Dodge Charger Daytona Officially Becomes Millionaire’s Playtoy
Selling for 1.43 million dollars Mecum Auction’s Kissimmee show, this Charger Daytona is the priciest, lowest-mileage example known.
One car you maybe won’t be seeing at too many cars-and-coffee events is this one right here. It’s lack of mileage is what has catapulted its price into stratospheric levels. It’s actually the lowest mileage Dodge Charger Daytona currently around. It also has some famous prior owners, according to AutoEvolution. And it just sold for $1,430,000. Yowza.
Rare MOPAR models have always been comfortably in the 6-digit range for a while now. Cuda’s, 440 Six-Packs, Superbirds… Because of their unique combinations and relatively low volume, “one-of-few” MOPARs always had a particularly hefty draw. But this Daytona puts MOPAR into a far different league. It has every right to sit next to foreign exotica. The other really unique thing about this one was it is just one of 20 that had the 426 HEMI mated to a 4-speed manual. That 426 was the conversation piece, being the motor of choice for anyone wanting to turn rear tires from black rubber into white smoke.
Unironically, many exotics end up being derived from homologation specials, and the Daytona is no different. By the 70’s, big powerful engines weren’t enough (but they were needed) and the Daytona’s big wing and pin-point nose helped it slice through the air. In race trim, it would exceed 200 miles per hour. Street versions obviously didn’t do that. But still, the lasting MOPAR legacy is now firmly established.
This particular one won’t be changing the overall market for Daytona’s all that much. It’s a true one-of-one with the mentioned drivetrain combo, as well as being owned by comedian, David Spade. So in all, there really isn’t a direct comparison for this car, although we suspect other low mileage Winged Warriors will have a sense of entitlement at this car’s latest achievement.
One thing is for sure. Gearheads are not afraid to speak with their wallet. And throwing down that amount of cash for a gasoline powered classic car speaks to the strength of the muscle car market and collector car market as a whole. Sure, electric cars are coming, but the old classics aren’t going anywhere. And that’s some really good news.
Photos: AutoEvolution
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