Dodge Daytona and Plymouth Superbird: Design, Development, Production and Competition

Dodge Daytona and Plymouth Superbird: Design, Development, Production and Competition

by Steve Lehto
Dodge Daytona and Plymouth Superbird: Design, Development, Production and Competition

Dodge Daytona and Plymouth Superbird: Design, Development, Production and Competition

by Steve Lehto

eBook

$26.99  $35.96 Save 25% Current price is $26.99, Original price is $35.96. You Save 25%.

Available on Compatible NOOK devices, the free NOOK App and in My Digital Library.
WANT A NOOK?  Explore Now

Related collections and offers


Overview

Immerse yourself in the Aero Wars era and take a thorough look at how Chrysler climbed the ladder to NASCAR supremacy using the Dodge Daytona and Plymouth Superbird.

Author Steve Lehto provides a detailed account of the history of Chrysler's battle with Ford, which culminated with the final wars between the Dodge Daytona/Plymouth Superbird and the Ford Talladega/Mercury Cyclone. The story of Richard Petty's defection from Plymouth, the mighty Hemi, and the creation of the street version of these cars come to light in this all-encompassing tale.

In the fiercely competitive world of NASCAR, every manufacturer was looking for a competitive edge. Ford and Chrysler turned their attention to the aerodynamics of their race cars, resulting in the Aero Wars. During the height of this competition, Chrysler and Ford produced, among other things, cars with radically altered grilles and tail sections. Mandated by NASCAR to produce production versions, these exotic beasts became some of the most costly, creative, and collectible machines ever assembled in Detroit, whether in race trim or in stock street trim.

Dodge Daytona and Plymouth Superbird: Design, Development, Production and Competition delivers a blow-by-blow account of the biggest races between FoMoCo and Chrysler, along with telling the rich stories of the development of these cars. If you are a fan of NASCAR, or just love outrageous muscle cars, this richly detailed and well-illustrated account of a fascinating era of performance will be a valued addition to your library.


Product Details

ISBN-13: 9781613256107
Publisher: CarTech Inc.
Publication date: 08/14/2020
Sold by: Barnes & Noble
Format: eBook
File size: 98 MB
Note: This product may take a few minutes to download.

About the Author

Steve Lehto is an attorney and writer from Detroit. He practices automobile warranty law and has taught law and history. His writing has appeared in Mopar Action magazine, Michigan History magazine, and on various websites including Jalopnik.

Table of Contents

Table Of Contents: Acknowledgments 6 Foreword by Doug Schellinger 6 Introduction 9 Chapter 1: NASCAR: Early Days 10 The Emergence of Professional Drivers 10 NASCAR and Bill France 11 Detroit Hosts NASCAR 13 Grand National Circuit 15 Daytona Speedway 17 Factory Teams 18 Chapter 2: Enter the Hemi 20 Image Maker 21 Dyno Testing 21 Track Testing 22 1964 Daytona 500 23 Chrysler and Ford Boycott NASCAR in 1965 24 John Pointer’s Big Influence 27 Chapter 3: The Charger 29 Show Car Descendant 29 Performance Issues and Solutions 30 A Body for Speed 32 Interior Upgrades 33 1967 Race Events 33 1968 Race Events 37 Chapter 4: The Charger 500 44 Styling Lessons 45 Handling Challenges 50 The Road to Homologation 51 The Public Unveiling 54 Points Competition 55 Rules Changes 55 Petty in a Ford? 55 Nichels Engineering Cars 56 Changing Attitudes 56 1969 Race Events 57 Chapter 5: The Charger Daytona 70 Radical Design 70 Innovative Build Team 72 Testing at Chelsea 74 Styling Opinions 77 Assembly and Final Testing 77 Impact in the Marketplace 79 Talladega Superspeedway 87 1969 Race Events 94 Factory Future 98 Chapter 6: The Superbird 103 Aerodynamic Engineering 108 Petty Approves 112 1970 Race Events 113 Factory Espionage 114 Chapter 7: The Winged Cars in Full Flight 116 1970 Race Events 116 Season Totals 144 End of an Era 147 Chapter 8: The Ban 163 Chrysler Retreats 164 Sales Numbers Dwindle 164 USAC and Wings 164 The Wedge Takes Over NASCAR 165 Wings Return 180 Chapter 9: Collecting Survivors 183 A 1969 Hemi Charger Daytona 189 An Original Superbird 191 A Vitamin C ’Bird 195 Index 202
From the B&N Reads Blog

Customer Reviews