1964 Dodge Ramcharger Superstock 426 Hemi

One of the rarest Muscle cars ever built, was the 1964 Dodge Ramcharger Superstock 2dr 426 Hemi Sedan. Just 50 were built, and any survivors today are commanding huge dollars to obtain.

It began in 1963, when the Dodge 426 Ramcharger was Chrysler’s answering salvo to the mounting cubic-inch war. Known as the Ramcharger , it was touted as the hottest performing power plant to come off a production line. The Max Wedge design was the next step up from the 413 V-8 of 1962.

Dodge’s 426 Ramcharger was a 413 V-8, bored from 4.19 to 4.25 inches, though the former 3.75-inch stroke was retained. With the exception of  a  color change from Turquoise paint on the 413 to Race Hemi Orange on the 426, looking at the two, you couldn’t see the difference.But the serious changes beneath the surface included large-port cylinder heads,  forged-steel crankshaft, double shot-peened connecting rods with high-strength bolts, and forged-aluminum high-compression pistons. 

An oversized exhaust system used cast-iron, long-branch exhaust manifolds with three-inch outlet cut-outs and two-inch tailpipes. A dual-point distributor offered full centrifugal advance.

At first, two Carter AFB-3447SA 4 barrel carbs sat on top of a short-ram intake manifold. Later year improvements included larger Carter AFB-3705SA carbs. Also added in the modified edition were Tri-Y exhaust headers.Dodge rated the Ramcharger V-8 at 415 horsepower with standard 11.0:1 compression or 425 horsepower with the optional 13.5:1 compression ratio. Some believe the outputs were much higher.

Sending all this horsepower to the back wheels was a special three-speed manual gearbox with floor shift and closely spaced ratios. Heavy-duty TorqueFlite automatic  transmissions with pushbutton gear selection also was available, set to upshift at up to 5600 rpm. A “Sure-Grip” rear axle was also in the mix, and an optional stiffer right-spring setup delivered even more traction.

This engine was available in any Dodge except the compact Dart, but it was most potent in the mid-size Polara models. Although the Dodge Polara came in coupe, sedan, hardtop and convertible, serious racers preferred a  plain wrapper for their Max Wedge in a nice, base two-door sedan.

With the 426’s major horsepower came reliability and streetability problems that made it tough to manage for daily use. Sales brochures warned that the Ramcharger engine warmed up slowly because it put no heat on the intake manifold.Dodge even went so far as to issue a clear warning that the power-packed 426 Ramcharger was “not a street machine.” Instead, the brochure said it had been designed to be run in supervised, sanctioned drag-strip competition by those qualified, but it is still stock .

With the available aluminum front fenders, hood and front bumpers, and two big air scoops feeding the twin ram-inducted four-barrel carbs, the 1963-64 Ramcharger was the one to beat. The aluminum-component Dodges cleaned up in a special “Limited Production” category.

In 1964, street muscle fanciers could order a detuned version of the Ramcharger with 10.3:1 compression, a milder cam, and no ram-induction setup. It idled a lot smoother, making it more practical on the street. The revived Hemi V-8 was also waiting in the wings for an early 1964 debut.

Still, the all-out  Ramcharger Dodges (and equivalent Super Stock Plymouths) hold special meaning for Mopar fans and collectors alike, as key players in the history of early muscle. Love ‘em!

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