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Dodges The current Charger is superior to any ’70s Charger in many ways, but what about the Charger Daytona? This was a 1969 homologation car that took a year to build and took the world (and NASCAR) by storm.
It made waves not only for its 200mph capability and impressive wins, but also for its looks, which were necessary for aerodynamic superiority; Cut through the air and hold the back end.
There are crazier rear wing designs – the Chaparral cars like the 2D had some huge wings – but this one muscle car Design that preceded and paved the way for the Plymouth Superbird is iconic and part of the car’s appeal.
HotCars digital artist Rostislav Prokop prepares a full 3D render model of a modern Dodge Charger Daytona, taking the current Charger and implementing aspects of the Daytona profile to see what a 2023 Dodge Charger Daytona might look like today (spoilers: surprising good).
The 2023 Dodge Charger Daytona looks surprisingly natural
It doesn’t seem likely that the ’69 design could be translated into a modern model, but as we can see the blue concept works well. It’s clearly both a seventh-gen post-facelift Charger and a Daytona, thanks to the nose and rear wing.
Based on the current Charger, the profile is chunkier in keeping with the current design, but up front the nose cone and flip-up headlights make a return, giving this Charger superior aerodynamics than even the current model.
At the back, the machine comes with the iconic rear wing, although the shape is unique, with an additional inward flap at the top corners, like the winglets of an Airbus A320.
This wing also looks smaller compared to the body, which is one reason why it looks more natural and acceptable.
How much is a Dodge Charger Daytona worth in 2023?
In the back, the taillights are inspired by today’s Charger and work well, the curved units still reminiscent of the classic NASCAR icon. The wheels are 5-spoke black pieces like most Daytonas of the period, although it’s not clear how many wheel styles there were for the ’69 racer.
Of the 503 Daytonas, 70 came with the 7-liter Hemi V8 instead of the usual 7.2-liter Magnum, but this car, built on the modern Charger platform, would do with none other than the 6.2 -liter supercharged Hellcat V8 engine will be at least 707 hp.
Of course, we now know that the Charger will be retired for the next generation, and that the next time both the Charger and Daytona nameplates are used, it will be for the Dodge Charger Daytona EV.
Today, like the Plymouth Superbird, the Dodge Charger Daytona are rare and prized collectibles. According to Classic.com, the Charger Daytona is worth an average of $382,000.