Immerse yourself in the Aero Wars era and take a thorough look at how Chrysler climbed the ladder to NASCAR supremacy using the Dodge Daytona and Plymouth Superbird.
Author Steve Lehto provides a detailed account of the history of Chrysler’s battle with Ford, which culminated with the final wars between the Dodge Daytona/Plymouth Superbird and the Ford Talladega/Mercury Cyclone. The story of Richard Petty's defection from Plymouth, the mighty Hemi, and the creation of the street version of these cars come to light in this all-encompassing tale.
In the fiercely competitive world of NASCAR, every manufacturer was looking for a competitive edge. Ford and Chrysler turned their attention to the aerodynamics of their race cars, resulting in the Aero Wars. During the height of this competition, Chrysler and Ford produced, among other things, cars with radically altered grilles and tail sections. Mandated by NASCAR to produce production versions, these exotic beasts became some of the most costly, creative, and collectible machines ever assembled in Detroit, whether in race trim or in stock street trim.
Now in paperback Dodge Daytona and Plymouth Superbird: Design, Development, Production and Competition delivers a blow-by-blow account of the biggest races between FoMoCo and Chrysler, along with telling the rich stories of the development of these cars. If you are a fan of NASCAR, or just love outrageous muscle cars, this richly detailed and well-illustrated account of a fascinating era of performance will be a valued addition to your library.
Acknowledgments
Foreword by Doug Schellinger
Introduction
Chapter 1:
NASCAR: Early Days
The Emergence of Professional Drivers
NASCAR and Bill France
Detroit Hosts NASCAR
Grand National Circuit
Daytona Speedway
Factory Teams
Chapter 2:
Enter the Hemi
Image Maker
Dyno Testing
Track Testing
1964 Daytona 500
Chrysler and Ford Boycott NASCAR in 1965
John Pointer’s Big Influence
Chapter 3:
The Charger
Show Car Descendant
Performance Issues and Solutions
A Body for Speed
Interior Upgrades
1967 Race Events
1968 Race Events
Chapter 4:
The Charger 500
Styling Lessons
Handling Challenges
The Road to Homologation
The Public Unveiling
Points Competition
Rules Changes
Petty in a Ford?
Nichels Engineering Cars
Changing Attitudes
1969 Race Events
Chapter 5: The Charger Daytona
Radical Design
Innovative Build Team
Testing at Chelsea
Styling Opinions
Assembly and Final Testing
Impact in the Marketplace
Talladega Superspeedway
1969 Race Events
Factory Future
Chapter 6:
The Superbird
Aerodynamic Engineering
Petty Approves
1970 Race Events
Factory Espionage
Chapter 7:
The Winged Cars in Full Flight
1970 Race Events
Season Totals
End of an Era
Chapter 8:
The Ban
Chrysler Retreats
Sales Numbers Dwindle
USAC and Wings
The Wedge Takes Over NASCAR
Wings Return
Chapter 9:
Collecting Survivors
A 1969 Hemi Charger Daytona
An Original Superbird
A Vitamin C ’Bird
Index
1-800-551-4754 
