Parked In ’88: 1966 Plymouth Belvedere Barn Find

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The Belvedere nameplate would be a part of the Plymouth portfolio between 1954-70. It played different roles, but most often was positioned as an intermediate. In the 1966 hierarchy – in terms of creature comforts and trim – there was the Belvedere I, Belvedere II, and the Belvedere Satellite. The seller’s car is the Plain Jane Belvedere I, often sold to fleets and used as taxicabs. This one was parked in 1988 and hasn’t been driven since. Its running condition is unknown, and the body will need work. Located in Williamston, Michigan, it’s available here on craigslist for $7,100. Thanks for the Mopar tip, T.J.

If you were looking for a bare-bones mid-size car in 1966, the Belvedere I should have fit the bill. Devoid of much exterior brightwork, the interior was rather stark with a rubber floor covering instead of carpeting (if you wanted that stuff, you ordered the more mainstream Belvedere II). The Belvedere I was available as either a 2-door or 4-door sedan and a 6-passenger station wagon. 48,644 copies rolled off Chrysler assembly lines, including 31,063 4-doors like the seller’s car.

As the story goes, this ’66 Plymouth belonged to the seller’s grandparents. From new to 1988, just 35,388 miles were posted on the odometer, usually for outings within the surrounding area. It was parked in this now dirty garage where the car has languished over time. The tires are flat, and layers of dust and grime are everywhere. Rust has gotten into the left front fender and gnawed away a good portion of the rear bumper.

The interior looks surprisingly good. It may be presentable with a good cleaning, although I would have removed the probable Quarter Pounder box before getting the camera out. This car is said to have Chrysler’s venerable 225 cubic-inch “Slant Six” with a TorqueFlite automatic. Unless the fuel system isn’t all gummed up after 34 years, maybe this old girl could be coaxed back to life. But since the Belvedere I is at the bottom of the Plymouth food chain and needs a lot of work, is it a project you would take on?

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Comments

  1. stillrunners

    Basically have the same car out back…….

    Like 2
  2. KC JohnMember

    I’m conflicted on this one. She’s super plain Jane and it would be fun to put it back in service for a cheap way to be active in the hobby. Then I look at the, imho , ridiculous high asking price and don’t even want to waste time calling on it. So, fellow readers, am I just cranky or is this a $1500 project.

    Like 28
  3. Calipag

    I think the $7100 the owner is asking for this car is in “Sentimental Dollars” !

    As mentioned by KC. This is a $1500 car, if that!

    The Rust runs deep!

    Like 18
  4. Gary Nitkin

    maybe $4500 tops. Could bring more with a good washing, maybe.

    Like 0
  5. S

    Boy, this car has a lot of rust for only 35,000 miles on it. Are they sure it’s not 135,000?? Should be $710, not $7100.

    Like 14
    • Jace F.

      I would assume the reason it is covered in rust, as mentioned by the author and original ad poster, is that it was parked in a dirt-floor shed/barn/garage for 32 years.

      Like 1
      • LMK

        Jace F , Being in Michigan winters is what has caused all of the noticeable rust on this poor and neglected unit. The 32 years sitting on a dirt floor obviously hasn’t helped it any either..It’ll need to be crawled under and inspected thoroughly for certain….
        The asking price is just a dream…It’ll never happen…

        Like 3
    • RNR

      I tend to believe the mileage – at 135,000 the drivers seat would be toast, and that’s original upholstery. This is what six to eight year old 35K mile cars looked like in Western New York back in the day. In ’75 I called every junk yard in the Buffalo Yellow Pages looking for a pair of rust free front fenders for my ’67 Coronet. Found a left front (all alone, sitting on the deck lid of a Checker) in one yard, then had to buy a pair to get the drivers side. Still have the extra driver’s side….

      Like 6
  6. David Zornig

    I’m gonna go with 135K miles based on the brake pedal wear/metal exposed.
    Even if Granny was a nervous Nelly who rode the brake.
    $2000 would be a fair price.
    A 318 car that ran would barely be worth $5000.

    Like 2
  7. BoatmanMember

    That classic styrofoam 1/4 Pounder box is worth more than this car!

    Like 12
  8. Terry

    Ho Lee Chit, they funny people. I love Mopes but damn. $1000.00-$1500.00 if it’s salvageable. Four doors are basically parts cars for two doors.

    Like 3
    • TimS

      I agree on all but your last sentence. That’s an unfortunate attitude. Two *and* four door cars from this era are rare now and should be given more respect.

      Like 3
  9. Paul. C

    This is my first car rust and all. Bought it from a neighbor for $50 drove it for 6 months then junked it for $40. My friends and I had much fun in it dating etc. I’ll give $750 for it.

    Like 0
  10. Ed H

    Not bad for $710

    Like 1
  11. Richard WilloughbyMember

    I have to agree on the asking price, one too many zeros in it. $710 would be fair. Up to $1000 if you had one as a kid and REALLY wanted another

    Like 0
  12. Howard A Howard AMember

    Paul’s comment,,#1. This was the car that your Aunt Ethyl and Uncle Leo had, when Leo took sick, Auntie was going to learn to drive, but never did. Leo passed away, and the car sat all those years. The sellers story is not unusual, we all peered through garage windows, seeing some derelict classic deteriorate, finally, being hauled away. Sometimes, if the timing was right, $100 got it, but usually, they were hauled away. I think it is 35K, people, especially grandparents, didn’t put over 100K on cars then, but that doesn’t do any justice here.Thing that grinds my gears, is these people never thought once about this car, all of a sudden, some wild hair up the wazoo, it’s suddenly worth $7 grand,,,and that stinks,,

    Like 7
    • gene

      Its called American GREED and its become a cancer in this country……….

      Like 3
  13. Jim

    The way that rear bumper is rusted through and the price I dont think it even worth a look at. I think of it more as a parts car and priced as such

    Like 2
  14. GCSMember

    Nice, plain but not priced out of this world. The Tower of power isn’t even broken in if the milage is real. And it looks like it is. Brings back memories of old Mopars when we were kids..

    Like 0
  15. Car Nut Gig Harbor

    Nice looking car. If only more pics were posted. The interior looks better than the exterior. Given its condition, I’d pay around $5,000.

    Like 0
  16. Chris R.Member

    Could very easily be original mileage but….sitting since 1988 that motor could very well be stuck and it’s a plain jane slant 6. Also, if the tin worm had rotted that rear bumper that badly. I’d be interested to see what that underside looks like. Could be a total rot box. IMO this is a $1,000. car at best.

    Like 0
  17. Jim

    Car Nut give them that offer they would most likely take that much

    Like 0
  18. Mike B.

    K.C. is right, $1500 car all day.

    Like 0

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