Holy Smokes!

In my search for some Mopar restomods, I’ve officially been blown away. Coming your way in January, is a large collection of some of the rarest muscle cars ever produced by Dodge – and they’ll all be in one place, at the same time.

Did I say it yet? Holy Smokes…

The Wellborn Muscle Car Museum will sell these cars this January at the Mecum Auto auction. And get this, not one of them is a restomod.

So what?

When there is a production number of 500 total cars made, does it matter if it is a restomod? Or, when you have a car that set untouchable land speed records for over a decade, while using one of the most revolutionary engines ever made, does it really matter if it is or is not a restomod?

I thought you’d agree with me.

Enter the 1969 Dodge Charger Daytona (just a snippet of the rarity to be present). If you haven’t heard, this is a car that was forced into production just so it could enter the races that year. This beast came with the 426 Hemi engine (or a 440 six pack) that was made to do one thing: snap that big round thing above your shoulders back, as your neck gives way to the tremendous amount of power and torque.

Photo Credit: Mecum

Even if you’re not a Dodge fan, you still likely have mucho respect for this car. I mean, they won 75% of all races before they were forced to change their design. And get this; you won’t be seeing just one Daytona rolling across the auction block. You’ll see one fitted with the legendary 426 Hemi, and one with the 440 six pack.

Each car is noted for something. For example, the Hemi powered Daytona is known as the only one in existence with the original Hemi engine still bolted to the frame. Plus, she has just over 6,000 miles on the odometer.

Photo Credit: Mecum

And, the 440 is the only known Charger Daytona to be ordered in the Omaha Orange color scheme. Furthermore, both cars come with excellent documentation.

Photo Credit: Mecum

What will they bring in at auction? Well, I checked recent sales and according to what I’ve found, the last 440 version sold for just under 200,000 smackeroos. There’s another one listed, as of this writing, for just under 300k. However, Mr. Wellborn has long said that it wasn’t about the value of the car…

This leaves one question: Why? Why is Mr. Wellborn selling off half of his pristine collection of ultra-rare muscle cars? We are told by one source that the reason is so the museum can make room for more cars. The museum is only so big, and they want to have a “rotating inventory.”

I get it, sort of. I mean, there are only a few of these babies left, and when they’re gone, that’s it.

But hey, every so often, you’ve just got to spread the wealth around a bit, right? Maybe it’s time to let someone else have the responsibility of taking care of these cars. I know that if I had the money, even though I’m a GM guy, I’d snatch one of these two up in an instant.

Photo Credit: Mecum

Have you ever even seen one in person before (that wasn’t in a museum)?

I’m not a betting man, but if I were, I’d wager that the answer to that question is a resounding “no.” They just don’t exist. And, most people don’t use their mid-6 figure hot rods to go get a triple venti Latte mocha frappe – or whatever they’re called. Maybe they’d take the Beemer or perhaps the Porsche. But never, under any circumstances, would they drive the Daytona.

I would, but I’m not like most people. My point is that unless the car is in a museum, or at a car show, you can’t find them.

But I digress…

Photo Credit: Mecum

These two beauties will be rolling across the Mecum Auto Auction block this upcoming January in sunny Kissimmee, Florida. The auction takes place from the 16^th to the 25^th. So, if you’re interested, make sure you set your calendar early. This lineup of cars is sure to be a show stopper, with the ability to even put someone into cardiac arrest. Only time will tell at this point, but one thing’s for sure: We’ll be watching!

Photo Credit: Mecum