Wingless Daytona! 1977 Dodge Charger
Dodge cooked up a game-changer with its 1969 Charger Daytona. The aero-nosed, high-winged model lingered in showrooms, but the Daytona and companion 1970 Plymouth Superbird worked so well on the track that NASCAR banned such aero enhancements. Fast forward eight years and we find this 1977 Dodge Charger Daytona, a version of the Chrysler Cordoba aimed at luxury buyers who valued traditional luxury, proportions, and styling over fuel economy. Check out more pictures and details here on Craigslist. Unlike the original “wing cars,” which became the holy grail of Mopar collectors, the 1975-77 Charger Daytona barely raises an eyebrow, but makes an interesting snapshot of RWD personal luxury from the mid-’70s. This Rochester, New York specimen shows a claimed original 19,501 miles. The $7500 asking price certainly marks an advantage over the 1969 models. It also sports the largest of three engine choices, the 400 cid (6.6L) V8. Thanks to reader Mitchell G. for spotting this Dodge with the interesting and sporty, albeit mostly cosmetic Daytona package.
Whether there’s an extra 100,000 on the clock or not, the interior shows well including Daytona-specific high-back bucket seats. The optional center console adds to the Daytona’s sporty good looks. Thanks to lov2xlr8 for some details.
A Demon four-barrel carburetor has replaced the original. Running and driving condition escaped the listing, but the seller’s claim that it will pass a New York inspection implies it starts and runs. That empty spot above the power steering reservoir might have held an air conditioning compressor at one time, another question left unanswered. Above the standard 318 cid and 360 cid small blocks, this 400 B block, an evolution of the famed 383, gained displacement in 1972 thanks to increased bore size. Horsepower numbers in those days look comically low today, but you’ll feel the 400’s torque even with the standard “2.4” rear axle gears. I’d love to see a high-performance ’77 Daytona with a stock-appearing high-performance 400.
The Daytona model’s two-tone paint accentuates the slightly flared fenders that recall the first-generation Chevrolet Monte Carlo, a vehicle appealing to similar buyers a few years earlier. As ’70s bumpers go, these integrate nicely into the styling at the rear, better than many. Daytona models came with a heavy-duty suspension, according to Wikipedia. The car comes with another set of wheels and the claimed original Firestone tires! New exhaust and the new tires seen here sweeten the deal. Would this Daytona be your pick for hot laps of the famed tri-oval that shares its name?
Update 18 June 2023: Check out this (tongue-firmly-in-cheek) sick “what-if” photoshop version. Who wants the ’77 Daytona that Dodge *should* have built?
Special thanks to BarnFinds talent Scotty G. for this rendering. Who will step up to the plate, build this beast, and collect the inveitable SEMA accolades?
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Comments
Why Craigslist? 6 photos and you wants us to believe less than 20,000 miles? Need 20 more shots of the Charger! Never seen a winter ! Rochester has the worst Winters in your state right next to Syracuse! Was it in a heated garage?No fender tag or VIN number to look deeper into this vehicle. Did it have air conditioning was it removed? Can’t tell because bad pictures. And that is the worst and cleaner you could have on a vehicle. The foam can catch fire. Plenty of other aftermarket air filter assemblies you could choose from. Also I would be nice to have pictures of the chassis to show the exhaust work done. To me this is just a quick flip. Great price to move it out but is the seller hiding something? Anyone interested in this need to do a thorough search of the vehicle in person. Good luck 🐻🇺🇸
Exactly — and I guess this seller is also saying their vacuum cleaner is broken too — can’t even bother to vacuum the carpet before taking photos. Sounds like a small thing – but someone who is that sloppy about presenting their car for sale – is also sloppy about a lot of other things. Nice car — and I really like the looks of this car – but beware of this one and the seller – so many questions – that you would still be scratching your head over after you bought it too.
Imagine what just installing a 3.55 or 3.91 gear would do here. Nice console and interior.
I agree with Big Bear. A 19k mile car wouldn’t be lissing it’s original carburetor and air cleaner, or it’s A/C compressor. Just some unscrupulous seller looking to screw someone. An almost new 46 yr old car and they couldn’t be bothered vacuuming the driver’s floor, and 6 lousy pictures? Who put dual exhaust on it?
missing
I agree with the harsh but accurate sentiment here. Look underhood. There is way too much rust and crud under there for this to be a 20,000 mile car. I could buy 120,000 miles, and that it sat for a long time, which is what necessitated that shiny new carburetor and Pep Boys air cleaner. A/C compressor could’ve froze, which is why they removed it.
For $7500 ,it doesn’t matter if it’s 200,000 miles !!
Worth it all day long .
The leisure suit Daytona. Gussied up with no substance. A Cordoba with tacky stickers.
Those Corinthian leather seats look comfy!
That’s pretty much standard fare for 1977 cars ; stripes , scoops , flares, but no power
True for a lot of 80s cars, too, unfortunately.
it was not an a/c car the control lever is a slider not the push button which was what was used back then if i remember correctly. not a bad looker for the price. but personally i’m on the fence with the 2-tone
Agree with the comments on the ad for an alleged 20k mile car. The carb and air cleaner were likely replaced because this engine had an early Lean Burn, computer controlled carb. Repair parts are likely unavailable for that set-up.
My first car was the 77 Plymouth Fury Sport twin to this one minus the stripes, Cordoba front end, and such but the same 400 engine, HD suspension and high ratio rear end. It ran well for a late 70’s car compared to the options of the day but barely broke 10-12 MPG.
On a more positive note…. If it’s not rusted underneath etc., Then it’s a nice cruiser, and the 400 can really be made to scream if wanted, those blocks were very durable, could easily be bored. 060 over etc. Heads, cam!, Good price also for a semi-rare, cool malaise era Mopar.
Added this in the article, but I wanted to be sure everyone subscribes gets the update as well. Thanks, Scotty! Enjoy!
No thanks… Lol, blech, with cone and wing, just too hideous, 😂
Just to clarify for everyone… this rendering was supposed to be ridiculous, but hopefully worth a laugh. If anyone builds one, though, we need to know about it.