Spanning an awe-inspiring 34 years from 1958 to 1992, “The King” Petty left an indelible mark on the racing world, driving for every major Detroit automaker. His automotive allegiance reads like a who’s who of American car brands: Oldsmobile, Plymouth, Ford, Dodge, Chevrolet, Buick, and Pontiac. While he clinched his seventh championship in a Chevy, Petty’s true triumphs were achieved in Mopar machines.
The early ’60s saw Petty clinch his first two titles in Plymouths, in 1964 and 1967. A brief stint with Ford in 1969 was followed by a triumphant return to Plymouth in 1970, yielding two more championships. Petty then made a memorable switch to Dodge in 1972, securing two additional titles, including the 1974 championship showcased by the iconic Charger featured here.
After a somewhat lackluster 1973 season, Petty roared back to the forefront, piloting the No. 43 blue-and-orange Charger to an astounding ten victories and an additional 12 Top 3 finishes in 1974. His dominance was undeniable, resulting in a comfortable Winston Cup Series victory.
The Charger was so dominant that Petty chose to keep it in action for the 1975 season, where he achieved a remarkable 13 wins and eight podium finishes. This stellar performance earned him his second consecutive and sixth overall Cup Series title. With 23 wins in just 60 races, this Charger secured its place as one of NASCAR’s most successful vehicles of all time.
Fast forward to 2023, and this legendary Mopar still stands tall and remarkably well-preserved. How is this possible, you ask? Richard Petty, the guardian of his race cars, stored many of them on his estate for decades.
What sets this Charger apart is not just its static display; it still roars to life, rolling in and out of events under its own power. Lucky visitors get to experience the thunderous symphony of its race-ready V8, a stirring reminder of NASCAR’s golden era. And while this Charger hails from the Malaise Era, the engine still growls and rumbles, evoking the glory days of racing.
In terms of styling, this Charger is based on the third-generation model produced from 1971 through 1974. This era marked the final iteration of the muscle car, with minor showroom changes. Petty’s remarkable record of 35 victories in this body style between 1972 and 1977 solidified its legendary status.
It’s worth noting that Buddy Baker, Bobby Isaac, and Dave Marcis also campaigned with third-gen Dodge Chargers, further cementing its place in racing history.
So there you have it, a captivating journey through the illustrious career of Richard Petty, with this iconic Charger as the shining star of NASCAR history.
