By Dave Ashton

One of the more esoteric muscle car designs of the 1970s, the 1969 Dodge Daytona is up for sale at the Dallas Mecum auction. This example (Lot S272) is 1 of 139, with a 440 V8, which may not have the street cred. of the Hemi, but still as collectable.

NASCAR Influence and Racing Dominance

Dodge’s engineers were tasked with developing a car that could excel in NASCAR’s high-speed oval races. The Daytona’s aerodynamic shape, including its signature nose cone and rear wing, was meticulously designed to reduce drag and increase downforce, making it faster and more stable at high speeds. The Daytona quickly proved its worth, winning several races and setting records that would stand for decades.

Limited Production and Exclusivity

To comply with NASCAR’s rules, Dodge was required to produce at least 500 units of the Daytona for public sale. The 1969 Dodge Daytona‘s body design was way too out there for the times, making them a hard sell. Most lived un-wanted on sales lots, but the few that saw the potential of the car, had a future rarity on their hands. Today, the 1969 Dodge Daytona is a rare and highly coveted collector’s item, with surviving examples fetching high prices at auction.

The Daytona’s most distinctive feature is its aerodynamic bodywork. The elongated nose cone and towering rear wing were designed to minimize air resistance and maximize downforce, providing exceptional stability at speeds exceeding 200 mph. These innovations were not merely aesthetic but essential for the car’s success in NASCAR competition.

The Run down

This example was an OE Gold winner at the 2012 Mopar Nationals. A score of 2,238 out of  2,250 points. The engine seems to have been replaced in February 1974 by Mitch Crawford Dodge in Raytown, Missouri with a June 1973 casting date. However, the 4-speed manual transmission is numbers matching.

The 1969 Dodge Daytona features a Track Pak Dana 60 rear end with 3.54 gears, Original heads, intake, oil pan, timing cover, R4 Red exterior, black interior, VIN and fender tag intact, and a full history and Broadcast sheet. Othe points to note –  Hurst shifter, AM radio, Tinted windshield, 5-spoke-styled road wheels, and Redline tires.

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