Barn-Found 1964 Plymouth Fury Flaunts Super Stock Heritage, Max Wedge V8

The HEMI legacy can be traced back to 1951 when Mopar unleashed the 331-cubic-inch (5.4-liter) FirePower. Although it wasn't as potent as the second-gen HEMI, the early 331 spawned a 300-horsepower version for the 1955 Chrysler C-300. In 1958, the mill had grown to 392 cubic inches (6.4 liters), a format that enabled it to deliver up to 390 horsepower.

Chrysler discontinued the FirePower in 1958, but its replacement, the B engine, took things up a notch in the oomph department. The 413-cubic-inch (6.8-liter) RB-block arrived with 380 horses in 1959. In 1963, the 2x4-carburetor version generated 390 horsepower. But I'm actually here to talk about the wedge-head version.

Chrysler's main performance engine until the arrival of the HEMI, the 426 Wedge was initially offered as a non-catalogued option. The single four-barrel unit came with up to 385 horsepower on tap, while the ram-induced, dual four-barrel variant delivered 421 horsepower with 12.0:1 compression.

The streetable powerplant was joined by a race-spec Max Wedge version in 1962. It debuted as a 413-cubic-inch unit with 410 or 420 horsepower, depending on the compression ratio. In 1963, Mopar introduced the 426-cubic-inch variant good for up to 425 horsepower and 480 pound-feet (651 Nm) of torque. That's right, it was as potent as the HEMI.

Although this unit was usually sold to drag racers, Chrysler also produced a factory quarter-mile rig with the Max Wedge under the hood. Dodge used "Ramcharger" badges, while the Plymouth car left the assembly line with "Super Stock" emblems. Dodge recipients included the 330, 440, and Polara. Plymouth sold the Max Wedge in the Savoy, Belvedere, and Fury. These vehicles were produced in limited numbers through 1964.

Max Wedge rigs are usually rarer than most HEMI-powered Mopars. And needless to say, they're just as desirable and nearly as expensive. The derelict 1964 Plymouth Fury you see here is one of those cars.

Showcased at the 2023 Muscle Car and Corvette Nationals (MCACN), this Plymouth obviously spent a few decades in a barn. It's weathered and a bit rusty but still in fantastic condition for a classic that's been off the road for decades. There's good news under the hood, too, because this Fury still rocks its original 426 Max Wedge lump.

There's no info on how original it is and whether it was raced or not in its early days, but it's an important find because production figures for Max Wedge cars are in two-digit territory regardless of the nameplate and model year.

It's unclear how many were produced in 1964, but our host says it might be the second steel nose Fury Super Stock built that year. And because it's such an important discovery, it will be restored to its original specifications soon.

It will take a while until we see it back on the road, so go ahead and check it out in its current barn-found condition in the video below. And if you want a taste of how it will look in the future, the second video includes a 1964 Plymouth Fury 426 Street Wedge convertible showcased at the same event.