Vehicle Description
This labor of love is being offered for sale by the builder's
estate. Here is the description form November 2019 Mopar
Connection" "In the early 1960s, drag racing was very popular. For
the 1962 season, the Super Stock class was introduced for hopped up
versions of everyday grocery-getters. From 1962-1968, the Super
Stock class were a big highlight at local drag strips.
Drivers like "Dandy Dick" Landy, Butch Leal, Hayden Proffitt, Al
Eckstrand, and Shirley Shahan, were no disappointment to the class.
Cars included the Ramchargers Dodge painted in the signature red
and white "candy stripe" colors as well as the "Color Me Gone"
Dodge.
In 1963, Dodge introduced the 330, which was powered by the 426
cubic-inch "Ramcharger" V8. 34 lightweight models were produced,
and without a doubt, those cars were built for one thing, and one
thing only: drag racing. Three of these cars have been sold through
various Mecum auctions throughout the years, one of them being the
very first car produced.
The 330 Ramcharger was unbeatable, not even to Hayden Proffitt's
409 Chevy Bel-Air, which also ran in the Super Stock class.
Additionally, the 426 Super Stock was immortalized by a song of the
same name, written by the late Dick Dale, and was included on his
"Checkered Flag" album in 1963.
Gary Mead of Fountain Valley, California has a very good-looking
representation of the 1963 Dodge Ramcharger Super Stock. This
particular car is believed to have been drag raced during the
1963-64 season, and was originally sent to New York to be on the
showroom floor. Eventually, Mead acquired the car, and had it
restored to Super Stock specifications. The rear steel wheels are
fitted with Mickey Thompson street slicks, and the Halibrand wheels
in the front are fitted with Cooper Cobra radials. The white paint
job gives this classic Mopar a rather subtle look, but this car
packs a serious punch!
The interior is stock, but with a couple of modern touches. A
modern tachometer from AutoMeter was installed, opposed to the
original dash-mounted tachometers that were from Sun Speed, Moon
Equipment Company, or Stewart Warner. Also added were an oil
pressure gauge, water temperature gauge, and voltage meter, also
from AutoMeter. Gary retained the bench seats in the front and
rear, along with the dashboard. The original push-button automatic
Torqueflite transmission was retained.
Underneath the fiberglass hood, is the 426-cubic-inch Ramcharger
V8. This all no-frills power plant is pure brute force. The
original cast iron exhaust manifolds were dipped and then
re-installed. An aluminum dual quad manifold, topped with two
Edelbrock carburetors and air cleaners are also present. Gary says
the car hasn't been on a Dyno yet, but estimates the compression to
be either 12:1, or 13:1.
A modern touch to this classic Mopar's engine is an MSD ignition
setup. Like the traditional drag racers, Mead's 330 Ramcharger has
the disc brakes in the front, and drum brakes in the rear. The
brakes are new to the car, but are similar to what would have been
on a car like this, during that particular time period.
Gary's '63 Dodge 330 Ramcharger has been a local fixture at some of
the local car shows in the Orange County, California area. He has
been seen at Gary's Classic Car Cruise-in, held every Tuesday night
at the Carl's Jr. restaurant on Beach Boulevard in Westminster,
California.
You can occasionally see this beautiful Mopar cruising with the
members of the Surf City Classics car club of Huntington Beach,
California, or even at the Garden Grove Car Show, held every Friday
evening on Historic Main Street in Garden Grove, California. If you
get a chance to see this car, don't pass it up. Not only is it
beautiful, it's also a true beast.
The show-stopper is easy to drive, it starts immediately, and
drives straight without steering wheel shimmy or vibration and
stops straight and predictably.
Here is a link to a video test drive:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e4AXHIY8xMw
This vehicle is exempt from California smog requirements, comes
with a clean and clear title.
Low rate financing is available with rates as low as 3.5% APR with
approved credit. You can apply directly on our website
(www.lagunaclassiccars.com) by clicking on the "Financing" tab.
We can also arrange delivery to almost anywhere.
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