rusty bird still running and on the hwy ( face book ) anyone heres car ?

[moparstuart]

found these shots on facebook

photographer words below

Can you imagine in Sept, 2011 pulling up on a Wisco highway to this still UN-RESTORED, rusty, oil burning, cracked+faded factory decals, one headlight up Plymouth Superbird ? It happened to me. Chk my wall for more 80 mph car to car pics ~


.. switching lanes left to right, just trying to get another decent picture of probally THE last UN-RESTORED 7O Plymouth Superbird on -ANY- highway !

[hemi68charger]

Very cool !!!!  Thanks Stuart.........

[pettybird]

that was at the 'nats last year.  he had rust holes in the roof he was filling with silicone sealer 


I loved the car, and the guys were totally cool.  He had driven it quite a while to get there.

[moparstuart]

that was at the 'nats last year.  he had rust holes in the roof he was filling with silicone sealer  


I loved the car, and the guys were totally cool.  He had driven it quite a while to get there.

   great   i love that he drives it

[Aero426]

It's the ex-police Superbird on the way to Monster Mopar.   There is a thread about it on Moparts.

http://board.moparts.org/ubbthreads/showflat.php?Cat=0&Number=6838734&an=0&page=0#Post6838734

[moparstuart]

It's the ex-police Superbird on the way to Monster Mopar.   There is a thread about it on Moparts.

cool  was like a arizona ? or new mexico car  ?  that one  ?

[Aero426]

It's the ex-police Superbird on the way to Monster Mopar.   There is a thread about it on Moparts.

cool  was like a arizona ? or new mexico car  ?  that one  ?

Neither.   There was a story on it in MCG very recently.    It wound up at Mike Zachary's bird nest in Kentucky in the 80's.    

It had a bubble on the roof and whip antennas on the rear quarters which are now bondoed over.  

The photo is from when it was in Kentucky. 

[moparstuart]

It's the ex-police Superbird on the way to Monster Mopar.   There is a thread about it on Moparts.

cool  was like a arizona ? or new mexico car  ?  that one  ?

Neither.   There was a story on it in MCG very recently.    It wound up at Mike Zachary's bird nest in Kentucky in the 80's.    

It had a bubble on the roof and whip antennas on the rear quarters which are now bondoed over.  

The photo is from when it was in Kentucky. 

[xs29j8Bullitt]

It is the coming trend in the hobby... "Retro-Rough"   ...ready for a new judged class "Patinated Plymouth"    My ''Bird could be "show-ready" next Spring...  

[nelson_audet]

wow verry nice !! it is the joe dirt superbird version LOL verry cool car!!

[xs29j8Bullitt]

Wasn't there a white or yellow Superbird in the building this Daytona is parked next to...?  In Kentucky I believe...

[moparstuart]

It is the coming trend in the hobby... "Retro-Rough"   ...ready for a new judged class "Patinated Plymouth"    My ''Bird could be "show-ready" next Spring...  

[BigBlockSam]

very cool    that's how i like them well driven.

[benny70hemibird]

Wow, that picture of the white 'Bird at Zachary's house brought back a few memories for me for sure. That green Daytona in the picture is mine. That was neat to see. Thanks for posting.

[Aero426]

Better photo of the Daytona.    Mark Faught sent these in to DSAC about 1986.

[maxwellwedge]

".. switching lanes left to right, just trying to get another decent picture of probally THE last UN-RESTORED 7O Plymouth Superbird on -ANY- highway !"


I don't think so!   

[PocketThunder]

Better photo of the Daytona.    Mark Faught sent these in to DSAC about 1986.

what is that white car in the background Doug?  Datsun?

[maxwellwedge]

Opel?

[Aero426]

Opel?

Opel GT

[70Sbird]

I got a few pics of this 'bird too. the bottom half of the Nose is non-existent, looks to have rusted and fallen off, the car has some cosmetic issues to be sure, but it WAS driven from MN to Indy! and the driver(s) were great to talk to

[moparstuart]

I got a few pics of this 'bird too. the bottom half of the Nose is non-existent, looks to have rusted and fallen off, the car has some cosmetic issues to be sure, but it WAS driven from MN to Indy! and the driver(s) were great to talk to

it cant decide which eye it wants to wink with   

[70Sbird]

I got a few pics of this 'bird too. the bottom half of the Nose is non-existent, looks to have rusted and fallen off, the car has some cosmetic issues to be sure, but it WAS driven from MN to Indy! and the driver(s) were great to talk to

it cant decide which eye it wants to wink with   

Well the open one is "Fixed" in that position.........

[nascarxx29]

I think the superbird guy is Kirby
http://board.moparts.org/ubbthreads/showflat.php?Cat=0&Number=6838734&an=0&page=1&gonew=1#UNREAD

[tan top]

    intresting stuff 

[WINGIN IT]

Opel?

Opel GT

Noticed that too, had one of those for 18 years , was the first car I bought.
Then I got into Mopars....

[hemi68charger]

I got a few pics of this 'bird too. the bottom half of the Nose is non-existent, looks to have rusted and fallen off, the car has some cosmetic issues to be sure, but it WAS driven from MN to Indy! and the driver(s) were great to talk to

I betcha it ran cooler with all that extra air........... 

[Dirtybird]

That's my Bird- and me driving it. Had a great, but quick, trip to Indy to meet Big Mike Zachary's son and grandson. Mike died recently, and his son wanted to see the car- so we made the trip. Used 5 1/2 gallons of oil- had to change the plugs- but other than that- it was a flawless trip. Still trying to decide what exactly to do with her- and I'm researching the squad car history. I was at the Nats last year as well- drove it the whole way too- and I wasn't filling just rust holes in the roof with permatex- but the holes for mounting, and wiring the Gumball!

[68pplcharger]

 

[moparstuart]

That's my Bird- and me driving it. Had a great, but quick, trip to Indy to meet Big Mike Zachary's son and grandson. Mike died recently, and his son wanted to see the car- so we made the trip. Used 5 1/2 gallons of oil- had to change the plugs- but other than that- it was a flawless trip. Still trying to decide what exactly to do with her- and I'm researching the squad car history. I was at the Nats last year as well- drove it the whole way too- and I wasn't filling just rust holes in the roof with permatex- but the holes for mounting, and wiring the Gumball!

welcome great car/story and love the fact you drive it and enjoy it in what ever state it's in .   

[70Sbird]

That's my Bird- and me driving it. Had a great, but quick, trip to Indy to meet Big Mike Zachary's son and grandson. Mike died recently, and his son wanted to see the car- so we made the trip. Used 5 1/2 gallons of oil- had to change the plugs- but other than that- it was a flawless trip. Still trying to decide what exactly to do with her- and I'm researching the squad car history. I was at the Nats last year as well- drove it the whole way too- and I wasn't filling just rust holes in the roof with permatex- but the holes for mounting, and wiring the Gumball!

Welcome to DC.com!  
we love stories and pictures!
My vote would be to get all of the running gear back up to spec (would save on oil too) and drive the car as it is!
There are plenty of very nice restored wing cars around, very few in the condition your is in.

[moparstuart]

That's my Bird- and me driving it. Had a great, but quick, trip to Indy to meet Big Mike Zachary's son and grandson. Mike died recently, and his son wanted to see the car- so we made the trip. Used 5 1/2 gallons of oil- had to change the plugs- but other than that- it was a flawless trip. Still trying to decide what exactly to do with her- and I'm researching the squad car history. I was at the Nats last year as well- drove it the whole way too- and I wasn't filling just rust holes in the roof with permatex- but the holes for mounting, and wiring the Gumball!

Welcome to DC.com!  
we love stories and pictures!
My vote would be to get all of the running gear back up to spec (would save on oil too) and drive the car as it is!
There are plenty of very nice restored wing cars around, very few in the condition your is in.

run 20/50 valaline & use some restore,  restore is a great product too, for at least a short time fix , so your not spending a billion on gas and oil   

[65post]

That's my Bird- and me driving it. Had a great, but quick, trip to Indy to meet Big Mike Zachary's son and grandson. Mike died recently, and his son wanted to see the car- so we made the trip. Used 5 1/2 gallons of oil- had to change the plugs- but other than that- it was a flawless trip. Still trying to decide what exactly to do with her- and I'm researching the squad car history. I was at the Nats last year as well- drove it the whole way too- and I wasn't filling just rust holes in the roof with permatex- but the holes for mounting, and wiring the Gumball!

Welcome to DC.com!  
we love stories and pictures!
My vote would be to get all of the running gear back up to spec (would save on oil too) and drive the car as it is!
There are plenty of very nice restored wing cars around, very few in the condition your is in.

I agree.Run that thing the way it is.I am sure it will attract more attention at the shows than the trailer queens....No offense to the trailer queens.

[pettybird]

That's my Bird- and me driving it. Had a great, but quick, trip to Indy to meet Big Mike Zachary's son and grandson. Mike died recently, and his son wanted to see the car- so we made the trip. Used 5 1/2 gallons of oil- had to change the plugs- but other than that- it was a flawless trip. Still trying to decide what exactly to do with her- and I'm researching the squad car history. I was at the Nats last year as well- drove it the whole way too- and I wasn't filling just rust holes in the roof with permatex- but the holes for mounting, and wiring the Gumball!

HA I forgot about the gumball! 

[TheAutoArchaeologist]

Ryan

[Just 6T9 CHGR]

Very cool story!

[tan top]

That's my Bird- and me driving it. Had a great, but quick, trip to Indy to meet Big Mike Zachary's son and grandson. Mike died recently, and his son wanted to see the car- so we made the trip. Used 5 1/2 gallons of oil- had to change the plugs- but other than that- it was a flawless trip. Still trying to decide what exactly to do with her- and I'm researching the squad car history. I was at the Nats last year as well- drove it the whole way too- and I wasn't filling just rust holes in the roof with permatex- but the holes for mounting, and wiring the Gumball!

hello & welcome 

  good stuff 

[69_500]

Welcome to the site Dirtybird. I was talking to you on Sunday under the tent when it never let up raining. I had the R4 red C500 there.

[PocketThunder]

A 4-speed car without a tach?...??   

[hemi68charger]

A 4-speed car without a tach?...??   

Oh yeah, I've seen plenty of them before....... I think it was the norm rather than the exception...........

[440]

I agree to leave it the way it is. It is way more intriguing then a fully restored bird.

It's like a forgotten hero roaming the streets... 

[hemi68charger]

My kind of 'Bird... 4-speed bench seat car that's white..... 

[Arnie Cunningham]

Yes, for whatever reason, a tach is more commonly found in the automatic cars.  Both my 4 speed and Al Wald's have only the bullseye.

[DonC1]

'It's like a forgotten hero roaming the streets...  '


Aptly put...I got that sense too.,

Great car.

[41husk]

I would restore it   I agree there are many more birds in restored shape than weathered, but I don't have one of them   I would much rather see a bird in that condition driven and enjoyed, than one sitting out in the weather rotting away to nothing because the owner "is going to fix it up one day"! Either side you are on it is a great car and a great story!

[PocketThunder]

What town was this a cop car in? 

[nascarxx29]

What town was this a cop car in? 

Might have been New Mexico
http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,33764.msg368608/topicseen.html#msg368608

[Dirtybird]

Not the New Mexico squad (BlackBird) but one used in Alabama or Mississippi. So far I have conflicting stories. The picture in the Aug 2011 MCG had a story included, that referred to a local constable (unknown state/city) nicknamed "Cowboy" that used to like to pull over kids out road drinking, and bring them home to Mom and Dad. Anthony Zachary swears there were 5 white birds, 4 had 440's and one was supposed to be a hemi car- all white, one (mine) with ralleyes (in the pic) the others had white rims with dog dishes. He says 3 were in Miss, and 2 in Alabama- or the other way around. He says there was an article on them in the DSAC newsletter in about 1975-76. Does anyone have the old newsletters posted on the net? They would make for some great reading, and should be archived if possible. I've had a terrible time trying to get the address, and original copies of the pics sent in- from MCG. But I spoke with the Mulleted one, at Indy, and I should be getting some more info soon. The name of the person that sent in the pics is Mike McGowan- and I even found one that races Mopars- but it was not the right one. I should have more info fairly soon. A friend of Anthony's (Shawn/Shane?) owned it for a while, and found bullets in the trunk (I'm going to dig down in the extensions to see if there are more there) and Anthony cleaned out a bunch of copies of tickets the cop had written- when he was a kid. He thinks he may have one still- and remembers at the top them saying Alabama Highway Patrol (or Mississippi). So I'm not sure where this all will lead me- but I'm on it. As far as fixing it up- I'm not sure if I'll build another 440- so I can protect the #'s one- or build it- hoping to retain the original "patina" as much as possible. I have another nose- thats hit high, that I could repair the original with, and I think I could do it- to still look old and weathered. The biggest thing if I keep it "rough" is to try and protect it so that it does not get worse. With the cop car history- it will be hard to not eventually restore it back with the gumball, whip antenaes, siren, and radio equipment. Still way cool in my book. What do you guys think? Oh- and as far as the trailer queen cars go- I don't think they appreciated my car much- I was disappointed that few to none even came over and talked with me- oh well- I slept fine. Of course with the amount of fumes I inhaled on the trip- anyone would! lol!!!

[Aero426]

The roughest looking wing car will always get more attention at a car show than the nicest restored car.  

[Aero426]

I have the old 75-76 newsletters.    Just need to sit down and read them unless someone has them and can do it faster.

Kirby, last night I found the letter from Mark Faught who visited Zachary's to buy a Bird and took the pic of your car in 1984.   You can clearly see where the bubble was in the center of the roof.     He says that car was a 440-4 with a 4-speed.    No doubt it is yours.    He also said this particular car actually belonged to Mike's father.     Mark took photos of nine different cars and wrote short descriptions of each. 

[Dirtybird]

Correct- Anthony said his grandpa bought it from an estate sale for $500. Whomever the estate owner was- had to buy it dang near directly from the Cop/County/State right after it was retired- for there to still have bullets, and tickets in the car. Anthony had the blue gumball his dad put on the roof at shows- to replicate the original. I have it now- and pics from back in the day with it on the roof- but it is smaller than the one in the pics sent to MCG.

[pettybird]

satin clear EVERYTHING.  that should 'lock' in the look.

shame we didn't go to the show--we would have parked next to you!  I was at the 'nats in an unrestored B5 bird.

[pettybird]

Might have been New Mexico

yeah...that's generally what a new mexico car looks like...I hear the desert heat rots 'em out real quick.

[Dirtybird]

satin clear EVERYTHING.  that should 'lock' in the look.

shame we didn't go to the show--we would have parked next to you!  I was at the 'nats in an unrestored B5 bird.

I'm pretty sure we talked for quite a bit at the Nats. Didn't you teethe on the steering wheel of the Petty Bird? LOL

[moparstuart]

satin clear EVERYTHING.  that should 'lock' in the look.

shame we didn't go to the show--we would have parked next to you!  I was at the 'nats in an unrestored B5 bird.

I'm pretty sure we talked for quite a bit at the Nats. Didn't you teethe on the steering wheel of the Petty Bird? LOL

he still does   

[pettybird]

satin clear EVERYTHING.  that should 'lock' in the look.

shame we didn't go to the show--we would have parked next to you!  I was at the 'nats in an unrestored B5 bird.

I'm pretty sure we talked for quite a bit at the Nats. Didn't you teethe on the steering wheel of the Petty Bird? LOL

he still does   

Stuart, what I do with Pioneer Stereo Guy is none of your business.   



Yep that's me.  We got stupid and fixed up one of the cars but we still have an ugly one to keep yours company!

[FJ5WING]

Hello Dirtybird...welcome, and thanks for sharing your story and pics!  

I guess Im the thread downer,    I prefer my cars nice and shiney. I hated keeping the hood closed on my car because the engine compartment to me was I have watched the trend of opinions the last year or so skew towards leaving them as is but I sure dont see very many out and about unrestored.    So where are the guys who want them left as is?   why arent you taking your cars out and driving them? I still see row after row of restored cars and love it.  
I did consider just giving my Bird an engine compartment restoration and leaving the very nice body alone but while crawling around under the car getting things in order I noticed that the previous owner had parts store undercoated and it   had trapped moisture between the spayed on gum and the floor pans, while it flaked right off it revealed the start of rust that needed to be addressed before you know what.

[Kismgby]

A 4-speed car without a tach?...??   

My 4spd TorRed car had no tach.

[ACUDANUT]

 Just remember, the longer you let that rust stick around, the more it grows....Hope the frame is still solid.

[Dirtybird]

Just remember, the longer you let that rust stick around, the more it grows....Hope the frame is still solid.

The underside of the nose is rusty, and the trunk- but the rest is quite solid. But letting it "grow" is why I may have to do some "restoration" to stop it from going to heck.

[toocheaptosmoke]

It is the coming trend in the hobby... "Retro-Rough"  

Gonna use that to describe my vehicles from now on. 


Love original stuff like that!! 

[pettybird]

It is the coming trend in the hobby... "Retro-Rough"  

Gonna use that to describe my vehicles from now on. 


Love original stuff like that!! 

well, if you use it, it won't be original.  just sayin'.

[ACUDANUT]

 Keeping it orginal is not going to preserve the Bird either....Just saying.
Original rust is "not a bragging right".  Just fix what you need to.
Love the story. 

[toocheaptosmoke]

well, if you use it, it won't be original.  just sayin'.

I meant that I love original cars.   My vehicles are usually just described as junk.  

[Dirtybird]

At this point I'm thinking about fixing the rust in roof- and putting a new vinyl roof on, new carpet and headliner (because it's pretty gross and dirty inside) and then possibly making 1 nose out of the 2 I have- but trying to replicate the aged look to some degree- would look stupid with a nice shiny nose on it. And last but not least- wash and buff it out some. I'm not sure if I've every even washed it in seven years- lol.

[djcarguy]

:


I loved the car, and the guys were totally cool.  He had driven it quite a while to get there.

   great   i love that he drives it
[/quote]

[Aero426]

The Dirty Bird will be at the MCACN show in Chicago coming up in November. 

[Dirtybird]

Just got home from a 3,000 mile (11 day) road trip with Domingo (Peru) to research the Bird. Too tired to tell all, and have some seriously cool stories to tell and confirm.  We drove from MN- to Decorah IA, to St. Louis, to Nashville, to Beloxi (caught the Cruising the Coast show totally unplanned) then to New Orleans for a nasty night- then home. I'm beat, and for the most part the car worked well. I gotta sleep-More to follow-

[moparstuart]

Just got home from a 3,000 mile (11 day) road trip with Domingo (Peru) to research the Bird. Too tired to tell all, and have some seriously cool stories to tell and confirm.  We drove from MN- to Decorah IA, to St. Louis, to Nashville, to Beloxi (caught the Cruising the Coast show totally unplanned) then to New Orleans for a nasty night- then home. I'm beat, and for the most part the car worked well. I gotta sleep-More to follow-

[200MPH]

great story !