This 1970 Plymouth Superbird which goes up for auction next month is known as “the car that killed the muscle car” as it was bought and owned by the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) for emissions testing back in the 1970’s and early 80’s.  This Superbird was purchased in 1972 by the EPA and outfitted with special tools for the EPA to monitor emissions, brake dust, MPG and more. 

This Superbird started out as a stock white car, and once is was acquired by the EPA it was painted ice blue, and had an A833 automatic transmission installed, as well as an additional alternator, 3 batteries, fuel cell, air shocks and testing equipment for sampling the exhaust of a jet engine.

While many think this is the car that killed the muscle car many historians do not believe this car was responsible for the demise of the classic American Muscle Car because other factors came into play like high insurance rates or big displacement, low compression engines were primarily to blame along with rising gas prices.  Many people say that this car can be attributed to the removal of asbestos brake lining and had a role in the removal of lead from gasoline. 

Although this car was modified after the EPA sold it back in 1979 since 2006 it has carefully been restored to the condition it was in when it was owned by the EPA and will cross the auction block in late February as a car that changed the way we make cars today.