Looking for a car that is basically a bad boy? Like the one that officially broke the 200 mph barrier on a closed course circuit, enough for NASCAR to ban it for being a tad too much like Speedy Gonzales?
Well then, this very car, also known as the NASCAR decimator, the 1969 Dodge Hemi Daytona is up for grabs on Mecum with no reserve price.
The Banned 1969 Dodge Hemi Daytona
Buddy Baker drove the 1969 Dodge Hemi Daytona at Talladega Speedway to register a very special moment in 1970 when the car recorded a never-before official lap speed of 200.447 mph. For the record, this was also the first time any car used directional fins to direct airflow to the radiator.
The Dodge Daytona had to dominate NASCAR. A huge nose piece and a massive rear wing made it as aerodynamic as possible. With supersonic speed, it went on to win so many high-profile NASCAR races that NASCAR banned it. As it did, the Daytona's sibling, the Plymouth Road Runner Super Bird. However, the NASCAR bans don’t exist outside the racetrack, and that’s welcome news.
This particular car started its journey as a Chrysler “Development Car,” labeled as Serial No. DC-93. It raced in NASCAR as the no. 88 Charger 500. Later, it became a test car driven by Bobby Allison, Dan Gurney, Bobby Isaac, James Hylton, and the famous Iowa racer Don White for several seasons before retiring in the mid-1970s.
It also exchanged a few hands before landing with the 2018 NASCAR Hall of Fame Inductee Ray Evernham for complete multi-year restoration work.
Restoring The Baddest Of All Daytonas
As part of the restoration job, the Daytona gets a 426/575 hp Hemi EX-144 V8 engine mated to a four-speed manual transmission. Other key additions include a Holley Dominator carburetor on a bathtub Hemi intake and period-correct body parts, as well as paint and racing wheels. It carries its original blue no. 88 livery all around and an exquisite black interior.
For the legitimacy of this deal, a letter of authenticity from George M. Wallace verifying the origin of DC-93 is also attached along with vintage photos to remind you of its glorious past.
All 1969 Dodge Hemi Daytonas command six figures in the classic car bazaar, however, this one is rather special and might just touch the million-dollar mark. Bidding started on May 13 and will end on May 21, so time is running on for those who want a piece of racing history in their collection.
Source: Mecum, Classic.com