With a profile recalling a factory altered-wheelbase dragster, this 1964 Plymouth Belvedere in Roanoke, Illinois comes to market as a genuine four-speed 426 Street Wedge car. The listing here on eBay shows a never-restored and highly original coupe that maintains its factory engine and four-speed transmission. At press time the Plymouth awaits an opening bid of $9000. Considering this car’s condition and provenance compared to other muscular Mopars we’ve seen, that opening-bid challenge will be met.
Though less radical than the dual-carb 425 HP “Max Wedge” 426 (7.0L) V8, Chrysler’s Street Wedge made a potent 365 HP and 470 lb-ft of torque. Stored “since the ’90s,” this Belvedere runs and drives, a big plus when considering a somewhat rare muscle car. The engine compartment shows the original color. I vote Dark Turquoise, one of three flavors of Turquoise available in ’64.
Gear-heads identify these Belvederes from afar by their interesting C-pillar design. Only the two-door hardtop boasts this interesting feature. I’ve never driven one, but pinching the pillar’s base to a point should minimize your blind spot. That said, the power to pass someone, whether they want you to or not, makes a highly valuable safety feature. My friend Michael says “In certain situations, some people can only apply the brakes, where I can choose to hit the gas.” Buyers might have ordered a Street Wedge for trailer-towing, but Chrysler offered them to stand up against Pontiac’s new-for-’64 GTO and other hot drag-racing competitors, and for bragging rights in the everyday stoplight Gran Prix.
Once inside, there’s not much visual excitement. My ’66 Coronet had nearly the same upholstery and color. For many motor-heads, the thought of unleashing the Wedge motor with three pedals and that bent floor-shifter renders Viagra unnecessary. No way did this car live its entire life with no tachometer! There’s probably wear marks on the steering column from the aftermarket tach strap. Decades ago I favored the later ’60s muscle cars, but as I mature, these earlier and less-flamboyant bruisers really catch my eye. What would you give for this sweet early muscle-car?
Oh ya! This is what it’s all about😄
Barn Finds is hooking us up today . This and the 427 Impala are the best ones in awhile .
Dad bought Mom a 65 Dodge Coronet in 1968. 383 / Torqueflite, I “borrowed” it a lot and ran against 396/325 HP Chevelles and 400 GTO’s in the day. Fords weren’t a problem, I just beat them. I won more than I lost. But in those days the cars had 800 x 14 tires, so driver skill was a big part of it.
That car went away in late 1969, but it was one of those “I’m gonn’a have another one some day.” I got a “never in salt” 65 Plymouth Belvedere I got from DAD in 1981. I still have it
T hats a really nice find…joe , you’re lucky that you were able to keep the belvedere
Brings back memories of my first car. A red on red 1964 318 Fury, with push botton automatic. My first tune up , I found out it was basically running on seven cylinders. It wasn’t much… But it beat walking.
Love that 64-65 C pillar in 66, same C pillar but different rear glass.
Love that 64-65 C pillar, in 66 same C pillar but different rear glass.
Runs and drives – matching motor and trans – and a pretty good loooking body -at an opening bid of $9000 this beats to hell a lot of contenders……..
The Mo in Mopar! Wicked looking cars, I picture it with skinny tires up front on torque thrust wheels and black steelies in the back with cheater slicks, open full length headers crackling away causing the ears to ring, all that good old stuff! Nice!
That’s is one heavy duty beast. Raw and brutal with no BS. that color is weird though.
“Cheater Slicks” Wow, I haven’t heard that term in forty years! LOL
This car is sick!!! What a sleeper!! No stripes, body emblems, skinny little tires and a look like grandmas car!!! Seems like a deal for 9k if it goes for that!!
Buddy of mine had a 65 with a poly 318, great car, never longed for a big block. One of the nicer designs too.
Cool car, but these people are watching too many auctions.
An absolutely fantastic car, one that should get every MOPAR fanatic’s heart racing! Love the color, I’d certainly re-paint it in it’s original hue. Give it the interior work it deserves and you’ll have a stunner, inside and out. Got to think this desirable car will bring serious money once the bidding gets going.
Those three numbers, 426, makes any hot rodder happy! Doesn’t matter if it’s a street or max wedge, this engine hooked up to a 4 speed is a joy ride in the making! I want!
The 426 wedge gave way to the 440 once Chrysler developed the Hemi, but why the Hemi didn’t get bored out to 440 eluded me.
I can’t recall the 426 showing up in any of the Chrysler luxury offerings of the few years the Street Wedge was offered. They stuck with the 413 until the 440 replaced it in 1965 or 1966.
If I remember my old Chilton books the 413, 426, and 440 all share the same stroke, 3.75″?
Most of these were wrecked or blown up, that’s why this survivor amazes me. I wouldn’t beat on it and would probably clean it up and just drive it. It doesn’t have a radical cam and if it doesn’t overheat would be a nice driver.
And with no bids and one day left someone’s going to get a good deal or get sniped at the end.
Cubic inch limits in certain organized racing were maxed at 430, that’s why the Hemi was never any bigger., same with the 426 max wedge, 427 side oiler Ford and 427 SOHC, 427 Chevy and so forth.
Can’t say that I’ve ever seen one in a C-body, but the 1965 Dodge Passenger Car brochure showed the 426 Wedge as being available in the Polara/Custom 880/Monaco line. Don’t know how many, if any were actually produced, only that the brochure showed the 383 available in both two and four barrel, the 413 and the 426.
The 440 was a thin wall casting, so possibly the reason that Chrysler never enlarged the 426 Hemi to 440 was that block stiffness might have suffered. At the very least it would’ve required re-engineering for a production engine that was produced in very small numbers and really didn’t need to be any bigger as it was already arguably the most powerful engine coming out of Detroit.
I know of a 65 Monaco 4-speed with factory 426-S
I had a 65 Satellite, that I wish I still had. Mine had the bb 361, gobs of torque, it loved to burn rubber. Pretty sure the 361, is the same block as the 383/440, but shorter stroke.
Would love to have this Belvedere, and 9k seems like a good price… but located in Illinois, rust alarms, going off in my head. Pictures look great though. What a fun ride.
Braktrcr, the 383(big block) and 440(raised big blocks) are not the same. 440 and up are, not including the 426 Hemi, that is also different.
Just as TimM says above:
S L E E P E R
This Mopar car dealer has always had used muscle cars; Vipers, Hellcats, etc.
One sweet Mopar with rare factory drive train and she runs !!!
No bids and the auction ended.
Maybe front clip replaced ?
My appraiser said it needs to much work to bring back
Always wanted one. When I was a kid some neighbors up the street had a black 64 Fury convertible and a white 64 Belvedere hardtop.
did 426 street wedge have duelpoints
Lowell, yes the Wedge 426 all had duel points, including both auto and manual transmissions, as far as I know. C-body letter cars 413’s also had duel points as most 4-speed car did also, including the early 340’s.
Thanks for info,had one 68, Dodge coronet 440,pushbutton, Thought it was 383 high performance,wish i still had it,great car.
had a very used 64 sport fury, 426 street, 4spd. It was tired, but I loved it, and still hate that I sold it. I have seen a 65 sport fury at a car show with original 426 street, 4spd. 66 went to 440, but in 65 one could still order the 426
The 426-S was produced from 1964 – 1966. I have an extremely nice 64 Sport Fury convertible 426-S with power steering, power brakes, power top annnnnd power windows. White exterior with Bermuda Turquoise bucket seat interior.
Sounds nice. Any photos to share?
Until another surfaces I know of none better..key words here, correct, correct & correct. Enjoy!
https://www.forbbodiesonly.com/moparforum/showcase/1964-sport-fury-convertible-426-s.5390/
Thanks.
Yes
Funny, my 1964 maxer was unbeatable..But there was one 1963 ford 427 called ‘box top’ I could not beat. I got all the chevy’s, pontiac and all the other hi po plymouths but could not take that darn ford….