1970 Superbird, Ray Nichels, Restoration

24 West Street, Building # 4 - Middlefield, Connecticut 06455 Ph. 860-349-4570

E-Muscle received a letter that a rare Superbird was coming out of storage after 20 years in North Carolina and was to be put out to the highest bidder. The contact with the seller was made for pertinent information and the race was on. Hours turned to days as every last detail was researched and the vehicle was confirmed to be what the seller had said. A one only made 1970 Superbird built by the late Ray Nichels of NASCAR fame! E-Muscle immediately contacted one of our best clients that had expressed such an interest in purchasing another vehicle and partnered up to enter the bidding. The next 2 days would prove to be more exciting than your first time at the 1/4 mile drags.

The bidding was tough but the deal was made. E-Muscle was victorious! This came from the promise of immediate action and the integrity that we stand for. Within 24 hours E-Muscle was loaded with family, truck and trailer in tow. Less than a day later we were pulling up to the likes of a Muscle car that one can only dream of!

The vehicle history is something that is quite unique. Back in the early 70’s Ray Nichels of Nichels Engineering, the NASCAR supercar builder won a government bid to build a vehicle for the EPA. The goal was simple, (At least for Ray it was). Build a vehicle that was capable of chasing commercial aircraft for the sake of government testing of pollution, noise, tire dust etc. Ray stepped up to the challenge and chose the 70 Superbird, purchased relatively new from a local individual.

A local race track was rented by the EPA and the testing was on! The car was in action for a short period of time and then put out to pasture for resale at a government auction. Then it was sold by that buyer to us. The clock shows an incredibly low 10,000 Miles.

E-Muscle will be restoring this vehicle over the next 6-8 months to complete factory specs as it was from the 70’s for the EPA. When completed, this vehicle will join the few other priceless, historical, one-of-a-kind vehicles in existence; via sale at an auction or private purchase.

So mark this one on your favorites and watch as history unfolds at E-Muscle. This build will be documented heavily so everyone from NASCAR to Superbird fans alike can appreciate the re-creation of History as it was in the 70’s and as it was from a NASCAR legend, Ray Nichels.

Enjoy!

The car was modified as such:

Able to do over 100 MPH for over 1 hour

0-100 in less than 15 seconds

Carry on board test equipment

3 - 13 volt batteries

Dual alternators

Safety harness

Special suspension system control and gauges

4 speed H.D. transmission and clutch

HD wheels

Air craft radio

Braking instrumentation

NASCAR fuel cell

Compressor regulated rear air suspension

EPA Turquoise color scheme & badges

Automatic on the column with bench seat was replaced with buckets/console and H.D. 4 speed

Rear seat was removed to accommodate on board test equipment

The vehicle came with every bit of documentation one could ask for and more!

Dealer Invoice
Window sticker
EPA gas charge slips from the 70’s (showing where the car was and what mileage).
EPA Articles discussing the vehicle project
Articles from the newspapers in the 70’s discussing the build
Letters from the Winged Warriors car club indicating this to be the Ray Nichels Superbird
Dash Plaque indicating the vehicle was built for the EPA (Still Intact)

SUPERBIRD PHOTO GALLERY

SPIKE TV Filming Photo Gallery

E-Muscle teamed up with Spike TV's "Muscle Car" Show to tell the story of a NASCAR Legend who built a car for the Environmental Protection

SUPERBIRD MEDIA/PRESS

For more information on racing legend Ray Nichels please visit the following links.

LaDow Publishing - Biography Highlights

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