1969 Dodge Daytona
Dodge had a problem in 1969. They couldn’t win at NASCAR with the aerodynamic bricks they were fielding. The Dodge Charger‘s blunt nose and and coke-bottle body produced both too much drag and too much lift at high speeds on the high-banks of the superspeedways. So, a massive aerodynamic nose cone was designed that completely covered the front grille and lights, to counter the drag problem. A large, almost cartoon-like high wing was added to the rear flanks to tame the high-speed lift. In order to race it, they had to homolgate it, meaning build the car for sale to the general public. The result was a totally new, but very-limited-edition car, the 1969 Dodge Charger Daytona, aka the Dodge Daytona.
1969 DODGE DAYTONA RACING SUCCESS
If the intended purpose of the 1969 Dodge Daytona was to win high-profile NASCAR races, then it was a success. It won it’s first time out, at the ’69 Talladega 500, and won 22 races in the 1969 and 1970 seasons. On March 24, 1970, Buddy Baker piloting a 1969 Dodge Daytona became the first driver in NASCAR history to break the 200mph-record at Talladega.
1969 Dodge Daytona INTERIOR
1969 Dodge Daytona ENGINES
1969 DODGE DAYTONA ENGINES
The standard engine in the very limited-edition 1969 Dodge Daytona was the 375-horse 440 Magnum with single 4-barrel. They came stock with a 4-speed manual, but the 3-speed Torqueflite automatic was optional. The only other available engine was the 426 Hemi. Laughably underrated at 425 horsepower, the big Hemi made more like 500, and nearly as much torque.
BELOW:The 375-horse 440 Magnum big block V8 was torque monster, making just 10 pound-feet less than the monster Hemi.
1969 Dodge Daytona SPECIFICATIONS
Wheelbase
Length Width Height Track, front Track, rear Tire size Weight ENGINES Standard Optional |
117.0 in / 2972 mm
226.5 in / 5753 mm 79.6 in / 1946 mm 53.0 in / 1346 mm 59.7 in / 1516 mm 59.2 in / 1504 mm F70-14 3719 lbs / 1687 kg 440ci OHV V8 w/1X4bbl 426ci HEMI V8 2/2X4bbl |
375 hp @ 4600 rpm / 480 lb/ft @ 3200 rpm
425 hp @ 5000 rpm / 490 lb/ft @ 5100 rpm |