A rare 1964 Dodge Polara 500 Max Wedge owner spends $20,000 to secure original 40-lb Tri-Y exhaust manifolds, preserving Mopar history.
For Mopar enthusiasts, authenticity comes at a price—and for one owner of a 1964 Dodge Polara 500 Max Wedge, that price was a staggering $20,000 for two 40-pound cast-iron Tri-Y exhaust manifolds. While the cost may seem steep, these parts represent a significant chapter in Dodge’s muscle car racing history and are some of the rarest high-performance Mopar components ever produced.
The Max Wedge Legacy
By 1962, Chrysler had recognized the growing popularity of NHRA drag racing and was determined to dominate the quarter-mile. The company developed the Max Wedge engine, a high-compression 413-cubic-inch (6.8-liter) V8 fitted with dual four-barrel carburetors, a short-ram intake, and a specially designed exhaust system that would later become legendary.
A year later, Dodge increased displacement to 426 cubic inches, a move that foreshadowed the legendary 426 Hemi. The Max Wedge became Chrysler’s premier drag racing engine, delivering well over 400 horsepower and cementing Dodge and Plymouth as forces to be reckoned with in the muscle car world.
However, by 1964, as Chrysler introduced the Race Hemi, the Max Wedge was phased out. The Tri-Y exhaust manifolds, specifically engineered for maximum flow and quarter-mile dominance, became relics of a bygone era—making surviving examples incredibly rare today.
Why $20K for Two Exhaust Manifolds?
The Tri-Y manifolds were engineered for optimal exhaust scavenging, helping the Max Wedge breathe more efficiently and maintain its dominance on the drag strip. These cast-iron pieces of Mopar history were produced in extremely limited numbers, and because most were discarded over the years in favor of aftermarket headers, finding an original set is nearly impossible.
For the owner of this Dodge Polara 500 Max Wedge, securing an original set was a necessary step in preserving the authenticity of the car. While modern reproductions exist, die-hard enthusiasts and collectors know that original factory parts hold an unmatched level of historical and monetary value.
The Rarity of the 1964 Dodge Polara 500 Max Wedge
The 1964 model year marked the final time the Polara 500 was built on the mid-size B-body platform before moving to full-size. It was one of the last true factory drag racers Chrysler produced before the Hemi took over. Though overshadowed by cars like the Pontiac GTO, the Max Wedge Mopars were trailblazers in the muscle car era, proving their dominance long before GM’s muscle car revolution.
Spending $20,000 on exhaust manifolds might sound extreme to some, but for Mopar purists, it’s an investment in history. As original parts become rarer, their value continues to climb—ensuring that legendary cars like the 1964 Dodge Polara 500 Max Wedge remain as true to their racing heritage as the day they left the factory.
