1964 Plymouth Belvedere Hardtop Coupe

Chrysler shocked the NASCAR racing world in 1964 with its 426 cubic-inch HEMI racing engine, a potent new unit that had more horsepower than those of competitors' race cars. At the opening race of the season at Daytona 500, the cars powered with the A864 Race Track Option HEMI proved their potential by dominating practice and qualifying before finishing first, second and third. Richard Petty averaged 154.334 for the distance and set a new race record, despite running under a twenty-minute caution flag.

The A864 Race Track Option Package included:
- Cowl induction air cleaner
- Aluminum high-rise intake with center float bowl carburetor
- Aluminum four-speed with speedometer delete
- Aluminum K-head valve covers with center oil intake tube and two oil breathers per cover
- Close-ratio track 836N steering box
- Deep groove pulleys
- Special cast/tube headers
- Steel bell housing
- Offset oil pan
- Heavy duty brakes/clutch/radiator/rear axle
- Five-on-five hubs used with heavy double-walled race wheels

By Daniel Vaughan | Nov 2010