Max Wedge 440: 1962 Plymouth Savoy
Many enthusiasts find the idea of owning a genuine and recognizable muscle car too attractive to resist. However, some people are heavily attracted to a vehicle that offers the same level of performance but is a subtle sleeper. They are the ones who may find themselves irresistibly drawn to this 1962 Plymouth Savoy. This mild-mannered classic hides a big secret that would set many muscle cars back on their heels. Following a meticulous build, the owner feels the Savoy needs a new home. Located in Sarasota, Florida, you will find the Savoy listed for sale here on eBay. The owner has set a BIN of $71,500, although there is the option to make an offer. I have to say thank you to Barn Finder Larry D for spotting this amazing Plymouth for us.
The seller refers to this Savoy as a nut-and-bolt restoration, but I’m more inclined to consider it a refurbishment. That is because the word restoration suggests that the builder has had their focus on returning the car to a showroom state. In contrast, a refurbishment follows the same level of detail but with modifications or upgrades as an integral part of the package. Whichever term you prefer, you have to agree that the car presents superbly. Its Silhouette Black paint shines beautifully, with a depth that makes you feel like you could walk into it. The paint cloaks panels that are as straight as an arrow. There are no dings, dents, or other visible flaws. The overall condition suggests the Savoy hasn’t seen much use since the build process ended, meaning that there has been little opportunity for the car to accumulate the sorts of marks and imperfections that are an inevitable part of regular use. The trim sparkles as impressively as the rest of the exterior and provides a striking contrast to the paint. The glass is flawless, and it is only when you notice the wider wheels that you gain the slightest hint that there could be more to this classic. Alright, the dump pipe in this photo is another, but that appears to be a removable feature.
I haven’t mentioned rust to this point, and there is a sound reason; This Savoy appears to be rust-free. The panels show no evidence of problems, while the underside is as clean as you could hope to find on a vehicle of this vintage. If you’re searching for a surface to eat off, this could be it! Once again, the lack of any gravel rash or other marks is indicative of a classic that has seen little use since the owner completed their build.
I said this Plymouth’s exterior appearance gave few hints of what was hiding below the surface, and it is enough to gladden the hearts of anyone with gasoline flowing through their veins. Savoy buyers in 1962 could order their new car with a 413ci Max Wedge that produced 410hp, although less than 300 buyers did. There is nothing wrong with that power figure, and it would satisfy most enthusiasts. However, who can’t use more power? Obviously, the creator of this classic craved more, which is why this Plymouth’s engine bay hosts what the seller refers to as a built 440 Max Wedge V8. Since Chrysler didn’t produce such an engine, I would assume they mean that this is a 440ci “RB” V8 with Max Wedge cylinder heads. Its specifications are unclear, but since the company rated the 426 Max Wedge at an “official” 425hp, you can be sure that this motor produces even more. Getting so many horses to the road could prove challenging, so it feeds to the rear wheels via a five-speed Tremec manual transmission. The car has a few other features worth noting. Its creator equipped it with front disc brakes which is a sensible upgrade considering this classic’s performance potential. The headers feed into a dual exhaust, but there are solenoids that switch the exhaust to straight dump pipes if the driver wants to make a bold statement or send it for a gallop down the nearest dragstrip. There is no specific information on how the Savoy runs or drives, but if appearances are an accurate indicator, the news should be positive.
The unassuming exterior of this Savoy is matched by its interior. At first glance, it looks like a spotlessly clean vehicle with an interior in showroom condition. The vinyl and cloth upholstered surfaces are free from wear and physical damage, while the carpet, dash, and original gauge cluster are faultless. The interior needs nothing and would satisfy a discerning potential buyer. This is a radio delete car. If the new owner wants entertainment on the move, they need to listen to the sweet tune being sung by the 440. One essential addition is the Hurst shifter for the five-speed, while the under-dash gauges help monitor the health of the monster under the hood.
Unless you look carefully, it is virtually impossible to spot that this 1962 Plymouth Savoy possesses a “Jekyll-and-Hyde” personality. Its exterior is subtle; it is only when the owner hits the key or lifts the hood that the truth emerges. It is a car that can never be considered a cheap option for someone searching for a classic to park in their garage. However, its overall condition and specifications suggest that it would command respect. I don’t know whether the seller will achieve their BIN figure, but if they don’t, I suspect it will still find a new home. If you had the available funds, would you be tempted by this sleeper?
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Comments
This black beauty Plymouth Savoy redefines the meaning of street “Beast” that’s for sure. Looking at all of the photos uploaded on eBay by the dealer, this Plymouth appears to have a Dana 60 rear axle now and was raced early on. I chuckled at the one display picture where a mocked up gas pump is pictured by the car. I don’t see how someone could build a car of this high quality of work today for 71K. I do question why the data plate shows fresh rivets. Would it most likely have been for the paint application?
Drool…
It’s a post car. Hard to find an unmolested 62 hardtop but a 2 door post is rare indeed. Needs that extra structural integrity with that 440.
Just like the one Spencer Tracy drove in “It’s a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World,” except I bet his was a Slant Six with push button Torqueflite.
I was thinking the same. it’s a M,M,M,M World is a Great, G,G,G movie for spotting cars and celebrities of the day. Loved watching it as a kid and adult. Kind of like a Smoky and the Bandit or Cannonball Run movie where everyone gets a paycheck.
And unlike Smoky and Cannonball it actually had a plot and good acting.
And Spencer’s was a 4dr.Dodge Dart, not a Plymouth Savoy. Plus, if you watched the movie, you’d notice they sped up the film to make it look like he was flying when he wasn’t. Same with those two `59 Plymouth taxis that chased him.
Peter Falk of Columbo fame….drove one of the Plymouth Taxis. Hysterical movie, without any sex, bad language or other current h-wood crap.
And a four door I believe
I had the same thought about the car in “Its a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad, World”. I think this Plymouth needs a Cross Ram intake to really send the “Max Wedge” message . Nice car, very nice.
I thought the same exact thing when I saw this car.
Great car.Love the fenderwall headers.True sleeper.
Sleeper? Not a chance. By almost certainty, this was a slant six car. They had a distinctive sound. It will fool no one.
Boy-I would be in heaven to run that down the1/4. very nice!!!!!!!!!!!!
RoughDiamond is spot on. The image of this cars brother is burned into my memory. I saw it at a stop sign from the street a hundred feet ahead of it. The orange oil pan under the slightly higher stance waiting at the stop sign, and the black over the blue through the clear windows of that greenhouse as it went by with every cylinder firing hitting my chest is unforgettable.
This car brings back good memories of early 60’s drag strip in N. C. but I remember automatics mostly.
71 grand for this old girl ????? The guy must be dreaming……
he is to an extent. i have seen this car advertised for probably 2 years. but i see what shells of mopar cars go for, and just because it is one of one panther pink, puke green interior, slant six, with a column automatic, people want a bundle of money for it. i jest of course, but i know i am not far off the mark. i tell you what though, if i had enough money to attempt to negotiate and could do so comfortably, i would have this in a heartbeat. at least this has been gone through and isn’t a rust bucket unlike a slant six duster in horrendous shape i saw attempting to be hocked for $4500 on craigslist earlier today
The discussion regarding the first muscle car is always an interesting one with the’64 GTO typically getting the nod. Of course there’s Buicks and Oldsmobiles not to mention the Rambler Rebel. But this car clearly defined it, but the folks at Chrysler didn’t market it as such. Obviously by 1968 they had it figured out with the Roadrunner.
The 66 Biscayne above is another good candidate that would look really cool parked next to this amazing car…
“…the car presents superbly…” Ummm, no. The finish presents superbly, kudos to the “restorer”, or refurbisher, if you prefer. The car itself would give a ’59 Biscayne a run for the UGLY crown!
I may be wrong but the transmission looks like a Richmond instead of a Tremec.
When cars were cars! No extras, nice vehicle!
If tough guys were allowed to dream….this is what they would dream of. No smilin’ grease under the nails nickel-in-the-big-top men.
If this was a true 413 Max wedge car I could see the price skyrocketing , but this was originally a six cylinder car , and therefore a clone, so its value is only what someone is willing to pay for it . A true Wedge car has a real worth to it due to its limited build number and history
I’ve got a 63 330 2 Door Sedan. I paid 4,000 for it which I thought was a lot at the time. It’s three on the tree. I think it would be fun to build a max with the proper cross ram and cast iron headers. I could never afford a real one.