Chevrolet wasn’t the only U.S. auto manufacturer to use the Suburban nameplate (as a large SUV). A couple of decades earlier, it was a full-size station wagon in the Mopar fold, specifically Plymouth. In 1959 the Sport Suburban was Plymouth’s top-of-the-line people mover, including the seller’s 9-passenger edition which may have been out of commission for quite a while. From some sort of a lean-to in Bradenton, Florida, this vintage Plymouth is available here on Facebook Marketplace for $9,200. This tip is brought to us by Bruce M!
The Fury had emerged as Plymouth’s top full-size car in the late 1950s. And the top-level Fury was the Sport Fury, so it’s logical that the Sport monitor would be added to the Suburban, which could be ordered with two bench seats or three to handle either six or nine passengers. Plymouth production bounced back a bit after a dismal 1958 (economic recession) at 458,000 automobiles overall. Of those, 82,000 were Fury’s and the Sport Suburban was just below 17,000 units (60% 9-pass and 40% 6-pass).
This wagon looks rather rough and will need restoration. The 318 cubic inch V8 is said to turn freely, so perhaps there is nothing terminal with the engine. It’s paired with a TorqueFlite automatic transmission, status unknown. The vehicle is supposedly 99% complete, which suggests that the parts list will be shorter rather than longer.
Factory air conditioning is part of the equation, a rare option in the 1950s. The two-tone paint is original, and we assume that the interior is, too. Rust may or may not be an issue for a wagon that originated in Oklahoma. New tires have been affixed to all four corners of the Plymouth. This was probably the most expensive Fury you could buy back in 1959, and the seller is not interested in any trades to get this station wagon out of the way.
As I was looking at the photos on Facebook Marketplace I noticed the gas cap was located on the driver side rear fender near the tailgate. I was reminded of the time a friend of ours took her Fury station wagon to the store for what was supposed to be a quick trip. Well eventually we got a call saying the Fury had quit and was parked on the side of the road. We asked the usual questions before we grabbed our tools to get the car running again. Where is it parked, does it need gas, is the battery dead? The car was parked just after the railroad crossing, the gas tank was just filled and the engine cranks fine when the key is turned.
As soon as we found the car we determined the ignition system and battery was fine but the gas gauge indicated it was empty. Well the driver insisted they had just filled up the tank. So we take the fuel line off the carburetor and crank the engine, no fuel. Bad fuel pump maybe? Nope. No gas tank! So we start walking back in the direction of the railroad tracks and there sets a gas tank full of gas just a few yards from wear it fell out after the car went over the tracks. We could see scratches in the pavement where the tank slid across the road onto the shoulder.
While we are telling “gas tank” stories, about 30 years ago, a Ford Fairmont station wagon passed by me in traffic dragging his gas tank behind him. I made a U-turn to alert the driver. About a half mile later, he pulled into a driveway and I yelled from my car, “Did you know that your gas tank was dragging behind you???” He answered, “Yeah. I was just in a hurry to get home.” I was stunned!!! Couldn’t believe my ears, but it was what it was. Oy!
That sounds like a Howard story..
An asking price of $9,200 for a non-running car that looks like it’s been sitting for really long time in an area that just experienced severe flooding from hurricanes Helene and Milton needing complete restoration, what could go wrong.
Steve R
When I was a kid, a man down the street had a 59. Not a V8, but a 230 six. Made a happy friendly sound, but not exactly a street racer. He said it never failed to start, no matter how far below zero the temperature was, and around here, that is something to brag about.
For heavens sake. No one made a comment about a station wagon Christine comment so I’ll be ‘that guy’ lol. That was the first thing that came to mind to me. For that reason alone I would absolutely love to own this car.
Gone are the days when sellers tried to present their cars in the best light possible. Not even the trash and junk inside the car was removed before taking one (!) interior picture. The decrepit garage the car sits in will collapse soon – crushing the almost irreplaceable curved side glass and expensive-to-replace windshied.
Maybe Steve R. should keep his comments for his wife .Instead of flapping his gums , about something he knows nothing about . It could be some people , were smart enough to have a house on dry land . I have never been flooded , and been in same house since 1960s .To say I might be selling a flood car is B.S. Steve should keep driving his moms Kia ! He is not a buyer . Perhaps he rode in a lot of third seaters years ago ,and consumed more than his fair share of exhaust fumes ! I challenge him or anyone else to show me the same1959 loaded optioned car, in as good original condition at a better price ! You can not. Do some homework, they are all gone! Proud owner from Florida of the 59 wagon!
This is the picture I have in my mind after reading this comment.
Sorry, no offense intended.
It’s NOT a factory A/C car or is it a HIGH optioned car – just a 9 passenger with an option or two besides that – and I’ve owned one.
I agree with Mr H. I see no signs of flood damage and am not sure where he got that idea. It would be nice if he had more proof for some of his comments.
No offense intended? Curious, what exactly was intended?
Look at the car, then read the comment again, then try to remember the movie Christine.
Having a chuckle, or is that not allowed here? If I’m the only one that smiles, oh well. Go back to your presidential coverage. I’m going to go watch some hockey.
When I look at this car, it reminds me
of the film Lillies Of The Field with Sidney Poitier. He drove a really nice
’59 in that film. And that’s where I’d
take this car and turn it into a tribute
car from that film. My folks took me
to see it at the drive in theater in ’64
I think. I try to catch that movie any
time I can to see a great film and a
great car too.
Minor point for clarification only, Christine was a ’58 Plymouth, significantly different from the ’59 in terms of the front clip, fins, and taillights.