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McLaren W1 First Drive: Ferocious Hypercar Transcends the Track

You know things are getting serious when McLaren rolls-out the ‘1’ suffix. The origin story is, of course, the very first road car McLaren ever built, the F1. Designed by visionary Formula 1 aerodynamicist and engineer Gordon Murray, it arrived in 1992 and rendered all other supercars obsolete. The tiny, lightweight F1 embraced carbon-fibre material technology, adopted a radical centre seat driving position with two passengers set back and either side and was powered by a 6.1-litre V12 engine from BMW that might as well have been passed down directly from the Gods. Game-changer? That doesn’t even come close to describing its impact, even if at the time sales didn’t come easy… The P1 was very different. Rather than a unique side project from the Formula 1 team, it was instead a statement piece for McLaren Automotive, a new road car division still in its infancy. It arrived in 2013 and was a wild-eyed showstopper. It traded the long-legged gait and supple suspension of the F1 for a weaponized hybrid system capable of delivering 903bhp and huge blue flames from its drainpipe exhaust. In Race mode, it lowered by 2-inches and its massive concave rear wing extended into the sky. The P1 was all about aerodynamic downforce, crazed acceleration and a snorting, angry soundtrack that mixed venomous twin-turbocharged V8 with the manic whirr of electric motors. Not so much a car as a force of nature. And now there’s this: The W1. It’s a true successor to the P1 with a similar brief and, on the face of it, it evolves rather than radically reinvents McLaren’s vision for the ultimate hypercar. This is not a criticism. How could it be when the result is this dramatic and has such staggering, other-worldly potential? The W1 has 1258bhp delivered to the rear wheels. It’s capable of 0-124 mph in 5.8-seconds, the quarter mile in 9.6-seconds at 167 mph and produces 2205lbs of downforce at 174 mph. The active aerodynamics – particularly a rear wing that extends way out beyond the rear of the car – are pure performance art and deliver massive aerodynamic efficiency. The result, aside from looking extremely cool, is that the W1 is McLaren’s fastest road car around a racetrack. Ever. Their benchmark circuit is the breath-taking Handling Track at the Nardo proving ground in southern Italy, where the W1 beats their previous benchmark, the flyweight McLaren Senna, by three seconds per lap. Or “a lifetime” as they call it in racing. Maybe two lifetimes! Core to the W1’s performance is the new ‘Aerocell’ carbon fibre tub. With integrated seats and a raised footwell to allow for inboard pushrod-operated front suspension – which in turn gives air a clean path to the huge underbody diffuser – it’s light, stiff, space efficient and has been instrumental in McLaren realising a full ground-effect concept. Just like last year’s F1 cars, which were the fastest ever made. There is also an active front wing and the aforementioned complex rear wing dubbed ‘Active Long Tail’. All of which is very admirable. But the ‘anhedral’ or gullwing doors and the fantastically shirnked-wrapped feel to the minimalist, highly-focussed interior are a pretty good side effect. The W1 feels special. Those fixed seats are perhaps a shade more upright than expected, and the driving position is less obviously racecar than, for example, the Aston Martin Valhalla or Ferrari F80. However, once you’ve adjusted the pedals (they move on a slider) and the delicate, slim-rimmed and alcantara-trimmed steering wheel, there’s an overwhelming sense of purpose. The cabin is so tightly tailored and imparts a sense of lightness and agility before you so much as start the all-new 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged V8 engine, which makes 916bhp all on its own and revs to 9200rpm. Reach up to a roof-mounted control panel to find the starter button. Maybe this fighter plane trope is a little corny, but somehow you feel thrilled rather than manipulated. The W1 has a sense of humour as well as all that motorsport-derived sophistication. There’s a short delay, but when the engine does fire it’s instant – as the high-powered hybrid system negates the need for an old-school starter motor. A sharp flare of revs tells you that this engine is hyper-responsive and angry. On some deep level your brain and body have been sent all the signals required to prepare for something new and intense. Ahead of us, an empty Mugello racetrack, so press and hold the blue button next to the red starter to select Race mode. The centre display graphic shows the W1’s transformation in real time as it lowers by 37mm at the front and 17mm at the rear whilst simultaneously undocking all that active aero goodness. Race mode is not road legal and is geo-locked. You can show your friends and neighbours the aero dance, but it won’t allow you to select a gear to actually drive unless you’re at a circuit. Incidentally, the rocker switches either side of the display binnacle allow further options now: Toggle up the Handling control on the left for Race+ (for F1-spec super smooth tracks) or stick to Race for gnarlier ones. On the right toggle select ‘GP’ for sustained performance over a stint or ‘Sprint’ to unleash all 1258bhp for a time attack. There’s also a DRS and Boost function on the steering wheel. But I guarantee you won’t have the mental capacity to use them… Exit the pitlane, pin the throttle and W1 takes maybe a millisecond or two to gather its might (the gearing stretches to around 60mph in first, nearly 100mph in second, primarily to aid traction), but then lunges at the first turn with incredible ferocity. It instantly feels light, almost like inertia is no longer a thing. McLaren really does prize lightweight engineering, and at 3084lbs (dry) the W1 has a 278lbs advantage over the Ferrari F80. Plus, Ferrari uses figures for cars fitted with every single carbon fibre option. In reality, the gap is probably wider still. The impression of agility and stunning control continues as the track is unravelled at startling pace. The electric motor mounted to the side of the new 8-speed dual-clutch transmission is good for 342bhp and 324lb ft and it boosts any low rev lethargy the new flat-plane crank V8 might have (spoiler alert: It doesn’t appear to have any), so the W1 just feels massively, almost impossibly powerful at any revs. Even so, there’s real reward for wringing it out to 9200rpm and the power curve feels superheated but organic, too. In Race mode the steering – still hydraulically powered – has less assistance and it is noticeably heavier than other McLarens. However, that resistance is welcome as it gives you something to push against and imparts so much information about the front grip level. New Pirelli Trofeo RS tyres with a bigger front footprint than P1 or Senna really help. The front-end feels incredibly secure and the rear-axle follows with perfectly-aligned precision. The whole car feels super-stiff, completely locked into the surface and inspires confidence, but there’s an inherent agility and adjustability that means you’re quickly confident to push at its limits and really impose yourself on the chassis. It’s such a complex car but the driving experience is intuitive, and the driver feels a key contributor rather than just amazed (or terrified) observer, holding on for dear life. Every dynamic ingredient really is shockingly effective and yet has a subtlety and lightness of touch. From that delicious steering to the incredible brakes, the W1 just feels so mission-focussed, so hooked-up. Only the new 8-speed gearbox is a slightly disappointment. It’s fast and punchy, but after the scintillating energy of the Ferrari F80 ’box it feels competent rather than inspired. Other quibbles – it’s okay to quibble when the starting price is $2.1-million before tax and destination charge. Well, that new twin-turbocharged V8 sounds tightly wound and aggressive but if you have a P1 tucked in the garage you’ll miss the snorting, Darth Vader-style soundscape and all the drama that goes with it. Ferrari does this better, too. The F80 sounds deathly dull from the outside but is a riot of turbochargers, electric motors and all sorts of mechanical fury within the cockpit. Even so, the W1 is wildly entertaining on track, and the rear-drive configuration makes it more of a challenge and more satisfying than the F80 when chasing lap times or just sliding around for fun. In the Ferrari, you must second-guess what the front e-axle might do, whereas in the W1 it’s all on you. There are plenty of tools to help, including the ingenious Variable Drift Control, but somehow the W1 is more heroic. Or at least fools you into feeling more heroic – which is surely the point! On the road? Nimble, loaded with feel and sublime response. The ride is noticeably tougher than, say, a 750S but the control is ramped-up too, and with a bit more speed the whole car finds a delicious rhythm. Sport mode for the drivetrain brings some nice turbo whooshes and chirps, but the noise remains high-quality rather than extreme excitement. It is perhaps the one area the W1 feels just a little too tame. Of course, there’s nothing tame about the raw performance… which is genuinely shocking and literally hurts your neck muscles after a few hours. How McLaren has given the W1 such immense traction through just two driven wheels is beyond me. So, is it worthy of that ‘1’? I think so. Perhaps we won’t be talking about $25-million auction results for the W1 in 30 years from now, as we are for the F1. Perhaps it doesn’t quite have the amazing presence and jaw-dropping star quality of the simply gorgeous P1. But it is such an intense experience and the way it marries stunning track performance with delicate poise and entertainment on normal roads is something akin to magic. Maybe not ‘the one’ but definitely a searing, outrageous addition to McLaren’s fiercest family line. Just 399 W1’s will be built and they’re all sold. I’m not surprised at all. View All McLarens For Sale Images: McLaren Automotive

By Edward Jones – February 16, 2023

2011 Rolls-Royce Ghost: Spellman Signature Auctions Ellio...

Presented by Spellman Signature Auctions. 2011 Rolls-Royce Ghost: Spellman Signature Auctions Elliott Museum Event At Spellman Signature Auctions’ upcoming “Auction on the Ocean at the Elliott Museum,” a luxurious 2011 Rolls-Royce Ghost will be auctioned off. This example is fully loaded with a wonderful color combination of a Black exterior on Tan leather. Powering this ultra-luxurious British automobile is a twin-turbocharged 6.6-liter V12 engine that produces 563 horsepower and 575 lb-ft of torque. For more information regarding this Rolls-Royce, be sure to click the button below. View Listing For More Info Event Information: Featuring over 300 cars. Exotics+Classics+Imports+Muscle. Schedule Of Events: THURSDAY FEB 16 - DAY 1 10am - 4pm: PREVIEW DAY OPEN REGISTRATION FRIDAY FEB 17 - DAY 2 10am-12pm: PREVIEW HOURS 12pm-4pm: AUCTION: CLASSICS & MUSCLE 6pm-9pm: VIP COCKTAIL EVENT: MUSIC, FOOD, DRINKS SATURDAY FEB 18 - DAY 3 10am-5pm: AUCTION: MUSCLE & EXOTICS 6pm-9pm: VIP COCKTAIL EVENT: MUSIC, FOOD, DRINKS SUNDAY FEB 19 - DAY 4 11am-2pm: AUCTION: IMPORTS & TUNER CARS SPECIAL INTEREST AND AUTOMOBILIA Learn How To Sign Up Tags: First Second Third Forth Fifth Sixth

By Edward Jones – February 15, 2023

2017 Ferrari 488 GTB: Spellman Signature Auctions Elliott...

Presented by Spellman Signature Auctions. 2017 Ferrari 488 GTB: Spellman Signature Auctions Elliott Museum Event At Spellman Signature Auctions’ upcoming “Auction on the Ocean at the Elliott Museum,” an exceptional 2017 Ferrari 488 GTB will be auctioned off. With an iconic Red exterior and a Blue/Red leather interior. It w ill be crossing the block fully-loaded and with only 11k miles on the odometer. In this 488 GTB's engine bay is a powerful twin-turbocharged 3.9-liter V8 engine that pumps out an impressive 660 horsepower for a thrilling ride. There's nothing quite like driving a Ferrari and this 488 GTB is no exception. For more information, be sure to click the button below. View Listing For More Info Event Information: Featuring over 300 cars. Exotics+Classics+Imports+Muscle. Schedule Of Events: THURSDAY FEB 16 - DAY 1 10am - 4pm: PREVIEW DAY OPEN REGISTRATION FRIDAY FEB 17 - DAY 2 10am-12pm: PREVIEW HOURS 12pm-4pm: AUCTION: CLASSICS & MUSCLE 6pm-9pm: VIP COCKTAIL EVENT: MUSIC, FOOD, DRINKS SATURDAY FEB 18 - DAY 3 10am-5pm: AUCTION: MUSCLE & EXOTICS 6pm-9pm: VIP COCKTAIL EVENT: MUSIC, FOOD, DRINKS SUNDAY FEB 19 - DAY 4 11am-2pm: AUCTION: IMPORTS & TUNER CARS SPECIAL INTEREST AND AUTOMOBILIA Learn How To Sign Up Tags: First Second Third Forth Fifth Sixth

2010 Mercedes Benz SLR Stirling Moss1332143

By Edward Jones – February 08, 2023

Auction Of Incredibly Rare Mercedes-Benz SLR Stirling Mos...

Named after the one and only Sir Stirling Moss. If you've seen a Mercedes-Benz SLR Stirling Moss in the flesh, consider yourself one of the lucky ones. With only 75 examples of this model ever built, they are a rarity in the world. Mercedes-Benz unveiled the SLR Stirling Moss back in 2009 as a car that would celebrate the 300 SLR Stirling Moss and Denis Jekinson drove to a record-breaking victory at the 1955 Mille Miglia. Devoid of the niceties you'd find in most cars, the SLR Stirling Moss was designed to provide an extremely enjoyable drive that was based around raw power and exquisite performance. Right now, one extraordinary example of this supercar is being auctioned off through Sotheby's Sealed. With under 150 km clocked on its odometer since new, it's in absolutely pristine condition. Since being registered in Germany back in 2010, the current and single private owner of the vehicle has cared for it so that it can be presented in virtually as-new condition inside and out. Being one of the most sought-after Mercedes of recent memory, this is a rare chance to get what could be one of the finest examples of the Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Stirling Moss. The auction ends at 12pm EST, so act fast if you so happen to be interested. View Lot Details Source: RM Sotheby's

By Tyler Rampersaud – February 01, 2023

The Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale 2023 Auction Sold $190M

With Scottsdale in the books, Barrett-Jackson’s 2023 auction season is in full swing. For car enthusiasts and collectors, few things are more exciting and intense than a car auction with amazing vehicles, and at Barrett-Jackson’s 2023 Scottsdale Auction, that’s exactly what went down. With an incredible attendance number of over 300,000, 9 figures in total sales, and some amazing million-dollar cars on offer, this year’s Scottsdale auction was a show to remember, and for Barrett-Jackson, a successful 2023 is only just getting started. MUST READ: RM Sotheby’s Sold $44M Of Rare Cars In Arizona The highest seller in the 9-day auction was a 1989 Ferrari F40, selling for an amazing $2.75 million, followed by a 2005 Porsche Carrera GT which sold for $,595,000, which was then followed by a 2019 Ford GT Lightweight Carbon series and a 2020 Ford GT Carbon Series both selling for $1.32 million, and then by a 1966 Shelby Group II Mustang, originally built for Ken Miles, a 1967 Chevrolet Corvette Custom Convertible, and a 1969 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 which all sold for $770,000, rounding out the top five with a three-way tie. The auction also raised $1.89 million for charity, primarily through the sale of the first, VIN 001 GMC HUMMER EV SUV for $500,000. For Barrett-Jackson and the world’s automotive enthusiasts, a great auction is behind, and a great 2023 auction year is ahead. View All Exotic Cars For Sale Source: Barrett-Jackson

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By Tyler Rampersaud – January 31, 2023

RM Sotheby's Sold $44M Of Rare Cars In Arizona

Amazing cars plus amazing sales equals an amazing auction. Some of the most incredible cars in the entirety of automotive history crossed the block at the RM Sotheby’s Arizona auction. From all over the world, some of the most celebrated classics and modern masterpieces from Italy, Germany, and the United States were sold, and 91% of the lots offered sold through at the auction. With intense bidding and even record-breaking sales occurring, for RM Sotheby’s, as well as worldwide car enthusiasts and collectors, this auction was surely one to remember. MUST READ: The First GMC HUMMER EV SUV Sells For $500K At Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale The highest seller, at $4,075,000, was a 2014 Ferrari LaFerrari, and not just any LaFerrari, but the only one to be finished in Blu Elettrico with Crema leather. Behind it was an incredible example of the 1971 Lamborghini Miura SV, selling for $3,360,000, which was then followed by a record-breaking sale, that of a 1969 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray ZL-1 Convertible for $3,140,000, making it the world’s highest-selling C3 Corvette. Rounding out the top 5 sales was a 1966 Ferrari 500 Superfast Series II by Pininfarina, selling for $2,225,000. A 1992 Ferrari F40 was the sixth-highest seller, at $2,150,000, followed by a 1958 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster, selling for $1,820,000, a 1987 Porsche 959 Komfort for $1,682,500, a 2017 Ferrari F12tdf for $1,242,500, and a 2005 Porsche Carrera GT that sold for the same $1,242,500, rounding out the top 10. With these exciting results on the books already for 2023, RM Sotheby’s looks forward to continuing a great auction calendar. View All Exotic Cars For Sale Source: RM Sotheby's

2024 gmc hummer ev edition 1 suv barrett jackson 01

By Tyler Rampersaud – January 30, 2023

The First GMC HUMMER EV SUV Sells For $500K At Barrett-Ja...

The GMC HUMMER EV SUV makes a grand entrance. In its truck form, the GMC HUMMER EV has already begun to rock the world with its incredible performance, iconic and unmistakable presence, and luxurious appointments. However, the SUV version of the amazing off-roader is beginning to have its time in the limelight, as at Barrett-Jackson’s Scottsdale Auction, which took place this past weekend, the very first 2024 GMC HUMMER EV Edition 1 SUV crossed the block with proceeds from its sale going to Tread Lightly!, a non-profit organization that advocates for outdoor activity. MUST READ: GMC Hummer EV Price, Specs, Photos & Review The VIN 001 HUMMER EV SUV boasts a triple-motor all-wheel drive electric system, complete with 830 horsepower, 11,500 lb/ft of torque, and an estimated 0-60 time of 3.5 seconds. It also has four-wheel steering with a Crab Walk feature, a power swing-out tailgate with a full-size spare tire, and an exclusive Moonshot Green exterior color. The hammer price of $500,000 is indicative both of the new SUV’s excellence and its exclusivity, as reservations for the vehicle are currently full. Production is set to begin very soon for an SUV that will change the legacy of the Hummer name and the SUV market as a whole. View All GMC HUMMER EVs For Sale Source: GMC

By duPont REGISTRY – January 16, 2023

Demon-Powered Jeep Gladiator Being Auctioned In Scottsdale

Presented by America's Most Wanted 4x4 (AMW). Nicknamed "Highlighter," this new custom 2023 Demon turn-key Jeep Gladiator pickup by America's Most Wanted 4x4 (AMW) is powered by a Mopar supercharged 6.2-liter Demon HEMI engine delivering 840hp and 770 ft/lbs of torque mated to the heavy-duty 8-speed Trackhawk automatic transmission. The first AMW build for 2023, this Jeep JT is finished in High Velocity Yellow and sports a custom AMW bobbed bed. All that power and torque is delivered to the road and trail with the AMW 8-lug 60/80 spindle axle package and 40-inch Nitto Trail Grappler tires with 17-inch KMC forged wheels. The HEMI-tuned long-arm suspension package provides exceptional comfort and stability, and cylinder-assist steering includes 1.5-ton linkages providing sportscar-like handling. Stopping is achieved through the big Barbarian 8-piston brakes. Premium AMW-branded additions include AMW LED headlamps, shifters, grab handle and a premium Tuscany leather interior with accent stitching. It features illuminated power steps with a rocker guard, KC trail lights, and a WARN ZEON Platinum 12,000-pound winch that provides off-road capability. 48 actual miles. America's Most Wanted 4x4 (AMW4x4) has perfected Jeep® HEMI® Conversion Packages. They start with genuine Mopar® crate engines and transmissions, adding AMW4x4 engineering and manufactured adapters, brackets and tubing kits. AMW's packages include everything that is needed, from the correct oil pan to the complete exhaust system and proprietary engine calibration. These are the most complete HEMI® Conversion Systems period. All conversions include a 3-year/36,000 on engine-conversion parts and 1 yr warranty on labor by approved licensed repair service centers when AMW4x4 installs the HEMI® Conversion Package. View Lot Listing

By Edward Jones – January 06, 2023

1992 Ferrari F40 Being Auctioned At Mecum Kissimmee 2023

Image with size : Presented by Mecum Auctions. 1992 Ferrari F40 Being Auctioned At Mecum Kissimmee 2023 Introduced on July 21, 1987, to a gathering of the world motoring press by Enzo Ferrari himself, the Ferrari F40 was the final supercar commissioned by Il Commendatore before his passing in 1988. The successor to the 288 GTO, it was named to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the great Italian carmaker and has gained in stature in the interim as one of the purest distillations of the Ferrari mystique. No. 179 of a total of 213 built to U.S. market specifications, F40 No. 92189 is a sensational offering wearing iconic Rosso Corsa over a red and gray interior, with an odometer reading of 10,994 miles. The F40’s coachwork was designed by Pininfarina and built by Scaglietti employing contemporary Ferrari Formula 1 practice in its construction, which comprised a combination of carbon fiber composites, Kevlar and Nomex, the same materials that form its rigid yet lightweight chassis. The vented Plexiglas backlight showcases the snarling matching-numbers 2936cc DOHC V-8 engine, which packs twin water-cooled IHI turbochargers, air-to-air intercoolers, four valves per cylinder, sequential fuel injection and a Weber-Marelli management system to produce 478 HP at 7,000 RPM and 425 lb-ft of torque at 4,000 through a gated 5-speed gearbox. The all-independent suspension and brakes are likewise F1-bred, using double wishbones with coilover shock absorbers, rack-and-pinion steering, ventilated and cross-drilled rotors, and lightweight aluminum calipers. Pirelli P-Zero Assimetrico tires on factory wheels complete the car’s underpinnings with a major contribution to its incredible handling. A unique feature of this exceptional F40 is its Tubi exhaust system, which was specially tuned for this car; a crated factory exhaust system is included should the future owner wish to return it to original fitment. The car’s in-depth documentation shows an official factory build start date of November 26, 1991. It was completed on January 10, 1992, and reportedly seen on the F40 assembly line by expert Ferrari historian Marcel Massini, who contributed a detailed report to complement the accompanying Ferrari Classiche Red Book. Offered with the original books in a leather case and the all-important tool roll, the car comes with a detailed service history including a no-expense-spared engine and gearbox restoration completed January 26, 2022, by the Ferrari specialists at Evans Automotive in Columbus, Ohio. This vehicle will be offered at MECUM Auctions annual Kissimmee Florida, The World's Largest Collector Car Auction®, along with almost 4,000 cars and thousands of Road Art items. Taking place January 4-15, 2023. View more cars and register to bid online at https://drive.mecum.com/kissimmee-2023. View More Information

By Edward Jones – January 05, 2023

1966 Shelby 427 Cobra Roadster Being Auctioned At Mecum K...

Presented by Mecum Auctions. 1966 Shelby 427 Cobra Roadster Being Auctioned At Mecum Kissimmee 2023 Requiring little, if any, introduction, 1959 Le Mans champion Carroll Shelby took the racing world by storm with his AC Ace-derived, Ford V-8 Cobra. Developed into 427 big-block specification by Ken Miles, these ultimate Cobras were intended for a 100-car production batch and international events, but Shelby American failed to meet the FIA’s production deadline. Remaining unsold full-competition cars were completed as S/C or Semi-Competition Cobras and marketed as the “fastest street car ever built,” with nearly 500 HP on tap in a 2,000-pound roadster. Subsequently, competition and modified street 427 Cobras ruled American tracks and set speed and lap records long after their contemporaries had already retired. Numbered CSX3270 and listed in the Shelby American World Registry published by the Shelby American Automobile Club (SAAC), this 427 Cobra was converted to S/C appearance in 1971 with the addition of a hood scoop, roll bar, side pipes, competition-type fuel filler, S/C lips to the rear-fender flares and Halibrand wheels. In 1981, CSX3270 was converted to full Competition specifications by Geoff Howard of Accurate Restorations in Danbury, Connecticut. The 427 CI engine was built by expert Joe La Pine of Danbury Competition Engines and included a pair of ported and flowed aluminum heads. The suspension received a full Competition treatment by Howard as well, including boxed and reinforced A-arms, Koni shocks and braided lines, with hardware including bronze bushings, hardened steel-sleeve inserts and grease fittings. Notably, this suspension setup was replicated from that of CSX3002, the first 427 Cobra shipped to the United States and an original Shelby factory team race car that Howard formerly owned. In addition to its fascinating history and noted former ownership, CSX3270 benefits handsomely from a recent cosmetic and mechanical restoration that was completed in 2022, with virtually no possible expense spared. During the restoration, the aggressive Cobra body was stripped to bare metal, painstakingly prepared and finished in iconic Guardsman Blue, complementing the purposeful Cobra cockpit trimmed in black leather upholstery well. A photo book documenting the restoration accompanies this awesome 427 Shelby Cobra. This vehicle will be offered at MECUM Auctions annual Kissimmee Florida, The World's Largest Collector Car Auction®, along with almost 4,000 cars and thousands of Road Art items. Taking place January 4-15, 2023. View more cars and register to bid online at https://drive.mecum.com/kissimmee-2023. View More Information

By Edward Jones – January 04, 2023

1970 Plymouth Hemi Superbird Being Auctioned At Mecum Kis...

Presented by Mecum Auctions. 1970 Plymouth Hemi Superbird Being Auctioned At Mecum Kissimmee 2023 There will always be “the one,” that single item that stands apart even amongst its peers. This particular Superbird is a car that could anchor any collection, even among other Superbirds. Of the 1,920 units constructed, just 135 were Hemi-powered, and this car is one of only 58 4-speed Hemi Superbirds to be delivered new by Plymouth. Of all six standard paint colors offered, FJ5 Limelight Green was the lowest volume color known, applied to approximately 11% of the overall production run. Add in the individual options on this car, and it is certainly one of one as equipped. As expected, the 426/425 HP Hemi V-8 engine here features the components that made it legendary. Two Carter AFB 4-barrels, large-port hemispherical heads, high-flow exhaust manifolds with H-pipe exhaust, a NASCAR-developed reciprocating assembly and performance ignition were all standard equipment on this engine. It is backed by the D21 Hemi A833 4-speed manual transmission, which in turn mandated the A33 Track Pak with its Dana 60 Sure Grip differential and 3.54:1 final gearing, as well as power steering, power brakes with front discs and heavy-duty cooling equipment. Ordering the Hemi installation automatically upgraded the frame and suspension as well. The FJ5 exterior color was an added cost, and the Superbird-specific components were installed accordingly. The replacement steel rear window opening meant a black vinyl top, while the rear wing, nose cone and rear-facing fender scoops were finished in body color. In the case of this car, the interior is black vinyl but features premium pieces led by the rare rim-blow steering wheel, bucket seats with a center fold-down buddy seat, an AM radio with 8-track player, the Tic-Toc-Tach and a Hurst Pistol Grip shifter. Outside, the unique hood uses functional pins as part of the actual hold down, while large Plymouth fender decals, Road Runner trim accents and chrome exhaust tips complete it. Among the provenance included are a broadcast sheet and window sticker, plus copies of historic titles. The combination of this car’s options and driveline allowed its original owner to have a dream car, as very few people spent the money for some of them, such as the AM/8-track radio and rim-blow steering wheel, both which added significant cost after purchasing the more than $800 Hemi engine. For those who want a Hemi Superbird that will make even people who know these cars pay attention, this one has few, if any, equals. This vehicle will be offered at MECUM Auctions annual Kissimmee Florida, The World's Largest Collector Car Auction®, along with almost 4,000 cars and thousands of Road Art items. Taking place January 4-15, 2023. View more cars and register to bid online at https://drive.mecum.com/kissimmee-2023. View More Information

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