Americans’ love for speed meant automobile manufacturers needed to build cars that are fast enough to satisfy the market’s appetite. Also, back in the 60s, car racing had transformed from just being a mere car competition to a marketing tool by car manufacturers to fiercely advertise their brand. These racing events include stock-car racing, drag racing, sports car racing, and Grand Prix racing to name a few. The Dodge brand under the ownership of Chrysler did take maximum advantage of the racing jamboree.
Dodge race cars were heavily involved in a plethora of racing events with several victories and record-setting performances to show for their effort. For their historical significance, the records they set, powertrain specification, and also for the wins they proudly carted home at the racetracks, these cars listed here are among the most significant race cars ever built by Dodge.
10 Ramchargers’ 1963 “Candymatic” Super Stock Dodge
Drag racing is an enthralling sport, hence, a team of Chrysler engineers and other employees who love drag racing formed a club and called it the Ramchargers. In 1963, the racing club added two factory-sponsored team cars to its fleet. These cars were painted white with several candy-apple red stripes (probably justifying the “candy” in its name, Candymatic) on it.
Using an automatic transmission, drag racing duo of Herman Mosar and Jim Thornton, behind the wheels of the Ramchargers, defeated all comers on their way to victory in the championship in Super-Stock Automatic.
9 1968 Hemi Dodge Dart
In 1968, a total of 80 Hurst-reworked Hemi Darts were built strictly for drag racing. Assigned code L023, this unique model was built based on the ’68 Dart GTS hardtop and it was fitted with a 426 Hemi powering the car to 130 mph in a mere 11 seconds. The adoption of fiberglass fenders and hood helped keep the car’s weight low.
Also, the door was built with no window mechanism and the use of lightweight acid dipped steel doors with side window glass further reduced the car to an approximate weight of 3,000 lbs.
8 1971 Hot Wheels Plymouth Barracuda Funny Car “Snake II”
“The Mongoose” vs “The Snake” is said to be among the greatest rivalries in drag racing. It pitched Don Prudhomme known as the snake with Tom McEwen, the Mangoose. But the cars they drop also achieved iconic status. With the 1971 Hot Wheels Plymouth Barracuda Funny Car, Prudhomme performed track wonders.
Built by John Buttera, Snake II partook in the American Hot Rod Association tour with blistering wins and record-setting performances. Notably, Snake II achieved a top speed of 226 mph with Prudhomme behind the wheels.
7 1965 Altered-Wheelbase Dodge Coronet A990
With its production based on the street-legal variant, the 1965 Altered-Wheelbase Coronet is among the most iconic race-focused cars ever built by Mopar. For this racing version, several modifications were effected on the car, which includes the redistribution of weight by moving the floor plan forward by 15 inches – this ensures the rear axles were repositioned behind the driver.
Also, the car is powered by a 426 Hemi V8, producing 550 hp at 5000 rpm and it’s capable of accelerating to 60 mph in 4.5 seconds. Just six units were built.
6 2018 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon
With enough wickedness packed under its hood, this race-inspired car aptly justifies its name; Demon. It’s the 2018 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon, and it’s powered by a uniquely built 6.2 L V8 engine that is spiced up with a 2.7 L supercharger, which jacks its rates up to 840 hp (using 100 octane fuel or higher) at 770 lb-ft of torque.
For its incredible power, SRT Demon uses purpose-built Nitto Tire known as NT05R. The “demon” in this SRT gains full expression on the tracks as it can zap from idleness to 30 mph in one tiny second.
5 1990 Pro Stock Dodge Daytona
This 1990 Pro Stock Dodge Daytona is currently on display at the Don Garlits’ Museum of Drag Racing, Ocala, Florida… but what’s the backstory? So, legendary pro-stock driver, Darrell Alderman, achieved his revered status behind the Mopar wheels. Notably, in 1990, driving the Pro Stock Dodge Daytona, Alderman competed in the National Hot Rod Association Championship and won – making it his first-ever win at an NHRA event.
Riding on the win and his awesome 1990 Pro Stock Dodge Daytona, Alderman won the championship again in ’91 scoring 11 out of 14 final-round appearances.
4 Dick Landy’s 1970 Pro Stock Dodge Challenger
With an illustrious racing career that spanned almost 20 years, American drag racer Dick Landy surely needs no introduction… and neither does his 1970 Pro Stock Dodge Challenger. Racing with his trademark unlit cigar, Landy swiftly became fans favorite with his name conspicuously written on his red, silver, and blue Hemi-powered 1970 Pro Stock Dodge Challenger, among other cars.
While he had previously won the 1968 and 1969 Street class at Winternats, Landy followed it up with another win at the 1970 event.
3 1970 Sox And Martin Pro Stock Plymouth ‘Cuda
American drag racer, Ronnie Sox along with his former competitor turned racing partner & team manager, Buddy Martin, won several Pro Stock events as a team for Plymouth. The duo took drag racing by storm, proving too difficult to defeat in their factory-built Mopars.
However, the most popular drag racing machine driven by the duo is the 1970 Pro Stock Plymouth Hemi ‘Cuda with which they won the second-ever Pro Stock event in 1970. The car was recently auctioned off through Mecum.
2 2009 Dodge Challenger Drag Pak
In 2009, Dodge Built 100 units of the Challenger Drag Pak for stock and super stock series. It was a special moment for the company as they’d literally gone back in time to deploy their knowledge of fabricating the most awesome race cars into the production of a modern-day track king.
Specially designed, this car is built to be 1000 pounds lighter than the Challenger SRT8. It’s powered either by the 5.7 or 6.2 L Hemi V8 as determined by the racing class the owner wants.
1 Raymond Beadle’s 1981 Plymouth Horizon Funny Car
In 1981, while competing at the Winternationals, Raymond Beadle sped off from the starting line in his Blue Max Funny Car as a hardtop, however, he drove to the finish line as a convertible. Though his car’s roof had been blown off, Beadle still had to drive to the finish line with a roofed car, in line with racing rules and guidelines.
Hence, Beadle smartly tacked the spare roof from a Kenny Bernstein’s car to his. Initially a mishap, but Beadle’s creative intervention has sent his lightweight Plymouth Horizon Funny Car into drag racing’s historical archives.