Petty's front spoiler 1971

[KiwiKid72]

I have been thinking about getting a front spoiler for the Plymouth. I've seen quite a few stockcar races from 1971 and noticed Petty often raced with a front alloy or stainless steel spoiler.

I have also seen pictures of a car with the Plymouth logo on it painted petty blue, but have never seen this in any races.

Does anyone know if the car below raced with that spoiler on it, and what tracks it raced on?

 

[DeltaV]

Daytona 500​

DAYTONA BEACH, FL - FEBRUARY 14: Richard Petty driver of the #43 STP Plymouth leans on his car before the Winston Cup Daytona 500 on February 14, 1971 at the Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Florida. Petty would go on to win the 500. Petty would go onto win the 500. (Photo by ISC Archives/CQ-Roll Call Group via Getty Images)

 

[DeltaV]

I always liked this style. I would have put one on my '71 Satellite, but I was a poor college student in the mid/late 1970s.

Similar to the above:

 

[Builderguy]

This Road Runner was the 1971 NASCAR Grand National championship winning car driven by “The King” Richard Petty, interestingly it was also the last stock car to win a NASCAR Grand National championship using a production-based body and engine.

Historically this car is one of the most important American racing cars of its era, not only did it win the NASCAR championship with Petty at the wheel but it also visited the Nixon White House with Petty (pictured below), it was the car that helped Petty become the first driver to win over $1,000,000 USD, it was one of only two factory-sponsored cars for the 1971 season and the only one to complete the season.

 

[KiwiKid72]

.

 

[KiwiKid72]

View attachment 1480648

Daytona 500​

DAYTONA BEACH, FL - FEBRUARY 14: Richard Petty driver of the #43 STP Plymouth leans on his car before the Winston Cup Daytona 500 on February 14, 1971 at the Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Florida. Petty would go on to win the 500. Petty would go onto win the 500. (Photo by ISC Archives/CQ-Roll Call Group via Getty Images)

Yeah, that car is not the one from Daytona '71. In that race the car had the flat alloy/steel spoiler. Perhaps it is a photo from a different time and used in the article. Below is Petty's Daytona car.

 

[440plus6]

Stock car racing the way it should be. Long live the King #43

 

[Builderguy]

KiwiKid72
I believe you are spot on with your detective work. In case there is any doubt:

 

[DeltaV]

and this one with "Daytona" visible in the background.

Photo courtesy of Ray Lamm


February 14 - This day in Petty history

 

[RemCharger]

Stock car racing the way it should be. Long live the King #43

Amen.

 

[Budnicks]

The 1st one looks like it was to catch more air & direct it thru the radiator
(maybe for Riverside or any other road courses, (?) maybe to keep it cooler (?)
the flat one (with no sides going up) is the one I remember always seeing
especially on super-speedways

albeit I think this is Riverside has the flat spoiler it looks like
I don't know (1972 (?) maybe)

here's a super speedway

from the movie clip, Last American Hero
red/blue STP car 1973 (?)

behind the shop 1971 (?) still the STP Filters paint scheme on the back quarters

Southern sponsor later 1972 (? IIRC) on the rear quarters no spoiler,
supposed to be the real car
but restored Petty's Garage, at Amilea Island Show/Auction IIRC

No Spoiler same place & sits way low, very cool

 

[KiwiKid72]

Yep. The first photo is Riverside January 1972.
Second is 1971 (Talladega?) With Petty fending off Buddy Baker.
Third must be 1972. I think he only drove a Charger in '73.
Pic 4. Interesting car that looks like it has a different hood and extra signage on the door.

Thanks for sharing. Very cool, indeed.

 

[DeltaV]

I really don't recall ever seeing the type posted in post #1.

Here is a close-up of the other type I recall seeing "back in the day":

NO PETTY ACHIEVEMENT: 1971 Richard Petty Plymouth Road Runner - Rodding Revolutions

 

[DeltaV]

Speaking of Buddy Baker...

and there's that unique (?) spoiler on Petty's car.

 

[KiwiKid72]

This car could be from Daytona '71. Plymouth supplied Petty with two cars so maybe this was the second car that was not used.

Hopefully The King is an undercover FBBO member and can chime in on the subject.

 

[DeltaV]

There's that unique front spoiler again:

HUGE Gallery Of Rare Stuff From Petty’s Museum & Shop!

 

[DeltaV]

I don't recall ever seeing this spoiler either.

 

[KiwiKid72]

I don't recall ever seeing this spoiler either.

View attachment 1498065

Hey, good find. Yeah, it almost looks like this one. But like the spoiler has been cut off at the welds. They have the same unusual hood and unpainted (?) bumper.

 

[440 PHIXX]

It looks like a Satellite.