Plymouth Belvedere Super Stock: A Historic Hemi Icon Is up for Grabs
This historic Plymouth Belvedere is said to be the first factory car to break into the 10s. They call it the “Hurst Tornado IV.”
There are plenty of rare cars routinely up for sale. However, we’re operating on a different level in this case. This 1965 Plymouth Belvedere is the kind of machine that doesn’t just tick boxes. Instead, it erases the form entirely and replaces it with a 426 Hemi snarl, an acid-dipped body, and a reputation forged on the strip.
This Belvedere on Bring a Trailer is one of only 101 Super Stock models to come with the A990 high-compression 426 Hemi package. Even more exclusive, it’s one of only twelve equipped with a four-speed manual transmission. Additionally, its past is full of treasures, complete with showroom sponsorship and the nickname “Hurst Tornado IV.” This is a genuine time capsule of drag racing and Mopar history.
A Historic Ten-Second Milestone
The Hurst Tornado IV is a name that this car truly earned. This was reportedly the first factory-spec drag car to dip into the 10-second quarter-mile range. That alone puts it on a short list of Mopars that genuinely matter.
After its racing days, the car underwent a comprehensive rotisserie restoration more than two decades ago, and it was rebuilt with high-end components: a forged crank, JE pistons, Manley rods, NASCAR lifters, and T&D roller rockers. JMS Racing Engines and Ray Barton Racing Engines both had hands in preparing the 426ci Hemi under the hood. Naturally, dual Holley carbs sit atop a magnesium cross-ram intake, and the whole thing barks through S&S headers.
Drag-Strip Simplicity with the Right Amount of Swagger
This Belvedere was born for one thing. That thing is straight-line speed. It shows, too. It’s devoid of luxury: no heater, no radio, no rear seat. The body panels were acid-dipped for weight savings, glass was replaced with lightweight Corning pieces, and the doors open on aluminum hinges. It doesn’t have side mirrors. Why would it? The only thing behind it is burnt rubber and regret.
It sits on American Racing 15-inch wheels, rides on heavy-duty leaf springs, and stops with four unassisted drum brakes. Inside, you’ll find a roll bar, reupholstered tan buckets, a Hurst double-bend shifter with a cue-ball knob, and Deist latch-and-link harnesses. The odometer reads nine miles, but the actual mileage is unknown.
This legendary car graced the pages of Hot Rod Magazine, earned front-cover honors in Maximum Performance: Mopar Super Stock Drag Racing, and cleaned up at the 2024 Grand National Roadster Show, the Benedict Castle Concours, and the San Marino Motor Classic. The sale also comes with a healthy dose of documentation from its past, including some in-action drag racing photos. Moreover, it comes with all the right paperwork. That includes the original window sticker, a broadcast sheet, Galen Govier’s tag decode, and historical photos. The sticker price in 1965? $4,639.50. One can dream.
This One Won’t Come Around Again
If you’re into purpose-built factory drag cars with real provenance, here’s your unicorn. Between the race history, four-speed gearbox, meticulous restoration, and magazine cover clout, this Belvedere is an apex predator from an era where American muscle was raw, loud, and unfiltered. Don’t get too excited, though. It’s not going to come cheap. At the time of writing, this rare monster has four days left for bidding and is already well into the six-figure range.
Photos: Bring A Trailer
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