Mopar Aero Cars at Muscle Car and Corvette Nationals 2022

ClassicAutomobile

Credit: Original article published by Classic Cars Journal.

The Muscle Car and Corvette Nationals 2022 featured two displays paying homage to Chrysler’s NASCAR homologation specials: Wings Over America and the Wellborn Aero Warriors Invitational. The homologation rules for NASCAR required the production of 500 units for 1969, and the rules for 1970 were changed to one example per dealership. As such, 580 Dodge Charger 500, 503 Dodge Charger Daytonas and almost 2000 Plymouth Road Runner Superbirds were built.

The 1969 Charger 500 was based on the R/T model and therefore came standard with a 375-horsepower 440 Magnum, with the 426 Hemi as an option. The major modifications was a flush grille (via one borrowed from a 1968 Coronet) and the backlite’s flying buttresses smoothed out for a flush rear window. The 1969 Charger Daytona improved on that formula by adding a more aerodynamic nose cone and a tall spoiler. The 1970 Superbird tweaked what worked on the Daytona, but contractor Creative Industries decided to add a vinyl roof to production versions to hide the rough work it had done to the roof, rather than spend the time to smooth out the sheetmetal. Standard engine was a 440 Super Commando, the same 375-horse engine standard on the Charger R/T, but now the 440 Six-Barrel was available in addition to the 426 Hemi.

Charger 500s and Daytonas were available in any Charger color, but the Superbird was limited to several colors, though three or four cars are known to have been built in colors not available for the Superbird (though available for the Road Runner).

Enjoy the pics of Mopar aero cars in every configuration and condition. Which one is your favorite?

This white Hemi Charger Daytona is unrestored.
Note the “recall” wheels on this Charger Daytona, though none were built with them new.
This Superbird was in a barn from 1973-2017.
This Superbird was painted black and had an Air Grabber added, then was used by a band called Black Ice.
Petty Blue is considered a special-order color, but it’s one of the few Superbird colors to choose from when new.
In 2015, this Superbird went from Indiana to Alaska and back.
This Superbird has been a Super Stock racer since new.
This used to be Richard Petty’s Superbird.
This Superbird is a Bonneville Salt Flats record-holder.
Charger 500
This is the first Charger 500 built.
Note the slick rear window.
This is one of the first six Charger 500s. Like the first one (above), it’s red with a Hemi.
Compare this Charger 500 with Road Wheels with the one below that has the standard hubcap.