Many enthusiasts found the 2023 “Last Call” models from Dodge underwhelming, perceiving them as little more than sticker packages. Among these, the 2023 Dodge Charger King Daytona drew particular attention. Its lineage harks back to the famed monarch of the 1960s and 1970s West Coast drag-racing scene, Willie “Big Willie” Robinson, who dubbed his 1969 Dodge Charger as the “King Daytona.” This car not only secured victories on the drag strip but also played a role in keeping racers off the streets.
However, the original Daytona was not crafted specifically as a drag racing machine; it was tailored for NASCAR’s superspeedways.
In homage to the original, our friend Oscar Vargas (@wb.artist20) reimagined the new King Daytona. He transformed it into a two-door Charger coupe, extended the front fascia to create a nose cone effect for enhanced airflow to the 807 horsepower supercharged 6.2-liter HEMI® HELLCAT H.O. V8 engine, and recreated the iconic “towel rack” rear wing, adding a secondary spoiler for increased downforce while maintaining trunk usability. The rear received updated styling with revised taillights reminiscent of the 1969 model.
“I really wish that before the end of its run, Dodge would have made a 2-door Charger specifically as a Daytona with the pointy nose and giant wing,” Vargas expressed in an Instagram post. “This one is a special edition known as a ‘King Daytona,’ not to be mistaken with Richard Petty’s Roadrunner, which I’ll be showcasing soon! Research it if you’re not familiar. Let me know what y’all think!”
The design garners admiration, especially for the nose and rear wing. Previously, Vargas’ Dodge Charger UTE design made it into production, courtesy of Smyth Performance. Hopefully, this creation will also see the light of day.
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