1964 S/SA National Record Setter with a Hemi

[Hemi Moose]

X-T-M:
Are you sure about the RamCharger cars. I was told the one in your picture was the max-wedge car, then was sent back and converted to the 2% altered wheelbase A/FX car. Note the max-wedge hoodscoop which was changed later after the 1964 Winter Nationals, and the Hemi S/S they received was a production car??? Who can really say for sure except perhaps Jim Thorton.

HM:
Yes you are correct on most of your points above, yes the car started off as a 64 426 Max-Wedge Dodge 330 sedan w/max-wedge scoop, then they installed the new 426 Hemi into it and headed to California for the Winter Nationals. I heard they ran lousy because they were out of tune, I guess they hadn't worked all the bugs out of them yet... And yes the hood scoop was changed after to the new Hemi scoop... Now as far as receiving a second production Hemi car, that I do not know because I've never heard of that story before.

[X-TECH MAN]

They ran 2 1964 Hemi Dodges at a big FX meet at Cecil Count Md. back in 1964, One the 2 % car and a regular S/S car. Dyno Don won the event in his 64 Comet coupe. The S/S car was quicker than the 2 % car that day but neither one could handle the Dyno man.

[X-TECH MAN]

I remember Tom "Smoker" Smith who lived near me recieved a SILVER (more like an ugly gray) 64 Hemi Plymouth. Does that count? He later painted it (white or tan I think) and his 65 Hemi Plymouth was gray or silver also. The 64 car used to set OUTSIDE in the weather in his driveway as he didnt have a garage at that time.

[Paul Ceasrine]

Is it true,
that not anyone could buy a 64' S/SA car.
The regional representative would do a pre-screening. to make sure a
qualified person was going to purchase one of these cars.

I think Gramatan Dodge, Mt. Vernon, New York got shut out trying
to purchase a new 64' Race Hemi.

pc

[X-TECH MAN]

Hemi Moose.....You have another PM about the race and I found the magzine with the article on the race. Super Stock 1964 December issue. The RamChargers had to run each other in the third round. The S/S car won then was beaten by Dyno in the semis. Bud Faubel was RU to Dyno.

[Hemi Moose]

HM:
Hi there, if you don't mind I'm going to use your PM's in the 64 Hemi post with my response to your question's.

X-T-M:
No problem...I remember a lot from the old days better than what I did yesterday...LOL. The RamChargers had 2 Hemi 64 Dodges at a big F/X meet at Cecil County Md. back in 1964. One was the 2% car and the other was the regular S/S car. Funny thing was the S/S car was quicker than the A/FX 2% car. Dyno Don won in his 64 Comet coupe that day.

HM:
Hmm, I've always believed that there was only one 64 426 Hemi Dodge sedan, (the mule car). I'm not saying you're wrong but are you positive you seen two cars (boths sedans) or could the other one have been a hardtop? Again I could be wrong but have never seen the two sedans together in any old photo's. I'm curious as hell now!!!

X-T-M:
Nope...I'm positive there were 2 RamCharger Hemi sedans at Cecil County. One a 2% car and the other a S/S Hemi sedan all dressed out in red candy stripes. They were pitied side by side and I drooled over both...LOL.

X-T-M:
I just found my old issue of Super Stock and Drag Magazine.The race ran 5 rounds and Dyno Don wins over Bud Faubels "Honker" in the final for first place. The article on the race is in the December 1964 issue. The article and ladder shows 2 RamChargers cars in the first round. One (the FX car) runs a 10.94/127.84. The S/S car runs a 10.92.129.68 MPH in the first round. They had to run each other in the third round and the S/S car wins over the FX car. Dyno wins over the S/SA car in the semis. The ran the field over again for 2nd and third and so on to 8th place. The RamCharger S/SA won 2nd place money and the FX car won 3rd place money. It was a marathon...LOL. Dyno won a 426 Hemi engine and the RamChargers won a 427 FORD Hi Riser for second place......LOL. I would imagine they traded prizes? 3rd place was $700.Each car picked up $5 for every mile per hour they ran over 117 MPH. Faubel also had his Max Wedge car in the show. Smoker Smith, Phil Bonner, Eddie Schartman, Color Me Gone, Bob Harrup, and many more are listed with round times and who they ran. I will never forget it.

HM:
Damn, I'm gonna have to go through my old magazines again, it must have been amazing being there in person watching those races back then. I think I recall them giving away Hemi motors back then as door prizes, lol.

[X-TECH MAN]

Originally Posted by Hemi Moose

HM:
Hi there, if you don't mind I'm going to use your PM's in the 64 Hemi post with my response to your question's.

X-T-M:
No problem...I remember a lot from the old days better than what I did yesterday...LOL. The RamChargers had 2 Hemi 64 Dodges at a big F/X meet at Cecil County Md. back in 1964. One was the 2% car and the other was the regular S/S car. Funny thing was the S/S car was quicker than the A/FX 2% car. Dyno Don won in his 64 Comet coupe that day.

HM:
Hmm, I've always believed that there was only one 64 426 Hemi Dodge sedan, (the mule car). I'm not saying you're wrong but are you positive you seen two cars (boths sedans) or could the other one have been a hardtop? Again I could be wrong but have never seen the two sedans together in any old photo's. I'm curious as hell now!!!

X-T-M:
Nope...I'm positive there were 2 RamCharger Hemi sedans at Cecil County. One a 2% car and the other a S/S Hemi sedan all dressed out in red candy stripes. They were pitied side by side and I drooled over both...LOL.

X-T-M:
I just found my old issue of Super Stock and Drag Magazine.The race ran 5 rounds and Dyno Don wins over Bud Faubels "Honker" in the final for first place. The article on the race is in the December 1964 issue. The article and ladder shows 2 RamChargers cars in the first round. One (the FX car) runs a 10.94/127.84. The S/S car runs a 10.92.129.68 MPH in the first round. They had to run each other in the third round and the S/S car wins over the FX car. Dyno wins over the S/SA car in the semis. The ran the field over again for 2nd and third and so on to 8th place. The RamCharger S/SA won 2nd place money and the FX car won 3rd place money. It was a marathon...LOL. Dyno won a 426 Hemi engine and the RamChargers won a 427 FORD Hi Riser for second place......LOL. I would imagine they traded prizes? 3rd place was $700.Each car picked up $5 for every mile per hour they ran over 117 MPH. Faubel also had his Max Wedge car in the show. Smoker Smith, Phil Bonner, Eddie Schartman, Color Me Gone, Bob Harrup, and many more are listed with round times and who they ran. I will never forget it.

HM:
Damn, I'm gonna have to go through my old magazines again, it must have been amazing being there in person watching those races back then. I think I recall them giving away Hemi motors back then as door prizes, lol.

Yes..... it was a good show and I was young. I didnt know much about the S/S and A/FX cars back then. I lived about 2 1/2 hours from Cecil County back then. Now Im old.....LOL. We dont have shows like that anymore. If I remember right I paid $5 to get in to watch and that included a pit pass.

[Hemi Moose]

Originally Posted by Paul Ceasrine

Is it true,
that not anyone could buy a 64' S/SA car.
The regional representative would do a pre-screening to make sure a
qualified person was going to purchase one of these cars.

I think Gramatan Dodge, Mt. Vernon, New York got shut out trying
to purchase a new 64' Race Hemi.

pc

I'm not sure about the dealer/person you mentioned above that got shut down trying to buy one, but I do recall a story printed in a magazine about 25 years ago were they said a gentleman walked into Chrysler dealership and ordered one. I can't remember all of the details but he ended up getting a steel nose 64 426 Hemi Dodge Hardtop. I think Marvin Hughes ended up with this car, and has changed hands several times by now. Does anyone here remember or know who the original owner was.

[Hemi Moose]

Originally Posted by Alex Polewik

Actually Darrell Davis books indicates Vin#6142222127 as the earliest car. Ship date of May 13 to region 51(Chicago) to Dealer #57147(Grand Spaulding??). Red Car(PP1).

If we assume Landy's car was Silver(paint code MM1). That car was shipped June 1. WIth Vin#6142226082. Region 16(???) and Dealer#92804.

Now ship date doesn't necessarily correspond with production date but???

Alex, I'm not sure about this old info, I'm just going by the stories that have been told to me by the owners themselves either by conversations from the past, or old magazine articles printed over the years, they're the ones that made these claims. I don't have any of those Darrell Davis books but heard there were a couple of Silver cars built, perhaps you can dig into this topic a little more and post your findings. It would be interesting to find who got some of the first ones built out of the factory!

[Paul Ceasrine]

I e-mailed Bill Smrtic of 'Storm King' fame.
1964 Dodge 426 Max-wedge, steel nose.(S/SA car) out of
Orange County, New York.

Before he could get his car, he was telephoned and questioned by a
Dodge Performance rep, who asked him about his qualifications and
plans to race the car at a legal-track.

He said, the Dodge rep did not want any 'street racing hooligan' to get
his hands on a Max-Wedge S/SA and race it on the street.
It would give Chrysler a bad name.

He was also, told (asked), to get a Dodge Dealer to co-sponsor the car,
and get Dodge lettering and/or the dealership name on the car.

pc