Throwback Thursday: Richard Petty's Winning Car Sold at Auction
When it comes to NASCAR it doesn’t get much bigger than The King himself: Richard Petty.
The Legacy
The King is more of a title than a nickname. His record includes 700 Top 10 finishes, 1,184 starts and the only man ever to win his 500th race. Richard Petty is a legend among legends in the motorsport world and is the most successful driver of all time. Countless amounts of us are good drivers but few could ever get close to Richard Petty's skill level. However, if you were lucky enough to pick up his old racing Charger at Auction you could be a little closer.
Onto the Car
It really doesn’t get any cooler than a blue and orange STP sponsored NASCAR spec Dodge Charger unless you can point to it and say “that used to be Petty’s and it won the Daytona 500.” It’s incredible to look at the shape of the bodywork compared to today and imagine how different they must have been to drive.
>>Join the conversation about Racing Legend Richard Petty's Charger right here in the Dodge Forum.
Era of the Engines
1974 specifically marked a year that abandoned the “bigger is better” way of producing horsepower. The oil crisis was in full swing and the sport was in a good deal of trouble. Just like today, they chose to downsize and set the maximum displacement to 358 cubic inches. It all started right here and this car was a winner. We have no doubt that this car will absolutely increase in value over the years!
>>Join the conversation about Racing Legend Richard Petty's Charger right here in the Dodge Forum.
Front Runner
Incredibly fast the year it competed, the STP Charger that Petty campaigned looked out of luck in the last 2 laps trailing David Pearson until Pearson mysteriously fell back. Petty would take the lead to the roar of the crowd after a grueling wheel to wheel battle. In the final few corners, Pearson took it back to secure the victory. One of the best NASCAR races ever and a total testament to Petty’s never say die mentality out on the race track.
>>Join the conversation about Racing Legend Richard Petty's Charger right here in the Dodge Forum.
GOAT in the Garage
To look at a car like this and assess it based on money is as meaningless as asking someone why they would buy it in the first place. You simply do it because you love it. And, what’s not to love about this car? History, pedigree, great looks, massive horsepower and a piece of The King’s legacy sitting in your garage.
>>Join the conversation about Racing Legend Richard Petty's Charger right here in the Dodge Forum.
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