The second-generation Mopar hemi V8 is a true legend of the auto industry. Benjamin Hunting of Driving Line called it “perhaps the most legendary motor of the muscle car era.” The 426 Hemi began as a NASCAR engine in 1964, and was so dominant that the series instituted homologation requirements the next year, forcing the Hemi to market in 1966 models like the Coronet and Charger.
Often forgotten among the Hemi hysteria (Hemistera?) are the 413 and 426 cubic inch Max Wedge engines that first appeared in the 1962 Dart. The 413 Max Wedge could also be ordered in any Plymouth model that wasn’t a station wagon, and the 1962-64 run of the Max Wedge served as a bridge between the 1951-58 Hemi, and the second-generation version that replaced the Max Wedge.
The Max Wedge got the back half of its name from the shape of the combustion chambers, echoing the Hemi’s naming convention. Dodge Max Wedge engines were tagged with the “Ramcharger” label and could be ordered in the 330, 440, Polara, and Polara 500. The 426 Max Wedge was only available in 1963 and 1964, and slung the ’64 Polara 500 from 0-60 mph in a remarkable 5.5 seconds.
