The winged warriors of NASCAR’s aero wars are the stuff of legend, and now one of the most significant examples is heading to auction. Hall of Famer Bobby Allison piloted this genuine 1969 Dodge Hemi Daytona NASCAR, a one-of-one artifact from the peak of the superspeedway era. After Pat McKinney discovered it in a barn, restorers brought it back to its former glory, and it will cross the Mecum block in Monterey this August.

The History of this NASCAR Dodge Hemi Daytona

This is not just a tribute car; it’s the real deal, and it has the paperwork to prove it. A handwritten letter from Bobby Allison himself, dated November 10, 1999, proves the car’s incredible history. In the letter, he confirms he personally inspected and verified its authenticity. This is the very car that, on August 24, 1969, Allison drove for four laps at more than 200 mph during testing before the Daytona’s official competition debut.

A Pure NASCAR Build

Under the hood sits a period-correct, 426 ci Hemi V8 that the legendary drag racer Dick Landy built and dyno-tested to produce 650 horsepower. It’s a full-on race engine, featuring a dry-sump oil system and the iconic single four-barrel “Bath Tub” racing intake manifold. The rest of the 1969 Dodge Hemi Daytona is just as serious, with a four-speed manual transmission, a heavy-duty 9-inch Ford rearend, and a full NASCAR performance suspension with dual shocks at all four corners.

A Concours-Winning Restoration

After Pat McKinney pulled it from a barn, the car underwent a full restoration. The restoration team finished it in the correct red and gold Coca-Cola No. 22 livery that Bobby Allison ran in that era. The quality of the restoration is so high that the car took home a First Place award at the prestigious 2005 Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance, a rare achievement for a rough-and-tumble race car. The LeMay Car Museum also recently displayed it, cementing its status as a top-tier collector piece.

An Irreplaceable Piece of History

This Daytona is a direct link to the days when the Ford and Chrysler went to war on the superspeedways, pushing the boundaries of speed and aerodynamics. The very legends who created and drove it authenticated this machine with its ironclad history. With an auction estimate of $1.1 to $1.4 million, this car represents a rare opportunity to own a genuine piece of American racing folklore, a one-of-one artifact from the wildest era in NASCAR history.