(Photos: Short Street Rod Shop) Everytime I get an update about what has rolled into Jensen Masters’ Short Street Rod Shop’s garage, I prepare myself for what I’m about to see, because there isn’t anything yet that I don’t like about the place and his vehicles are usually second to none for one reason or another. Call it preference if you want, but that’s my opinion and I’m sticking with it. I wasn’t, however, prepared to get a message via Facebook from his neighbor, asking if I knew anything about his latest acquisition, a 1963 Plymouth Savoy that is set up as a…Gasser? Match racer? I don’t freaking care what it is, it’s a badass Mopar that ticks off every last box I’ve got for old-school cool.
We have been aware of this car. It went through Mecum’s 2012 Kissimmee auction in Florida, and more recently was sitting on eBay, waiting for a new home. That isn’t a lot of history to go on from us, so I tapped Masters to see if he had anything else. The only other thing known about this Plymouth is that it is more than likely out of the Chicago, Illinois area and started life as a V8-powered police car.
According to the Mecum listing, the car is packing a 426 Wedge (unconfirmed) that runs on pump fuel to the tune of about 800 horsepower, has a built up TH400 automatic, and a Chrysler 8.75 rear with a 3.90 ring out back. Somewhere between Florida and Short Street’s garage, it found it’s way through a paint booth, gaining flames and lettering, but that’s all we have. The last time we asked you, the readers, for information, you took two photos of a Lincoln that had ran in Trans-Am racing in the 1980s and put us in touch with Russ Theus, the driver of the Mark VII. Does anybody know the background behind this badass Mopar?
I can’t help you on the history of the car, but I did see it in Somerset Kentucky. It was at the hotel that we were staying at. Seriously badass car.
I grew up in Chicago and my father and I do remember this car. My father thinks it was built at Lake in the hills racecars…..which has been out of business for a while. We will go through our pictures and archives and see if we can come up with something for you guys.
I am more interested in the history than the car itself. This current build just does not do anything for me for some reason…I think it is the white walls….I like the 63 Savoy too…great lines….but this just…those white walls…and maybe the poser front wheels….and the new paint…looks like a cartoon. No sir, I don’t like it.
Thank you for posting the car. We really need the history and info on this car. By the way this is Jett, Masters son.
Looks like it was built in ’63 and survived the next 50 years as a stocker… only to be turned into a “Newstalgia Gasser” (See internet for details) by somebody who thought they actually made competitive gassers out of those cars.
Nothing on it looks old.
New aluminum E.T. wheels from e-bay… a CHINESE front axle from Speedray Motahs, newstalgia graphics and it goes down hill from there…
Take it for what it is worth… a fun car that will put smiles on the owner’s face every time he stabs the gas pedal… built in a trend that started about five years ago.
Sam
Every atom of my body says I should hate this – but I would sure love to have it in my garage as it is repulsive in a strangely beautiful way…
Fully agree with Sam. I think it had a Slant Six for fifty years.
Came from assembly line/318..much state patrol hwy Interceptor,then was a drag car called thunderwedge, I grew up in Chicago also I bought the car in 2002 came from ohio,was blue body with stock dash,on frame with no floor, I worked in lake in the hills,nvr heard of l.i.t.h. racecars,,
When I sold had 426 maxwedge probuilt/turbo400/with t brake,Don Hampton blower, Want rest of details call me, I drove that car up an down interstate 100 – 300 miles every wknd,an everywhere in b tween stop an go traffic,ran 11,80 at Byron wit them hard ass cheater slicks
Great car 4 cruising & bruin allways drew crowd 1st place at Midwest Mopar happining in Belvidere il in 06
Want all info call Chris 815-403-5306
7am – 8pm..Enjoy the car I MISS HER
Hav more pics if u want,no flames or lettering when sold 2 guy from N.Y.