![](Art/titles/daytona%20restoration.jpg) |
The
March 2, 2017 online issue of HOT ROD Magazine contains an excellent
article by Al Rogers on the current restoration status of the Rossi
Engineering 1969 Dodge Daytona. Bill Rossi, son of legendary car owner
& mechanic Mario Rossi, purchased the car in 2013. The Dodge Daytona
was the last winged car to compete in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup
Series. Its final race was the 1971 Daytona 500, contested on
February 14, 1971. After completion of the 1970 season,
NASCAR president Bill France decided to end the dominance of the
specially constructed “aero cars” by limiting their engine size to 305
cubic inches. Rossi and his driver, Porterville, California
native Dick Brooks, were the only team that fielded an “aero car” for
the race, as the other teams opted for the ability to run the larger
engines. While the other Dodge and
Plymouth
cars at Daytona were powered by the proven 426 cubic inch Hemi engine,
Rossi’s 1969 Dodge Daytona was equipped with a relatively small 305
cubic inch engine built by Californian drag racer Keith Black. Brooks
would lead 5 laps in the event and finish in 7th position, after losing
two laps due to a collision with Pete Hamilton’s
Plymouth.
Click on link to read article
Bill Rossi will debut the restored Dodge Daytona on October 13, 2017.
The car will be on display at the Wellborn Muscle Car Museum in
Alexander City, Alabama, located fifty miles south of Talladega
Superspeedway.
|