Plymouth produced many interesting cars during the 1960s, with models like the GTX and Barracuda that were extroverted and dazzling. The 1962 Belvedere was more subtle and restrained, but this Plymouth hides a welcome secret. The original owner focused on outright performance, shoehorning the 361ci Super Commando V8 under the hood. That makes this classic a genuine sleeper with performance to match many highly-rated muscle cars. The time is right for it to find a new home, with the seller listing it here on Craigslist in Barnwell, South Carolina. It could be yours for $28,000, and I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder T.J. for spotting this fantastic and potent classic.
Plymouth introduced an updated Belvedere range in 1962, with the latest model physically smaller than its predecessor. The styling was more restrained than it had been only a few years earlier, with the fins all but a distant memory. The seller describes this Belvedere as an original survivor, noting the modern wheels as its only modification. They admit the Silhouette Black paint is thin in spots but retains an impressive shine. They state that there are no dings or dents, and the exterior shots seem to support that. Perhaps the best news is the lack of rust, with the trunk pan and floors said to be rock-solid. I’m not sold on the Torq Thrust wheels, although they are a practical addition that would improve handling and brake cooling in a car with enormous performance potential. The trim is in excellent condition, and the glass is crystal clear.
I have never understood why a seller would list a car of this caliber without supplying any shots of its defining feature. That is the case with this Belvedere. These were typically mild-mannered vehicles, with the entry-level 225ci slant-six providing respectable performance for a daily driver. However, this car’s first owner craved much more and was willing to splash the cash on something genuinely special. Forget a slant-six because this car’s engine bay houses its original 361ci “Super Commando” V8. This powerhouse generates 305hp and 395 ft/lbs of torque. Those ponies feed to what the seller believes is a 3.55 Sure Grip rear end via a three-speed manual transmission, giving the Belvedere serious performance credentials. The basic six would have achieved a ¼-mile ET of 18.6 seconds and a top speed of 100mph. This car will storm the ¼ in 14.9 seconds, accelerating to a top speed of 128mph. Compare those figures with what Pontiac achieved with the GTO two years later, and this Belvedere could almost claim the mantle as the first muscle car. Fortunately, this numbers-matching car is more than a pretty face because it runs and drives perfectly. The seller has owned Road Runners powered by a 383, and says this car feels as strong as they did. Potential buyers can consider it a turnkey proposition.
The interior continues the unassuming theme set by the exterior, with subtle Gray and Black trim and upholstery. There is no evidence of wear or abuse, although it is unclear whether it is restored. If it is original, it further proves this car has been treated respectfully throughout its life. The seats are in good order, the headliner is perfect, and the dash is flawless. There are no aftermarket additions, with the AM radio occupying its rightful place in the dash.
In researching this article, I searched for information on how many buyers ordered a 1962 Plymouth Belvedere with the Super Commando V8 under the hood. I failed to find an answer, and I hope one of our readers can enlighten me. My instincts tell me it is relatively rare, but I have no proof to support that. Swapping the wheels for an original set would transform it into a sleeper that would impress anyone when the new owner raises the hood or floors the gas. It has only been on the market for a few days, and I doubt it will take long to find a new home. Do you agree?
Yep it’s on the high side and rare but not so much in demand….got to love how well it’s been taken care of it that is indeed orginal paint – would it have killed him to show a under the hood picture ?
In the town I grew up in one of my brother’s friends had a belvedere,black with red interior.
With a 413 and a 4 SPD.
What a car that was.
It’s no surprise, a car from “Barnwell” would be featured on a site called BarnFinds. The author described it well, the kid selling it doesn’t know squat, and the tip of the iceberg as far as popularity. This car smoked them all at the drag strip. While the Pettys had some success with the ’62 Plymouth in the roundy round, ’62 was a banner year for Plymouth/Dodge at the drag strip. These were light, around 3,000 pounds, and the 413 literally had no competition. It took a couple years, but Ford changed all that.
I read, only about 8,000 ’62 Belvedere 2 doors were sold, and no breakdown on engines, but the 318 was the most popular. Since we have a Leave it to Beaver thing going, the ’62 Fury 4 door was the last car we saw as the family car. No wonder Wally wanted his own car.
Another in a long list of cars, sadly the future will have little interest in.
Re “Leave it to Beaver”, I think Eddy talked Wally into taking the family’s 63 Fury on a roadtrip.
In the summer of 62, parents bought a black 62 Belvedere 4 door, trading our beautiful black 55 DeSoto. 🤮. Such an ugly awkward looking car. But have to admit (with 318) it gave reliability for 120,000 miles and was still going strong when traded. Exner definitely took a wrong turn in styling these! 0
What do they call Plymouth? The thinking man’s muscle car? Should have kept them, instead making Dodge the truck, SUV brand. There’s hope that Chrysler will bring back the Barracuda though. Nice Belvedere, needs an extra gear.
My mom had the Dodge version of this. It would move out, even with that push-button auto trans.
If it’s a 3 speed manual where is the shifter not on the column and I can’t see one on the floor so I suspect this is a push button 3 speed auto
The dash shows push buttons on right side which controls heater. Matching set to the left (not shown) were for transmission.
Looks like 3 on the tree. Look closely at the column, looks like a shifter in neutral to me.
Good point. So, is this a manual or auto? Anyone know for sure? I too can’t see any clutch pedal or shifter.
So wierd. I was able to magnify the image and it does look like there is a clutch pedal. But no shifter.
See my post above yours. I know. Parents had a 62 with PB automatic.
RMac, I wondered about the same thing. The only picture of the interior makes it hard to see for sure but I couldn’t make out a clutch pedal or a shifter on the floor or column. I believe it is an automatic with push buttons on the left side of the instrument panel. If it was a manual transmission it would probably be a four speed not three.
My cousin bought one new with a 410 HP 413. Had a HD 3 speed with Hurst floor shifter. Plymouth did not offer 4 speed until 63. We both had 63 Sport Fury’s with 4 speeds. Think they were Borg-Warners. 64’s were NP. That 413 was built ‘loose’. Burned a quart of oil every 50 miles. I had never ridden in such a powerful automobile. It was a Fury w/ bucket seats, probably a Sport Fury.
Nope. 3 speeds then
It is a three on the tree have to look hard as it blends being everything is black and the camera angle.
OMG, you are absolutely correct. If I look closely I can see the boot and shift lever. Good observation. It had to be since there is a clutch pedal.
It’s there – I had to look harder – the stick is right in the middle so it’s in neutral.
The Chrysler B platforms had to start somewhere. I didn’t think these were so bad at all. Though, the 63s were an improvement.
And another Craigslist ad where the owner neglected to show a picture of the engine. I just don’t get it. You want to sell it don’t you? Is there some new club for Craigslist advertisers who are selling cars and won’t show you the engine that we don’t know about? You would think that this would be car ad 101. All this being said though; this is a very nice vehicle and I would like to own it but it isn’t going to happen. I just need to be content with what I already own. GLWTS.
What’s always bothered me about craigslist ads is, in addition to the ad being taken down after only a day or two, before anyone has even looked at the ad and the pics in the ad, that there’s never enough pics of the car. The most I’ve seen have been 20 pics, while the least I’ve seen have been 5 pics! I like to see as much of a vehicle as possible. IMHO, there’s no such thing as too many pics.
The shifter is on the column. It’s just pointing directly at the camera so all you see is the end of the knob.
You can barely make out the shifter in the interior pic. What looks like a round dot on the column I think is the end of the shifter. I think this must have been a special order car, most that looked like this were slant sixes. A unicorn for sure and where else are you going to find one in this nice of shape. If I ever hit the lotto this would go in my imaginary pole barn for sure.
Always had a soft spot for this body style. When I was 16 years old I went to look for my first car. The local AMC dealer had a bright red ’62 Fury with black interior on the lot. It had either a 3 speed or a 4 speed with a Hurst shifter (my Dad was with me) it didn’t get to look at it long enough to find out. Under the hood was either a B engine or an RB engine with 2-4bbl carbs. When he saw that, he said shut the hood you’re looking at something else. Always wished I could have gotten that car, but now new floors and counter tops have priority
You can completely upgrade your entire home for the price of another black 62 Belvedere listed in New issue of Hemmings Motor News at another location for 😮 $70,000! Holy Baracuda !
Very cool. I’ve been getting interested in the early 60s cars. I recently bought a 60 Fairlane and am building a ground up 65 Galaxies.
Lovely looking car. I’ve always loved the 1962-64 Plymouth Belvedere and Fury. I’ve heard of people who can’t stand those years for the Plymouth, but I don’t care what they say, dilligaf! I actually like them. I find them quite attractive.