Vehicle Description
Drag racing changed significantly in 1963. Late in 1962, ACCUS met
and placed a 7.0-liter, 427ci limit on racing cars going forward;
both NASCAR and NHRA agreed. As a result, Chrysler's 413 Maximum
Performance Wedge was bored to 426ci for the new year. Moreover,
the factory turned to aluminum for certain body components in the
hope of reducing weight. Even with fierce factory fighting still
ongoing between Ford, Chevrolet, Pontiac and Chrysler, the start of
the year found Dodge in the winner's circle at Pomona and again
that summer at the U.S. Nationals as a direct result. Today,
referred to as the Stage I version of the engine, the
high-compression 13.5:1 Ramcharger 426 used the sonically tuned
Cross-Ram intake, two Carter 4-barrel carburetors and refitted
valve gear. The 330 was the base-model Dodge. Purchased from King
Dodge in Minneapolis on February 8, 1963, this 330 was raced by
Wain Pearce regionally and at the 1963 US Nationals, and is listed
in 1963 U.S. Nationals program. As built, this authentically
repainted race car still features a 727 TorqueFlite automatic
transmission and 3.91:1 gearing in its 8.75" axle. Race components
on the exterior include the aluminum hood with scoop, bumpers and
bumper supports and front fenders. The battery is mounted in the
trunk and factory exhaust cutouts are underneath. The red
cloth-and-vinyl interior features radio- and heater-delete plates
and a push-button shifter.
