I Only Believe Half of This Story

[Dibbons]

I am sure the Dodge Daytona had a very slight aerodynamic advantage over the Superbird, but I don't believe the Superbird wing and nose was ever compromised/modified by Chrysler's styling department:
https://www.roadandtrack.com/car-cu...tually-slower-than-the-dodge-charger-daytona/

 

[chargervert]

Once they removed the scoop grille and the flying buttress rear window,the Charger was a slippery package compaired to the Plymouth. I think the fastback design of the aero Chargers rear window was the difference!

 

[WileE]

From what I recall, The 71 fuselage style was slated to appear in 70, but a strike hampered things, so the 70 cars received a makeover which obviously only lasted that one year.

 

[PurpleBeeper]

What I've read was that the Superbird wasn't as aerodynamic in the back near the tail light area (maybe it was actually the rear window?) I think the Daytonas had maybe 1.5mph advantage vs. the Superbird or something like that. I never heard the nose had anything to do with it.

 

[rlem1977]

What I've read was that the Superbird wasn't as aerodynamic in the back near the tail light area (maybe it was actually the rear window?) I think the Daytonas had maybe 1.5mph advantage vs. the Superbird or something like that. I never heard the nose had anything to do with it.

Looking at the two cars, there are differences between the nose pieces. Whether that made any difference in speed, I don't know. My guess is that the Charger body design had better overall aerodynamics than the Plymouth.

 

[PurpleBeeper]

Looking at the two cars, there are differences between the nose pieces. Whether that made any difference in speed, I don't know. My guess is that the Charger body design had better overall aerodynamics than the Plymouth.

True, Daytona overall better, just what I read about the tail sections. I also remember reading that the "c-pillar" areas on the 68-70 Charger were HORRIBLE for aerodynamics (vacuum area) and that's why they developed the rear window plug for both the Daytona & the '69 Charger 500....remember those?....first attempt at an aerodynamic car by Mopar. I bought my RR convt. from a guy that owned one & got to see it up close.

I also read that Ford had done basically the same (Ford Talladega) in 68? I believe the '69 Charger 500 was a "copy" of the Talladega and the Daytona was an improvement on the idea...BIG improvement. I also read that after 1970, NASCAR limited engine size to 355 cid or something like that because the Daytona/Superbird cars were totally dominant & that Mopar ran a small block Superbird in '71 that was less successful....just what I remember reading.