1965 Plymouth Belvedere I
Works in Progress
Colin writes:
| I've had my 1965 Plymouth Belvedere I for 13 years. |
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I bought the Mopar
with 24,000 original miles on it from an MGM studio auction. I paid $3150.00 for it.
The Plymouth was painted black and white and had a fake star on the
side of it. It was in a couple of movies as a cops car and used as a
background car.
I instantly fell in love and had to have it, my friends
thought I was crazy.
The Plymouth was in great shape and with a paint job and new rims I
drove it as my main transportation for 10 years. (By the way, I got pulled over twice on the way home after buying the B&W-with-star-on-door-Plymouth. California Highway Patrol tried to get me for "impersonating an officer" HA HA. That's why I painted it.)
Three years ago the slant six threw a rod and died.
The one thing I don't like about my car is it looks cool but didn't have
any power at all! So after 3 years and a baby I am finally going to get her going again BUT, this time I'm going to swap out
my slant six with a 440 in Max Wedge configuration. I bought the block from a friend of mine and took it to a machine shop and bored it 60 over and honed out I have a ordered tons of parts.
The Plymouth is going to be as fast as it looks. I can't wait!
Thanks for having such a cool site. I love "B" bodies, and yes it's a 4 door but I like the
sedan better: it's easier to get in and out of and I like the look too.
Update May 11, 2004
I have removed the old engine and tranny and the entire suspension has been replaced with all new pieces and polygraphite bushings. I've added KYB shocks new torsion bars and I have a front and a rear sway bar kit ready to go in. I've also added a front disk brake conversion kit. I'm still working on master. I' ve put a new fuel tank and sending unit in. I'm picking up the engine next week, it's at the machine shop being assembled.
Also, after looking everywhere, I managed to get my hands on a 727 push button tranny and had it totally rebuilt. I'm a
little worried about hooking up the cables into the colunm. They were very hard to get off. I've also got the new K-member in and a new steering pump. The engine compartment is freshly painted and waiting for the engine. The rear end has got new leaf springs and shocks too.
Update May 24, 2004
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Look what I picked up from the
machine shop on May 14, 2004:
— 440 block bored .60 over
— Kieth black pitons and rods
— Balanced Forged Crank
— Mopar Purple Cam .292 dur. 509 lift
— Roller rockers
— Edelbrock RPM Performer Aluminum Heads
— Edelbrock RPM Performer Aluminum Intake Manifold
— ARP complete bolt kit
— Holley high output fuel pump
— Mopar Performance high output water and oil pump
— Summit Racing timing chain and gears
Pretty sweet huh!
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Update December 2004
Progress has been made!
I've added:
— Speed Demon 850
— March Billet Pulleys
— Mopar Vicious Fan
— Hooker Headers
— MSD Digital Ignition
— MSD Billet Distributor
— Chrome Alternator
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I'm waiting on delivery of a new BE-Cool aluminum radiator. I am also cutting a hole in the hood: I have a nice scoop to put on and the high-rise manifold does not clear.
The next pictures I send will show the finished project!
Update June 2005
Well she still needs paint but OMG does she hall butt! I just had the old 2:93’s yanked after blowing them to pieces the first run down the track. I put on a 750 Demon carb, 1.7/8" Hooker Headers, March billet pulley kit, custom aluminum radiator, MDS billet distributor and 6al box and wires.
She’s now sporting 3:73’s and a SureGrip. The Plymouth still needs a stall converter but she ran a 12.5 et at 107 mph which I think is pretty good for a heavy four door. I had 3" TTI exhaust and 40 series Flowmasters put on and the Mopar
sounds mean.
Interesting car with a neat history, Colin!
\6 to big block torque. Are you ready?
I bet "YES!" is the answer.... 
Re: Update: YES indeed!
Gary H.
January 6, 2004; Revised: May 24, 2004; December 24, 2004; June 16, 2005
