When it comes to ultra-rare, classic American sports cars, there is probably nothing that can touch the likes of the Shelby Cobra->ke2263, 1963 split-window Stingray and 1969 Dodge Charger Daytona. Not only did these cars exhibit the raw performance that made cars of the ‘60s so spectacular, but their limited production made them instant collector's items.
Of these cars, the Dodge Charger Daytona is probably the most iconic, with its unique design that stands as a testament to how far an automaker will go for racing homologation. Created for the 1969 NASCAR->ke3635 season, the Charger Daytona was a dominant force in American racing as it won 45 out of 59 races, according to the car's description by Mecum Auctions. The auction house will be selling off a gorgeous, low-mileage example of the Daytona on Saturday, April 11 in Houston.
Just like high-speed NASCAR tracks, the Charger Daytona has been a strong performer at vehicle auctions as of late, so expect more of the same next month.
Continue reading to learn 1969 Dodge Charger Daytona Hemi.
1969 Dodge Charger Daytona Hemi
- Make: Array
- Model: 1969 Dodge Charger Daytona Hemi
- Engine/Motor: V8
- Horsepower: 425
- Transmission: 4-speed
Exterior
Looking to gain every advantage possible in NASCAR racing, Dodge developed the Charger Daytona with aerodynamics in mind. The 1969 Daytona is defined by its sloped nose and its wild rear wing, but this particular Daytona is painted in R4 Bright Red with the black bumblebee stripes. Everything about this Daytona looks just as the car did when it was built 46 years ago, right down to the Goodyear Redline tires. As mean as the Charger Daytonas were on the track, it’s a bit comical how frightened these cars look when the pop-up headlights are on, or when parallel parking.
Interior
Just like the exterior, the interior of this Daytona is immaculate. The black bucket seats look brand new, as does the wood-trimmed, three-spoke steering wheel, but the true draw of this car will be the odometer, which shows just 46,000 original miles.
Drivetrain
The 1969 Daytona was offered with two engine options (the 440-cubic-inch V-8 and the legendary 426-cubic-inch Hemi V-8) and two transmission options (a three-speed automatic and a four-speed manual). Of the 500 Dodge Charger Daytonas built in 1969, only 20 – including this one – combined the Hemi and manual gearbox.
Prices
The rarity of the 1969 Dodge Charger Daytona means that there could be some emotional bidding involved to drive the price up. In all likelihood, though, this particular Charger Daytona probably won’t command as much as the copper-colored Charger Daytona recently acquired by actor and comedian David Spade (also at a Mecum auction) for $900,000. Like this Charger Daytona, Spade’s was one of the 20 that combined the 426 Hemi with the four-speed manual transmission, but his had only 6,435 miles on the odometer and some interesting provenance. Still, expect this Charger Daytona and its sister car, the 1970 Plymouth Superbird (also being auctioned off that weekend), to be two of the highest-grossing vehicles to cross the auction block.
Competition
1969 Ford Torino Talladega
Like the Charger Daytona, the 1969 Ford Torino Talladega was a NASCAR homologation production car with aerodynamics in mind. This included a reshaped nose, although it wasn’t nearly as radical as the Daytona. All Torino Talladegas were powered by the 428 Cobra Jet V-8 mated to a three-speed automatic. Just as the Daytona had its Plymouth Superbird sibling, the Torino Talladega was closely related to Mercury Cyclone Spoiler II.
Conclusion
There is perhaps no other American car that is as synonymous with NASCAR as the 1969 Dodge Charger Daytona, and this low-mileage example hitting the Mecum auction block is a shining example. Eventually, all of these “aero cars” were banned by NASCAR, making them extremely rare. Needless to say, it’s going to take a lot of money to add this car to your personal collection, but wherever it ends up, it will continue to be a show-stopper for years to come.