Even without Stephen King’s novel (and John Carpenter’s movie), the 1957-58 Plymouth lineup would still be extremely collectible. Arguably the cleanest of Virgil Exner’s Forward Look designs, these cars represent the boundless space-age enthusiasm of America in the late 1950’s. This surviving example, located in Fredericksburg, Texas (outside of Austin) can be found here on Craigslist with an asking price of $7,900.
The seller starts the ad with “Christine is looking for a new home.” From that perspective, being a 4-door sedan in conservative white with gold trim I’d characterize this car as more akin to Christine’s older uncle. The seller states the car has only 74,000 original miles. From this front view above, the differences between the 19557 and 1956 models are apparent – single headlights and different lower grill. This car sadly does not have the coveted bumper wings but also does not have any apparent ‘eyebrow’ rust, a common problem with cars from snowier climates
Motorvation is provided by Chrysler’s small-block “poly” V8, here likely of the 301 cubic inch variety. This engine would later grow slight to the well-known 318 displacement. The seller states “She is a very driveable cruiser with push button automatic transmission and Power Steering” – with the trans being a 3-speed cast iron push-button Torqueflite.
Here’s the driver’s end of the Torqueflite. I particularity like the instruction taped to the bottom telling the driver to set the emergency brake after shifting into neutral (Park had not yet appeared on automatics in this era). The neutral button seems particularly mashed, likely due to the shift cable being mis-adjusted and some extra “oomph” needed to activate the neutral safety switch. The dot pattern in the embossed trim surrounding the buttons and gauges was changed to little stars in 1958.
The gold interior is particularly attractive, and overall the condition of the cabin seems about average for a 61-year old desert car. The seats have been recovered.
I always find the “Craigslist finger” amusing. This photo also shows the different, larger taillights that were used in ’57 only. And despite being a 4-door sedan, any 57-58 Plymouth is highly collectible, and if everything is as advertised I would expect this car to sell quickly. And while this one isn’t gonna fix itself, it’s unlikely to go on demonic murderous rages either. But with this one, I’d agree with Arnie Cunningham – “Oh man, there is nothing finer than being behind the wheel of your own car!”
I love the “craigslist finger” also but the pic of the front they forgot to cover the tag !!
Hey Phil. That is truly funny. Love the car, add vintage air and enjoy it. Price seems about $3k too high though.
Exactly!
I love these cars, but of course I prefer the coupe. Like the one Tulsa, OK marinated in fresh water for 50 years, known as Ms. Belvedere. I hope this one finds a good home.
Thank whoever somebody didn’t paint it red.
Yes, I agree, they all don’t need to be a Christine clone.
More like the time capsule Plymouth ( 2 door) that was a total bust. I remember reading what dismal build quality these had. Frames would flex, and doors pop open on bumps. Chrysler sure milked the fin thing all they could. Cool find.
Unless you know the car has everything in the “Cable shift” adjusted correctly, it’s a good idea to always push the neutral button before throwing the park leaver. It’s supposed to work, but sometimes it blows up. In the mid 1960’s I was good at putting the push button assembly back together when my Mom forgot that on her 62 Dart, 318/TF. I was 12, but it brings back memories.
I drove my Dad’s ex-hunting car, a 64 Imperial, in college in the winter of 1974/75 in Kingston ON. It had the exact same problem, so it only happened once or twice. I tried to keep the 43,000 mile 413/4V. for a 65 “B body” but Dad wasn’t having and of that.
I got my 65 Plymouth in 1981. It’s a “Hybrid, between years car” with a column shift that is mated to a cable shift 727 TorqueFlite. 1964 was a push button shift and 1966 was a rod shifter. But that’s what I was on the street with in 1969, (it was Mom’s car 383/TF/3.23 Sure Grip). It was a “average looking” 2 door HT,Coronet, nothing except dual exhaust gave it away. I could run against GTO’s, 396 Chevells, etc, and beat a bunch of them because the
Dodge didn’t look like it was much of anything. It still had the original 7.75-14 white wall tires on it but Dad taught me how to race on that stuff.
The local Mopar expert who did the body work on my car (second restoration, 2002/2004) explained that he knew exactly one transmission man in Northwest PA who knew about them. My transmission worked OK, but I had the guy go through it just because there might not be anybody else in the future.
He explained that the push button transmission has to be very close to perfectly adjusted or it has problems. If you’re going to deal with a “Cable shift Torqueflite, see if you can find the local old time transmission man and get some instructions. 35 years ago tinkering with it wasn’t a problem. These days you want it get it right once and done.
The Chevy guys can’t understand why I have a 65 Belvedere, and the Mopar
guys can’t get over somebody with 6 Chevys owning a Mopar. It’s all personal stuff that I wanted in the 60’s/early 70’s and couldn’t come up with I didn’t have the resources to get for a few years. Now there’s later stuff that the family thought I should do so I have to retire to work on it. I can like that idea.
Joe
This car doesn’t have park, so that would not have been the problem.
if I remember correctly, you have to push the neutral button to start this car, so that may be why it has more wear than the others.
Correct, the cast iron Torque-Flite did not have a park feature, the aluminum case Torque-Flite with the first version appearing in 1960 did have a park feature.
Regarding pushing the neutral button to start: in 57 and 58 Chrysler and Imperial yes, but in Dodge and Plymouth no, you twisted the key.
In 1978 I found my ’57 New Yorker convertible through a special interest car dealer/broker. I drove from my home in Boston to his lot in Worcester and Harry had the car stated and running for me when I arrived. He let me take it out alone, and after driving it for awhile I pulled into an abandoned parking lot to check it out. After turning it off and crawling under it for awhile, I got back in to start it up to head back. Turned the key – nothing. There wasn’t that familiar “start and crank” key action. Tried it a few more times – still nothing. Then I saw the dirt filled “N/Start” wording on the neutral button and give it a push – success! I drove it back to the lot and paid the man – still have the car.
Another slice of life that cannot instill quite that same sense of panic today because of the cell phone!
Exactly right Miguel !
I would drive this car in 5 minutes, but for the sake of safety the only real change I would make is a a break drumb to disc conversion.
Nice 4 door but still two many doors 4 me
Buyer beware: in the book, Christine is a plain sedan, not a flashy coupe. You never know…
That is true. King described it as a 4 door Fury which didn’t exist in real life.
They chose to use the Fury for the movie and they all had to be 2 doors.
In The Dark Half, King’s bad guy drove a Toronado…with a stick shift! Took a lot of liberties with cars…
Except, as I remember, most of the cars used for the movie were two door Belvederes. The Fury didn’t come in red and white for ’58 – only beige with gold accent trim. The whole Christine myth is pretty much just that.
My Father brought a new 1958 Belvedere convertible.He was looking for a used 1957. The used car slaesman asked how much he wanted to spend and he replied $2800. The salesman said you can a new one for that. It had a 318, Torqueflight am radio and full wheel covers. Build quality sucked, but so did the later 1960 Dodge Dart (then a full sized car).
My first car in 1964, was a 1957 Dodge Custom Royal Lancer 2 dr Hardtop. It was nicely screwed together, but maybe the many prevous owners had done a lot of work.
In my old mans 57 dodge u have to turn key on and push neutral button to start.
I would assume this Plymouth is the same
Truly a gift to find a late 50s Plymouth without major rust issues.
Had to share a pic. Of mine. Adjusting throttle linkage to trans is important to shift right. Balancing the dual carbs took time.
Henry, what color was this car originally?
Hi miguel, she was originally white with black interior. Was already red when I got her. A plain savoy. I added the fury trim and options. Hard to find stuff and expensive.
A better pic.
Back in the early ’60’s you couldn’t give a Plymouth away if it had a V8. the engines burned oil, wouldn’t start if there was a heavy dew, and the longevity was short.
Give me the best….1959 Imperial Custom Coupe, I have owned it over 30 years.
Lovely looking car. I’ve always loved the styling of the 1957 and 58 Plymouth Belvedere and Fury.
I find the 1957 and 58 Belvedere more attractive than either the 1959 or 60 Belvedere.