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With help from lots of celebrities and plenty of fanfare, Year One’s newest Mopar creation sells for $501,000 at the Barrett-Jackson Auction. We first reported on Year One Superbird project month’s ago, when we first laid eyes on it at last year’s Year One Experience. The idea was simple—take a stock car racing icon and update it for battle with modern gear, such as an actual NASCAR motor (modified to run on pump gas!) donated by Gillette-Evernham Racing. The ultimate goal of the effort was to raise funds for the Darryl Gwynn Foundation. The foundation was started by drag racing champion, Darryl Gwynn, to support research into spinal cord injuries, and to assist those suffering from paralysis—particularly children. Starting with standard ’70 Plymouth Satellite, the crew at Year One transformed the jalopy into a stunning Superbird tribute. The Year One design team spent a considerable amount of time studying and photographing original Superbird race cars on display at the Talladega Motor Speedway museum. While the competition drivetrain, extensive chassis modifications, and roll cage scream racetrack, the Year One crew added all the necessary street equipment to make the car legal for road use. The Superbird drove onto the Barrett-Jackson stage on Saturday, January 17. The honor of driving the car fell to none other than Richard Petty, the King of Stock Car racing. Once the car was situated in front of the huge crowd, King Richard, pro wrestler Bill Goldberg, Year One president Kevin King, Darryl Gwynn, musician Kenny Wayne Shepherd, and other well-known industry and entertainment personalities helped the Barrett-Jackson crew get the auction rolling. When the gavel dropped, the car sold for an astonishing $501,000, and an additional $175,000 was pledged to the Darryl Gwynn Foundation. Altogether, the event raised $676,000 for the charity.
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