Back in 1972, Chrysler officially saw its way out of factory stock car racing. During its time with NASCAR it had acquired a good deal of race and tuning experience, and chose to not let it all go to waste. Partnering the talents of Larry Rathgeb, its former Director of Race Programs, with the legendary NASCAR team Petty Enterprises, Chrysler aimed to keep its presence in competitive-level track racing alive.

The result of these efforts: the short-lived, Petty Enterprises “Saturday Night Special” kit car program.

The program gained traction thanks to both Rathgeb’s efforts and support from NASCAR legend Richard Petty. Both saw the potential for an essentially off-the-shelf racecar, and in 1972, Chrysler and Petty Enterprises worked together to develop the kit. The core idea of the kit program was to provide an affordable yet proficient platform, allowing practically anyone to build and race their own factory stock racecar.

Originally, the kits were marketed and distributed though the well-respected Petty Enterprises. But after establishing itself in the market somewhat, they became available from any Chrysler, Dodge, or Plymouth dealership.

A Saturday Night Special could be purchased as either a basic chassis, a rolling chassis, a nearly-complete car (sans sheetmetal body), or a complete turn-key car.

The chassis, of course, was a primary focus during development. The kit used a widened E-body front chassis and an A-body rear section, tied together with frame X-ing that gave the car the required stiffness. Thus, the kit could be bodied as an A- or E- model, and would be wear the sheetmetal of a Dart, Valiant, or Duster.

The first prototype, however, was developed using a ’72 Challenger. The car was constructed using the same formula that would constitute the subsequent kit cars – E-body front, A-body rear, and extensive chassis work between. The car was afforded the mighty W2-head, 355 cubic-inch, small-block Chrysler race engine – the same 650-horse mill a buyer would receive if purchasing a near-complete or turn-key car.

If the specs alone aren’t enough to prove the car’s magnitude, perhaps this is: the Saturday Night Special Challenger prototype turned the tides for Dale Earnhardt’s racing career.

Photo of Earnheardt tearing up the dirt testing track, signed by the man himself.

While conducting testing on the prototype in 1974, Rathgeb and his team were in need of a test-driver experienced with dirt-track racing. For this, they approached a young, then-unheard of Earnhardt.

Prior to this testing, he had been racing 6-cylinder cars; although he was experienced with racing dirt tracks, he had never before raced a V8 car. Nonetheless, Earnhardt completing the testing (with incredible skill and finesse), capturing the attention of Rathgeb in the process.

At the time, Earnhardt was in a bit of a dark place – he was struggling to advance in the racing scene, had recently lost his father, and was debating whether to continue racing or throw in the towel. However, encouragement from Rathgeb – added to the experience of racing the Saturday Night Special prototype – prompted him to not only continue racing, but become a racing icon.

And now, what could possibly be that very car is heading to the 2016 Mecum Auction of Kissimmee, Florida on the 15th of this month. Projected to bring between only $40,000 to $80,000, it’s true history is somewhat unclear. However, it is in fact a restored prototype – believed to be the the only surviving one to date – and is thought to very well be the car that Earnhardt himself tested in ’74.

But whether the conclusive truth behind this prototype’s past will ever surface, we may never know. If it does, however, turn out to be the very car that racing legend Dale Earnhardt tested, then at $40-80,000, it will have been one hell of a steal.