When it comes to Mopar, the Hemi is the Holy Grail. This big engine was often called the Elephant because of its large overall dimensions and high weight. Chrysler only built about 11k or so consumer Hemis from 1965 to 1971, making these engines very hard to find. To find just one 426 Hemi is a rare occasion, so when we saw this submission from David C. for a collection of Hemis, it piqued our interest. The seller has two Hemi-powered 1967 Plymouth GTXs, a 1967 Plymouth GTX 440, a 1966 Dodge Coronet Convertible, two 426 Hemi blocks, an extra 440 block, and a number of extra Mopar parts. They are offering their entire collection as a package deal here on Alanta’s craigslist.
The Hemi gets its name from the hemispherical shape of its combustion chamber and while the name is trademarked by Chrysler, many manufacturers have built Hemi head equipped engines over the years. The shape of the head allowed for larger valves and better air flow in and out of each cylinder, which attracted the likes of Alfa Romeo, Aston Martin, Lotus, and even Porsche to the design. There are some drawbacks though, as it requires comparatively large heads, very complex valve trains, and domed pistons. All of these traits add up to one thing, expense. Cost was a major reason Chrysler only built 11k of these motors.
The seller doesn’t state whether both GTXs still have their original 426s in them, but at least one does. 1967 was the first year for the GTX and was intended to be the gentleman’s muscle car. It offered all the luxuries of the Belvedere it was based on, but with a 440 V8 standard or an optional 426 Hemi and a sport tuned suspension. Of the 11k built, only 720 GTXs left the factory with the Hemi. We would be sure to check the numbers on these cars very carefully just to be sure these are not clones.
If these cars were originally ordered with the Hemi, they could be worth some serious money. The seller states in their listing that they won’t even consider offers under $50k though. We aren’t Mopar guys, so we will defer to our more knowledgeable readers to let us know if this is a realistic purchase price. Special thanks goes to David for the tip!
It looks like these are in Jacksonville, Florida.
Sorry for the confusion, it does appear to be in Jacksonville. Looks like they listed it on Atlanta Georgia’s craigslist. Atlanta is about 5 hours away.
For some reason, Jacksonville and North Florida cars regularly appear on Atlanta Craigslist, but the opposite doesn’t seem true. Dunno why.
If these are all legit, $50k seems like a steal.
Agreed. The hemi engines alone are probably worth north of $20k each, if complete. Add to that the proper hemi K members and other assorted pieces (like the cross ram intake) and this seems to be the bargain of the century. Of course, just how good a deal it is will depend on exactly what is there.
These are definitely in The Jacksonville Fl area, maybe 10 miles from where my dad lives. I had heard about the collection out in that area, but never was able to track it down on the times I have been in the area(seeing the fence in one of the pictures helps explain why I never saw the vehicles)
Given collection of parts, and the fact that these are VERY desirable cars, I’ll bet the offer that takes them will be north of $75K.
this is less then 5 Miles away from my Home in Middleburg Florida 32063
Please go take a look and report back!
Hi Jesse, just called and left a message for Rick. As soon I here back, I will let you know. thanks Thomas…
OK Rick called me back, all the Cars and Engines are for real, if anybody needs my help please let me know. It’s out of a barn after 25 years, some Engine parts are still in the original mopar plastic covering!
Somebody go buy it up! Whoever ends up with it, this could be one of the best buys I’ve seen in a long time.
“piqued”.
Thanks for the correction. All fixed!
I’ll bet some flipper ends up with them and pieces them out.
And I wonder if the cars that originally had those Hemis are still around?
i like that there is more then 1 car and motor. that they are hemi’s and are for real is great. if it was on ebay it would be fun watching the bidding war but it is on CL. is there a way to watch the bidding? and why on CL instead of ebay? great find
Because ebay’s fees have gotten ridiculous. Their search function and lack of policing what products are in which categories only adds to the site not being as useful or fun as it used to be.
Not my immediate passion, but what a trove!
This is one of the best bargains in Hemis (plural) to come along in a long while. Back some decades ago I was involved in another Hemi (singular) bargain.
My father worked with a guy who had a ’51 or ’52 Hemi Chrysler sedan. This guy was connected with Chrysler, and when he heard an unusual noise in the engine he got Chrysler to replace it with a brand new one. My father told me that there was no unusual noise and that the Chrysler owner was hearing things. My father got the ‘noisy’ Hemi engine, which had been tossed at the garage, and brought it home. It sat for a few years in our basement, at which point he gave it to me. I took it apart to see how it was built and, as a teenager, learned a lot about engines. I also learned that it was all a skinny teenager could do to lift up one of those large cast iron heads.
Anyway, time passed and I never built the hot rod I had planned, so I sold the Hemi engine—-for 75 bucks. It only had about 10K miles on it. At least it finally ended up in a rod, just not one that I owned.
I’m not a mopar or hemi guy but if you were, for $50k seems you could buy this, do a top notch resto on one car, sell it and you’d have your money back plus the $$ to restore the one you decided to keep!!
Also, yes, my brain hurts simply THINKING of it but you could also sell one of the hemi engines for $15-20k and then use the money to restore the car & put the 440 in it. There I said it, now get out of my brain, dammit….I’d -NEVER- break up a matching car & hemi pair!!
I doubt that one 426 Hemi is worth $20k. They will likely need rebuilt, even if just sitting and never run. The rebuilding is where those numbers come in. The 426 is really only desirable for the later muscle car crowd. Hot rodders and traditional rod guys want the 354 or 392 hemis from the 50s. These are the Hemi engines that built the NHRA, drag racing, and the mystique. The later generation 426 was a beast, but not what made the legend.
The thing is though, the early Hemi was a regular production engine as it was the only V8 offered by Chrysler at the time. This changed when the 350ci B wedge was introduced in 1957 (if memory serves). It was MUCH less complicated and cheaper to produce, so it quickly replaced the Hemi in all Chrysler divisions. It is also important to note that until the B wedge, Chrysler’s Hemi V8’s (Dodge Red Ram, Desoto Firedome, Chrysler Firepower) were all different and division-specific, with few interchangeable parts. The B and RB wedge and later Polysphere and LA engines changed all that and marked Chrysler’s movement towards greater interchangeability across the model range.
Why then was the Hemi reborn as a modification of the RB Wedge? The Hemi may have been a heavy complex monster but it did have significant advantages in terms of cylinder head flow. This was the reason for it’s rebirth as it offered Chrysler a way to build it’s cars into competitive motorsports champions. The 426 Hemi then was never offered in posh luxury cars. It was never sold in large numbers like the early Hemis were. It’s sole reason for existence was competition and the street Hemi was there only to be able to call the race Hemi a production engine (much like the Ford Boss 429).
In terms of legend then, it really all depends on who you ask as to which is cooler. The late Hemi was produced in tiny numbers compared to it’s progenitor and so it is far more rare. It was sold in low production factory race cars like the Hemi Dart and ‘Cuda in 1968, not to mention that it’s first year of production (1964?)it was only available in a factory lightweight that was never intended for the street. The 1950’s were not the only legendary time in US hot rodding history. The 60’s were better because the tire technology had advanced far beyond what was there in the 50’s. The engines were bigger and more powerful too, with factory race models from all the American manufacturers-including AMC. Today 50’s style cars (Ford A,B and T models, etc.) tend to be built by guys (and girls) who want the automotive equivalent of biker culture while 60’s cars are still built buy people who want to go fast in a straight line (or sometimes around corners). To my mind, lifestyling is irrelevant. I don’t much care for the tattooed set who want so desperately to think they are reliving “The Wild Bunch”. So to me, the 60’s and 70’s cars are where it’s at (as well as Datsun PL510’s, Minis and some 90’s cars like 5.0 Fox Mustangs and turbocharged 240sx’s) and 50’s style rods just can’t compare. Then again, that’s just my opinion and there are no doubt plenty of people who would disagree with me. That’s what makes the hobby cool though. There’s room for all of us.
Great treasure trove. Someone with $50,000 or more should save this and could make some money. The GTX is quickly gaining popularity heading into the Charger realm. I like them. Alas, no money, and certainly too far away.
This is a “test the waters” ad. The seller is knowledgeable and knows what he has. I have confidence (but would still check it out first) that it is real, the seller is inviting scrutiny here. I do not think there is any way in the world an offer near $50k will take this. Seller is looking for a parade of potential buyers to find him, and he will go from there. Best of luck to him, a barn full of vintage Hemi is a really neat thing!
I think you have it right, Dutch. I just wish we could find out how lots like this end up (everything sold vs. a part sale in sub-lots) and how much the stuff brought. I think many lots never bring the $ amount the seller expects, altho this one could be the exception to that.
forget the Mopars!! The real steal is behind the GTX. I spy a 1990+ Mustang convertible back there. WIth door mounted mirrors too!!!!!
“…looking for reasonble offers…” Wonder if he’ll take someone’s house in trade?
They should be saved. They are worthy of preservation. The 426 era muscle cars are the best of the HEMI’s. Of course, I am somewhat biased.
What an exceptional find. I hope it lives up to the hype and is all authentic. I am a “Mecum” driver and recently had the privilege to drive a 1971 “hemi cuda’ that brought $570,000.00 and handle the Original 1967 “hemi under glass”
forget the Mopars!! The real steal is behind the GTX. I spy a 1990+ Mustang convertible back there. WIth door mounted mirrors too!!Have you suffered a bad accident in the last few days, cause you wack bro
Ad not found, looks like someone walked away with the prize!
Was a good find..