1965 Plymouth Belvedere I Super Stock Lightweight 4-Speed

Description

This 1965 Plymouth Belvedere I two-door sedan is one of 101 Super Stock models produced with the A990 package, which specified a high-compression 426ci Hemi V8, lightweight bodywork, and a spartan interior. The car is one of twelve that left the factory with a four-speed manual transmission and was purchased new by drag-racer Larry Griffith through Ferris Motors of Savanna, Illinois, which sponsored and displayed it in their showroom while he served with the National Guard. Dubbed the “Hurst Tornado IV,” the vehicle is said to be the first factory-specification car to break the 10-second quarter-mile barrier. A rotisserie refurbishment was carried out more than two decades ago that involved repainting and reupholstering the car as well as rebuilding the replacement engine with a forged crankshaft, JE pistons, Manley connecting rods and stainless-steel valves, T&D roller rockers, and ARP hardware. Additional highlights include a magnesium intake manifold, dual Holley carburetors, S&S exhaust headers, a limited-slip differential, a Hurst shifter, a roll bar, and American Racing 15” wheels. The car was featured in the December 2002 issue of Hot Rod magazine and also appeared on the cover of Maximum Performance: Mopar Super Stock Drag Racing 1962–1969 , a book by Jim Schild. This lightweight Belvedere is now offered by the seller on behalf of the owner with a broadcast sheet, a window sticker, a Galen’s Tag Service decode, historical photos, literature, and a clean California title.

The 1965 Hemi Super Stock package was available on both the Plymouth Belvedere and its stablemate, the Dodge Coronet. The steel bodywork was acid-dipped to thin the metal, and lightweight glass was supplied by Corning. Aluminum was used for the door hinges and the window regulators, and amenities such as the radio, heater, rear seat, and armrests were eliminated. All 101 Plymouths were built in late 1964.

Chassis RO51191722 is said to be one of three examples to leave the factory finished in Light Tan (XX1), and the body was mounted to a rotisserie before a repaint during the aforementioned refurbishment. The car is not equipped with side mirrors, and the hood has an air scoop and securing pins.

American Racing 15” wheels are mounted with 7.10” BFGoodrich tires up front and 10.00” Radir Dragster slicks out back. The car rides on heavy-duty leaf springs, and braking is handled by unassisted drums.

A roll bar has been added to the cabin, and the front bucket seats and the door panels have been reupholstered. The Hurst double-bend shifter is topped with a cue-ball-style knob, and Deist latch-and-link lap harnesses are provided. Tan carpeting covers the floors.

The steering wheel has a chrome horn ring and sits ahead of a 120-mph speedometer and auxiliary gauges, while Stewart-Warner gauges for coolant temperature and oil pressure are located to the right. An 8k-rpm tachometer is positioned atop the dash. The five-digit odometer shows 9 miles; true mileage is unknown.

The replacement 426ci Hemi V8 was prepared by JMS Racing Engines of El Monte, California, in collaboration with Ray Barton Racing Engines of Robesonia, Pennsylvania. The block was decked and honed before being outfitted with a forged crankshaft, Manley connecting rods, JE 12.5:1 pistons, and NASCAR-specification lifters. The “K” aluminum cylinder heads were assembled using Manley stainless-steel valves, Keith Black rocker stands, T&D roller rocker arms, and ARP hardware. The magnesium cross-ram intake manifold is topped with dual Holley 770-cfm carburetors, and other components include Mickey Thompson valve covers, S&S exhaust headers, a twin-disc clutch assembly, and a tach-drive distributor with an electronic-ignition conversion kit.

Power is sent to the rear wheels through an A833 four-speed manual transmission and an 8.75” rear end with a limited-slip differential, 4.56:1 gearing, and Moser 31-spline drive axles. A safety loop surrounds the driveshaft.

A decode of the fender tag performed by Galen V. Govier in March 2001 will accompany the car along with a broadcast sheet, which can be viewed in the photo gallery below.

A copy of the window sticker shows initial delivery to Ferris Motors as well as factory equipment and a total price of $4,639.50.

Historical photos will accompany the vehicle, as will a copy of the December 2002 issue of Hot Rod, which named the car one of the “Top 10 Rods of the Year.” The Plymouth earned a first-in-class award for the Competition Stock group at the 2024 Grand National Roadster Show, plus Best of Show – American at the 2024 Benedict Castle Concours, and first in class at the 2024 San Marino Motor Classic.

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