Producers seek crowdfunding for NASCAR film and iconic racecar restorations

At Hooniverse, we love to talk about the cars on the fringe of the term “muscle car,” but we maybe don’t examine “classic” muscle cars that often. That’s not to say we don’t enjoy a good Pontiac GTO or Chevy Chevelle, but one muscle car now considered iconic looked a bit freakish in an era of conspicuous brawn. This was the Dodge Charger Daytona, its massive spoiler sitting two feet above the decklid and its 426-cubic-inch Hemi V8 howling just below the sprawling hood. The Superbird’s roots, however, are the stuff of legend, the massive wing being first affixed to Plymouth’s NASCAR test, the first such car and the fastest racecar of its era (drag racing notwithstanding). The story is long and full of actually interesting NASCAR intrigue, lending itself nicely to cinema, so it’s perhaps of little surprise that the producers of the film Winged Warriors want to commit that story to the silver screen. In addition to filming the story, the Winged Warriors crew also hope to replicate Mopar’s #88 Daytona “aero-car” test mule, the original of which was a factory street car recovered from a Los Angeles impound lot after being stolen and put to work for the company’s NASCAR program. They also plan to build James Hylton’s #48 Dodge Charger, Richard Petty’s #43 Plymouth Road Runner, Petty’s #43 Superbird, and the #99 Charlie Glotzbach/Richard Brickhouse Dodge Daytona, all cars integral to the big-winged Superbird’s story.’ The film’s Kickstarter, the first of two, began June 1 to cover pre-production costs and wraps at the end of the month. The Kickstarter’s $462,000 goal budgets more than $270,000 for build of eight classic NASCARS. Interestingly, the film’s Kickstarter rewards include a brief speaking appearance in the film and executive producer credits, each for $10,000. For those of less stellar inclination, $25 will get a backer a poster and DVD copy of the film. Pledges run the gamut in between, as well. [Photos: Winged Warriors]