The unmistakable silhouette of the 1969 Dodge Charger Daytona — complete with its towering rear wing and extended nose cone — will once again take center stage, this time under the lights of Mecum’s Harrisburg 2025 auction on Saturday, July 26th. One of just 503 examples ever built, this beautifully restored Daytona represents a rare opportunity to own a true piece of American muscle car and motorsports history.
Originally sold through Holland Dodge in Greenville, Massachusetts, this Daytona has undergone an extensive, three-and-a-half-year restoration, completed in 2022 by Smothers Supercars in Talala, Oklahoma. The result is a stunning, period-correct example that’s ready for both show and go — powered by a formidable 375-horsepower 7.2-liter (440 cubic-inch) MAGNUM V8 engine, mated to a 4-speed manual transmission with the A33 Track Pak for added performance credibility.
Inside, the car retains its muscle-era soul with bucket seats, a center console adorned with woodgrain applique, and a classic Hurst shifter. Other details include power steering, a Chrysler Solid State AM radio, hood hold-down pins, a chrome driver’s mirror, styled road wheels, and proper Firestone Wide Oval Redline tires. Both the original broadcast sheet and owner’s manual are included, adding to the car’s documented provenance.
This particular Charger Daytona stands out not just for its condition, but for what it represents. In 1969, Dodge needed a winner on the high banks of NASCAR. The previous year’s Charger 500 had fallen short in the aero wars, and with Richard Petty jumping ship to Ford, Dodge pulled out all the stops. They engineered a car so wild it looked like it belonged more in a wind tunnel than on the street — and it worked.
The Charger Daytona debuted with a bang, winning the inaugural Talladega 500 in the fall of 1969. And despite a controversial driver boycott that weekend, the car made history again months later when Buddy Baker broke the 200 mph barrier at Talladega in a Daytona — a milestone moment in NASCAR lore.
Of the 503 Daytonas built for homologation purposes, the majority came equipped with the 440 Magnum V8 like this one. Just 70 were fitted with the optional 426 HEMI. But the 440 cars were no slouch — offering robust power, easier drivability, and lower production numbers than many think, especially when optioned like this one with the Track Pak and manual gearbox.
Beneath the outlandish design lies legitimate racing technology: a 23-inch rear stabilizer wing, a hand-fabricated aluminum nose cone, flush rear window treatment, fender scoops, stainless A-pillar covers, and more — much of it developed with input from Chrysler’s aerospace engineers.
This Charger Daytona isn’t just a collector car — it’s a rolling reminder of the most radical era in NASCAR history, when engineers and designers pushed boundaries in pursuit of speed. And on Saturday, July 26th, one lucky bidder will have the chance to take home not only a fully restored winged warrior but a legacy of American motorsports ingenuity.
1969 Dodge Charger Daytona Image Gallery:
