Move over Nomad! Chevrolet wasn’t the only game in town in the ’50s with a two-door station wagon. Actually, all of the domestic auto manufacturers offered such a body style in that era it’s just that the stylish Nomad always manages to suck all of the air out of the room. The neat thing here is the fact that a 1954 Plymouth Suburban station wagon is a rare find (thanks T.J.!) and this Ridgefield, Oregon subject is in excellent and original condition. Decked out like a U.S. Forestry Service fleet vehicle, interested parties will find it here on craigslist for $22,400.
The truth of the matter is that Plymouth only built two-door station wagons in ’54, a base-level Plaza Suburban and a more resplendent Belvedere Suburban. As for our subject car, it’s one of 35K assembled 70 long years ago. The listing details for this old Mopar are light and state nothing regarding this car’s history. One would tend to believe that it is all original, owing to its claimed mileage but nothing is documented. The finish appears to be Solitaire Blue and shows well with no noted rust, crash damage, or fade. Same goes for the chrome bits – they shine like new. There are no included images of the underside but there’s no reason to suspect that a problem is resident.
The interior’s bearing matches that of the exterior though the colors seem mismatched with a medium green dash, light green door panels, and pale/dark blue upholstery. Actually, what is visible looks too good to be original but there are no comprehensive images so you’ll have to pick through the few that are provided. Two observations, the headliner is made from a tweedy-looking material – most unusual, and the cargo area, despite being littered with folding chairs, displays beautifully – often not the case in cargo holds due to bumps and bruises.
Under hood is a 100 HP, 217 CI in-line, flathead six-cylinder powerplant tethered to a three-speed manual transmission. The engine appears to have seen limited use so my thought is that it has experienced some rejuvenation. No word on running capability though the listing claims new brakes so the stopping part of the equation should be up to snuff.
As mentioned earlier, there are Forest Service decals on the doors, but it’s not said if this car was in government service at one time or whether they have been placed there as props to give off a period vibe. Whatever the case, it’s an appropriate touch. So, let’s talk price. At $22,400, what do you think, priced right or not quite?
I’d say that,by looking at the decals,etc.,
that this is a “tribute” vehicle,never having any
connection with the USFS.
weren’t they “Forest Service Green” back then?
I can’t find any evidence that the Forest Service used Plymouth station wagons. Maybe the big cheese, whatever you call them, but a forest service vehicle would have to be most applicable for say a forest. The NHRA Safety Safari used a ’54 Dodge wagon but I haven’t found any Plymouths. Still it’s a wonderfully overpriced, underpowered, manually shifted car. Sounds like 3 strikes agin it to me.
For many of us, the manual transmission is a major selling point. Good write up Jim, and while it is listed on Portland Craigslist, Ridgefield is in Washington, just north of Vancouver.
It would be nice to see more photos of all sides of car as well as interior.
This would make it easier for one to determine if to pursue further.
Actually 4 strikes agin it. I’m in Pa and its in Oregon. So high price and high shipping and buying it sight unseen. Can’t kick the tires but, ya know what? I’d buy it if the price was reasonable and wait like a school kid for it to arrive.
I don’t see anywhere that anyone was claiming it was an actual FS car. Where are you getting that?
Oil pressure gauge is mid-scale with the key in the “Run” position, which gives me hope that the engine starts and runs.
My Grandfather’s ’54 New Yorker Delue which I owned in the late 80s was the same color, complete with mismatched blue interior.
The door panel is not original. My first car was a 54 Plaza, black w green interior. Door panels were solid with plaid section. The “tweed” headliner isn’t original either.
Fond memories of “the Black Bomb”.
I don’t know if this is an original govt. car, but the federal govt. was a big customer for 2dr. wagons at one time. I don’t know if it was because they were cheaper of if there was another reason. I read one time Studebaker had an order from the fed. govt. for 50 1962 2dr. wagons, but they had discontinued that body style in ’61. So they put ’62 front ends on ’61 bodies and shipped them. I guess the govt. didn’t care about having the latest style. So if you ever come across a ’62 Studebaker 2dr. wagon it’s a rare one of fifty.
No pictures of the front, none of the passenger side and very limited pictures of the upholstery say, “this seller wants a lot for something he’s not showing”. Have to give the car some credit though..look where the heater box and core are..right up front where you can get at them! I’d be interested in this car..at half the price.
The headliner is original. A basket weave material that is also in my 1949 Suburban. The door panel is not original. Car looks great though even with the lousy photos, I’d go for it for a few bucks less. :)
I’d be a huge player at $12K, its not a ’55 Belvedere but what a beautiful car.
For the money, they could have put the door decal on a little straighter.
As we all know, pricing is a main topic of discussion here in the BF community. Lately I’ve been thinking that for me anyway; the asking price is really irrelevant unless I plan on buying/bidding. This looks like a really nice car in excellent condition. It would make a nice addition to my fantasy collection. GLWTS.
Comparing the Nomad to any other two door wagon (Pontiac Safari excepted) is apples and oranges. The Nomad was a completely different high end trim level model from the utilitarian two door wagon models.
All I can say is well preserved But not for me
My dad bought one of these back in ’54. We picked it up at the factory and drove it to Chicago, then New York, Washington D.C., Tampa, then back to our home in New Mexico. In future travels, we drove it to California, all over Mexico, and back to NY a few more times. It was one of the most solid and dependable cars on the planet. It got handed down to my brother, then eventually to me. If I had room in my driveway, I would buy this car in a second! Ours was Seafoam Green with the optional heater, and the radio delete, passenger visor delete, plus the optional oil filter and air filter.
My parents bought a ’54 Plymouth Belvedere from my aunt’s FIL in 1970, and it too had a three-on-the-tree with a straight six. My dad claimed that it was an “L- head six”, which I had never heard of before. Just wondering if anyone else has heard of this moniker before… It seems like there was a ton of chrome on the front end, including the grill and the bumper. Sure had a smooth ride!
Yes, those flat heads were known as “L” head engines. Flat heads, side valves in the block.
My son and I have 53 like this one. It has the Hy Drive transmission. It has 56k miles and runs,drives and looks great. Bought new in Idaho and used to transport clients to and from airport to a ski resort. We purchased it about 6 years ago from the original owners where it had been stored for years.