Toyota is turning heads this week at SEMA (Specialty Equipment Marketing Association) with a custom car honoring Richard Petty. Meet the “Suprabird.”
The custom car began life as Rutledge Wood’s Toyota GR Supra 3.0 Premium. The former “Top Gear USA” host and longtime friend of Kyle Petty wanted to celebrate Legacy Motor Club joining the Toyota family.
The transformation began with the Supra undergoing extensive modifications. Wood installed a cold air intake and custom cat-back performance exhaust. He swapped coilover springs to reduce body roll and then installed blue, 19-inch three-piece wheels.
Instead of using a wrap to change the color, the team handling the customization actually painted it Petty Blue. They hand-painted the No. 43 on the roof and doors to give it the true NASCAR look.
A custom body kit completed the look as the team tried to adapt the Superbird style onto the Suprabird.
“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,” Wood said in a statement from Toyota.
“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!”
The Suprabird is currently on display at SEMA and will remain at the Las Vegas Convention Center through Nov. 8.
Those unable to attend the annual automotive showcase will have an opportunity to purchase a miniature version. An official Hot Wheels car will forever immortalize the Suprabird.
“Twenty years ago, there were skeptics who questioned whether a car like this, or even the entire GR lineup, would ever come into being,” stated Mike Tripp, group vice president of Toyota Division Marketing, Toyota Motor North America.
“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. The Suprabird represents the incredible journey of both Richard Petty and Toyota.”