National Award Winning 1 of 3 Q5 Charger Daytona 440 V8

When we say “blue chip collector car” it usually means one of two things: either an all-original time capsule that's fit for a museum, or something that's so rare only serious enthusiasts know it exists. But when it comes to Chrysler aero cars, EVERYONE, from hardcore enthusiasts to eight year old day dreamers, knows they're looking at something special. This award-winning Charger is a fully documented, numbers-matching showpiece that's 1 of only 3 Daytonas optioned in Bright Turquoise Metallic paint. No car turns as many heads as a Chrysler halo model. And, unlike other outrageous looking machines, they usually have the pedigree and performance to back up their extreme appearance. If you're a serious Mopar enthusiast who's looking for a crown jewel classic to lead your collection, welcome to the world of winged warriors!

The sale of this streetable stock car includes an original fender tag that, according to Mopar expert Galen Govier, breaks down as follows:

* E86: 440 cubic inch Magnum V8 that's fitted with 4-Barrel carburetion
* D32: Heavy duty A727 Torqueflite transmission
* X: Dodge Charger
* X: Fast top
* 29: 2-door sports hardtop
* L: 440 cubic inch V8 that utilizes 4-Barrel carburetion to produce 375 horsepower
* 9: 1969 model year
* B: Assembled at Chrysler's Dodge Main manufacturing facility in Hamtramck, Michigan
* 400570: Sequence number
* Q5: Bright Turquoise Metallic roof paint
* Q5: Bright Turquoise Metallic body paint
* C: Charger grade trim
* 6: Vinyl bucket seats
* X: Black interior
* X9: Black door frames
* 529: Assembled on Thursday May 29th, 1969
* 926202: Vehicle order number
* A01: Light package
* A04: Basic Radio Group
* A11: Special model: Charger 500/Daytona
* A36: 3.55:1 High Performance Axle Package
* B51: Power-assisted brakes
* C16: Console
* C55: Bucket seats
* G15: Tinted windshield
* G31: Manual, right-hand chrome mirror
* G33: Remote, left-hand chrome mirror
* J25: 3-speed, variable wipers
* M21: Roof drip rail moldings
* M31: Body belt moldings
* N85: Tachometer
* R11: Music Master AM radio
* V88: Transverse R/T stripe delete (Add Daytona stripe)
* Y39: Special order
* 26: 26-inch radiator
* EN: End of codes
* 2: Assembly line 2

In the 60s, Chrysler and Ford were heavily vested in the “Win on Sunday, sell on Monday” sales mentality, and Dodge's Charger 500 just wasn't getting the job done. In an attempt to one up Ford's slick and equally fast Torino, Dodge went back to the drawing board and began exploring aerodynamics. This was a first for a car company, and it eventually culminated in testing full scale models at Lockheed Martin's North Carolina wind tunnel. Engineer's quickly realized the benefits of a wind-cutting nose, but their real epiphany came when they employed a large rear stabilizer. Not only did that 'rocket nose' and 'park bench' spoiler combination create 'zero lift' downforce, it also produced immense directional stability, permitting speeds in excess of 200 MPH. Not surprisingly, Dodge's storied Daytona won the first race it competed in and would eventually become one of the most successful NASCAR stock cars of all time.

Sold as a highly optioned, special order coupe, this Turquoise Ohio native features an exceptionally straight, all original body that was perfected over a multi-year, frame-off restoration. Contrary to popular belief, Daytonas were an entirely different animal than their Superbird offspring. Instead of being a polished, in house operation, Dodge's winged warrior program was a rushed project that upfitted completely random Chargers to satisfy strict NASCAR mandates. That meant it was very rare to find a dealer who had the confidence to ring Creative Industries, the cars' assembler, and demand specific equipment. But, that's exactly what happened with this stylish classic, resulting in its unique claim to Chrysler Q5 fame. Roughly a year after the car's original paint was sprayed, its first owner, celebrating the success of Charlie Glotzbach and his number 99 Nichels stock car, sprung for a new coat of Plum Crazy Purple. 22 years later, a retiree-turned-restorer by the name of Charles Self found the Plum Crazy tribute rusting away in an outdoor Mopar collection. Over the next 2.5 years, Self worked to bring the exclusive winged warrior back to its original luster. And today, the car sits as a storied Mopar Nationals winner that's some of the coolest, most attention-grabbing iron Detroit ever created.

When you step back and take a look at this Charger's sinuous body, many adjectives come to mind. Wicked… Astonishing… Dreadful… Infamous… But, in reality, Chrysler spent a lot of R&D time making sure the car fit one specific descriptor: functional. Every piece of this Daytona was whittled to maximum efficiency in pursuit of one goal: lapping large race tracks at a high rate of speed. At the front of the car, a downforce producing nose hangs sleek, flip up headlights above a small grille, hidden parking lamps and a body-matched chin spoiler. Behind that nose, drag reducing heat extractors ride between standard hood pins and like-new glass that's bordered by straight stainless trim. At the sides of those extractors, prominent fender lines, which anchor familiar “Charger” scripts at the base of the car's large B-pillars, feature fresh wheel trim, correct Chrysler mirrors and familiar chrome door handles. And at the back of the car, a Satin Black valence centers clear tail lights and a bright “Charger” emblem between stainless exhaust tips, a detailed 'pit stop' fuel filler, chrome-trimmed reverse lamps, a giant, 24-inch wing and a new chrome bumper.

Hoist this Dodge's long hood and you'll find an original, 440 cubic inch Magnum V8 that's authenticated by a 2536430 casting number, a November (11) 14th (14) of 1968 (68) casting date and a matching 400570 partial VIN. At the top of that 375 horsepower monster, a correct, 4-barrel carburetor rides within a small, Organisol-coated air cleaner. At the base of that carburetor, a correct Chrysler intake hangs between correct heads and traditional, stamped steel valve covers. At the front of those valve covers, a reliable points distributor shoots spark through NOS Chrysler Electronic Suppression wires. And at the sides of that distributor, fully restored exhaust manifolds funnel spent gases into great sounding, true-dual tail pipes. Aesthetically, this Charger's Bright Turquoise engine bay is exceptionally impressive from its fresh brake booster and correct power steering pump all the way to its big, 26-inch radiator and reproduction red cap battery. And a great combination of new and replacement parts make the car's operation both fun and reliable, with items like a correct washer tank, bright carburetor springs and a collection of fresh, Chrysler-branded hoses ensuring miles of safe travel.

Toss this Q Ship on a lift and you'll find a fully sorted undercarriage that's completely restored to award-winning standards. Bright Turquoise basecoat protects weather-free floorpans that, while nice, certainly aren't a stranger to the blacktop. Like its Magnum V8, this Charger's original A727 Torqueflite 3-speed needed very little to be rebuilt to solid, like-new condition. That stalwart gearbox sends power to an 8.75-inch Chrysler rear end that's equipped with correct 3.55 gears. At the front of the car, traditional torsion bars combine with optional power steering to make quick work of big bumps and tight curves. At the back of the car, fresh shocks augment traditional leaf springs in front of a leak-free fuel tank. Stops come courtesy of heavy duty power drum brakes that are positioned at all four corners. Exhaust is handled by aluminized tubes that bend around an H-pipe crossover, Chrysler-branded mufflers and bright stainless tips. And all this Mopar goodness rolls on standard steel wheels that twist F70-14 Goodyear Speedway Wide Tread whitewalls around correct, NOS wheel covers.

Inside this awesome Dodge, a fresh Legendary interior is clean, well-optioned and surprisingly stylish. The seats, which include an ultra-rare 6-way driver's bucket, display no significant signs of wear. In front of those seats, an expertly restored dash hangs rebuilt factory gauges and a correct N85 tachometer beside a thumb-adjusted Dodge All Transistor radio. At the bottom of that dash, like-new carpet anchors a traditional chrome shifter inside a long, wood-trimmed console. At the sides of that carpet, fresh door panels hang new armrests and pliable map pockets under bright stainless trim and orange-tinged “Charger” emblems. Above those panels, old school shoulder belts frame a tight, black headliner. In front of the driver, a wood steering wheel spins satin-finished spokes around a monochromatic, fratzog-branded horn button. And behind the cockpit, the car's professionally restored trunk is complete all the way down to its plaid mat, dual decals and correct tire and jack combo.

Naturally, this phenomenal Charger features a stack of documentation. Here's a chronological breakdown of what's included with its sale:

* An original broadcast sheet
* An original fender tag
* An original window sticker
* An original owner's manual
* Factory instruction tags
* A Creative Industries inspection form
* A full ownership history
* A copy of the car's original sales invoice (Provided by Galen Govier)
* An official fender tag decode (Provided by Galen Govier)
* Restoration photos
* A feature in the 1994 edition of Chryslers at Carlisle
* A feature in the December 1994 edition of Mopar Action Magazine
* Results from the 1996 Mopar Nationals
* Judging forms from the 1999 Mopar Nationals
* A feature in the 2002 edition of Mopar Collector's Guide

A poster child for the golden era of Detroit, the Charger Daytona stands head and shoulders above nearly every classic in terms of looks, exclusivity and performance. Few cars are as popular as they are polarizing, and that simply adds to its cache. With a smooth, numbers matching powertrain, original sheet metal and enough visual flash to stand out in a mirror factory, this awesome coupe is about as close to the ultimate muscle car as you can get!