Bobby Issac’s Iconic No. 71 Dodge Daytona Conjures up Some Fond Memories

NASCAR legend passed away decades ago, but his memory lives on via this Dodge Daytona and a nicely-done clone.

Many long-time NASCAR fans are well acquainted with the name Bobby Issac, who made his debut in that racing series back in 1961, quickly catapulting to fame and earning his fair share of wins in that decade and the 1970s, as well as a championship to boot.

Sadly, Issac passed away after suffering a heart attack during a race in 1977, but his legacy lives on today after he was named one of NASCAR’s 50 Greatest Drivers and was inducted into the NASCAR Hall of Fame. His famous No. 71 Dodge Daytona is still around, kicking, and keeping his memory alive, however, as we can see in this video from The Garage Shop.

This prized machine resides at the Wellborn Muscle Car Museum in Alexander City, Alabama, and it isn’t just some show piece, as is often the case with museum cars. In fact, it runs and drives perfectly, as we can see in the video.

It’s also far more than just a car, but rather, a rolling piece of history that clearly conjures up some strong emotions among the team, particularly since they have so much appreciation for the man who drove it, as well as his family.

For Aaron Brown of The Garage Shop, this moment means more than most, as he built his career working in NASCAR, as well as building machines that set numerous land speed records.

He became close with the Isaac family over the years, and as such, is keen to keep Bobby’s memory alive. And what better way to do that than with the same Dodge Daytona that he drove to victory on many occasions?

The video also shows off a replica of the Issac Dodge Daytona that The Garage Shop built, which is a bit more modern in scope, yet not so much so that it’s completely different.

Rather, the team wanted to capture that same spirit, yet take things “a bit further,” adding some newer technology in the process. Seeing the two together is a special moment for any enthusiast, but for Brown and his team, it’s something they’ll clearly never forget.

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Brett Foote

Brett Foote has been covering the automotive industry for over five years and is a longtime contributor to Internet Brands’ Auto Group sites, including Chevrolet Forum, Rennlist, and Ford Truck Enthusiasts, among other popular sites.

He has been an automotive enthusiast since the day he came into this world and rode home from the hospital in a first-gen Mustang, and he's been wrenching on them nearly as long.

In addition to his expertise writing about cars, trucks, motorcycles, and every other type of automobile, Brett had spent several years running parts for local auto dealerships.

You can follow along with his builds and various automotive shenanigans on Instagram: @bfoote.