Highway 61 1965 Plymouth Belvedere with Hemi

For a brief period during the mid '60s, Plymouth offered a special production version of the Plymouth Belvedere: The Belvedere Super Stock R01. The R01 featured the powerful 426 cid Hemi V8, which allowed Plymouth’s Belvedere Super Stock R01 to pump out a whopping 425 horsepower, although Highway 61 reports that it was capable of delivering up to an astounding 490 horsepower! According to Consumer Guide, Plymouth advertised a top speed of 120 mph and a 0-60 time of 6.6 seconds. The drag strip special Super Stock was an exceptionally light version of the Belvedere, with the 426 Hemi being a rare option for the ’65, although no official production numbers are available.

Highway 61 has faithfully replicated in 1:18 scale, Plymouth’s rare Belvedere Super Stock R01 with the 426 cid Hemi V8. Finished in Ruby Red, this muscle car is packing some serious strength under the hood. The massive 426 is replicated well with so much detail I found myself going back time and again to admire Highway 61’s work. The block is finished in orange with the valve covers are in a simulated aluminum finish with 426 Super Stock decals. That massive hood scoop is not just for show; Highway 61 has cut out the engine hood to allow space for the Belvedere’s MOPAR chrome air cleaner housing. The hood is held open by authentic spring-loaded hinges. The trunk isn’t just the usual empty space with floor liner; it has a full size spare, jack, and trunk-mounted battery complete with a cable going through the floorboard. The grill is well done, with a lot of fine detail packed into this even around the headlights. The hood and trunk lid have "Plymouth" script across the top. There is even a VIN tag on the inside of the driver's side door!

Given that this is one of the lightest Belvederes produced in 1965, the interior of this model is prototypically plain. The actual Super Stock featured featherweight van seats, a carpetless interior, and the backseat was removed to minimize the weight of this funny car. Highway 61 modled the seats and absent rear seat, although they kept the simulated carpet interior, which probably looks better on this model than just a bare plastic molded floor. To further reduce the weight, Highway 61 even went so far as to equip this model with only one windshield wiper! Highway 61 has also correctly modeled the prototypical column-mounted shifter arm that was new for 1965, as previous years’ models used the dash-mounted pushbutton automatic transmission shifter. Another small attention to detail is the opening side vent windows found on previous releases by Highway 61.

To help this drag car tear down the road, the Belvedere had larger and wider tires and vented rear wheels, which are evident on this model. The rear of the vehicle has also been lifted which makes this car look like it’s always ready to race. The basic wheels are finished in matching Ruby Red with five simulated lug nuts capped in a stainless finish. The basic wheel style looks great on this car and really adds to the no nonsense muscle for which this car was built.

Highway 61 went the extra mile on the underside of this model too. It's not your typical black molded frame and undercarriage. Highway 61 gave the perimeter of the undercarriage a Ruby Red finish blending it into a primer gray. The exhaust manifold is nicely done and the exhaust pipe extends the length of the car over the rear axle to the muffler, located just behind the fuel tank. Which brings me to another interesting point about this model. The license plate is replaced with a decal to resemble the functional pull down plate bracket that reveals the fuel cap! Now that is an impressive attention to detail.

Now that the Plymouth brand is history, this model is a fitting tribute to their contribution during the muscle car era…and best of all, it's got a HEMI! Legacy Motors currently has this item in stock now, so pick yours up before they're gone!

-Bryan Miranda