Before the racing Hemi, therewasthe Max Wedge…Dodge and Plymouth unleashed an all-out attack on NHRA Super Stock competition with the 1962 Max Wedge 413 CI V-8 engine, then upped the ante in 1963 with more cubic inches and more horsepower. Like the 413, the 1963 426 Max Wedge was offered in Stage II and Stage III versions, the former rated at 415 HP and 470 lb-ft of torque with 11.2:1 compression, and the latter at 425 HP and a ground-pounding 480 lb-ft. On the track, 426 Max Wedge Mopars, especially those equipped with the sturdy 727 TorqueFlite 3-speed automatic transmission, dominated NHRA Super Stock. Company literature described the Max Wedge as “designed to be run in supervised, sanctioned drag-strip competition by those qualified.” As such, the Max Wedge was really never intended to find its way into such upscale road cars as this mostly unrestored and well-preserved 1963 Dodge Polara 500, one of only five Stage II “low-compression” Polara 500s built. Sold new at Cline Motor Company in Prescott, Arizona, and equipped with the TorqueFlite and 3.91:1 Sure Grip differential, it remains highly original throughout, retaining the original sheet metal and 75 percent of the factory Ivory paint and gold side sweeps. The Cocoa Beige vinyl bucket-seat interior remains in original condition except for a new carpet and one new seat insert, and the trunk is excellent and unrestored, even retaining the factory-installed cardboard liners. The Q9-code 426/415 HP Max Wedge engine is period-correct throughout, including the original exhaust system with factory cutouts that were part of the Max Wedge package. The car now shows 40,177 miles and features excellent window chrome and clear, scratch-free glass. This extraordinarily rare 1963 Max Wedge Polara 500 retains its original fender tag and is documented with the IBM Car Record Card, owner’s manual and 426 Ramcharger V-8 instruction booklet. (Torq Thrust wheels do not go w vehicle.)

HIGHLIGHTS:

- One of Five Low-Compression Polara 500 Max Wedges produced in 1963

- Unrestored

- Believed to be 40,177 original miles

- Q9 426/415 HP Max Wedge engine

- 11.2:1 compression ratio

- Original interior

- New carpet and one seat insert replaced

- Correct original exhaust with cut outs

- Copy of the IBM card

- Original fender tag

- Mostly original Ivory paint with Gold Stripes

- Unrestored trunk

- Partial ownership history