Wings Of Steel

One of the most iconic street machines ever, Kevin Monk’s dodge daytona has lived an incredible life, from the USA to Australia and back again

- Ewen Page

The Dodge Daytona – and this car in particular – is a very special vehicle. It was a NASCAR stocker, years ahead of its time. These days, Daytonas are incredibly rare.

Most were swiped from the showroom floor and raced. To find an original lightweight is incredible, because only 44 were made from a run of 502. To find one outside the States was considered an impossible dream – until we discovered Kevin Monk’s machine.

Sydney bloke Kevin is a car freak. At last count, he owned 16 ’32 Ford rods, a whole host of other machinery, and 45 garages! It was Kevin’s love of ’32 Fords that brought this man and this machine together.

In 1973, Kevin travelled to the US in search of ’32s. First stop was Los Angeles. There, he learned of Mopar muscle and was quickly converted to the faith. A meeting with Big Willie Robinson (a legend who heads an organisation named the International Brotherhood of Street Racers) gave Kevin some clues to finding a Daytona for sale. Big Willie recommended the Daytona/Superbird Car Club of America – but they knew the score. If there were any spare Daytonas going around, they’d know about ’em – and have the inside running.