When you read the advertisement for this 1966 Plymouth Belvedere II, it is easy to get the impression that this is the actual car from the Foster’s Farm TV commercials. However, a check of the original commercials shows that while this particular car is a 1966 model, the car used in the commercials was actually a 1967 model. So, that makes this a tribute car, which means that it is a car that is going to appeal to a limited group of buyers. If it is a car that does appeal to you, it is located in Sherman Oaks, California, and listed for sale here on eBay.
Given the style of paint job that this car has been given, you have to look closely at it to ascertain its true condition, Underneath that rather interesting finish, the body of the Belvedere looks to be fairly good. The panels appear to be a lot straighter than the car on which it is based, and there isn’t any obvious rust. The only real body damage is a bent front bumper, which has obviously been done in an attempt to achieve the same look as the original car. Overall though, this Belvedere is in significantly better condition than the original car from the commercials.
The interior of the Plymouth looks quite clean, with some cracks in the dash pad and the steering wheel being the most obvious problems. However, if you intended to leave the exterior of the car as it is, then these defects are probably well within character. The rest of the interior is in pretty decent condition, and both the front and rear seats sport new covers.
The seller isn’t giving a lot away about the specifications for the Plymouth, and no VIN Decoder seems to recognize the engine digit as supplied in the advertisement, but I believe that the engine to be a 273ci V8 engine (correct me if I’m wrong) which is backed by a TorqueFlite transmission. We get absolutely no information on the condition of either the engine or transmission, so we are flying a bit blind on that. About the only other thing that we can ascertain is the fact that the car is fitted with power steering.
This is a car that is a bit different, but in its current guise, it will only appeal to a specific group. There is no reason why it could not be returned to its original condition, but that would require a repaint, plus the replacement of the damaged front bumper. The owner has set a BIN price of $7,995, but there is an option to make an offer. My own belief is that you would buy this Plymouth because you like it as it is presented here. I don’t believe that returning it to its original state would make economic sense.
Tribute schmibute! Just repaint the car
already! As for the engine, it would be
original to the car. ’67 was the last year
for the 273, which was the smallest V-8
you could order back then. After that,
the 318 filled that role. When properly
painted and repaired, this car would be
a good first car for someone entering
the hobby, or a really different daily
driver. $7,500 is a bit steep for what
you’ll get for your money though. If
this weren’t a tribute car, the most I’d
pay would be $4K at best, but that’s
just me. Someone will buy it at that
price in the ad–just not me!
$7,500.00??? NOT!
That looks ridiculous. Let a unremarkable Belvedere sedan be just that. I’m embarrassed for it and it’s poorly executed rattle-can patina.
I really don’t think this is a tribute car. I think it is a genuine shot car from the commercials but not for all the shots, or a promo car used by the ad agency for conventions, store openings, etc. Just as there were about a dozen “General Lee” cars for the recent Dukes movie, just about any producer will put together several shot cars for a series of ads or a campaign.
This car might have been the one used for close-ups, interiors, or very long shots. Also, when you set up for interiors, these cars are rigged with all sorts of light and camera supports as well as little stools for the camera operator to sit on. It’s a huge pain to set up and tear down these rigs that costs literally thousands of dollars in time for the grip and electrical departments. It is very common for there to be 2 or three shot cars on location simultaneously, each rigged for a particular type of shot. This allows the production to take advantage of weather and conditions (good light for the long-shot for example) when they present themselves.
Also consider the relative scarcity of donor cars. It would be a very sensible producer decision to allow a slight variation in the car models should the difference not show on the finished commercial. Same argument for a promo car. The ad campaign went pretty viral so maybe they needed a few more cars for conventions, trade shows, and the like. A different model year just wouldn’t be a big deal if the car were used for that purpose.
Just my 2 cents from a background in advertising.
Thanks
Nothing would turn me off faster when viewing a car I’d possibly purchase than seeing FAKE PATINA. That is THE worst attempt I’ve seen yet of someone trying to make the car somehow more ‘appealing’ with skips & hits of rattle-can paint here and there. The seller(s) just couldn’t leave the damned thing alone….
For that money i will take the 2 less door model ……lol
I have no clue about these commercials, so to me this is just an over priced, nice old Belvedere that needs a paint job.
Meh – The “Faster Farms” guys did it properly in the 24 Hours of Lemons. Had all the fast food and junk glued to the dash… The owner daily drove the thing, drove it to the track. ROLLED (albeit softly) it at Thunderhill and DROVE it home after replacing the tire that demounted in the crash.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7tUoalbUn7U
One of my favorite cars…if it was closer, maybe I’d save it….money be damned.
Whats Foster Farms anyway?
That’s a shame. The money it will take to get rid of the stupid fake patina is probably equal to the value of the car.
Be still my heart. A ’66 Belvedere II sedan was my first car as a daily driver. I put shackles on the rear leafs, Trush dual mufflers and chrome rims. Had a 318, 2 barrel carb and TorqueFlite. Ran it a few times in the ET bracket races at National Trail Raceway, best time was 16.99 in the quarter mile. Drove it back and forth to college in the mid-70s. Hit a steer that got loose on a rural rode on the way back to school. Dented one small section of the metal by driver side headlight, the steer kept running. Got $400 from the owner’s insurance company but didn’t get it fixed. My car was white, looks like this one was too, with the blue interior. $7,500 is only too much when these sedans are common, but they are not, especially when in good, driveable condition. Coupes are more common these days.
A tribute car to a chicken commercial? Really?
Heh. Some people got too much time on their hands..
if nothing else, drop a 383 or 440, beef up the suspension and u have an old cop car
Hahaha.
Huge laugh.
Usually get one on Barn Finds.
Laughing so I puked up my chicken soup😂
No fender tag ?
No build sheet ?
Does A/C work ?
Are the Stuffies included ?
No A/C under the hood – just inside! ?? Chuck in NE Kansas
The first thought that occurs to me whenever I see a ’66 or ’67 Belvedere, is the LAPD patrol unit in Episode #1 of ADAM-12. R.I.P. Martin Milner