Newbie question

[skyman51]

Is the VIN stamped anywhere on a 63 engine or trans? Any Max Wedge expert in the Charlotte, NC area that can look at a car for me? Will be more than happy to cover costs. Thanks

 

[SUPERSTOCKRACER]

no vin stamped on any max wedge motor or trans. just part #'s but a real max wedge trans. will have 426 as last 3 digits as the part # for reference.
on top of engine pad they will be a TMP 426 stamped into it. and a AAQA On the front drivers side of the block.

 

[skyman51]

A good source for you is a small spiral bound book put out by Daryl Davis several years ago. All original Max Wedge cars had very specific VIN's and Daryl's book lists all of them from 62-64. Daryl lives in Sanford, Fla. Go to the Maxwedge website and order his book for a reference. It's worth it! Also all Maxies have a very unusual stamping hidden on their subframe. GAvin thinks he's the only one that knows where it's hidden. lol.

Take a stab and give me your opinion as to what a 63 Polara 500 Max Wedge is worth today. Totally restored and documented.

 

[Dodge 330]

Depends on condition, missing parts, documentation...

It's hard to find a good example anymore to use as a price comparision.

 

[yellowdartdave]

They ain't cheap !!

 

[skyman51]

These rare Max Wedge Plymouth's and Dodges are great cars to collect and to take to car shows. They're too rare and valuable to race but amazing cars. They will never make any of them ever again!! And over the long term they're a good investment especially if you find one already restored to it's original heritage. The problem is our lousey recession and the softness of the muscle car market. Values have come down alot since 2007. It's a good time to buy and terrible tiome to sell!! Here's my stabb at a ballpark price figure assuming the Dodge 500 Max Wedge has a steel front end/not aluminum and it's in A1 condition. 65K-80K. 10-Years from now that car could double in value.

The car I am interested in is a #1 restored Polara 500. It is black with a black and white interior. It is fully authenticated and documented. I have a perfect Cranberry Red #1 restored Chevelle LS6 that has all original sheet metal,glass and drivetrain. Also fully documented. The owner of the Max Wedge wants an even trade. I think the Chevelle is worth more and the Max Wedge appeals to a much smaller market even though it is rare.

 

[Dodge 330]

assuming the Dodge 500 Max Wedge has a steel front end/not aluminum

500 wasn't available with aluminum frontend. Only the Dodge 330 or Plymouth Savoy could get them.

 

[skyman51]

The car I am looking at is a 63 Black Polara 500 at
www.rk-motors.com
I have a #1 Chevelle LS6 fully documented
The dealer wants to trade me even up
I think the LS6 is worth more and appeals toa much larger market.
Opinions?

 

[Dodge 330]

I hate to say it but the Chevelle is probably worth more.

@ 99k I think they're overpriced on the 500. 5 years ago not so much.

 

[skyman51]

I hate to say it but the Chevelle is probably worth more.

@ 99k I think they're overpriced on the 500. 5 years ago not so much.

Sadly I must agree with you completely. Even my friends that have several Max Wedge cars in their collections, said the same thing. I really wanted that car.

 

[skyman51]

I hate to say it but the Chevelle is probably worth more.

@ 99k I think they're overpriced on the 500. 5 years ago not so much.

I have spoken with two friends that have substantial muscle car collections including 63 Max Wedge cars. I know all of us want our cars to be worth as much as possible, but I know we have to be realistic in the current economy. Both my friends agree with the above post that the LS6 is worth more. Their estimate on a 1963 Dodge Polara 500 Max Wedge is 65-80K, with the 80K figure being all the money. I would love to purchase the car I have posted about, having spoken with two previous well known owners of the car, however the asking price apparently is pie in the sky. Some one will get an awesome car if money is no object.

 

[skyman51]

Does anyone have a copy of Darrell Davis' book on the 1963 Max Wedge. I understand he lists all VIN for Max Wedge cars made in the model year. I would like to check out a VIN. Any help will be greatly appreciated.

 

[skyman51]

Does anyone have a copy of Darrell Davis' book on the 1963 Max Wedge. I understand he lists all VIN for Max Wedge cars made in the model year. I would like to check out a VIN. Any help will be greatly appreciated.

In line with the above quote, does the original max wedge oil pan, part#2402307 have the number stamped where it can be seen? Also, what is the part number for a 63 Dodge max wedge distributor?

 

[uk-maxie]

From the description above and the pics on the RK Motors site, it looks very much like the one that was owned by the guy we bought our 'clone' from.

Shame the pics dont show it with the windows wound up, as it had lots of 'period correct' race meeting stickers on the rear windows.

Got a few more pics at home (I'm at work at the mo) but it does look identical, even down to the jazzy b&w 'Max Wedge' rubber mats.

When we were there (Greensboro NC) in 2004, he had just bought it at the previous Carlisle show and paid $55k with a load of spares. I think i saw it up for sale at an auction a couple of years ago, so he may have sold it then, presumably around the $60-70k mark?

 

[skyman51]

no vin stamped on any max wedge motor or trans. just part #'s but a real max wedge trans. will have 426 as last 3 digits as the part # for reference.
on top of engine pad they will be a TMP 426 stamped into it. and a AAQA On the front drivers side of the block.

Since I have bought my max wedge I have run into a gentleman who has a real max wedge plymouth that was missing the motor. He paid a lot of money for a max wedge motor that he readily admits he stamped the pad to make the date work with the build date of the car. The fonts are correct and he said there is nothing that can dispute it. Is that correct? Nice guy, but coming from Chevys that is called a restamp, but than there are VIN on the pad unlike early Mopar.

 

[Dodge 330]

Honestly, if it's a real AAQA 2R block with the right casting #, who cares?!

Way more often I see 426 Street Wedge blocks passed off as maxie blocks.

 

[skyman51]

Honestly, if it's a real AAQA 2R block with the right casting #, who cares?!

Way more often I see 426 Street Wedge blocks passed off as maxie blocks.

Your point is well taken. It is the correct casting number and AAQA-2R is on the front of the block. All my numbers on my engine are correct, I was more concerned with other numbers. I found the SO number stamped on the rad support and it matches my fender tag and build sheet!

 

[skyman51]

The Max Wedge was delivered a 1/2 hour ago, It is gorgeous!

 

[RubyredSavoy]

Congrats on the Maxie Dodge! That is a primo car that you bought. Did you end up trading your SS for it? I don't see the LS6 in your signature...

 

[skyman51]

Congrats on the Maxie Dodge! That is a primo car that you bought. Did you end up trading your SS for it? I don't see the LS6 in your signature...

I was made an offer for the LS6 I could not turn down.