Dodge Daytona 1969, Estados Unidos

Dodge Daytona 1969, Estados Unidos
Fotografia

They came to do one thing—win. Indeed, when Dodge boss Bob McCurry first saw it, he only asked if it could finally give Dodge that big Daytona superspeedway title. The engineering guys said yes, and cars like this spectacularly refreshed Charger Daytona showed up in late 1969, among the ultimate “win on Sunday, sell on Monday” American supercars from this era. One of 503 Daytonas produced, this car is documented with its original broadcast sheet and window sticker. Moreover, the exacting nut-and-bolt rotisserie restoration is to correct as-built specs, making this streamlined example of the upscale Charger R/T design even more attractive.

Beneath the hood is this car’s matching-numbers 440 Magnum V-8 engine, pumping out 375 HP complete with its 4-barrel carburetor and dual exhaust. This is backed by the legendary A727 TorqueFlite transmission as part of the A36 Performance Axle Package, which added the 8.75 Sure Grip differential with 3.55 gears. Equipped with power steering, this car showcases more than its aerodynamic enhancements (wing, nose cone, flush rear window and air extractors). It is covered in deep R6 Red with a white wing and black vinyl interior. Inside are bucket seats and a center console with shifter, Music Master AM radio, the sport steering wheel, tachometer with clock, and a remote driver's mirror. The exterior is enhanced with the tinted windshield, flip-top gas cap, hood pins, Daytona wing graphics and script Charger chrome trim. This car rides on styled road wheels and Firestone redline tires, which nicely complement the body color.

Sold new at Western Dodge Inc. in Marion, Indiana, this Charger Daytona and its kin were part of a single production run, one that Dodge would never revisit. Alas, the hoped-for Daytona win was not part of its legacy (Plymouth’s similar Superbird got that honor in 1970), but the model helped Dodge win the Grand National series Championship with Bobby Isaac, and this example has faithfully continued that legacy ever since.