... gives wings ...
12/25/2015
In the mid-sixties, the stock cars that raced in the Nascar series reached their aerodynamic limits. The engines had become so powerful that the cars became very difficult to drive, lifted off the ground or lost grip at the rear without warning. Chrysler tackled this problem with the Dodge Charger 500 by adding a high spoiler to the rear.
Ford and Mercury responded immediately. However, Chrysler's Hemi 426 engine now had a power deficit of around 70 to 80 hp compared to the competition and the new displacement limit announced by the Nascar for 1971 threatened to make it uncompetitive. Bob McCurry set up a special program and had the Dodge Charger Daytona built, which immediately became the fastest race touring car in NASCAR thanks to its aerodynamic front end and optimized overall aerodynamics. It averaged 199.985 miles per hour on its qualifying lap at Talladega and won 45 of the 59 races up to 1971. With a cd value of 0.28, it was very wind-slippery, but it also proved to be very safe to drive, so much so that one of the racing drivers of the time said that any driver could drive a lap with it at an average of 180 miles per hour.
Anyone wanting to experience this feeling should turn their attention to the annual Mecum auction in Kissimmee , where several of these winged monsters will be auctioned off between January 15 and 24, 2016.
There is even something for DIY enthusiasts, as you can buy a barn-find Daytona for between USD 150,000 and 180,000.
Restored and equipped with a Hemi engine, however, another vehicle will cost as much as USD 700,000 to 900,000.
They are all attractive and eye-catching, whether with a Dodge or Plymouth emblem. And the value development speaks for these cars ...
