The 1965 Plymouth AFX ran on the drag racing circuit due to a Hemi engine ban from NASCAR during the 1965 season. The 1965 Plymouth AFX was created to maximize the potential of the 426 Hemi engine in straight line acceleration competitions. The Plymouth engineers found that if they could alter the weight distribution to create more traction for the powerful 426 Hemi engine, it would result in quicker elapsed times. By the rules, there was no rule as to where the wheelbase needed to be located. So the Plymouth and Dodge engineers moved or altered the wheelbase forward under the body for two reasons: 1. to move the weight of the Hemi engine closer to the rear axle and 2. to put more weight over the rear tires.
The AFX class was the Factory Experimental in the A, the largest engine displacement class.
Here is a story courtesy of Mecum Auctions for your review.
The term ‘funny car’ soon came to mean supercharged lift-off body dragsters in disguise, but its origins were the first cars like this. Though independent racers converted older Super Stock models into altered-wheelbase trim, Lee Smith and his factory-supported peers were the face of Chrysler racing in 1965, especially with the NASCAR series being factory-boycotted. Finally, we would be remiss to not state that this will be one of the only times one of these cars has ever been offered publicly; it has a verified ownership trail and is restored to its proper mid-1965 glory days. The Haulin’ Hemi II belongs with a serious caretaker who fully understands both its importance in American automotive history as well as being one of the rarest factory Hemi Plymouths in existence today.
Photos courtesy of Mecum Auctions also.