1962 Plymouth Savoy Max Wedge Clone
George Roraback writes:
Here's my 1962 Plymouth Savoy two door sedan Max Wedge clone.
This project started with the purchase of the max wedge intake and cast iron headers at a local Mopar car show and flea market. Note that only two vendors were selling parts, and I arrived at about ten am. The price was super low. Now that the car is done, these items were the least costly items on the car!
The next problem was finding a 1962 two door post car. One was found a few week later up in Mass. It was a three owner local car. It looked solid and was complete, with a straight body with some rust. The car was then taken to LaBrecque Autocraft for a ground up restoration.
This slant six, stick, two door was disassembled and found to be very rusty: it needed new cowl, floors, driver side rockers and lower quarters. In a perfect world it should have gone to scrap. However, finding another two door post '62 was next to impossible so work was started!
The Savoy took three years to restore, and convert to a max wedge.
We used a 440hp motor from a 1971 GT440 I had parted out. It was rebuilt with the intent for street driving. We kept the compression ratio at ten to one, used the 906 heads with new big valves, hardened seats, and some porting. The motor has the max wedge intake with new Carter carbs, and repro air cleaners. I only use these for show, as they do not flow any air. I use K and N extreme air filters for street driving. They are like using no filters!
The rest of the drive train uses a Dynamic 727 transmission, and high stall torque converter, super stock springs, snubber, 11 inch drum brakes all around, 15 inch wheels modified for 62 dog dish hub caps. The Savoy also has a 8 3/4 3:91 489 case sure grip rear, axles converted to the new style.
The interior was restored to factory, and has radio and heater delete. We also added a S and W period correct tachometer, and a set of oil water and alternator gages to back up the factory gauges.
All the chrome and stainless was redone.
This car is a blast to drive! It draws attention everywhere.
Despite the General's claim the GTO was the first factory muscle car, we all know that Mopar was first. Most GTO only saw the rear end of these early Mopars. :-)
Great job, George!
As you found out, these Savoys are RARE cars now, as time and rust certainly have taken their toll on these '62's
Congratulations for sticking with the restoration!
As you also found out, it was certainly worth saving the Savoy. Thumbs up! You just don't see many of these any more.
Plus, the 1962 Savoy was the lightest B Body ever made; match that to the crossram Mopar big block and, well, you know:
"This car is a blast to drive!" as you said!
Gary H.
January 6, 2002
