1965 Plymouth Belvedere II

Description

Industrial-strength Mopars like this 1965 Plymouth Belvedere II delivered big horsepower and impressive performance in the pre-muscle car days. The fact that they're also great-looking is merely icing on the cake. Big block power, handsome dark blue paint, and a stock-style interior make this big Belvedere a car that's good at just about everything.

You can't miss that giant hood scoop up front, a Mopar trademark look that was born on the track and intimidating on the street. The full-sized Belvedere offers ideal proportions and that awesome cantilevered roofline that made the recognizable from a mile away. Although it was designed to be affordable, that doesn't mean the guys at Plymouth skimped on the shiny stuff, either, giving it bright side trim, chrome bumpers, and a fine mesh grille up front that would totally fill other cars' rear-view mirrors with Mopar. The dark blue paint works well behind the shiny stuff, giving this big cruiser a sophisticated look that speaks to its dual nature. Fit and finish are quite good, with doors that close easily and a massive trunk lid that fits well, and believe me, getting a piece of metal that big to look good is no easy task. All the original badges and emblems were reinstalled after the paint was dry, and for the most part, the only non-stock-looking parts on the car are the flashy wheels.

Two-tone blue vinyl upholstery works well with the dark blue paint and the replacement seat covers accurately duplicate the originals. Matching door panels continue the two-tone theme and pleats everywhere are part of the 1960s vibe that defines this car. The steering wheel is obviously a non-stock piece, but the woodgrained rim looks upscale and feels great in your hands. Stock instruments offer a fairly comprehensive view of the engine's condition, along with an aftermarket voltimeter under the dash. The original AM radio is still in the dash, a nice nod to originality, with an aftermarket AM/FM/CD stereo head unit hanging underneath, giving you the best of both worlds. The trunk is shockingly big by today's standards, carrying a full-sized spare, a new trunk mat, and a battery, which helps with weight distribution.

Getting all that sheetmetal moving is the job of a 383 cubic inch big block. With an intake obviously designed to make torque, a 4-barrel Edelbrock, and a rumbling dual exhaust, it delivers the kind of low-end grunt that makes these cars so formidable in the stop light grand prix. With correct Chrysler Turquoise paint on the block, it looks fairly original, although the chrome valve covers and air cleaner dress things up a bit. Someone spent a good deal of time on the inner fenders and firewall before the paint went on, so popping the hood is a pleasure. A 727 TorqueFlite 3-speed automatic is robust enough to handle the big torque output, and there's an 8.75-inch rear end with cruise-friendly 3.55 gears inside. A Flowmaster soundtrack is music to any car guy's heart and shiny Cragar mags give it a very 1960s performance look, especially with right-sized 235/70/15 radials at all four corners.

Effortless big car comfort with enough performance to make Camaro owners look over their shoulders, this industrial-strength Belvedere really delivers. Call today!