Joe Smith’s 1965 Plymouth Belvedere
A little history— This Car was 9 years in the building using Joe and his son Brad’s “spare” time and parts.
The Belvedere weighs 2625 empty and runs mid 9 second ¼ miles… We are currently running the car in the muscle car club challenge series as well as NHRA Super Street division meets with a plan to run in the Dallas NHRA national meet in the Fall. It is being driven by Joe’s son Brad “Joe Jr.” Smith.
Joe Smith was very well known here in Texas in the 1960’s & 70’s as an NHRA Professional Stock, Super Stock and FX style racer out of Fenner Tubbs Plymouth in Lubbock, Texas. He also toured nationally with Don Grotheer in the late 60's and early 70's and conducted many of the famous Chrysler Clinics at dealerships and tracks nation wide. He won top stock in the first ever run off for the national title in the class in 1965. He has successfully competed against such notable’s as Grumpy Jenkins, Gas Ronda, Les Richie Ramchargers, Ronnie Sox, Butch Leal “Butch, you cheated on that run in Victoria “ grin!
Now here’s the rest of the story:
The Rear wheels moved forward 8” / Engine moved back 20” / 440 cid + .030 / Holley Dominator / Stage 3 Mopar heads (ported) / Full tube frame back of Trans cross member / Firewall moved back to accommodate engine relocation / 8 ¾ housing with 4:56 gear and spool / Lexan windows / Full aluminum interior with “Funny Car” cage / “Original Push Button” shifter (air shifted) / Headers by Joe Smith Race Cars.
We are having a great time with the car and our friends in the Cowtown Mopar Club ! See you at the races!
Tommy Reynolds, Joe Smith, & Brad “Joe Jr.” Smith