Winged Warriors

There are cars that get noticed and there are cars that command attention. The 1970 Plymouth Superbird and the 1969 Dodge Daytonas sit firmly in the latter category. Born from NASCAR rule-books and aerodynamic arms-races, these machines exist because engineers and racers were determined to bend the air to their will and leave the competition in the dust.

The Superbird is the loudest of the trio, figuratively and literally. Purpose built for stock car supremacy, this example has enjoyed its share of fame, appearing at SEMA and starring in the pages of Mopar Muscle and Muscle Car. Beneath its needle-sharp nose is a 440 V8 with an upgraded Six Pack setup, backed by a TorqueFlite gearbox. Hotchkis suspension, power steering and front discs make sure it behaves as well as it boasts.

It is the details that make it unforgettable. Hood (bonnet) pins, chrome-tipped dual exhausts, white Plymouth lettering, the Road Runner’s cheeky “Beep Beep” horn and an 8-track to keep the period correct mischief going. Inside, factory bucket seats and centre console set the tone, while five-spoke Styled Road wheels lock in the look. A winged warrior with pedigree and plenty of presence.

Then come the Daytonas. Two cars, same mission, very different moods. Only 503 were made, so seeing any of them in the metal is a treat. Seeing a pair together is a real treat. The first, finished in Dark Green Metallic with white striping, has a sinister elegance to its silhouette. Restored with just around 120 miles covered since completion, it retains its matching-numbers 440 V8 and TorqueFlite gearbox, power steering, power brakes and the all-important bucket seats with centre console. Hood pins add NASCAR credibility and a rare rear window defroster hints at the street-car practicality Dodge insisted on. Firestone Redlines and 5-spoke Styled Road wheels give it the stance it deserves.

The second Daytona takes a different approach. Dressed in bright red with white accents, it trades stealth for instant impact. Under the skin it shares the same foundations as its darker twin: matching-numbers 440 big block and TorqueFlite gearbox feeding both attitude and acceleration. Dual exhausts deliver the thunder, while the Solid State thumbwheel radio keep things delightfully old school. Cooper white letters make sure the tyres shout as loudly as the paint.

Three cars. One wild moment in motorsport history. All built because regulations pushed designers beyond sanity and into legend territory. When aerodynamics met American muscle, the result was wings, nose cones and machines that still make jaws drop a generation later. All three will feature as part of Mecum Auctions Las Vegas sale on the 15th November 2025. Photos © Mecum Auctions.