What year was the Dodge Daytona made?
The Dodge Daytona was produced in two separate generations: the winged Charger Daytona (1969–1970) and the modern front‑wheel‑drive Daytona coupe (1984–1993).
Era 1: Winged Charger Daytona (1969–1970)
This era covers Dodge’s original Daytona, an aero-focused, high-speed variant of the Charger built to meet NASCAR homologation rules. It is best known for its distinctive nose cone and tall rear spoiler, making it one of the era’s most iconic muscle cars. Production occurred during the 1969 model year, with a brief continuation into 1970.
- 1969–1970: Winged Charger Daytona produced as a homologation and street-legal race car
The Winged Charger Daytona stands out as a pioneering effort in aerodynamics for American muscle cars, reflecting Dodge’s push to compete on NASCAR’s strict public‑facing stages of the time.
Era 2: Modern Daytona (1984–1993)
Decades later, the Daytona name reappeared on a front‑wheel‑drive sports coupe built by Dodge, distinct in design and drivetrain from the 1969 wing car. This generation was introduced in the mid‑1980s and remained in production through the early 1990s, spanning roughly a decade and a half.
- 1984–1993: Modern Daytona production run on a front‑wheel‑drive platform
Various performance-oriented variants were offered during this period, including turbocharged options and other enhancements, catering to 1980s‑style sport compact performance trends while remaining a distinct Dodge model from its late-1960s predecessor.
Notable variants
During the modern Daytona era, Dodge offered turbocharged versions alongside naturally aspirated models, emphasizing performance without returning to the wheel‑car era’s aerodynamics. These variants contributed to the Daytona’s reputation as a practical yet entertaining coupe for its time.
The Daytona name thus covers two very different chapters in Dodge history: a late-1960s winged racer that sought NASCAR legitimacy, and a mid‑1980s to early‑1990s front‑wheel‑drive coupe aimed at everyday sportiness with turbocharged options.
Summary
In short, the Dodge Daytona was made in two primary periods: the Winged Charger Daytona in 1969–1970 and the modern Daytona in 1984–1993. Each era reflects a distinct approach to performance and design, connected only by the shared Daytona name.
