Sox & Martin Superbird aka SuperChicken

[Dave Siltman]

Hey guys, Jack Werst's car was originally a Petty car that Chrysler re-routed. It was built (new) as a stick and later converted to auto. It was originally blue. There are quite a few "hidden" tricks that MANY people never knew and might not believe. The wheelbase was changed and remains so now. The "cheater" motor Chrysler built to beat Ray Allen was immediately removed and sent back to Chrysler after the race that never was. Werst red-lighted on purpose so the car could not be torn down. The sail panels were filled with balast. The engine was set back. All kinds of TRICKERY. Werst sold the car to some racers in Maryland and they raced it for a short time under the name "Enginuity". Ken Jennings drove and after a very limited campaign, the car went into loooooooong storage and was found within the last couple of years. It was sold by Jenning's family to a fellow I know, changed hands again, and is now in a private collection. The car is in as-raced condition with a Hemi and automatic, but the original numbered four speed is with the car. The car still wears some of the " Mister 5-50" paint and all of the "Enginuity" lettering and "lace". The interior is un-touched. I seem to remember the odometer read 1400 miles. I was in the car and drove it in the driveway of the owner that bought it from the Jennings family and sold it to the current owner. I spoke to Jack Werst at the York re-union and he was astounded that I knew so much about this car and verified what I know to be true. What a car!!!!!

[Hemi Moose]

Jack Wersts Mr. 5 & 50 1970 Hemi Superbird:

[Paul Ceasrine]

Deke,,,,,,

For 1970 NHRA Records
SS/E,,,,,,,,,,,, 11.10
SS/EA,,,,,,,,, 11.33

Dick Landy had the SS/E record early in the year with his
1969 Hemi Charger.

Later in the year, he set the SS/EA record with an 11.27 with
his 1970 Hemi Charger R/T.

That is what the Hemi Superbird would be shooting for.

John Tedder won the SS/EA Class at the 70' Winternationals and
70' Springnationals with his 1969 Hemi GTX convertible.

pc

[Paul Ceasrine]

Deke,

Car Weights for SS/E or SS/EA, all with 426 Hemi

70' Superbird,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,#3837 lbs.
69' GTX convertible,,,,,,,#3845 lbs
70' Cuda convertible,,,,,,#3682 lbs..
69' Charger,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,#3845 lbs.
69' Coronet R/T ,,,,,,,,,,,,,#3731 lbs.
69' Charger 500,,,,,,,,,,,,,#3872 lbs.
70' Charger R/T,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,#3840 lbs.

Total Superbirds built with the 426 Hemi 'R' Code
Numbers range from 93 to 135

Build dates;
October 22, 1969 thru December 15, 1969

If it is 135,,,,,,,,,
* 77 Automatics
* 58 4-speeds

A well built Hemi Superbird (NHRA legal) would usually turn 11.60's in 1970
Probably 11.45's in 1971.

pc

[Hemi Moose]

[Hemi Moose]

[Hemi Moose]

And this is the guy Ray Allen and his 1970 Chevelle SS LS6 454 convertible that raced Jack Werst's 1970 Superbird when he owned it...oh the stories about these two cars!

[Topper]

Helluva lot of info! You think the Sox bird was a petty bird, too? Wish there were records of them.

[Paul Ceasrine]

Ray Allen won the SS/EA Class at Indy in 1970,,,,,,,,
but he did not win the S/S Eliminator at the 70' Nationals...

It was Ron Mancini SS/AA 68' Hemi Dart over Lou Downing SS/D
69' AMX.

The SS/EA Hemi Superbirds were not really 'flying there'.

Anybody ever try parking a Superbird in a crowded parking lot...

pc

[Topper]

Anybody know when/where this pic of Jake King was taken? Notice the red bird? Awfully close to the Sox rig...could it be the bird before paint?