By Dean Larson

Photos: Seller, Craigslist

When you consider Dodge’s current model lineup, with supercharged HEMI engines available in almost every model, and an emphasis on sporty packages and driveline options, it’s clear that the company is leveraging performance everywhere it can. But this wasn’t always the case, and there was once a time where Dodge was known for building stodgy cars for basic transport and nothing more. Several factors converged in the early 1960s that promoted rise to a performance persona, and one of which was a youthful bunch of degenerate Chrysler engineers called the Ramchargers. Paying tribute to Ramchargers storied history and numerous accomplishments is this 1963 Dodge 330 sedan, built the same way they did, nearly 60 years ago.

Imagine for a minute that you’re a car-crazed young engineer at Chrysler back in the late 1950s, a time when none of its divisions sold many cars, and none that appealed the speed-hungry youth. Sure, the FirePower engines made good horsepower in select models, and the Chrysler C-300 had some success in NASCAR, but what did that do for your average buyer? As a creative outlet for their performance penchants, these engineers began getting together after work and on the weekends to work on cars together as soon as 1958. By 1960 however, things started escalating when the team built its first car, a 1949 Plymouth C/Altered known as High and Mighty. Instantly recognizable for its stripped-down, high-riding appearance, the car gained significant notoriety for its innovative (albeit wild-looking) modifications and NHRA records for quarter mile speed and elapsed time.

But that was just the beginning for the Ramchargers, as the exciting early years of Super Stock racing followed, which afforded the team lighter cars in the form of the smaller 1962 and up B-bodies, along with the Max Wedge and 426 HEMI engines. Approaching every challenge with an engineering mindset, they continued to innovate in Top Fuel, Altered and Funny Car classes well into the 1970s, and were the first ones to break the 11, 9, 8, 7 and 6-second quarter mile times. While never an official arm of Chrysler, it’s hard not to consider the Ramchargers as the driving force behind the marque’s success in drag racing.

The Ramchargers would soldier on into the mid-1970s before disbanding, having innovated in every aspect of drag racing, from suspension systems, to trick induction and exhaust setups. Many members would focus solely on their day jobs at Chrysler, while others opened Ramchargers Racing Engines and various Detroit-area speed shops. Of all the memorable Ramchargers team cars built, just one car exists today, a 426 HEMI-powered ’Cuda Super Stocker with some 37 class championships to its credit.

With such significance to Mopar history, it comes as no surprise that folks would want to re-create a piece of lost Ramchargers history, such as the 1963 Dodge 330 sedan seen here on Craigslist.

As evidenced by period photos, at least two ’63 Dodges were campaigned by the Ramchargers wearing the iconic red stripes and “Candymatic” moniker, referencing their push-button operated 727 TorqueFlight transmissions. From tip to tail, this B-body is a pretty convincing Super Stocker, with the exception of its full interior and the absence of lightweight SS parts. The lettering and paintwork looks exceptional, and the car appears perfect inside and out. It would take an astute Mopar historian to figure out that the Max Wedge engine is actually a later 440 block with a Max Wedge intake and carburetors. With 12.5:1 compression and long TTI headers, that engine is likely one hell of a ground pounder.

The seller is asking $40,000 for the 1963 Dodge 330 sedan here on Phoenix Craigslist, but is motivated to sell and is encouraging buyers to make an offer.