Mecum Auctions will hold their 2025 Harrisburg sale July 23-26 at the Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex in Harrisburg, PA. As many as 1,200 vehicles are expected to cross the Harrisburg auction block and there will be a strong showing of classic American muscle.
The 1969 Dodge Daytona, famously dubbed the “winged warrior,” was specifically designed to excel in NASCAR racing. Crafted by Creative Industries as a heavily modified version of the Dodge Charger, it featured a notable pointed nose cone and an impressive rear wing standing 23 inches tall. These aerodynamic features were essential for enabling the Daytona to surpass the 200 mph mark during races, marking a significant achievement at that time.
Initially encountering issues with tire durability, the Daytona eventually demonstrated its capability, triumphing in 80% of its races throughout 1969 and achieving 22 Grand National victories. A limited number were produced to meet homologation requirements, making it a rare and celebrated muscle car. Its remarkable performance, alongside the Plymouth Superbird, prompted NASCAR to revise their rules, effectively prohibiting these high-speed “aero cars” from competitions by late 1970.
This particular 1969 Dodge Daytona, listed as Lot S157 at the Harrisburg 2025 auction, is one of only 503 produced. It boasts a powerful 440/375 HP V8 engine paired with a four-speed transmission and will be offered without reserve.
The 1969 Plymouth Road Runner built on the success of its predecessor from 1968, which sought to deliver powerful muscle car performance at an affordable cost. Continuing its partnership with Warner Bros., Plymouth licensed the iconic “beep-beep” horn and cartoon decals, reinforcing its focus on straightforward, high-performance vehicles. For the ’69 model, there were minor updates in styling such as a new grille and taillights, but it retained its fundamental design: a simple B-body platform equipped with robust V8 engines.
The standard engine was a 383 cubic inch V8 offering 335 horsepower, while the renowned 426 Hemi remained available, delivering 425 horsepower. The introduction of a convertible variant and the famous “Air Grabber” hood scoop added to its allure. In 1969, the Road Runner maintained its popularity by providing uncompromised speed and a unique character that appealed to enthusiasts seeking great value during the height of the muscle car era.
This particular model features a green exterior and white interior, powered by a fuel-injected 383/335 horsepower V8 paired with an automatic transmission. It benefits from a thorough rotisserie restoration, including a rebuilt matching numbers engine with Holley Sniper EFI and a restored original 727 TorqueFlite transmission. Additional highlights are the factory-equipped 3.23 geared 8.75-inch rear end and an enhanced Vintage Air system. Documentation accompanies the vehicle, including a broadcast sheet, loan documents, and the original bill of sale. Inside, you’ll find bucket seats and an 8-track player, while outside, it sports accurate Coker Redline tires, 5-spoke Styled Road wheels, and a white vinyl top.
The 1970 Dodge Challenger represented Dodge’s late foray into the pony car category, utilizing Chrysler’s new E-body platform alongside the Plymouth Barracuda. It was crafted to offer a more opulent and slightly larger alternative to the Mustang and Camaro, quickly gaining recognition as a style symbol. The “R/T” (Road/Track) trim level emerged as the performance-focused version, featuring several powerful engines, including the notable 440 Six-Pack and the iconic 426 Hemi, establishing it as a formidable contender both on city streets and drag strips.
The convertible variant of the Challenger R/T stood out due to its scarcity, with only a few manufactured, particularly those fitted with the most potent engine options. Its blend of striking aesthetics, robust performance, and the thrill of open-air driving rendered the 1970 Challenger R/T Convertible an exceptional muscle car that continues to be highly sought after today.
This particular model, the 1970 Dodge Challenger R/T Convertible Pilot Car from Lot S168, bears serial number 21 and is one of just 61 V-Code Convertibles produced. This specific vehicle served as a pilot car utilized by automotive journalists and is believed to have been the inaugural Challenger Convertible assembled with the 440 Six Pack engine. It is equipped with power steering and front disc brakes along with the A33 Track Pak.
The 1968 Chevrolet Corvette Coupe introduced the third generation (C3), featuring a bold new design influenced by the Mako Shark II concept car. Its distinctive “coke bottle” shape, characterized by prominent fender bulges and sharp creases, marked a significant change from its predecessor, the C2 Sting Ray. Notable updates included removable T-top roof panels that allowed for an open-air driving experience while maintaining structural integrity, along with pop-up headlights.
Beneath its updated exterior, the 1968 model retained much of the chassis and engines from the previous generation, offering powerful small-block and big-block V8 options. Despite some early production and quality control challenges typical of new releases, this Corvette quickly gained popularity, establishing the direction for the C3’s extended production period and cementing its status as America’s iconic sports car.
This specific 1968 Corvette Coupe comes with its matching-numbers L71 427/435 Turbo-Jet V8 engine, coupled with a four-speed manual transmission. It includes the original Protect-O-Plate and will be offered without reserve at Mecum’s 2025 Harrisburg auction.
The 1970 Plymouth ‘Cuda Convertible became a significant model during the muscle car era, serving as the high-performance version of Plymouth’s newly styled Barracuda on Chrysler’s E-body platform. While the Barracuda lineup was more extensive, the ’Cuda designation specifically referred to models featuring the most powerful engines available. In 1970, options included robust engines like the 340, 383, 440, and notably, the legendary 426 Hemi V8, marking it as one of the most potent street cars.
The convertible design paired with these top-tier engines was exceptionally rare, with only a small number produced, particularly in the case of Hemi-equipped convertibles, which are now considered among the rarest and most prized muscle cars. Its bold appearance, marked by features such as the distinctive “shaker” hood scoop (on select versions), striking color choices, and its emphasis on performance solidified the 1970 ‘Cuda Convertible’s status as an emblem of American automotive prowess and styling.
This 1970 Plymouth Cuda Convertible, serial number 4, served at the Pilot Car and holds the distinction of being the first V-Code Cuda Convertible ever produced. It features a pistol grip shifter and includes invoices from its 2005 restoration as well as a copy of its Chrysler Registry report.