1964 Plymouth Belvedere 426 Hemi

The Plymouth Belvedere was produced by Chrysler Corporation's Plymouth Division from 1954 to 1970. For 1963 and 1964 , the same unibody platform was used as the 1962 model, but they were restyled to look longer and wider. The 1964 Belvedere featured a new slant back roofline that proved quite popular with the buying public, and 1964's sales improved very well over the 1962 & '63's.

The 1964 Plymouth Belvedere is also noted as being the car that introduced the 426 Chrysler Hemi V8 mill, which sported large valve arrangement. It was such a significant high RPM breathing improvement that Hemi equipped Plymouth Belvedere's won 1st, 2nd, and 3rd at the 1964 Nascar Daytona 500. The big block 426 V8 proved to be a terror on the track, and the Belevedere became very sought after as a drag racing car due to it's light body.

The 1964 Plymouth Belvedere was still basically a carryover from the prior year, but a new grille and tailights were added in addition to the new roofline. It was also the final year for the push-button Torqueflite automatic transmission to make an appearance. In 1965, the push-button was replaced by the column-shifted automatic.

The 426 Max Wedge Stage III was still available, but for those that wanted to make daily drivers of a big block Mopar on the street, the "New for '64" 426 Street Wedge was the ticket. It featured a provision for crossover heat to the manifold so it would start in cold weather, something the Max Wedge Stage III was not very good at, and 10.3:1 compression so that it could run on something less than avaiation fuel. It used a single, 4 bbl carb on a cast iron intake manifold. Its exhaust manifold was void of the flambouyant ram's horn sweep that gave the Max Wedge header's such pizazz . It was rated at 365 hp with 470 ft lbs of torque. Hydraulic tappets, dual breaker distributor, non-silenced air cleaner, dual exhausts and a heavy duty clutch were all part of the package.

Today, these street beasts of the early '60's are just as desired as they day they rolled off the dealer's lot and out on the street. They are as beautiful as they are powerful, and grab the attention of anyone in their vicinity. I know that I can easily be guilty of stopping and staring...but, when it comes to cars like these...for once, I'm not being rude in doing so.