Register now to get rid of these ads!

Featured Projects 1964 Plymouth Savoy

Discussion in 'Traditional Hot Rods' started by Gotgas, Feb 4, 2026 at 11:00 AM.

  1. Gotgas
    Joined: Jul 22, 2004
    Posts: 7,270

    Gotgas
    Member
    from DFW USA

    A few weeks back, I was looking at FB Marketplace and a local '64 Plymouth caught my eye. It had an old-style cage and a big block, so I went out to take a look.

    It made a lot of noise and I couldn't stop smiling, so I got it.



    589095541_25369217992674117_5403177121250422457_n.jpg 589262925_25369218086007441_6546157110399475487_n.jpg 589381265_25369218179340765_1591678165171605058_n.jpg 589429013_25369218186007431_5193799223876034471_n.jpg 590877265_25369217889340794_2469174853308574521_n.jpg



    I had a little hope that it was a real old drag car, but the odometer showing 98k miles shut that down. It's just a grandma-special '64 Savoy 2dr sedan, originally a Light Tan slant-six commuter with only two options: Torqueflite and a heater.

    It has a '70s 440, 727 TF, and a Dana 60 with 4.30s and 35-spline axles.

    The plan is to get it slightly streetable, get it looking more "1964" than "1984," and go annoy some neighbors.
     
    Last edited: Feb 4, 2026 at 11:19 AM
  2. Gotgas
    Joined: Jul 22, 2004
    Posts: 7,270

    Gotgas
    Member
    from DFW USA

    It's got great bones but there is also a lot of Ugly on this car. The inboard headlights were filled with spray-painted cardboard (!) that had been duct-taped and RTV'd into the headlight trim. It had the wrong headlight bucket on the p***enger side, so the bulb was just ****ed in there sideways.

    I have no idea why it has those enormous holes cut into the inner fenders :eek:. The firewall smoothing was a little barbaric, and someone hacked the radiator core support to (I am guessing) simplify engine R&R.

    There are Zip ties and Moroso stickers galore! It has "race car paint," which I actually kinda like, so I don't have to get mad if someone leans on it. The scoop is really crude and really big, but I decided it would stay as soon as I put some proper skinny ET wheels up front and dug out all that inboard headlight mess. Now it looks like a hot rod.

    IMG_E3041.JPG
     
    Last edited: Feb 4, 2026 at 2:23 PM
  3. ronzmtrwrx
    Joined: Sep 9, 2008
    Posts: 1,622

    ronzmtrwrx
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    Cool. Always liked that body style.
     
    lothiandon1940, Ziggster and Sharpone like this.
  4. Gotgas
    Joined: Jul 22, 2004
    Posts: 7,270

    Gotgas
    Member
    from DFW USA

    The guy I bought it from got it as part of a multi-car deal he'd made, so he really didn't know much about it. The ***le was still in someone else's name. With a little sleuthing, I was able to find an old ad for it. It's definitely a late '80s or '90s build, with Edelbrock Performer RPM intake and heads and an MSD 7AL under the dash.

    If anyone knows something about this car's history, let me know.

    F59409EF-9204-48E3-9B79-D39A5E66A8D5.jpeg C8CC18F8-498C-40E6-9AC0-77A88F4FDDF0.jpeg CCB0C06F-3863-415F-A7ED-DA30FB9F6A0F.jpeg
     
  5. TCTND
    Joined: Dec 27, 2019
    Posts: 767

    TCTND
    Member

    Pretty cool. As an old fart who was around when these things were new, I'd probably be looking for a gl*** bumper and hood and duct air to the carb through those empty headlight openings.
     
  6. Gotgas
    Joined: Jul 22, 2004
    Posts: 7,270

    Gotgas
    Member
    from DFW USA

    So far I've just been piddling around with it mostly. The car had a nice 850 Holley on it at one time, but somewhere along the way it was swapped for some junk 600 vac secondary carburetor. It would start and idle and that's about it.
    IMG_4036.jpeg

    So I got an old M1 intake for it and a 1050 Dominator. Also swapped the electric water pump for a mechanical one and added a 7-blade fan. Replaced the "fabricated" valve covers with something slightly less offensive and put some Max Wedge stickers on them. Getting better already.

    IMG_4053.jpeg

    I decided to try my hand at creating some clear plexigl*** covers for the inboard lights. I've only done one side, so that's all you get. :)

    IMG_4056.jpeg
     
  7. Gotgas
    Joined: Jul 22, 2004
    Posts: 7,270

    Gotgas
    Member
    from DFW USA

    I guess I should mention what I'm going for :) I have always been enamored with the mid-60s factory backed drag cars. Top of the heap of course are the wild blown and injected altered wheelbase cars, but this car will never be that.

    This will be more of a '64-66 small-town local hero Super Stock vibe. (thumbnails intentional)
     
  8. ronzmtrwrx
    Joined: Sep 9, 2008
    Posts: 1,622

    ronzmtrwrx
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    Are you keeping the cutout hood and scoop?
     
    lothiandon1940 and Sharpone like this.
  9. Gotgas
    Joined: Jul 22, 2004
    Posts: 7,270

    Gotgas
    Member
    from DFW USA

    Yeah, unless something better comes along. :)
     
  10. slowmotion
    Joined: Nov 21, 2011
    Posts: 3,736

    slowmotion
    Member

    Nice! That car jogs a memory. '72 pumpin' gas, local Gulf station, jr in HS. Regular customer had one identical
    to yours, but 383 4spd, bench. Occupied a space in my mind, rent free, for quite a while!
     
  11. ronzmtrwrx
    Joined: Sep 9, 2008
    Posts: 1,622

    ronzmtrwrx
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    I have a decent flat hood for one of those. IMG_2353.jpeg IMG_2354.jpeg
     
  12. Big Dad
    Joined: Dec 20, 2005
    Posts: 4,921

    Big Dad
    Member

    wish I could find a decent 64
     
    Just Gary, Sharpone and chryslerfan55 like this.
  13. George
    Joined: Jan 1, 2005
    Posts: 8,023

    George
    Member

    There was a made up A/FX Dodge, but same body, with a 426 hemi for sale at the Battleship show in Mobile back in April. Don't know how to post pics from phone....
     
    Sharpone and chryslerfan55 like this.
  14. wicarnut
    Joined: Oct 29, 2009
    Posts: 9,296

    wicarnut
    Member

    C8CC18F8-498C-40E6-9AC0-77A88F4FDDF0.jpeg
    Love It, "If you can't run with big dogs stay on the porch" on the rear deck . When I retired from racing Midgets/ wing Sprint car, 21 years involved, end of 91, I found/purchased/wore a Sprint car T shirt that had that on it, or very similar phrase with great graphics, Arizona T's was big and the best back then. Should have kept it, a wall hanger for my man cave/garage.
     
    Last edited: Feb 4, 2026 at 1:09 PM
  15. wicarnut
    Joined: Oct 29, 2009
    Posts: 9,296

    wicarnut
    Member

    Nice ride, always liked that year, kool cruiser for local cruises /shows, Enjoy.
     
  16. dearjose
    Joined: Nov 17, 2013
    Posts: 1,168

    dearjose
    Member

    Wonder why anyone would cut out the inner fenders in front of the wheels. When I read thru i ***umed they hacked them out for headers, since that happened all the time. It looks like they cut most of the firewall out too... bummer, some folks shouldn't be allowed to use a torch or sawzall. Overall looks like a great start to a killer car. Hopefully the guy with the torch didnt have to do alot of bodywork before the racecar paint. Hood scoop looks like one of the gigantic aftermarket ones. The original 64 s were really short, maybe 1 1/2 " opening, with the 65s being a bit bigger. Looks like a great find with endless potential, and they really hold their value since the max wedge craze of the 90s. Im jealous, been wanting a 64 for years, had a 63 when i was a young,
     
  17. ShortyLaVen
    Joined: Oct 13, 2008
    Posts: 692

    ShortyLaVen
    Member

    Very cool! Always loved the styling on that era of Mopar. Definitely some of the coolest drag cars of the '60s!!

    My wife has a '64 Dodge 440 that we are going in a similar direction with. It has a 413 with an old Weiand dual quad tunnel ram, and she wants to run a similar scoop to what you have there. I saw VFN makes a "correct" factory style scoop, but 5" taller. Personally I want to use a Grump Lump, but it wouldn't exactly be Mopar-appropriate... or maybe build a see-through one out of colored plexigl*** or something.

    Another thing I was contemplating with that car, that would probably work with yours, is finding another grill to chop up and make a factory lightweight style grill without the inboard lights all together. I do like the look of the empty holes in stock grill, as well, though. My Biscayne is like that.

    I do know that ch***is headers in these cars make it a HUGE PITA to change plugs and especially replace a starter. Fenderwell headers are a big plus in these particular cars for that reason, and your inner fenders are chopped up already anyways...
     
  18. Fitty Toomuch
    Joined: Jun 29, 2010
    Posts: 398

    Fitty Toomuch
    Member
    from WVa

    With the location of the holes, maybe the car had twin turbos?
     
  19. goldmountain
    Joined: Jun 12, 2016
    Posts: 4,888

    goldmountain

    I had one of those fifty years ago. Faded red paint, slant six, no options.
     
  20. In 71 I was given a 64 4 door, 6 cylinder automatic. At the time I had a 65 383 and four speed in a 54 Chevy that I planned on swapping. Found a V8 K member and clutch pedal setup. Before I could put this plan into effect the car was stored at my uncle’s house and the city’s ordnance officer paid him a visit for having an inoperable vehicle on his property, despite it being on ten acres behind the horse barn with a live horse in it and a junkyard next door he got a violation.

    So I gave it away.
     
  21. SS327
    Joined: Sep 11, 2017
    Posts: 4,063

    SS327

    That area was cut out to lighten the car. Many mopars in Indiana were like that!!!
     
    Last edited: Feb 4, 2026 at 7:32 PM
  22. Sharpone
    Joined: Jul 25, 2022
    Posts: 3,281

    Sharpone
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    Cool car following along
    Dan
     
  23. rocca
    Joined: Thursday
    Posts: 3

    rocca

    I have had a few of those. me 1108.JPG
     
  24. leon bee
    Joined: Mar 15, 2017
    Posts: 1,390

    leon bee
    Member

    Highway Patrol drove them in Kansas.
     
  25. Gotgas
    Joined: Jul 22, 2004
    Posts: 7,270

    Gotgas
    Member
    from DFW USA

    I like that look. If someone has a nice grille for an even nicer price, I'd do it!
    They already have fenderwell headers going through them. ;)
     
  26. Is this to say that you’re going to be ummm, stomping at the Savoy? If you know, you know.
     
    Gotgas, Rolleiflex, porkshop and 4 others like this.
  27. stuart in mn
    Joined: Nov 22, 2007
    Posts: 2,854

    stuart in mn
    Member

    Cool car with potential. I think it needs a push****on transmission gear selector, though. :)
     
  28. lothiandon1940
    Joined: May 24, 2007
    Posts: 32,618

    lothiandon1940
    Member

  29. ClayMart
    Joined: Oct 26, 2007
    Posts: 7,846

    ClayMart
    Member

    A 440 with a typewriter! Livin' large!
     
    porkshop, Sharpone and chryslerfan55 like this.
  30. These cars are as cool as Joey Ramone!
     
    porkshop and chryslerfan55 like this.

Share This Page

Register now to get rid of these ads!

Archive

Copyright © 1995-2021 The Jalopy Journal: Steal our stuff, we'll kick your teeth in. Terms of Service. Privacy Policy.

Atomic Industry
Forum software by XenForo™ ©2010-2014 XenForo Ltd.