When Tom Bradley lost the 1969 mayor's race in Los Angeles, Big Willie Robinson lost two.

He'd back Bradley over incumbent Sam Yorty. It was a quid pro quo. Willie handled some security for the

upstart politician. And Bradley assured Willie that he'd deliver a racetrack for the brotherhood of street

racers if he won. That was all Willie wanted, a place where street racers of all stripes could come together in peace.

But Yorty did not take kindly to Willie supporting his rival, especially after the Brotherhood

and its illicit racing had been allowed to flourish on the mayor's watch.

And then he told all the police department, no more street racing.

Bust them.

Willie had hit a dead end.

For someone who'd grown accustomed to the spotlight, this must have cut deep.

Without street racing, he couldn't really be Big Willie.

And things were about to get worse.

Willie's 1969 Dodge Charger Daytona was truly rare.

It was one of just dozens outfitted with the high-powered hemimotor, according to muscle car

expert Joe Machado.

Big Willie wanted the car he called the King Daytona to be the fastest around.

So from time to time,

Willie would get the Daytona's body dipped in acid, which eats away some of the metal, reducing

weight. One day in 1971, he dropped off the King Daytona at an acid dipping shop in

southeastern L.A. He had no way of knowing it would be the last day he drove his prized car.

This is where Machado comes in.

By chance, he was leaving a DMV across the street in his own Daytona

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