1962 Plymouth Savoy Max Wedge
Chryslerβs newly downsized B-body intermediate platform arrived for 1962 with unibody construction, reducing weight compared to previous full-size models. A concave fine-mesh grille featured outer round headlamp housings with the high-beam lamps positioned inboard.
Two-door sedan post cars provided base-level Savoy trim without luxury appointments, keeping shipping weight around 3,185 pounds in stripped configurations.
The Maximum Performance engine package used a 413 cubic-inch raised-block V8 with short-ram cross-intake manifolds feeding twin Carter AFB four-barrel carburetors. Factory rating was 410 bhp from a single high-compression specification, paired with cast-iron header-style exhaust manifolds.
Power transferred through either a TorqueFlite three-speed automatic or a Borg Warner T-85 heavy-duty manual transmission. Torsion-bar front suspension and rear leaf springs provided the chassis foundation.
Plymouth built approximately 289 Super Stock Max Wedge cars for 1962 across its model range, with only 159 receiving manual transmissions. These factory-built drag racing machines preceded the muscle car movement by several years, designed specifically for NHRA Super Stock competition while retaining street-legal status.
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