This '64 Fury sees plenty...
This '64 Fury sees plenty of road time, but Mark isn't afraid to use the car for what Chrysler intended-drag racing. With a fresh engine and traction limited by tires, Mark managed a string of consistent high-11s in the quarter.
Fast and Furious
Top honors in this year's True Street Challenge go to Mark Bastemeyer's '64 Max Wedge Plymouth Fury. This car is one of the cleanest we've seen and drove as good as it looked. Mark is a die-hard Mopar enthusiast and competed in last year's challenge in his '69 Six Pack Road Runner. The '64 Plymouth Fury Mark entered in this year's event is a culmination of an 18-month restoration. Believe it or not, Mark found the car at a local used car lot in a state of severe disrepair and neglect. Soon after purchasing the car, the body was taken down to metal and completely refurbished prior to having multiple coats of distinct Viper red applied. Knowing that he'd be driving and racing the car as much as showing it, Mark opted to set aside the original 426 and drop in a 499ci Wedge topped with Mopar Stage III cylinder heads. JE pistons were used to attain a final compression ratio of 10:1. The factory cross-ram manifold was retained and topped with two Edelbrock 800-cfm four-barrels. The TorqueFlite automatic was rebuilt, and a TCI 10-inch converter was installed to handle the launches. Out back, the standard 8-3/4 rear sports a Detroit Locker differential and sits on new Super Stock leaf springs. The front suspension was powdercoated and rebuilt with new urethane bushings. Shocks are QA1 adjustable units on all four corners. Four-wheel disc brakes ensure short stopping distances, and the Cragar S/S wheels give the car a period-correct look.
 Mark Bastemeyer's restored...  Mark Bastemeyer's restored '64 Max Wedge Fury was just as at home on the interstate as it was on the dragstrip. This was an exceptionally clean car that drove nicely and ran a very respectable 11.80 at the track. We especially like the electric exhaust cutouts. |  The engine bay is a combination...  The engine bay is a combination of nostalgia and modern performance goodies. Mark didn't want to take a chance on damaging the original short-block, so a 500-inch unit was utilized. Max Wedge heads helped this Fury attain a best quarter-mile e.t. of 11.80 at 113 mph. |  The interior of this Fury...  The interior of this Fury was as clean and functional as the rest of the car; even the factory clock worked and kept perfect time. Mark opted for a nostalgia look and installed period-correct gauges and a Sun tachometer. Since this is a radio-delete model, a disc player and XM satellite radio was installed under the front seat. |
At first glance the Fury's interior appears to be spartan, but don't be fooled. All the factory instruments and accommodations were restored to perfect working order, but Mark didn't stop there. Modern comforts such as electric exhaust cutouts and XM satellite radio are carefully hidden among the factory components. Wanting to keep the nostalgia theme, Mark found period-correct gauges and an old-school Sun tachometer with a sweep needle. This car is definitely a nice blend of old and new technology and is a great cruiser attracting lots of attention with its red-on-red paint and interior scheme. Turning heads, cruising the highways, and running in the 11s is what our true street challenge is all about.