Vehicle Description
When car enthusiasts think of the early '60s, most automatically
gravitate toward Pontiac. But when it came to all-out performance,
there was another game in town. This authentic 1965 Belvedere A990
is one of the storied creations that kicked off Plymouth's long
legacy of building some of the fiercest muscle on the planet.
Listed in Darrell Davis's 1965 Plymouth Super Commando Guide, and
Darrell Davis's 64-65 Hemi Serial Number Book, the car has been
carefully restored to preserve authenticity. And if you're looking
for a no-nonsense pavement pounder that's fast, raw and ready to
brawl, it's your next lightweight champion!
HISTORY/CONDITION
The 1965 Plymouth Belvedere A990 represents MoPar Racing History at
its all-time best. A factory-built, street-legal lightweight whose
sole purpose was to dominate NHRA Super Stock Drag Racing, it could
be ordered from any Plymouth dealer that was lucky enough to have
an allocation. This sedan, number 44 of 101 Race Hemi Belvederes
assembled for the 1965 model year, was 1 of 4 A990s delivered
through St. John's Chrysler-Plymouth in St. Augustine, Florida.
Recently the car was subjected to a detailed, rotisserie
restoration that saw its battered unibody fully replaced; a
relatively common occurrence in vintage track warriors, since most
were tubbed and cut on. Naturally, that foundation was properly
dressed in acid-dipped doors, an acid-dipped hood, acid-dipped
fenders and an acid-dipped scoop. Details are on-point, with items
like lightweight bumper brackets and lightweight Corning side glass
complementing era-correct Ruby Red 2-stage. And, although street
legal, this R051 Plymouth is built to correct factory Super Stock
criteria, meaning it can be run in sanctioned class events as
desired.
ENGINE/DRIVETRAIN
Professionally rebuilt by HBR Competition Engines of Las Vegas,
Nevada, this A990's correct, 426 cubic inch Race Hemi produces a
dyno-proven 609 horsepower on 91-octane pump gas. Naturally, the
engine's high-dollar rebirth included all the right hardware, like
Holley carbs, a magnesium cross-ram intake, K-code aluminum heads
and super rare factory headers that cost the restorer 5-figures.
HBR worked their magic bottom-side as well, rebuilding the car's
era-correct 4-speed: a 1965-exclusive unit that becomes rarer by
the year. That stalwart gearbox spins a factory-correct 8.75-inch
differential, which twists a Sure Grip posi around 31-spline axles
and big, 4.56 gears. That industrial strength driveline rolls on a
fully rebuilt Super Stock suspension. At the center of those bones,
the aforementioned headers bypass factory cut-outs with 3-inch
exhaust pipes that terminate in throaty Flowmaster mufflers. And
power meets the pavement through vintage American Racing Torq
Thrust Ds, which spin 7.10-15 Firestone Deluxe Champions in front
of 8.20-15 Firestone Dragster street slicks.
INTERIOR
Activate the car's correct aluminum door hinges and you'll see one
reason why this R051 Plymouth was called a factory lightweight.
Small buckets seats stretch correct Tan upholstery under SFI safety
harnesses. A simple dash hangs big Auto Gage accessory gauges
opposite a big Sun tachometer. Fresh carpet founds a correct roll
bar, complete with a small fire extinguisher, behind a curved Hurst
shifter. The driver navigates the strip through a red-trimmed
steering wheel. Behind the cockpit, a bare-bones trunk correctly
locates a tagged MoPar battery. And this Belvedere stays 100% true
to form thanks to a heater delete, deleted armrests, a radio delete
and deleted rear seats.
OUR SALE INCLUDES THE FOLLOWING DOCUMENTATION AND ACCESSORIES
A vintage marketing brochure
A copy of the car's Chrysler Build Card
A reproduction Window Sticker
Vintage Title paperwork
Historic literature
A vintage appraisal
Official paperwork from Fiat Chrysler Automobiles
Official dyno results
Copies of both the Darrell Davis books the car is listed in
Two California black plates
A few spare parts
This acid dipped Plymouth is a super cool piece of muscle car
history that's easy to imagine as the focal point of a sunny '60s
track day. With its top-shelf V8, simple interior and all-business
aesthetics, it represents a near perfect manifestation of American
style and Super Stock performance. If you're looking for a
top-notch classic that'll draw a crowd wherever it goes, your
search is officially over!
SUMMARY
The beneficiary of a detailed, rotisserie restoration
Listed in Darrell Davis's 1965 Plymouth Super Commando Guide /
Listed in Darrell Davis's 64-65 Hemi Serial Number Book
Correct 426 cubic inch Race Hemi V8 / 609 dyno-proven
horsepower
1965-exclusive Race Hemi 4-speed manual transmission
Correct 8.75-inch rear axle / Sure Grip differential / 4.56
gears
Correct Tan interior / Era-correct Ruby Red paint
Sale includes: A copy of the car's Build Card / FCA paperwork /
Dyno results / Both Darrell Davis books
Era-correct American Racing Torq Thrust D wheels
Correct Super Stock suspension
Number 44 of 101 Race Hemi Belvederes assembled for the 1965 model
year
