Magnificent Hemi Orange ’69 Daytona Super Bird Goes to Auction
Rare Nascar-trim Mopar is one of 503 made, and was the first to break the 200 MPH limit.
The 1969 Dodge Charger Daytona is proof that good things come to those who wait. Not that drivers would have to wait long for anything – in NASCAR trim, it was the first stocker to top the 200 mile-per-hour mark. And since it was a homologation special, the version you could buy at Dodge dealerships wasn’t all that different from the one Buddy Baker drove on the oval.
But in the real world, the Daytona was a tough sell. Just 503 were built for homologation purposes. Due to their long length (nearly 19 feet), wild aero aids, and high price, many sat on dealer lots for years. A few were reportedly sacrificed by impatient dealerships and converted into Charger 500s for a quicker sale. But for long-term owners, the car was a worthy investment. Today, Daytonas are legends. And, of course, they change hands for deep into the six-figure range.
That’s why we’re interested in this Daytona. Offered by Barrett-Jackson at its January 12 to 20, 2019 Scottsdale auction, it’s a no reserve car. That means bidding will almost certainly be lively.
Dream Daytona
As far as Daytonas go, this one is about as perfect as it gets. It benefits from a full restoration, finished in Hemi Orange over a white vinyl interior. The numbers-matching 440 cubic inch Magnum V8 is topped with a four-barrel carburetor and is mated to its original transmission. In this case, that’s a three-speed Torqueflite 727 slusher. It benefits from power steering and brakes (all the better to handle this near-two-ton rocket), and has all of its original equipment, down to the jack and damage-prone nose.
Every year, Arizona Auction Week is the first big auction event of the year. What’s more, Barrett-Jackson’s event is always a blockbuster. We doubt that this Daytona will be a real bargain. But its no reserve status means that a lot of potential buyers will be lining up to take a shot at this one. We’re looking forward to seeing where the gavel falls on this one come January.
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