1965 Plymouth Belvedere A990

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!

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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