30/05/2026
Our Featured Car for June is Glen’s '62 Belvedere 💜
For some, the appeal of a classic car lies in its universal beauty or sleek, predictable lines. But for Glen O’Connell, the draw of his 1962 Plymouth Belvedere is something much more visceral. It’s one of only about 20 NZ New models ever built, and as Glen puts it, "It’s that fugly, it’s awesome."
​Glen’s love of the unconventional didn't happen overnight. It was forged in the pages of old NZ Hot Rod magazines and the plastic glue of scale models he built as a kid. He developed a lifelong distaste for "everyday tin cans," always gravitating toward the machines that stood out from the crowd.
While the Belvedere is a rare piece of New Zealand motoring history, its soul was truly refined in the family garage. For Glen, the best memories aren't found on a trophy-shelf.
they’re found in the grease stained hours spent in the shed with his wife, Vicky, working together to fit the new engine. That family connection literally coats the car - the custom clearcoat, finished with a striking silver pearl, was laid down by his son, Lee.
Under the hood sits a powerplant with a serious pedigree. Sourced from a ’52 DeSoto Gasser drag car out of the States, the heart of this beast is an '87 Dakota 318 truck block. It’s been beefed up with Edelbrock alloy heads, a "weird" Stealth manifold, and a 600 cfm Street Warrior carb.
​The car announces its arrival through Patriot headers and a full Coby fabbed exhaust with custom built mufflers. While the setup is undeniably mean, Glen admits the unknown drag cam "isn’t happy unless it’s above 3,500 rpm" making a future cam swap or a gear change high on the "to-do" list for better street manners. To handle the heat, the drivetrain is rounded out with a trans shift kit, oil cooler, and a set of sharp Ridler mags.
While the silver pearl and the distinct silhouette grab your attention, the real magic is in the details most people walk right past. Peek inside, and you'll find the original push button auto setup, a quirky mid-century touch that perfectly balances the car’s aggressive, high revving hardware.
Having owned the car for two years, Glen’s advice for anyone looking to jump into the scene is simple "Start with the cleanest, most unmolested car you can find." Whether he’s out cruising with the family in their other Mopars or tinkering in the shed, Glen’s Belvedere remains a testament to the "different" a rare, weird, and wonderful piece of Kiwi car culture that continues to inspire those around him.
We naturally had to seize the opportunity to photograph the Belvedere right outside the business Glen and his family proudly operate. It was a spectacular sight, lined up alongside a few other impressive toys owned by Glen and his sons. Among them, their Lil' Red Express truck is a certified head turner and a conversation starter all on its own and hopefully, one day soon, we’ll get the chance to feature that brilliant machine too! 😉
