1970 Dodge Charger Daytona ‘Test Car
In preparation for the 1970 NASCAR season, this 1969 Charger was prepared by Mario Rossi and his driver Bobby Allison. Due to engine restrictions it was never allowed to race and became an interesting footnote in NASCAR history. It was offered by Mecum Auctions at their 2010 Kissimmee, FL Auction but did not sell with a high bid of $210,000 USD.
Auction Description
By 1968, the advantage previously enjoyed by Chrysler’s Hemi in NASCAR had been virtually eclipsed by its competitors. Ford had answered the more aerodynamic Charger 500 with its own slippery versions of the Torino and Mercury Cyclone, so Dodge pulled out all the stops and unleashed the wild, winged Daytona. With its pointed front nose and high rear wing, the Daytona put Mopar back at the front of the grid, and the Aero Wars were under way.
After almost two years of domination by just two manufacturers, NASCAR founder and President Bill France let it be known that the winged cars would be subjected to severe displacement limitations, and most car owners immediately abandoned them, with one significant holdout: a young rebel named Mario Rossi.
Rossi and his driver Bobby Allison had invested much time and treasure in their Number 22 Daytona, and so decided to experiment with a destroked 305 cubic inch small block. Allison tested the new combination at Daytona and Talladega but never drove it in competition.
Recently the car was visually inspected by Bobby Allison and certified as the test car used in the 1970 NASCAR season. The Certificate of Authenticity, which is signed by Allison and accompanies the car, reads:
This car was built and raced by Mario Rossi. This car was driven by Bobby Allison during testing at Daytona and Talladega in preparation for the upcoming 1970 NASCAR season. Because of the NASCAR rule change from the 426 Hemi engine to the 305 CI displacement limit this car was not raced.
The only test car known to still exist, it has gone through a ground-up restoration and subsequently been driven by “Flash” Gordon Sprague in 10 historic stock car events, winning all 10 races.
Highlights:
*Sold on bill of sale, race car
*This car was originally owned by Mario Rossi and was used as a test car prior to the then upcoming significant NASCAR engine rule change
*The change would make the engine go from 426 CI to 305 CI
*Bobby Allison tested this car at Daytona and Talladega as a 305 CI
*This winged test vehicle has historical signicance as it was banned before Allison was able to compete with it
*Recently the car was visually inspected by Bobby Allison and certified as the test car used in the 1970 NASCAR season
*This car comes with the original certificate of authenticity signed by Bobby Allison
*This is the only test car known to exist
*This car has since had a ground-up restoration and competed in 10 historical stock car racing associations
*This car was driven by “Flash” Gordon Sprague winning all 10 races
Story by Supercars.net, Mecum Auction
In Detail
| type | Concept / Prototype Car |
Auction Sales History
1970 Dodge Charger Daytona ‘Test Car’ – did not sell for $210,000 Recently the car was visually inspected by Bobby Allison and certified as the test car used in the 1970 NASCAR season. The Certificate of Authenticity, which is signed by Allison and accompanies the car, reads: This car was built and raced by Mario Rossi. This car was driven by Bobby Allison during testing at Daytona and Talladega in preparation for the upcoming 1970 NASCAR season. Because of the NASCAR rule change from the 426 Hemi engineto the 305 CI displacement limit this car was not raced.
The only test car known to still exist, it has gone through a ground-up restoration and subsequently been driven by “Flash” Gordon Sprague in 10 historic stock car events, winning all 10 races.
Auction Source: 2010 Mecum Kissimmee, FL Auction
