The 1962 Plymouth Savoy Super Stock represents the raw, unadulterated dawn of the factory drag racing wars. This rare two-door sedan is one of only 56 examples produced for the model year equipped with the legendary 413ci Max Wedge V8 and a floor-shifted three-speed manual transmission. Originally sold by Maloney Motor Company in Ohio, the car earned its stripes on the drag strips of the 1960s, where it was affectionately known as “The Road Runner.” After spending decades in storage, it underwent a comprehensive rotisserie refurbishment in 2007, ensuring its historical significance as a quarter-mile pioneer is preserved for a new generation of collectors.
Stark Silhouette and Restored Cherry Red Finish
The exterior character of the Savoy is defined by its purposeful, lightweight two-door sedan body style and a lack of unnecessary ornamentation. Finished in its original factory shade of Cherry Red, the car underwent a base-coat and clear-coat repaint during its restoration, while the quad headlights and concave grille remain definitive period features. Red-painted 14-inch steel wheels and narrow hubcaps provide a deceptive “sleeper” look, though the dual exhaust outlets and “Class Winner” decals from Quaker City Dragway suggest a far more aggressive nature. Every piece of chrome and stainless trim has been meticulously polished or replated to mirror the car’s 1962 showroom presence.
Utilitarian Cabin and High Performance Monitoring
Inside the Savoy, the cabin reflects the spartan requirements of a factory-built racer, featuring bench seats upholstered in a combination of patterned black and gray cloth with gray vinyl. A radio-delete plate underscores the car’s single-minded focus on performance, while the floor-mounted Hurst shifter serves as the primary interface for the driver. Monitoring the mechanical vitals is a Stewart-Warner tachometer attached to the steering column, supplemented by Mallory auxiliary gauges for water temperature and oil pressure. Despite its racing pedigree, the interior has been refreshed with new headliner, door panels, and carpeting, maintaining a remarkably clean and period-correct environment.
Max Wedge Muscle and Cross-Ram Induction
The heart of this Plymouth is a replacement 413ci Max Wedge V8, which was reportedly swapped under warranty during its early racing years. Rebuilt in 2007, the engine is a masterpiece of early Mopar engineering, featuring a cross-ram intake manifold, dual four-barrel carburetors, and Max Wedge-specific cylinder heads. This setup was factory rated at 410 hp / 416 PS and 460 lb-ft / 624 Nm, providing the explosive low-end torque required to dominate the drag strip. Power is routed through a heavy-duty T-85 three-speed manual transmission and a Sure-Grip limited-slip differential, while a TTi dual exhaust system with removable cutouts allows the driver to experience the raw, unrestricted sound of the V8.
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| Engine | 413ci Max Wedge Super Stock V8 |
| Transmission | T-85 3-Speed Manual |
| Horsepower / Torque | 410 hp / 416 PS and 460 lb-ft / 624 Nm |
| Induction | Dual 4-Barrel Carburetors / Cross-Ram Intake |
| Wheels | 14-Inch Steel w/ Hubcaps |
| Odometer | 44k Miles |
Historical Provenance and Investment Rarity
In the hierarchy of Mopar muscle, the early Max Wedge cars occupy a prestigious position due to their genuine factory-racing roots and extremely low production numbers. With only 56 of these Super Stock Savoys built in this specific powertrain configuration, this vehicle is a primary target for serious enthusiasts of Mopar’s “Golden Era” of drag racing. Its extensive documentation, including the original broadcast sheet and production-record decoding from DaimlerChrysler, provides the necessary authentication for high-end collecting. Compared to the more common later-model hemis, these early wedge cars offer a unique combination of historical grit and mechanical simplicity that continues to drive value in the 2026 market.
A Definitive Landmark of Factory Drag Racing
This 1962 Plymouth Savoy is more than a restored classic; it is a survivor of the era when Detroit manufacturers built cars specifically to win on Sunday and sell on Monday. From the rhythmic idle of the dual four-barrel carburetors to the tactile feel of the Hurst shifter, every element of this Savoy is tuned for an authentic 1960s experience. Accompanied by a wealth of technical manuals and vintage photographs, it stands as a turnkey entry into the world of elite Mopar collecting. For the enthusiast who values speed, scarcity, and a verified racing pedigree, this Max Wedge Savoy remains an absolute benchmark of the Super Stock legacy.
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Source: bringatrailer.com
