Photo: Mecum Auctions
Stock car racing in the late 1960s is the golden era of the genre. Ferocious drivers, push-and-shove action on the track and, of course, the so-called aero warriors. At Mecum’s Houston auction, two of the most legendary NASCAR-inspired brawlers will go on the auction block.
Of course, these two heroes of days long past are the 1969 Dodge Charger HEMI Daytona and its significant other - the 1970 Plymouth HEMI Superbird. Under the aerodynamically conscious sheet metal, these two are just an elderly Charger and Road Runner.
But then again, these two... ahem... senior citizens still have the moves like Jagger. We’re referring to the sheer powerhouse that lurks underneath those long, sculpted bonnets and whopping nose cones.
That would be a 426 cu in (7-liter) HEMI V8, a mill that’s nicknamed the “elephant engine” due to its size and the mountains of horsepower it churns out. With 425 HP channeled to the rear axle through a four-speed manual, these babies certainly earn their muscle car appellation.
Both the Charger and Superbird are fed by two 4-barrel carburetors, one of the most classically correct setups for an OHV eight-cylinder motor. Oh, the A33 Dana 60 Sure Grip rear end is featured as well.
It’s painstaking to appreciate how much dough a collector is willing to spend on these old-timers at auction, but one thing is certain. It’ll be a six-digit figure due to their racing legacy and scarcity. The Plymouth on hand is just one of 58 HEMI 4-speed Superbirds ever made while the Dodge Charger HEMI Daytona aero warrior is even rarer that that.
But then again, these two... ahem... senior citizens still have the moves like Jagger. We’re referring to the sheer powerhouse that lurks underneath those long, sculpted bonnets and whopping nose cones.
That would be a 426 cu in (7-liter) HEMI V8, a mill that’s nicknamed the “elephant engine” due to its size and the mountains of horsepower it churns out. With 425 HP channeled to the rear axle through a four-speed manual, these babies certainly earn their muscle car appellation.
Both the Charger and Superbird are fed by two 4-barrel carburetors, one of the most classically correct setups for an OHV eight-cylinder motor. Oh, the A33 Dana 60 Sure Grip rear end is featured as well.
It’s painstaking to appreciate how much dough a collector is willing to spend on these old-timers at auction, but one thing is certain. It’ll be a six-digit figure due to their racing legacy and scarcity. The Plymouth on hand is just one of 58 HEMI 4-speed Superbirds ever made while the Dodge Charger HEMI Daytona aero warrior is even rarer that that.
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