1965 Dodge Coronet Sedan

The 1965 Dodge Altered Wheelbase Coronet was a transition between the early 1960's Super Stock cars and the all-out Altered Wheelbase cars, nicknamed 'Funny Cars,' that were soon to arrive. Compared to Super Stock cars, Factory Experimental (FX) cars, like this 1965 Coronet, varied much more from showroom models. It may be the most recognized and famous altered wheelbase drag car ever built. Campaigned by cigar chomphing 'Dandy' Dick Landy, this car received more recognition and national magazine features than any.

The story of these cars goes back to a time when it was an all-out war on drag strips across the country. In an all-out no-holds-barred effort to dominate the Top Stock/Factory Experimental class, Chrysler secretly built these cars behind closed doors, developing what would become known as the AFX Dragster.

Exemplifying the FX divergence from showroom design, Chrysler, in pursuit of better traction, decided to create six Dodge Coronets, including this one, that put maximum weight on the rear axles. The wheels were moved far forward of their typical position, and the wheelbase, the distance between the front and rear axle, was shortened. They had massive 426 cubic-inch Hemi's under the hood and the bodies were acid dipped to reduce weight. As if that wasn't enough, they then replaced many of the body parts with lightweight fiberglass panels, added a fiberglass dash and a seat from an A100 van and replaced all the windows with plexiglass.

But then, they did something that no one was expecting; relocating the front and rear wheels 15-inches forward and the front wheels 10-inches to better distribute the weight. The result was eleven cars that would change drag racing history forever.

Although the Altered Wheelbase cars were not allowed to compete wîth the National hot Rod Association, they became extremely popular within the American Hot Rod Association's Factory Experimental class and in exhibition matches. Huge crowds gathered to see these cars driven by popular drivers, like this car's legendary driver, Dave Strickler.

Strickler won 80-percent of his races in this car, which became one of the most recognized drag cars of all time. After its restoration, it spent seven years on special display at the Walter P. Chrysler Museum in Detroit, MI.

This is one of the six factory backed Dodges that were built. Dick Landy would go on to win 39 out of 40 match races with this exact car, while securing five major event titles. Running a nitro-methane Hilborn injected Hemi, this car ran speeds in excess of 165 miles per hour in the quarter mile.

Source - Vehicle Owner