Before Chrysler’s legendary 426 Hemi dominated drag strips, another fearsome V8 was helping Plymouth and Dodge establish their racing reputations. Known as the Max Wedge, this engine was indeed developed for serious straight-line performance.
Introduced in 1962, the 413 Max Wedge quickly became a favorite among drag racers, eventually growing to 426 cubic inches. By 1964, Chrysler was building some particularly specialized machines around the powerful V8.
Among them was the Plymouth Savoy Lightweight, a stripped-down Super Stock racer designed to extract every possible advantage at the drag strip. Just 29 examples reportedly left the factory with the special aluminum front-end package.
One of those rare cars has now surfaced through Richmond Auctions, offering collectors an opportunity to acquire a documented piece of Mopar racing history. The red 1964 Savoy will cross the auction block on October 17 without a reserve price.
A Factory-Built Drag Racing Machine
Unlike an ordinary Savoy, this example was ordered with Plymouth’s Y9 lightweight aluminum package, replacing several steel front-end components to reduce weight. It also received minimal interior equipment, deleted sound insulation, and a trunk-mounted battery.
Its factory trim tag confirms the special aluminum package, the 426 Max Wedge engine, and the pushbutton TorqueFlite automatic transmission. The car was assembled at Chrysler’s Lynch Road plant in Detroit, with a scheduled production date of January 28, 1964.
A 425-HP Max Wedge Under The Hood
Power comes from a period-correct 426-cubic-inch Stage III Max Wedge V8, rated at 425 horsepower. Its distinctive short cross-ram intake feeds two Carter AFB four-barrel carburetors, giving the engine an unmistakable appearance.
A heavy-duty 727 TorqueFlite automatic sends power to a Chrysler 8.75-inch rear axle with 3.91 gears. According to Mike McCandless, the car competed in drag racing during its early years, reportedly recording quarter-mile times in the 12.20-second range.
Restored And Documented
The Savoy has undergone a professional restoration and retains its red exterior and matching bench-seat interior. Interestingly, its passenger side wears period-style racing graphics, while the driver’s side maintains a factory-stock appearance.
In May 2026, Mopar specialist David Wise inspected the vehicle and confirmed its factory VIN and trim tags, along with the matching body stamping. His accompanying report also rated the car’s major components in good condition.
A Rare Mopar Heading To Auction
Many original Max Wedge racers were heavily modified or converted to Hemi power once Chrysler’s newer engine arrived. That makes surviving aluminum-front examples especially desirable among collectors of early Super Stock machinery.
This Savoy is listed as Lot 444 at Richmond Auctions’ Fall Spectacular, held at the Savoy Automobile Museum in Cartersville, Georgia. Bidding was underway at the time of the listing, but its final selling price won’t be determined until the October 17 auction.