Original Unrestored SuperBird

JIM’S BIRD

Jim Bodanis’ 1970 Super Bird is recognized by gurus in the hobby, such as Roger (Ol’ Rog) Gibson and Frank Badalson, as being the best example of an original unmolested specimen of the aforesaid model. It’s arguably the best Super Bird currently known on the planet. So if you want to argue, argue with the gurus, not us. And don’t argue with Jim, either. He’s got a temper and you might find yourself on the floor looking for your teeth. But ordinarily, Jim’s a real peaceable kind of guy.

This Bird can trace its feathers back to its original owner, Ken Caldwell. Ken piled on almost all of the Bird’s current mileage of 13,000 and change. Ken had fun with the car top-ending it on more than one occasion. Guess he wanted to see if it could actually fly. A subsequent owner had a different kind of fun with the bird. He ensconsed it inside a plastic bubble. For about 10 years.

Jim’s Bird

Jim has an allergy to plastic bubbles so he went a different route. He actually drives the Bird, as he does all the cars in his impressive collection of original, mostly unrestored Mopars. Living up in Canada, Jim spends the rest of his time shoveling snow out of his driveway.

Jim’s Super Bird packs its original 440-6 engine. It’s basically no different than any other 1970 440-6 motor, so the original details on this Mopar Action Certified Reference Original will serve you well as to details in your own restoration of a 440-6 engine compartment. As we pointed out in the magazine article, this six-pack came from the factory with an incorrect heat stove covering the exhaust manifold. This was correct on a 440 4-Bbl engine which used heated intake air. The six-barrel intake did not.

Jim’s other Bird.

Overall engine details. Note incorrect exhaust manifold heat stove, and blue daub, indicating heavy duty,
on the shock bolt in that same shot.

Jacking instructions for nose and rear. All stickers are original—no repops.

Trunk was painted before the electrical wire (at left) was installed. Then the tabs were bent down to secure the wire. Top surface of tabs are unpainted and they were straight-up when the trunk was sprayed, so their inner surface was not hit.

Here’s a shot looking into the nose to give you an idea of what was painted, and what was not. This would only be of interest if you had your own Super Bird and wanted to see how the factory did it.

Close up of odo showing current mileage.