In the realm of high-performance Mopars from the golden era of muscle cars, we often associate power with HEMI-driven Plymouths and Dodges, which are now quite rare. However, prior to the iconic 426-cubic-inch HEMI engine’s introduction in 1966, Mopar had the Max Wedge.
The Maximum Performance Wedge engine was introduced in 1962 and was based on the RB block, known in its 383- and 440-cubic-inch formats. Initially, the Max Wedge was launched as a 413-cubic-inch engine, generating 410 and 420 horsepower based on the compression ratio. In 1963, Chrysler increased the displacement to 426 cubic inches, making the Max Wedge as powerful as the HEMI that followed. With compression ratios of 11.0:1, the engine delivered 415 horsepower, while the 13.5:1 version offered a whopping 425 horsepower and 480 pound-feet of torque, just 10 pound-feet less than the HEMI.
Although the Max Wedge was designed mainly for drag racing, it was installed in many Dodge and Plymouth cars. However, due to the low production numbers, with only a few hundred powerplants built each year, these cars are now incredibly rare. The 1963 Plymouth Savoy, which we’re about to discuss, is one of those vehicles.
According to reports, Plymouth produced 298 Max Wedge cars in 1963, with fewer than 30 of them equipped with the Max Wedge package. This rarity makes the Savoy Max Wedge almost impossible to come across, let alone see in action at the drag strip. But thanks to “Cars and Zebras” and their passion for the Factory Appearing Stock Tire (FAST) racing series, we can witness a Max Wedge-powered Savoy competing for quarter-mile glory against a 1971 Plymouth HEMI ‘Cuda, another muscle car icon from that era.
On paper, both vehicles have similar power and torque numbers, with the Savoy having a 250-pound weight advantage. However, these figures are insignificant in the FAST series, which allows numerous engine upgrades. As a result, both cars may have factory ratings of 425 horsepower, but they could produce anywhere from 600 to 1,000 horsepower.
In the video below, we see that they’re faster than the typical classic muscle car, which typically covers the quarter-mile in 13 to 15 seconds. The HEMI ‘Cuda wins the race with ease, completing the quarter-mile in 9.63 seconds at 144 mph, while the Savoy finishes in 10.79 seconds at 130 mph.
This footage was recorded during the 2022 FAST racing season and is one of the coolest I’ve seen so far. Click the play button below to witness the excitement for yourself. The race begins at the 2:27-minute mark.
