'69 Convertible

[RobertN]

Don't know the production numbers, but the Daytonas and Superbirds came standard with 440s, while the 426s were optional... and as mentioned were VERY expensive options. I almost bought a Daytona but ordered a new Camaro Z-28 instead...

The 426 Hemi was run in NASCAR -- and outlawed at least twice. The second time was the end, while the 440 carried them on. The 440 6-pack was their required "minimum 500 production run" to make them eligible for NASCAR...

426s ruled the dragstrip for the next 25 years or more in the big-block class....

The Hemi 4spd was the required combo for NASCAR production, while Hemi's were racing. The 383 was the base motor, for the RoadRunner, with the 440 an option. NASCAR made Mopar build more Hemi's as a "restriction" than Ford/GM had.

Mopar had a big fallout in '65 with NASCAR; they sat out that season. Richard Petty still raced, in NHRA... He won B/Altered division in a Hemi Barracuda that year... The end of the Hemi was '71; the Aero cars were too fast, and the Hemi still held the edge even with heavy restrictions. NASCAR would allow Daytona/Superbirds, but only with a 301ci engine.

'71 was the last production for the Hemi AND the 440 six pack. The 440 six pack was never made as a NASCAR motor. Not by my references. It was an outgrowth of the 413/426 wedge as a streetable performance engine that was less finnicky than the Hemi.

Interesting, in my looking around, the only Torino Talledegas I have seen or heard of were 428/auto cars, not like the rules Mopar had to follow with 500 Hemi's in production cars. I have not seen info on a 427/4spd Talledega...

Don't get me wrong; I am a big Mopar and Roadrunner fan!

fyi, I find lots of info in a Direct Connection book my Pa got me some years ago, "Mighty Mopars" by Anthony Young. Great book on 1960-74 Mopars. It has some cool pictures of the old 383 and 413 motors with the long ram manifolds, where the carbs hung over the valve covers and had like 2' runners to the opposite head...