Hemmings Find of the Day – 1965 Plymouth Belvedere A-990

Published by Mike on October 7, 2014

Documented lightweight drag racers from the mid-1960s are nothing to sneeze at. Largely because sneezing at them will dent their acid-dipped body panels. Add in a Hemi four-speed drivetrain still capable of ripping off quarter-mile times without hesitation and a full restoration about as clean as it can get, and this 1965 Plymouth Belvedere A-990 for sale on Hemmings.com starts to stand out from other nostalgia drag cars. From the seller’s description:

Super Stock, VIN RO51193546, was scheduled for assembly at the Lynch Road plant on Friday, December 22, 1964. It was later transported to Ferris Motors in Savannah, Illinois. (Note: This dealership ceased operation on June 30, 1965.) It had nothing inside except van seats and a steering wheel, manual brakes, no radio, heater, or seatbelts for that matter. In a time when the Mother Mopar had its favorites on the dole, this Super Stocker was campaigned by privateer owner/driver Larry Griffith as the ?Hurst Tornado IV.? Not many unaffiliated racers could afford the luxury of extra equipment, so Griffith?s car originally ran steel wheels all around instead of lightweight magnesium.
Complete history and documentation of vehicle is included.
Body: Factory acid dipped front fenders, hood, scoop and doors. Corning lightweight window glass. Original Superstock weight – 3,210 lbs. (approx.)
Engine: 426 C.I. Hemi built by Ray Barton Racing Engines. No “race” miles on this engine. 1965 standard bore block (all the finest parts available). 1965 NOS factory correct aluminum “K” Heads 1965 NOS Magnesium Cross-Ram intake manifold with correct R3116A Holley 770 cfm carbs. Bullet Solid camshaft with NASCAR lifters. T&D valve train. Correct 1956 S&S Headers – ceramic coated, Flowmaster mufflers, stainless steel exhaust – ceramic coated.
Transmission: Factory correct aluminum cased 4-speed transmission. Center-force Clutch (for drive-ability). Hurst shifter and knob (original as delivered).
Rearend: 8-3/4 Mopar 4:56 SureGrip Posi rear, Moser 31-Spline axles. Factory SuperStock leaf springs.
Interior: Interior is the factory SuperStock – in as delivered condition. 4-Point roll cage (removable).
Wheels and tires: Front – 5 spoke American Magnesium Wheels / 7.10-15 BFG Silvertown Tires. Rear – 6″ steel powder coated wheels / 15×10 Radar/Mickey Thompson notched slicks.