- Seller: Joseph F (Contact)
- Location: Plattsburgh, New York
- Mileage: 85,330 Shown
- Chassis #: 1B3BA44E5fG117058
- Title Status: Clean
- Engine: 2.2-Liter Inline-4 Turbo
- Transmission: 5-Speed Manual
UPDATE – The seller has added additional photos!
If you read this website with any regularity, you have probably felt the symptoms that afflict us all when we see just the right car for sale: the elevated heartbeat, anxiety, preoccupation, inquiries about said preoccupation from your spouse and family. If any fans of Chrysler’s turbo era are reading this, chances are good that you’re experiencing those symptoms right now. We have an 85,330-mile original 1985 Dodge Daytona with the turbo engine, a 5-speed manual transmission, and it’s painted in “Gold Dust Crystal Coat.” The best part? It’s being offered as a no-reserve Barn Finds Auction in Plattsburgh, New York. How did a 40-year-old Chrysler stay this clean after all these years? Who knows, but here it sits, and you won’t believe it.
The seller has taken dozens of detail shots of the Daytona, and they all point to the same conclusion: this car is almost perfect. The only real flaw I have found in those images is that the headliner has sagged. The engine is the 2.2-liter turbo four with its traditional 146-horsepower and 168 lb.-ft. of torque, and when channeled through the five-speed, the final drive ratio was 2.57:1. There’s no denying that the Daytona was quick for 1985: A Turbo Z with the same driveline could accelerate from zero-to-60 in just over eight seconds while covering the quarter-mile in just over sixteen. The 2.2 in this Daytona has been treated to a new timing belt, water pump, spark plugs, belts, and hoses, and it “runs great.” The front end has a new pair of CV axles, and the battery is also new. Even if none of that were true, you’d still have that beautiful “Chrysler Turbo” valve cover, which is artistic enough to hang on the garage wall.
And there’s nothing quite like 1980s velour for luxury and durability. This Daytona is interesting because it appears to be a base model with the optional turbo engine, which was available according to the Dodge brochure. The seats appear to be the optional Turbo/Turbo Z cloth units with adjustable thigh and lumbar support; it’s like a mini-Turbo Z. The carpet, door jambs, and upholstery are virtually flawless, and it’s an overused phrase, but the back seat looks as if nobody has ever sat in it.
My dad would oblige his young car-loving son by visiting myriad dealerships and taking numerous test drives back in the 1980s and ’90s. I remember these Daytonas (and the similar Chrysler Laser) vividly; they brought performance back to Mopar in a fuel-efficient way, and there’s a certain nostalgia about their presentation. I think this will be a great buy for someone who remembers them wistfully, and the best part is that it happens to have a practical side. If you’re interested in this really nice Daytona, bid now!
Bid On This Auction
DatsunDan bid $6,200.00 2025-06-05 11:56:20
Okey bid $6,100.00 2025-06-05 10:09:20
sccaracer bid $6,000.00 2025-06-05 09:19:34- DatsunDan bid $5,600.00 2025-06-04 11:20:14
- Okey bid $5,500.00 2025-06-04 09:53:17
DGM bid $5,050.00 2025-06-04 09:50:26
Billdo78 bid $3,100.00 2025-06-04 09:47:46
A.Wright bid $2,951.00 2025-06-04 07:30:47
Type901 bid $1,951.00 2025-06-03 19:08:51
3Aeros bid $1,700.00 2025-06-03 18:08:08- Type901 bid $1,500.00 2025-06-03 09:32:09
- Okey bid $1,150.00 2025-06-03 09:12:38
MattC bid $950.00 2025-06-03 09:05:20- Type901 bid $850.00 2025-06-03 09:05:01
David bid $750.00 2025-05-30 09:31:37
BG bid $600.00 2025-05-30 09:05:11- David bid $500.00 2025-05-30 08:51:46
- BG bid $100.00 2025-05-30 08:50:18
No offense to those present but the poor little thing looks like a truncated Mustang.
By adding a valve to turn up the turbo boost (not something I would do today) I truncated a bunch of Mustangs back in the day with a Turbo 2.2!
Bit of a sleeper w the Turbo 4pot and stick 😎 👍🏁
Did all manufactured vehicles in the 80s had issues with the head liner ? Otherwise with over 82,000 miles it’s a very clean ride. This had to be garage being in that part of New York State. If anyone drdrove one back then. You know it’s fun the drive stick only the automatic was a dog.Good luck to the seller. 😃
ALL cars with the fabric-over-foam headliners fail this way.
Fortunately, they’re not difficult to remedy; the foam fabric is readily available at fabric stores or online; the headliner itself is shaped/pressed cardboard or a fiber-type material. Removal can be a pain. Once out, strip the fabric off, wirewheel the headliner, and use 3m upholstery spray glue,
I said it before and I’ll say it again. All variations of these cars, even up to the 92 Eagle Talon AWD Turbo TSI I had and my sister’s 90 Iroc Dayton had some of the best seats I’ve ever sat in. Both cars were total fun but absolute crap after 50k miles. PS…Door is AJAR
I sold these cars when they were new. The torque steer when the turbo kicked in was terrible and in New England during the winter snow hill starts were not an option even with the automatic
The tourque steer from the turbo was part of the fun.
I know I enjoyed the hell out of my ’86 GLH-T.
I had an ’84 Voyager with a shimmed up short-throw 5-speed. With the back seat out to lighten it up, I used to chase expensive German iron around the hills of NW CT. HD suspension option helped too. It was a blast to humiliate these guys with my Silver Breadbox! Long-legged gearing helped- 35, 55, 75, and off the clock for IV and V gears.
With the normally aspirated 2.2 it was best to change head gasket and timing belt at around 100K. Except for a leaky steering rack, I’d have kept it past the 190K we put on it in the 16 years we had it.
The K car derivatives were well designed machines, well screwed together.
I love a gold car. I went to look at buying one of these last year in Detroit. Owner was a total sheister and lied about its condition during a 1/2 hour phone conversation. I even stupidly made a $200 deposit via venmo. It was only $2500 so I should have known better. I’m used to learning things the hard way. Never got my deposit back and small claims court not worth the trouble. Time for redemption!
Does this Daytona have air conditioning?
It appears to not have AC, but cant say for sure. It’s got crank windows also, so I’m guessing the original owner just ticked the box labeled “Turbo” and called it a day.
If you click on the pictures below the text, there are several close-ups of the dashboard. The climate controls don’t have an AC setting, so I’ll guess it does not.
n David has, does the car have a/c. I didn’t notice the components under the hood and there is no dash shot to verify. Please reply.
Dana Murray
No AC makes doing the head gasket and timing belt a breeze ,,,I had a 84.5 reliant ,4 door five speed and it ran pretty good,,, I used to beat up on a lot of imports with it , and around 42 mpg to boot ,,,, first car I’ve ever owned that I’d spent more money on bait than gas to go on fishing trips 👍👍👍
great car, any underside pix, hoping they match the top!
hoping seller will post underside photos please!
Really nice clean looking Daytona. Had a new on back in 84′ and have had several over the decades. In general they were all very good cars to me. Always loved the looks of them, especially the interiors. The 1st gen. are my favorites. Currently have a black 84′ Turbo Z I bought from the orig. VA owner with only 58k orig. miles. You never see these anywhere anymore.
Elapsed time chronometer!? TOTALLY RAD!!
asking again, some underside pix pls… presuming just as clean BUT need to know!
Underside photos have been added to the photo gallery!
IF ,, this sale fails ~~
I love everything about this car. The body styling is sleek, and the interior is a feast for the eyes.
no
I will get some tonight for you and get them on tomorrow before the Auction ends .Joe