Vehicle Description
'60s Chrysler products had a certain swagger to them that is hard
to define. Cars like this 1965 Plymouth Belvedere look both brutal
and graceful at the same time, like a hockey player moving
impossibly smoothly across the ice only to knock an opponent
unconscious with a single blow. Dressed like a mid-'60s Super Stock
racer but still street friendly, this cool hardtop is sure to
attract a lot of attention.
We'll agree that the two-tone paint scheme and race-style lettering
isn't for everyone, but if you're manly enough to handle it, you'll
find one heck of a nice Belvedere underneath. Repainted just last
year, it definitely has a 1960s racer look that's pure nostalgia,
right down to the metallic gold paint. The finish is really well
done, with a nice shine, decent gaps, and no evidence that this car
ever suffered a horrible fate in the rust belt; someone built this
car because they loved it, not because it was cheap. The long,
straight bodywork contrasts nicely with the almost delicate
cantilevered roofline, which was a Chrysler trademark for most of
the 1960s and works especially well here, offering a combat-ready
look without losing its balanced proportions. Nice chrome, a big
hood scoop, and custom lettering give it some sparkle to go with
its swagger, and the rear end will look familiar to anyone who
raced a car in the early '60s only to find the Chrysler guys were
doing it better.
Two-tone upholstery gives this plain-Jane Belvedere a real upscale
look inside and it's really very well done. Bench seats provide
expansive room, and the seat covers are in such good shape that
they have to be recently replaced. Matching door panels tie it all
together and the carpets look virtually new and the darker gold and
tan color combination helps keep it looking clean. The gauges cover
all the major functions and it's all wrapped in a very
period-perfect plastic and chrome dashboard with a set of auxiliary
gauges underneath. The steering wheel remains in excellent
condition and you'll be quite pleased to find that this isn't some
stripped-down racer, not with A/C, power windows, and an
AM/FM/cassette stereo system. From behind the wheel, this feels
like a comfortable stocker, which makes the illusion even more
entertaining, because you don't have to give up comfort. And as
you'd expect, the trunk is massive and nicely finished with a
reproduction mat that goes quite nicely with the two-tone
paint.
The engine is a smooth and torquey 383 cubic inch V8, which
delivers big block torque yet remains smooth and easy to live with.
It was dressed up to look like a 426 Max Wedge, complete with a
pair of Edelbrocks up top, but underneath it's quite stock so it
remains the same bulletproof soldier that it's always been. There's
a big Griffin aluminum radiator up front, a set of long-tube
headers for the exhaust, and with both power steering and power
brakes, it remains eminently easy to handle. A durable 727
TorqueFlite 3-speed automatic transmission feeds the stock
8.75-inch rear end and the dual exhaust gives it a bit of a muscle
car rumble that suits its personality. It's original underneath,
but you'll be thrilled by how clean it looks, suggesting that it's
always been in a warm climate. Flashy Radr wheels are a nice period
look and carry fat 215/65/15 front and 275/60/15 rear BFGoodrich
T/A radials.
Beautifully finished, this is an unusual, attractive, and fun Mopar
that has loads of potential. Or just drive and enjoy as-is,
reliving the simplicity of a bygone era. Either way, you'll have to
get used to being the center of attention. Call today!