Autographed by the man himself…
Carroll Shelby will be forever known as the inventor of the Cobra and the man behind Ford’s 1-2-3 finish at LeMans in 1966 but did you know he actually spent some time tweaking Chrysler products like the Dodge Viper beginning in 1983. But there were other cars that he took from everyday drivers to category killers like this week’s car spot, a 1987 Dodge Daytona Shelby Z.
Built upon a modified K Car platform and first launched in 1983, the Daytona filled an as-yet-untapped niche, front-wheel drive sports cars. Redesigned in 1987 dropping the front end that sort of looked like a Camero and giving it a more rounded front with pop-up headlights.
Featuring Chrysler’s newly developed 2.2-liter “Turbo II” engine, with a Garrett T3 turbocharger it could put out 174 horsepower and 200 lb-ft of torque. Weighing almost nothing, it could hit 60 mph in 7.5 to 8.5 seconds depending on who was doing the testing. It came with larger anti-roll bars, four-wheel disc brakes, improved struts, and wider Goodyear Eagle Gatorback tires. Though it had the Shelby name, Carroll Shelby had nothing else to do with the cars. This was a typical car of the 80s coming with T-tops, louvers on the back window along with lower ground effects stuff and you were living the dream.
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It had cool tech before tech was cool. The optional digital dashboard incorporated Chrysler’s state-of-the-art digital voice alert which would let you know that “Your keys are in the ignition”, “Your engine oil pressure is critical. Engine damage may occur” or “Your charging system is malfunctioning. Prompt service is required.”
Besides this car, and the Viper I mentioned above, Shelby’s name appeared on a variety of Dodge cars including the Lancer, Omni, and even the Durango before the partnership ended in 1989. These pop up fairly often on places like Bring A Trailer and can be bought for around $11,000. What great fun and a trip back to the 80’s when front-wheel drive cars were fun.
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Thanks for stopping by and checking out this spot. I have tons of them here on our site so paruse away. Come back next Friday for another one I’ve found on my travels along with some of its history. Have a great weekend.
Savage On Wheels 
It is refreshing to see the once despised sports cars from the 1980s and ’90s are becoming the affordable way to get into the hobby.
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