Why were all SuperBirds built before January 1 1970?

[learical1]

"At the peak of the SuperBird manufacturing process, more than 50 cars per day were being completed to meet Plymouth's January 1 deadline- the date that a new, restrictive government headlight ruling was to take effect." (italics added)
Frank Moriarty, Supercars, The Story of the Dodge Charger Daytona and Plymouth SuperBird, Chapter "Wild in the Streets".

Alright, now we're getting somewhere.  Anybody have a contact for Frank Moriarty?

[learical1]

OK, I found an email address for him, and wrote to ask him if he knows any more on the topic.  Let's hope he answers.

[Redbird]

Bruce, nice thoughts on why Superbirds were completed by a date certain. When you look at the 1920 list I think it is interesting that production ramped up, the first days they were learning how to put cars together before they got to full production. I had posted this last year:

New found Superbird production information
« on: July 06, 2009, 09:28:50 PM » Quote Modify  

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The www.aerowarriors.com/new.html page has a lot of new found information on Superbird production.

The 10/21/69 minutes item #9 says there will be 5 pilot cars and 1 body in white at that time. The NASCAR 1920 serial # list (available from the Daytona Superbird auto club) shows 5 cars delivered 10/17, 10/24 and 10/29. All the later cars on the 1920 list come in larger groups. My thought is that the 5 cars could have been the pilot cars. Brennan Cook has just sorted the 1920 list on dodgecharger.com (aero cars). He has identified RM23?OA149855, the potential 5th car built in serial # to be possible. A thought would be that could have been the BIW car (I know BIW cars didn't have serial #'s) but it would have the modifications started.

The 10/30/69 meeting minutes. Item #3)a) says there was interference between the air cleaner and hood (question here why would this happen if the '70 Coronets already worked since the back of the Coronet hood was used for the Superbird?) First 22 parts to be reworked.

Item #3)f) A pillar moulding fit problems. First 160 sets to be reworked. (note: I have one of the first 130 cars plus a mid production car and 1 set of parts counter mouldings from 1977, 3 sets of mouldings. The 3 passenger sets are identical, the early driver one has differences)

Item 3)g) the first 31 hood character lines different those hoods to be used.

Items 3)a&b) first 100 valances to be used but need changes.

Item 7) 5 tools and gages missing (David Patik I believe called them fixtures) So on the early cars were some things hand drilled and fitted?

Item 2) first 500 cars had late show up of decals (wing, nose or quarter?) Where were these cars fitted with decals in a field? (from the memo it doesn't look like the dealers put them on)

11/13/69 minutes. 1)on schedule 2)Decals stop and go shipments-overtime 4)defects-especially scoops (again my thought is what do we see on early cars?).

11/13/69 Milestones Memo there was a proposed Belvedere Body in White to Creative proposed 9/10-actual 9/15. From the Nascar 1920 list the 1st. Superbird was received at Clairpointe 10/17. So these are probably not the same cars. Was the process to send a car to Creative before the pilot cars to fit things?

Same 11/13/69 Milestones Memo says the first production cars were shipped to Clairpointe 11/13. The NASCAR 1920 list shows car #6 shipped to Clairpointe 11/3. I believe this reinforces that the first 5 cars were pilot cars.


After reading this info I think it would be very interesting to look at the very early cars, especially 1-5,1-22,1-31,1-160 to see what was different from the later cars, and especially to have the early car owners look at their cars.

[nascarxx29]

I met Frank Moriarty and got my copies signed sometime ago .He still maybe in NJ.I think the town was Somerdale

[learical1]

Here's my email to Frank Moriarty:

Mr. Moriarty,

In you book Supercars, The Story of the Dodge Charger Daytona and Plymouth SuperBird, you stated that all the SuperBirds had to be completed before January 1, 1970 because of a new government headlamp regulation.  Do you know what headlamp regulation was introduced or modified that went into effect on that date that pertains to the SuperBird?  Would it possibly have anything to do with the concealment of headlamps?  If you have the time, please refer to the following thread on dodgecharger.com:

http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,71811.0.html

(I'm learical1)

Anything you can add to the subject would be appreciated.  Thank you for your time. 

Sincerely,

Bruce Lear



And here's his response:
Hi there Bruce -

Hmmmm, let's see - sadly, I think you're asking this question a few years too late. I am certain I was told this by someone (as opposed to making it up!), but cannot recall exactly by who. And it may have been a case where, when I was told this, it was in the midst of some production problem story and we never got around to circling back to ask, "Exactly what was this headlight mandate?" I am guessing this info came from Larry Rathgeb, but that is just a guess.

If I can recall this in greater detail or come across something in the files to shed more light, I'll be sure to pass it along.

I did review the message thread you referred to, and my suspicion would be in the neighborhood of yours, that the regulation had to do with the concealment mechanism.

I am also going to forward this message to a friend/Daytona-owner who knows as much - actually, probably quite a bit more - than I do about this realm, so if anything interesting comes from that I'll be sure to pass it along.

Sorry I can't be more definitive...

Cheers -

Frank

[68pplcharger]

 

[nascarxx29]

Frank might be refering to his daytona friend Paul Kaufmann very well known daytona owner.On another note would the superbird engineering manual for the superbird have any or additional info on headlight requirements .Another place I recall 70 mandated dated headlight info was on the 70 daytona discussion existence

[moparstuart]

Frank might be refering to his daytona friend Paul Kaufmann very well known daytona owner.On another note would the superbird engineering manual for the superbird have any or additional info on headlight requirements .Another place I recall 70 mandated dated headlight info was on the 70 daytona discussion existence

that also goes back to the bumper issue and why the water melon car had a tube bumper  ?
  for 70

[nascarxx29]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plymouth_Superbird
. Due to increasing emissions regulations, combined with insurance hikes for high performance cars, 1970 would be its only production year.Also came across this on 1970 federal safety regs for headlights
http://www.nhtsa.gov/cars/rules/import/fmvss/index.html#SN108

Standard No. 108 - Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment - Passenger Cars, Multipurpose Passenger Vehicles, Trucks, Buses, Trailers, (except pole trailers and trailer converter dollies), and Motorcycles (Effective 1-1-68 for vehicles 2,032 mrn (80 or more inches) in width and Effective 1-1-69 for all other vehicles)
This standard specifies requirements for original and replacement lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment. Its purpose is to reduce traffic crashes and deaths and injuries resulting from traffic crashes, by providing adequate illumination of the roadway, and by enhancing the conspicuity of motor vehicles on the public roads so that their presence is perceived and their signals understood, both in daylight and in darkness or other conditions of reduced visibility

This standard Fmvss 108 did affect affect chrysler cars.If it played a part on the superbird and its timeline restraints??
http://www.allpar.com/model/charger-sidelights.html

[learical1]

This standard Fmvss 108 did affect affect chrysler cars.If it played a part on the superbird and its timeline restraints??
http://www.allpar.com/model/charger-sidelights.html

FMVSS 108 and it's effects on Chrysler's is in the side marker lamps.  68 style round side marker lamps have no reflectors, 69 side markers have reflectors but no illumination.  70's have both.   The SuperBird met this standard.

[Aero426]

By coincidence, Larry Rathgeb called the other night and I asked him the question about the cars being done by January 1st.    He did not remember a headlight law, but mentioned the possibility of a bumper law.   However, it was clear he had not thought about this for a long time.    My opinion is this was more of an issue the product planning people would have been responsible product planning issue, where Larry was on the "making race cars go fast" side. 

[nascarxx29]

Some parts of the Federal 108 vehicle safety standards pertained to headlights .Looking for the 1970 bumper regulation standards and timeline .I recall many states lke Maryland and others couldnt sell the superbird lack of no front bumper.

http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/cfr_2004/octqtr/49cfr571.108.htm section /page 240
And 1970 required to take a 5MPH crash test

In the early 1970's, there was a standard for bumpers to be able to
withstand an impact into a barrier at 5 mph without sustaining
damage. This requirement was dropped in 1975 and was replaced with
the current Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 581.1 -
581.7 - Bumper Standards.

[learical1]

The 5 MPH bumper standard for the front bumper went into effect for 1973, the rear for 1974.  If you ever get confused, remember what year 3rd generation Chargers have the big-ass bumper guards.

[nascarxx29]

I had a 74 Rallye Challenger with those big rubber bumper guards.And recall seeing them on 72 Challenger . With other Chrysler cars and Other brand makes .They had front bumpers.Both the aero cars
69-70 someway go away with it no front bumpers.The 70 superbird rubber bumper strip across the nose might yield damage from a shopping cart but a 5MPH crashtest .When I had owned Corvette Stingrays the front chrome bumper didnt disappear off the front of the car until 73 .Then it had the energy absorbing type front bumper 73 74 - And this seems to be saying that it was ineffect in early 70s and dropped in later years?
 http://www.insurorsservicebureau.com/ISB%20technical/Bumpers_.pdf

[learical1]

I distinctly remember GM having commercials for their 1972 full size cars, pushing the fact that they had 5 mph bumpers 1 year before the government mandated all cars to have them.  72 Challengers should not have the big bumper guards, that started in 73.  The rub strip on the nose of the 'Bird may have been Plymouth's attempt at a 'front bumper' to get around the various state's laws.

[nascarxx29]

The 72 had bumper guards chrome and rubber bumper strip as seen on page 196-198. I believe they were optional.The bigger massive rubber one were on the 73 -74
http://books.google.com/books?id=-Nq_KTNYEEEC&pg=PA203&lpg=PA203&dq=72+challenger+front+bumper+guards&source=bl&ots=HgSGeYTETo&sig=ztpLz3kziFJ1by0m2_punEEYKRw&hl=en&ei=aLpUTPT6PIH88AbL58SxBA&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=7&ved=0CEUQ6AEwBg#v=onepage&q&f=false

[learical1]

Let's try this:  72 Corvette tiny chrome front and rear bumpers

http://www.google.com/images?q=1972%20corvette&oe=utf-8&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a&um=1&ie=UTF-8&source=og&sa=N&hl=en&tab=wi&biw=1272&bih=821

73 Corvette rubber 5 mph front bumper, tiny chrome rear bumpers

http://www.google.com/images?um=1&hl=en&safe=off&client=firefox-a&rls=org.mozilla%3Aen-US%3Aofficial&biw=1272&bih=821&tbs=isch%3A1&sa=1&q=1973+corvette&aq=f&aqi=g3&aql=&oq=&gs_rfai=

74 Corvette rubber 5mph bumpers front and rear

http://www.google.com/images?um=1&hl=en&safe=off&client=firefox-a&rls=org.mozilla%3Aen-US%3Aofficial&biw=1272&bih=821&tbs=isch%3A1&sa=1&q=1974+corvette&aq=f&aqi=g2&aql=&oq=&gs_rfai=

I am unaware of any bumper law changes that went into effect on 1/1/70, but that doesn't mean there weren't any.

[nascarxx29]

Good info thanks
I am unaware of any bumper law changes that went into effect on 1/1/70, but that doesn't mean there weren't any.

If I could find both the 1969 and 1970 regs.The difference might be in the comparision from year to year?? I see the Corvette changes .But if you check 72 to 73 Camaros theres no drastic change .The 1974 one took on a big bumper change in the front engery absorbing bumper and rubber strip.As we know automakers are always looking for a way to cost cut if they had he opportunity to delete front chrome bumpers as seen on other vehicles.But insurance safety crash test institude and Federal regs.Mandated something .That the aero car apparently didnt have to comply with .I just find that fascinating .And that they never crashed test a aero car.But seen pictures of a 69 RT charger folded up

[learical1]

Broke out my 65-72 Ford car parts catalog.  69 and 70 full size Fords (LTD, Galaxie) take the same front bumper brackets.  Cheap versions use the same bumper, fancier ones do have different bumpers from 69 to 70.  Fairlane/Torino had a major redesign in 70, so nothing in front is the same as 69.  69 and 70 Mustangs use identical bumper brackets and bumpers up front.  Thunderbird was restyled for 70, so that's different.  Falcoln became a Fairline model for 70 1/2.  Makes me think that there was virtually no change in bumper standard for 1970 model year.