Built in only 503 units, the 1969 Dodge Charger Daytona is a rare classic from the golden muscle car era. But that's not the only thing that makes it a sought-after, expensive vehicle. It's also the most radical-looking production car of its time and a road-legal NASCAR racer.
Sure, some argue that it's just a Dodge Charger with a nose cone and a ridiculously tall wing, but it's these features that enabled the Daytona to become the first NASCAR to break the 200-mph (322-kph) mark.
Come 2022 and the Charger Daytona is among the most expensive American classics from the muscle car era. Restored, Concours-ready examples fetch six-figure sums regularly, while a very special HEMI unit set a new record at a whopping $1.32 million in May 2022. The car you see here changed has for a lot less than that, but it's just as gorgeous.
This lively green Daytona just crossed the block at Mecum Auctions' Dallas 2022 event for a cool $418,000. Yes, it's nowhere near as expensive as the $1.32-million record holder, but I should point out that this example doesn't have a HEMI under the hood. This "winged warrior" left the assembly line with a 440-cubic-inch (7.2-liter) RB V8 and $400K is a lot of dough for a non-HEMI Daytona.
But I'm not surprised that this Mopar sold for the kind of cash that would get you a modern supercar. This Daytona is a one-owner vehicle that comes with numbers-matching everything. I'm talking about body panels, engine, and transmission. And it also includes a few cool options on top, like the A36 Performance Axle Package with 3.55 rear gears.
On top of that, it's finished in a very rare color combination, as the white-stripes, Bright Green Metallic exterior was paired with a white and black interior.
As you might have already guessed, the Daytona went through a full-blown restoration. The process was completed in 2002, one year after the owner got the car out of long-term storage. Yup, this Mopar wasn't driven much when new and ended up spending about 30 years in a garage.
This green Daytona wasn't the only "winged warrior" auctioned off in Dallas. A 1970 Plymouth Superbird also changed hands for a six-figure sum. An orange, 440 6-BBL car with only 13,900 miles (22,370 km) on the odo, the Superbird went to a new home for $324,500.
The Mopars rounded off a top five list that includes no fewer than three Ford GTs, all of the low-mileage variety. A 2006 version sold for $434,500, while a 2005 model fetched $467,500. The event's most expensive car was a 2006 Ford GT Heritage Edition with only 420 miles (676 km) on the clock. The supercar sold for $704,000.
Ask Ciprian about cars and he'll reveal an obsession with classics and an annoyance with modern design cues. Read his articles and you'll understand why his ideal SUV is the 1969 Chevrolet K5 Blazer. Full profile
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