Toyota's 'Suprabird' Pays Homage to Richard Petty In the Strangest Way
Yes, it's at SEMA. No, it doesn't have a Hemi.
- The Toyota Supra "Suprabird" pays homage to the 1970 Plymouth Superbird raced by Richard Petty in NASCAR.
- The changes are largely aesthetic, with upgraded suspension being the only notable mechanical difference.
- It's on display at the 2024 SEMA Show, running November 5-8 in Las Vegas.
NASCAR has existed in the US for over 75 years, but only a few drivers—and their cars—have attained legendary status. Richard Petty is arguably at the very top of the list, and though he drove several cars throughout his long career, the 1970 Plymouth Superbird is the one people remember. It was the winged wonder of superspeedways, so dominating that NASCAR made rule changes in 1971 effectively banning the aerodynamic 'bird.
Now, Toyota and Rutledge Wood are paying homage to the classic Superbird with a modern interpretation based on another winged car, the Supra. Say hello to the Suprabird, complete with a classic blue paint job and festooned with Petty's number 43 on the doors.
This isn't just a random act of nostalgia on the part of Wood and Toyota. Legacy Motor Club is the modern iteration of what used to be the Petty GMS NASCAR race team. They're partnered with Toyota and field several drivers in NASCAR, including Erik Jones who carries the no. 43 legacy with his Camry XSE. Wood, who's long had a friendship with the Petty family, thought a Toyota-themed tribute to the classic Superbird would be neat.
“I wanted to welcome Petty to the Toyota Gazoo Racing Family, celebrate his affiliation with Legacy Motor Club, and pay homage to the 75th Anniversary of the Petty Family in Racing,” said Wood. “The vision was to recreate the aesthetic of the iconic Superbird in the form of a modern-day GR Supra, and thus the Suprabird was born!”
To make the Suprabird happen, Wood pulled a stock Supra from his own collection and set to work on modifications. The Petty Blue paint job is obviously what grabs attention, and yes, it's actual paint, not a wrap. It rides on 19-inch wheels painted dark blue like those on the original race car. The Supra's stock suspension is swapped for coilovers, and a mild body kit—including a big honkin' wing at the back—completes the aesthetic changes.
Sadly, there isn't a 426 Hemi V-8 under the hood. The Supra's twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six is left alone, though a cold air intake and upgraded exhaust might add a few ponies to the existing 382 horsepower.
Gallery: Suprabird Custom Toyota Supra
“Today, Toyota not only plays a significant role in NASCAR, but is also honored to be associated with the most legendary name in the sport," said Toyota North America Marketing Vice President Mike Tripp. "The Suprabird represents the incredible journey of both Richard Petty and Toyota.”
The Suprabird is one of several custom vehicles Toyota has at this year's SEMA Show. It runs now through November 8 in Las Vegas.
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Source: Toyota
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