Before Plymouth’s 426 cid Street Hemi hit the showrooms in model year 1966, another very different 426 cid (7.0L) monster struck fear into those who accidentally or intentionally tangled with it… the 426 Street Wedge. Plymouth lacked Pontiac’s flair in marketing its potent mid-sized Belvedere, with no fancy Ferrari-inspired name like “GTO,” or Tri-Power induction. Belvedere buyers had to make do with a giant motor called “Commando 426” that converted fuel and rubber into smoke and acceleration. This 1964 1965 Plymouth Belvedere II in Pemberton, New Jersey comes to market here on eBay where at least eight bidders have elevated its market value beyond $32,000. Salivating already? Simply click Buy It Now and the sinister-looking, numbers matching four-speed Street Wedge is yours for $45,000.
Welcome to where the magic happens! Lacking the Hemi’s dual-quad intake or enormous dual-rocker covers with spark plug wires coming out of them, the Street Wedge nevertheless makes 365 HP and a tectonic 470 lb-ft of torque. Nearly all original, the potent mill does wear a newer alternator and an Edelbrock carburetor. The original carb is included with the sale.
Aside from a few updates including wheels and a paint job in 1977, this Belvedere is largely original! That ’70s paint job still looks great, and the trim is shiny to match. Stance, rumble, and a tiny “426” script on the hood ornament are the only hints that this Plymouth means business. The seller reports that no rust sullies this jet-black coupe.
What’s more basic than a bench seat with a floor shifter? The all-black interior is also original, though the seller reports a tear in the driver’s seat area. Said to run and drive well, this one needs nothing besides a new owner to enjoy it. With original miles clocked at 82,000 this classic has plenty of life left to give. Whatever happened to the Street Wedge block? This “RB” engine grew to 440 cid (7.2L) and became the top option below the Hemi in many of Chrysler corporation’s legendary classic muscle cars. Did you know about Chrysler’s “other” 426?
If there was a car that was likened to Johnny Cash, it would probably be this car. GLWTA
65, not 64
Joey we always called them the max wedge cars? Do remember the 65 stage 2 cars they made? Chrysler came and gave one to my uncle Jim to play with and it was a factory race car with no frills.
street wedge and a max wedge were not the same.
Awesome.
Just as I was beginning to drive, an older, college-age guy down the street had a bud who drove the Satellite version. This is so close, from my memory. 426 Wedge/4, yes. He traded it in…. On a Hemi Cuda Convertible. Good Lord……..
When I was a kid back in the late 60’s a man I knew that worked for REA Express here in. Lenoir, NC. Had one just like it. I would wash and wax it for him once a month He passed in the early 70’s and I have tried to find that car but never located his family. I would love to own it
Had a red 65 that came off strip street legal…loved that car..memories….wish I’d kept it so many times
I remember watching the Hot Rod movie (1979), when Gregg Henry challenges a orange Olds Cutlass 442, with his black 65 Plymouth Belvedere. Sadly the car is destroyed in the first road race as the Olds driver pushes him off the road. I really wished that Belvedere survived as Gregg’s main car, but the engine he seizes (probably a 426 wedge or simple a 440 RB) is stuck into a 1940s Willys.
How have I never heard of this movie until now? Do you have any more info on it?
sirlurxalot,
Try YouTube; they have a 4-part movie made in 1979 titled “Hot Rod” starring Gregg Henry. I believe this is it, and it’s free. Also some websites are selling a DVD copy for $20 – 25..
In 1966 my pal Dennis had a stock ’40 Ford coupe. We heard there was a black 426/ 4 speed Plymouth in a neighboring town at the Dodge dealers lot. We knew if we showed up in that ’40 and acted like the dumb farm kids that we were, that we could drive any car on a dealers lot, and we did. That Plymouth did not disappoint us in the half hour we thrashed it around (without the salesman). We did disappoint the dealer when we brought it back and left in the ’40 however. :-) Terry J
Kudos on the write up Todd. I especially liked the description of the 426’s ability to “convert fuel and rubber to smoke and acceleration”!
Thank you DavidH!
Todd that was a great write up on the car! I would certainly believe the 426 wedge was a darned hot number on the street in its day. The HP and torque numbers are impressive today! I am impressed with this car the most because of it’s nasty impressive history and it’s just plain COOL looks, I like what it stands for a lot!
NIce car. Always loved these old mopars, and I am a GM guy, with the great engines and 4 speeds with the steel wheels. Very cool.
On a totally unrelated note….that Cadillac in the background with the aftermarket wheels on it…..maybe just me but WOW do those look TERRIBLE on that car!!!!????
Love the wheels, I have them on a PT Cruzier and they look great.
These have a wickedness to them set up like this, great machine here. If you believed any of the magazine road tests from back then you’d find a ’64 with this 426 street wedge running the quarter in a tick over fifteen seconds in the low 90’s. That’s it,
right on par with the GTO that one actually could buy not the red 421 ringer car that made the headlines.
Of course there was more depending on the owners ability both mechanical and driver skills.
Back in black, all ready to scare off non car folks and even some that know about street machines, especially if the sunlight catches it just right…..man I like this car!
Just about perfect IMHO
The ad is 100% correct this is a sinister looking car and must be a blast to run through those gears!!
is car still for sale thanks
yeah yeah yeah…the 426 street wedge and max wedge were great vehicles..but the 63-1/2 galaxie 427 was the king of em all….