Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP
Posting-Version: version B 2.10.2 9/3/84; site grkermi.UUCP
Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!burl!ulysses!bellcore!decvax!genrad!grkermi!markm
From: markm@grkermi.UUCP (Mark S. Miller)
Newsgroups: net.auto
Subject: Re: Re: best car, worst car
Message-ID: <773@grkermi.UUCP>
Date: Wed, 22-Jan-86 09:16:17 EST
Article-I.D.: grkermi.773
Posted: Wed Jan 22 09:16:17 1986
Date-Received: Fri, 24-Jan-86 21:32:08 EST
References: <2800005@faust> <-39614471@techsup>
Organization: GenRad, Inc., Concord, Mass.
Lines: 37

> the name 'Superbird'.  Base minimum engine was the 440 Hemi Magnum.  Optional
> engines were the 440 Hemi-Magnum six-pack or the 426 Hemi.  It had the

I think it was a 440 4-bbl, a 440 Six-Pak, and the 426 Hemi. The term
'Hemi' applies only to the 426!

> The under carriage was beefed up and 'supposedly' had a suspension tuned for
> Daytona at 220 mph. (The earlier Daytona model did in fact have a suspension
> tuned for 180 mph)

Yes, the suspension was beefed up. In fact, one side of the rear leaf
springs had more leafs (I forget which). This was not only because of
the oval tracks, but also to compensate for the IMMENSE torque put out
by the Hemi. An old friend of mine's brother had an old Charger R/T
(similar suspension to what was used on the Superbird/Daytona) and
reported that you just couldn't make it lean, no matter how hard you
cornerred. 

> 
> The superbird didn't fare that well on the race circuit.  220 mph was great
> on a track by itself, but the thing was pretty poor when it had to run in a 
> pack of slower cars.  

Now, I'm a little rusty on my Mopar lore, but as I recall the
SuperBird/Daytona dominated for the years they ran. In fact, they did
so well that the Reg's were changed to stop them. As I recall a
Superbird held the record at Daytona (200 something or other mph)
until just a couple of years ago. Also, the drivers were VERY
impressed with the handling of the car. One marvelled that he could
drve it around the big ovals with just one hand - unheard of for the
NASCAR circuit in those days.

I'd hate to try parking one of these cars at the K-Mart, but I'd dare
anything to try and catch it on the road!

                                MSM
                                "Mopar spoken here"