The Penultimate Performance Mania

Nothing in memory brings back the insaneThis model had something going for it, but Dodge
performance mania of Detroit's Muscle Cars than theengineers pushed forward, analysed the data from
unforgettable 1969 Dodge Chargers. Two specialsthe wind tunnel experiments and came out with the
were released that year, to put the Charger in directDaytona. The Daytona had a nose extended out a
competition for NASCAR, models that werefull 18 inches to reduce drag and enable down force.
completely street legal but could hit 150+ on theIn the rear a horizontal tail stabilizer on wings gave
track: the Charger 500 and the Daytona, probablythe car an almost supernatural feel on the road. With
the most outrageous car of the era.the 440 or the 426 Hemi engine, these were
The Charger 500 was a souped up 1968 Chargerformidable machines. A few were even sold with a
with some aerodynamic changes -- a Coronet grille,503 engine, almost guaranteed un-drivable on the
flush mounted, and a flush mounted window over astreet, though still considered legal.
recessed back light, very smooth in the air tunnel.