To promote its stylish new cars in 1957, Plymouth’s advertising proclaimed, “Suddenly, It’s 1960!”. That would explain the futuristic appearance of automobiles like the Belvedere, but 1960 didn’t seem that far away. Especially by the time the 1959 models came along, which were an evolution of the 1957s (and perhaps not quite as attractive, IMO). This ’59 Belvedere is a 2-door hardtop (aka Club Sedan) that might remind fans of Christine from the movie by the same name. Hopefully, this Mopar isn’t as evil, and it will need a complete restoration to be a runner again. Located in Staunton, Illinois, it’s being offered by a dealer here on eBay where the reserve is unmet so far at $4,032.
As popular as the late 1950s Plymouths were when new, they’re not plentiful today thanks to quality control problems at Chrysler that led many to rust away rather quickly. Once the top model, the Belvedere conceded that position to the new Fury in 1959, taking over the #2 spot much like the Bel Air had done when the Impala arrived over at Chevrolet. The Sport Fury was the hot car at Plymouth in 1959, but you could also get a two-tone white over red hardtop in the Belvedere as the original owner here did 65 years ago.
A prior owner christened this Mopar “Christine II” at some point and you can still see that faded moniker in handwritten script. We don’t know if this Plymouth was ever as troublesome as the name implies, but this car has certainly seen better days. A V8 is under the hood, but we don’t know its displacement though the VIN says it’s a 318 and many parts and components have taken flight. The vehicle also has an automatic transmission, the push-button variety that Chrysler would deploy into the mid-1960s.
There is evidence of rust in a lot of places and the interior is a mess. The front seat is down to its stuffing and the rear seat appears to be missing. The chrome bits are either rusted or peeling and the front bumper is dented and looks like a cowcatcher. This car is going to need a lot of investment in time and money, so will it appreciate significantly in value as a result?
Is that you Cunningham?
Well, I’ll tell ya’, I never saw’r the movie, and don’t really care for cars that are named after some fictional Hollywood hack prop. Looks like “Christine” as an old lady. But I never liked fiction, give me the facts. Maybe the Waltons truck, or Daisy Dukes Jeep, but cars with mystical powers just too much.
These cars themselves were probably the worst as far as build quality. Poorly designed, it’s said, doors and the trunk would pop open on big bumps, coupled with the demand for cars, a lot of poor cars went out the door. Rust included. My uncle had a similar 4 door Plymouth, before the Ponchos, and we were told not to sit by the doors. The engineering was great, just poor quality, but I hope the next buyer, if any, removes all traces of “Christine” and focus on what cool styling they had. Since the movie was a hit and the car is recognized as such, it will probably be restored, and I suppose it’s better than this.
Give me Boss Hoggs Cadillac Convertible, General Lee speaking! 😉
HoA, Christine is a movie based on a true story.
😁
1959 Plymouth Fury ? They were common in the sixties and were usually found on those small independent car lots as I recall. By the seventies , most of those old Plymouths were worn out and sold for scrap to the salvage yards . Not many remain today but it’s safe to assume that a few probably still exist that have been restored to new condition . Happy Motoring !
Say Howard I hope you are doing well. You should try the movie. At least the first couple seconds, It is worth it for Thorogood’s Bad to the bone. Take care Buddy. Coming back to the Badger?
Hey Mike, crabby as ever. Doesn’t look too good for a return to the homeland, been having health issues, lack of ambition the most serious. If anything, I’m going farther west, to “run the clock out” in the L.A area. I know, I know, but at this point, a warmer climate sure sounds tempting, that, and to be closer to my kids for the last lap. Take care pal.
Keep running under that caution flag Howard. Closer to the kids is a good thing. Hang in there Buddy, take care, Mike.
I’m partial to the 57-58s, but this would be very nice if restored to original. I don’t know if there’s too many people interested, though. The seller will find out when the auction ends. The forum at forwardlook.net has a community of enthusiasts and posts parts for sale.
Somehow the 59 Plymouths just didn’t IMO have the same appeal as the 57,58, and 60 models,(although this one seems to definitely have a PEELING problem). Although the worst was yet to come. 61 Plymouths were at best controversial. Then came downsized 62 (along with Dodge) one of the ugliest cars ever built at the time. Parents traded our beautiful 55 DeSoto for a 62 Belvedere. I have to admit it went strong for 120,000 miles, but SO ugly🤮 .in the late 50s, Plymouth had a song 🎵 Go, GO in a Plymouth 🎵 A SHOW car 🎶 bright and new 🎵Plymouth will make 🎶 your dreams come true 🎵. This, like Christine (and Cody Rhodes 👍) seem to be the American Nightmare 😀!
I beg to differ. The 62 Belvedere featured here has just the right blend of awkward and cool. Now the Valiant of that year, that was weird and ugly.
To FOX owner…FORTUNATELY, we can STILL have our own opinions 🇺🇸, as well as Respect. Not sure how much longer 😕.
A 2-door hardtop is not a Club Sedan.
The Club Sedan of that era has a B pillar between the front and rear windows.
The Club Sedan name was dropped after `58, last used on Savoy and Plaza, the latter of which was also dropped after `58.
I had a `57 Plaza Club Sedan in `77.
The difference between it and the Business Coupe was the fixed, non-functional rear passenger windows.
In my opinion, the ’56 Fury was as good as it got! All down hill for many years after that.
I wonder why Mr. King chose that car for his novel? Strong lines? Huge fins? More Googi architecture than sepulcher.
I read somewhere that he chose that car because it was a forgotten car and I have been loving these ever since.
King was partial to Mopars & I think did say many of the 50’s ones were cool & forgotten, but model choice for movie was the name, Fury!
Carpenter used 23 of em to make the movie. Now that’s the real horror.
Car named Fury!!!
This dealership is located on route 66 kinda explains why they want more money for it I don’t know what this thing would bring in my area in this condition. Yes me always thinking about what I can flip it for.
Too far gone for a concurs restore. I’d rat rod it and drive the wheels off it.
I owned a 58 Fury for over thirty years. I got so tired of the Christine Jokes. “Ha ha does she bite?” or “Look! It’s Christine!” My Fury was the correct color by the way, it still didn’t slow down the stupid comments. “Hey! Why don’t you paint it red?” Annoying people would even walk up to me and start telling me stupid trivia about the movie. I don’t care about the movie. It’s a stupid movie.
No it wasn’t. The FX guys did an amazing job reanimating Christine imho. I wish all my restorations were that easy.
The engine in this car is not original. The engine in the photo is a RB (383 in ‘59 up to a 440 starting in ‘67). The ‘59 Plymouth had a big block option, but it was a B series (350 & 361 in the late ‘50s up to a 400 in the ‘70s)
Though I had a ‘59 Sport Fury and loved it, the car posted here is going to require a LOT of time and money to restore it. For someone with both, could be a lot of fun.
Not a fan of the Powerflite transmission this car has either.
Looks like a nat gas regulator under the hood beside the master cylinder
Engine is an RB big block, obviously not original to the car.
WE all loved these when they came out, but man oh man, did they rust! Christine wasn’t too bad of a movie, despite what some here feel. Also, did Stephen King pick the car, or did it pick him?
In the book, Christine was a four door.
I think the engine is a Poly with finned rocker covers. A B or RB would have distributor on the front passenger side and I don’t see it in the picture. Can’t see the back clear enough nor any plug wires to determine if the distributor is in the rear.
Because it’s missing – it’s a 413 or 440….you can see the engine pad right there on the front drivers side.
There is a rag stuffed in the distributor hole.
Liked the movie Christine. I got a 1958 Plymouth Fury Jr. Power Car Go Kart Promo from back then. Need to Restore it, was complete except for motor & windshield. Think it is 1/3rd Scale. Have found some Info on it. They made some other year models & various other Makes. Seen some for sale occasionally. My Go Kart was same Color as Christine, have not seen one this color for the 58, have seen 59’s in Red. Like 58 better than 59’s.
Never seen a Plymouth with a Ford steering wheel before.
It’s not a Ford steering wheel, but it is a Ford horn ring, they got it held on with black electrical tape
If you are going to give your car a nickname in Black Sharpie, at least get the spelling right!
It looks like the reserve has been met with the current bid at $12,825.00. We had a blue and white station wagon in 1957.
Always liked the wheel covers on these. Wheel covers should make a comeback, might help moderate the prices on new cars.
Looked at the Ebay ad….seller has gotton some bad feedback lately – bid up to 12grand…..oh no…..should have kept mine for resale now days…..
Now if you could just say “show me”
😉
Totally different car than Christine. And what’s a Mopar motor doing with a Rochester slobberjet carburetor. These are rare birds nowadays, hopefully it gets restored properly
59 was the year when design was at it’s best for Plymouth. Just perfect. The reference to Christine is ridiculous and the post should be void of anyone’s opinion, especially when they’re wrong. Haha