1965 Plymouth Belvedere II altered wheelbase 426 Hemi car

Old School Project Car

Background

I first heard of the A/FX cars inaugural outing at AHRA Winter Nationals at the Bee Line Dragway, where they overwhelmed everyone with their awesome look and ”Funny“ stance. I saw AWB (altered wheelbase) cars at Connecticut Dragway in '65; First Bill Flynn’s Yankee Peddler, then cars like Melrose Missile, Color Me Gone, California Flash, Dave Strickler and Dick Landy to name a few.

They were ungainly as they waddled up to the starting line on early wrinkle wall slicks and burned through the rosin several times before their runs. It was magic! I never forgot it and thought I might get a 65 Plymouth someday and recreate an A990 car. So, I stashed away that dream for about 35 years and then started talking about it to my friends. Then …..

Paul Hotkowski , who campaigned a Pro-Stock Duster in the early 70’s called me one day in 2004 and had found a drag car for sale in Kansas that would be a perfect candidate for 10/15 surgery. I kicked the AWB idea around with friend Bill Atwood at Xtreme Auto Service / Xcceleration.com Group and specializes in building performance cars, complete restorations, and hot rods. Bill has 30 years plus experience in building and tuning performance cars and he specializes in MOPAR's. He built his award winning ’69 Plymouth 4-speed Hemi GTX that is his daily driver and weekend racer. Bill makes dreams come true and the rest is history (after only 500 hours, a few dollars, and a few scrapes here and there).

Conclusion: This project is not for the faint of heart. This was a commitment that I underestimated at the onset, but was all worth it. For the critics that thought Bill and I were crazy - you were right!

And to all the friends that stopped by during the process to lend support in one way or another. Thanks!

--Gary Gerard

Engine

426 NOS high alloy Fueler block built by Dean Nicopolis
Callies forged crank
Cam Motion roller cam and Comp Cams roller lifters
MOPAR aluminum heads, 10.5 compression
Roller rockers by Stage V and Landy
Vintage Cross Ram intake with correct Holley carbs
MSD system and coil
K&N air filters
Estimate 600-650 HP on pump gas

Drive Train

727 Torqueflite built by Randy J Transmission

Reverse manual valve body
Dana 60 rear end with 4:10 gears and new Mopar springs

Tires/Wheels

Front: American Racing TTO with M&H front runners
Rear: MOPAR steel with M&H Cheater slicks 15X14.5x30

Body

All steel including hand fabricated steel hood scoop
Hardtop doors modified with sedan frames
Specs for AWB modification came from Chrysler Tech Report 4208.7, and Pete Halidiman's (Journey through Hemiland) And ..... countless hours of studying vintage magazines from 'the day'

Interior

Gary Ball of Syracuse, IN stitched up the stunning red interior seats and panels

Headers

Made by Denny