The downside to rare and collectable cars is that they often end up hidden away in private collections. Of course, the upside would be that they are very well-cared-for and preserved for history, but it’s a shame they can’t be seen and appreciated by more lovers of all things automotive.
The Gary and Kathy Edwards collection of Mopars is one such example. Their outrageous collection of Mopars, especially the examples from the NASCAR Aero Wars, has been unseen for years, only making a few appearances at Mecum events and showing up in historical reference books. Well, the Edwardes’s have decided to part with most of their collection, so it’s a chance for new owners to get to enjoy them, but it’s also a chance for us to check out some of the rarest examples of Mopar muscle on Earth. The whole collection can be seen by clicking over to Mecum, but we are going to take a look at a few of our favorites.
One of the stars of the show would have to be this black-on-black 1970 Plymouth Hemi ‘Cuda (Lot F143.1). The 1970 Hemi ‘Cuda must be one of the most iconic cars of the muscle car era. Its design was a huge departure from previous A-bodies and the 426 Hemi was a beast of an engine. This completely restored example is believed to be the highest sticker price (most options) of any ‘Cuda hardtop sold in 1970. Yep, back then $5,500 would get you this top-shelf Hemi ‘Cuda! We just love checking out the window sticker and the option prices. Looking back, the $871.45 Hemi engine option was a good investment.
Superbirds may not have been strong sellers when they were sitting on the dealership’s lot, but today they are some of the most sought-after collector cars (even after being submerged in a flood). Counting Superbirds and Daytonas, the Edwardses are offering up 12 examples of these winged wonders at the Mecum Kissimmee auction! This Lemon Twist Yellow 1970 Hemi Superbird checks all the right boxes and is one of only 135 Hemi Superbirds produced! Equipped with the 727 Torqueflight transmission and a host of options, it’s one of the rarest muscle cars you could find. To see the window sticker and learn more about this spotless wing car, check out Lot F145 at the Mecum site!
Not into wing cars? Want something that actually fits in your garage? Something a bit more affordable? Well then, check out this 1970 Plymouth Road Runner (lot number F142.1). Running a V-code, 390-hp, 440 cubic-inch engine backed by a four-speed manual trans, we could totally picture owning this Mopar. It’s a car built for fun and is covered in retro-cool Road Runner icons. The Pistol-Grip shifter, premium dash, rear spoiler, and Coyote Duster air cleaner are just a few of the touches that make this the car we could bid on without having to sell kidneys on the black market.
Want something nobody else has? This Omaha Orange 1969 Dodge Daytona is the perfect choice! What makes this a one-of-one car? Well, the color was a special-order 999 paint code of PPG 60436, and the story is that it was done as a joke at the factory. Things were more relaxed back then, which allowed for cars like this to come into existence. The good news is that, with the 440 and four-speed instead of a Hemi, it will sell for well under a million bucks—well, good news for someone other than us. To read the whole story on this rare Dodge, check out lot F141 at the Mecum Kissimmee website.
Another rare Mopar is this one-of-three 1971 Dodge Hemi Charger. This time the rare aspect isn’t the color, it’s the factory M51 power sunroof option! In 1971, this was an expensive car at $6304.60, but even adjusting for inflation it was a solid investment, given that it’s expected to bring right around a half-million dollars at the Mecum auction! Powered by a 425-hp 426 Hemi with a Ramcharger hood, this Charger is highly optioned, with rare bits like the AM/FM radio with 8-track and dictaphone! This heavily documented Mopar can be yours—just click on over to lot F146 to find out the details.
These are just a few of the 16 cars being auctioned off from the Edwards collection. You can check out the whole brochure here, as well as a cool article that details the collection and how it came to be that one couple could end up owning some many super-rare Mopars. Lastly, there’s a great Mecum video full of historical clips and backstories over at YouTube.