1965 Dodge Coronet

A/FX HEMI Sedan

8 - Cyl.

Automatic

Gasoline

1965 Dodge Coronet A/FX Altered Wheelbase In the mid-1960s, Chrysler needed to keep its edge. Unable to squeeze the fat Hemi into the early A-body cars, the B-body was the only choice. So with a handful of standard Super Stock race cars in hand, Chrysler engineers set out to raise the bar even further by building not only a much lighter car, but also one that would provide vastly improved traction with the front and rear wheel positions moved ahead several inches. These single-purpose cars became known as altered wheelbase A/Factory Experimentals (A/FX) and were a hit for their power and performance, while also gaining notoriety for their unique appearance. Almost immediately, these funny-looking, altered-wheelbase cars became the first "Funny Cars," and, thus, the term began. The AWB cars evolved quickly to fuel injection, nitro, and blowers, all within a short two-year period. By 1968, tube chassis cars with flopper bodies retired the AWB cars to history, but those who witnessed these cars in action will never forget them. This 1965 Dodge Coronet is a one-of-a-kind recreation of the world's first funny car, the "Ramchargers" A/FX. The last built by Richard Lefebvre AKA "Mr. Rich The Performance King," it is part of a growing movement known as Match Bash. Match Bashers are essentially Hemi Super Stock clone cars that have been sent to the funny farm for altered-wheelbase surgery. They're streetable, but pack serious Hemi power and are loaded with period-correct details. They're not clones, copies, counterfeits, or moldy nostalgia acts. They're simply respectful tributes to early factory and independent funny car match race heroes from every camp: Ronnie Sox, Doc Burgess, Melvin Yow, Dick Landy, Lee Smith, Cecil Yother, Dick Brannan, Don Nicholson, Russell James Liberman, Pete Seaton, and countless others who introduced drag race spectators to the wild spectacle of "ordinary" family cars packing insane power in an escalating arms race that culminated in the modern, four-second, Top Fuel funny car (many of which are still Hemi-powered, by the way). This Coronet was built from original A/FX plans and dimensions, and every detail is period correct. Instead of ill-fitting fiberglass panels, however, this car is 100% steel, and all the body mods are invisible and flawlessly executed. Front and rear fenders were modified, with the wheel openings moved forward ten inches in front, and fifteen inches in back, but you would never know that it was cut apart and spliced back together like a giant jigsaw puzzle by looking at it today. After all, that's how the factory boys at the top-secret AmbleWagon A/FX conversion shop did the real ones back in 1965 before their revolutionary Beeline Dragway debut party. An original Hemi Coronet single headlight grille was used and it looks flawless. Of course, you can't miss those eight velocity stacks sticking out of the hood, doing their very best impersonation of a vintage Hilborn injection system(The WOW Factor). Underneath, you'll find a monstrous 511 cubic-inch Hemi. A MEGA block and INDY heads were used. Also the car sports 10.5:1 compression, a solid roller camshaft, and modern EFI that only looks antique. Match Bash happily embraces modern electronic fuel injection, as long as it is subtle and hides in plain sight. In fact, the only other "correct" choices are Holleys on a factory-style cross-ram (to replicate early stage, NHRA-obedient, legal '65 FX cars) or a 6-71 supercharger (used later on the all-out '66-'67 match-racing circuit). On the dyno, this elephant cranked out 674 horsepower, yet thanks to that modern electronic fuel injection system, it remains docile and totally streetable. Drive it to the track, click off some 10-second runs, drive it home. Is there anything better? The engine is delivered to the relocated rear axle via a built HD 727 TorqueFlite 3-speed automatic with column shift and a reverse manual valve body. A custom-built driveshaft with heavy-duty yokes and U-joints powers the narrowed Dana 60 rear packing 4.56 gears and built by Dutchman Motorsports. It all hangs on a set of relocated leaf springs and modified torsion bars. The tires are 29x11.50-15 Hoosier Quick Time Pros hugging a set of correct 65 10-inch steel wheels. Up front, there are two period-correct ways to get the 10-inch forward push dialed into the suspension: torsion bars or a straight axle. Extra-long torsion bars and relocated K-members and control arms were part of the factory '65 A/FX hardtop recipe, though in 1964, Dodge released a factory bulletin detailing the installation of narrowed Dodge A100 van axles for NHRA acceptance in Factory Experimental. The conversion of Dick Landy's '64 Hemi sedan to a straight axle was documented in several high-profile magazines of the day, and the restored car still exists, beam axle and all, in the collection of noted Mopar collector Pete Haldiman. Many preferred the torsion bar cars as they handled better. This particular Coronet sports the modified torsion bars with period correct steel wheels and skinnies. Inside, there's a complete A990 Super Stock interior by Gary Ball that closely replicates what you would have received if you had ordered one of these cars back in '65. It's bare-bones, no doubt about it, but the detailing is authentic and execution is first rate. The gauge cluster and original steering wheel have been fully restored, there are three auxiliary gauges hanging under the dash for keeping an eye on that big Hemi under the hood, and a period-correct Mooneyes tach sits on top of the dash. Match Bash is all about that vintage vibe, and this car has it in spades. Like the original A/FX cars, their primary mission is to go fast and everything else is secondary. That's why the modern EFI is here it makes the car work better without detracting from its mission. Wherever possible, period parts and techniques were used to duplicate the feel of the '60s when cars like this were tearing up tracks all over the country. Today, you can drive this car anywhere with confidence, rip off low-10-second passes, and draw a crowd anywhere you go with the wild yet accurate "funny car" look. More than $85,000 was spent building this car, and it might be one of the nicest examples of Match Bash available anywhere in the world. Put it in your garage today and feel the history come alive. I am a private seller and this vehicle is titled in my name. I will consider selling this car minus the engine. If your serious please call: 260-580-0213 This vehicle is being sold as is, where is, with no warranty expressed, written or implied. The seller shall not be responsible for the correct description, authenticity, genuine, or defects herein, and makes no warranty in connection therewith. Although every effort is made on my part to accurately describe vehicle you, it is the buyers responsibility to see that his/her classic and collector car purchase meets their individual criteria. Any descriptions or representations are for identification purposes only and are not to be construed as a warranty of any type. The seller will make every effort to disclose any known defects associated with the vehicle at the buyers request prior to the close of the sale. Seller assumes no responsibility for any oral or written statements about the vehicle.