully apply the nosecone decals and front rub strip. I have ordered most everything new from Year One.  Next come the PLYMOUTH call outs on the rear quarters. Then I install the rear bumper, trunk lid ROAD RUNNER emblems and the tail panel PLYMOUTH letters. Boy, the hours just fly by!

Having fun putting it together. Now the rear axle, super stock springs with urethane bushings and shocks are installed, along with the emergency brake cables, stainless steel fuel and brake lines, dual exhaust hanger bracket and pinion and axle bumpers. Testing fit of the exhaust tips in bottom pic. I Have moved the axle 2" forward to slightly shorten the wheel base and adding a rear sway bar.

Now you can see the k frame and front suspension are installed. I have converted it over to power disc brakes and also installed a few items in the engine compartment. In the bottom pic I am checking the clearance between the rim and caliper and steering lock to lock.

Next I paint the rest of the parts like side scoop bezels and the rear window plug plus lower corner diamond trim pieces. Soon I'll be drilling holes to install the fender scoops. But it looks like more wet sanding for now. Whew!

In the engine compartment I start with the brake lines, then wiring, throttle linkage and a few other items. Next comes the wiper motor and wiper linkage. Then the dash along with the heater core, brake booster and steering column. I will install the brake line distribution block as soon as I finish test fitting the latch tray. Then I'll paint the roof black.

The roof is painted and I have stretched the vinyl top over it to let the wrinkles settle out for a few days. You can see the hood pins and cables are installed. The antenna and front turn signals are also. It is looking more complete by the day!

Spring is in the air! First time the car gets outside. There is a warm breeze and I have to chip a few inches of ice off the driveway a good 4' out just to swing the garage doors open. Even though I am tired I still muster the strength to push it halfway up the driveway. I quickly throw an extra control arm behind the rear tire to keep it from rolling back. As I stand there I catching my breath I can't stop staring at it in the warm, bright sunlight.  O. K., enough of THAT! Gotta get the rear window plug and vinyl top installed. Still a lot more to do and I have to get it back down the driveway by myself.

~~~~~ SWEET ~~~~~    :drool5:

 Thanks A LOT Steve!  Glad your getting some enjoyment out of these.  Now that I've installed the fender scoops, lower fender extentions, rear marker lights and tail lights I get the window plug and vinyl top on. Then I painted the interior door shells, put in the rear 1/4 windows, headliner, pedals and carpet. Testing out the electrical system now. Road Runner decal is quite reflective.

 :2thumbs: :2thumbs: Alot of those conversion steps you did on your own with tremondous results.So many of them are still familar to me.From helping out on my friends superbird convertible.Changing out the rear tail light harness as satellite bulb sockets to long for the RR lights .Tried to keep the original instrument dash cluster frame and change over to rallye. I do Mechanical and electrical rewiring .Another friend did the metal work. There was plans to do another Superbird conv with this yellow car.But never happened .The original FM3 Moulin Rouge AKA Panther pink Satelitte ragtop to Superbird we had at nats and carlisle.
(http://i975.photobucket.com/albums/ae240/Wingcars69/101_1902.jpg)

This is a friends car a orig FM3 70 satelitte conv. I helped out on the build in the 90-s .It has all real genuine parts from a parted out superbird I located for him.It has in it the rallye dash 440-6 pack and dana 60 both jacks etc.

(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e67/75414/pinkconvertible-2.jpg)

Thanks nascarxx29!  Making some time to post these and while doing so I kept having flash backs of each and every step, even all the ones I never took pictures of. I am surprised my memory is not fading in the least bit, and it made writing the text very easy. Each one of these pics puts me standing there that day in that moment. It's suprising how much they put you back in touch with yourself too.  I'm gonna look at them a lot more now, And I suggest you look at yours a lot more if you don't already. Glad your getting something out of these and I look forward to seeing yourself and others this summer at some events. Maybe even Woodward Cruise if any can make it!

That convertible is awesome! They are so different looking with the top down and I think a lot more fun to drive. I have never been lucky enough to own a convertible mopar before, but if I had my top would go down too! Love it, Love it, Love it!!!!! :cheers: :2thumbs: :2thumbs:

I know it takes time to dig up pics and post, but if you have more I would love to see them same as my own. I will be posting more pics, hope you do,  Jim

In 1995 I rented a larger garage since we were temporarily living in an apartment for a couple months until the current owners move out of the house we purchased. Can't wait to finally have a little bigger space to work in! Till then I'll keep getting this project finished. I don't want to trailer it to the new home. I have just installed the vinyl top and have some masking tape holding the front edge until the adhesive dries overnight. I have also completed the nosecone assembly. Picked up an NOS passenger side mirror for $220. I add one to all of my cars that didn't originally come with one. Now for the engine and windshield.

So glad we met my brother. .small world. .also helps living an hour from the motor city

Great thread!!! Love to watch the progress, thanks
Bob

He hasn't been on here in 7 years..  :shruggy:

Quote from: birdsandbees on March 30, 2018, 09:17:46 PM
He hasn't been on here in 7 years..  :shruggy:

We cruise together in Southern Ontario & Michigan! He's more on groups on FB etc now..He's a great guy!

Never will forget buying a superbird in TX and fueling up for drive back to NJ.Back in 79 80s no cell phone just gas and go for 24 plus hours for 1500 miles.And made it with no major breakdowns