Finding a ’57 Chevy or Ford to review is no big deal. A ’57 Plymouth? That’s more of a challenge, I could only find about a half-dozen examples that have been covered here on Barn Finds. How about a ’57 Plymouth convertible? Now we’re talking rarity, but before we get too excited there’s a bit here to consider. This ’57 Plymouth Belvedere convertible is located in Gilbert, Arizona and is available, here on eBay for $5,300, reserve not yet met. Thanks to Larry D for this find!
Plymouth ran with three trim levels in ’57, the Belvedere on top, Plaza in the middle, and the Savoy in the caboose position. Body styles included two and four-door sedans, two and four-door hardtops, a convertible, like our feature car but only offered on the Belvedere and station wagons. It was a similar cover-the-bases approach that Ford and Chevrolet employed. Sales-wise, Plymouth occupied third place, behind number two Chevrolet and number one, Ford. If winning was based on fin size, however, Plymouth would have won hands down.
Plymouth’s tagline for ’57 was, “Suddenly it’s 1960!” In the case of this Plymouth, it’s more like, “Suddenly it’s 1860” because the sole motivation this Plymouth would have is via a pair of hands and strong legs or a horse. The original engine would have been a 215 HP, 301 CI V8 but it appears to be long gone as is this Belvedere’s automatic transmission. The hood looks like it’s missing too unless that is what’s covering over most of the interior.
The seller states, “It has a very good body with few rust issues” Rust, or maybe scale, covers the exterior but it, for the most part, doesn’t look like rust-through. That’s not the case with floor pan supports – the underside images clearly reveal deterioration. And the area under the dutchman panel, where the convertible top mechanicals resides, is showing some notable corrosion too. There is a convertible top frame present, no telling if it is complete and usable. I question the overall solidity of this Belvedere.
It’s hard to make a value judgment around the interior, especially when there is a hood, or whatever, blocking one’s purview. In the captured image above, it appears as if the windshield frame is missing, though it is clearly visible in other images. There are some remnants of seats visible but they look like rusty frames at best. This car has clearly been basking in the outdoor Arizona heat for some extended time, and even though this is dry Arizona, I’d still want a peek at the floors and structure in their entirely.
The seller suggests, even though it’s the wrong year, this Plymouth would make a “Topless version of Christine“. I don’t know, I think even a possessed Arnie would turn this one down. This is hardly a “Dynacorn” bare body as it does still have a lot of parts, but you have to wonder how effective any of what’s left could possibly be and it’s going to need a whole lot of stuff. Owing to what this car is, a ’57 Plymouth Belvedere convertible, it would be nice to see it saved but it’s going to take an enormous, dedicated effort. This one is beyond me, how about you?
Good thing I read the entire description, because the first thought that came to mind was a “topless Christine”, LOL!! It may be rare, but it’s definitely rusty! GLWTA!! :-)
“Topless Christine” was my first thought as well!
A great start to a unique and eye catching restomod. I would buy in if it was not going to get more expensive, but I guess this one will top out over $10k.
Too many of the important parts are missing to restore. Maybe a street rod?
If a person had unlimited funds, the possibilities here are endless. I myself would put a mild small block in it with an auto, and use it for quiet country drives. I think a 225 or 230 flat head might be a bit lacking for modern driving in a car this heavy, but a 318 with a 2bbl and dual exhausts would be great. Chrysler made some nice red colors in those years, I think I would go that way too. Wheels? Never cared for the wheel covers of the late 50s, but early sixties wheel covers with spinners might look nice, or even a set of 1968 Magnums!
“Suddenly it’s 1860!”
Bravo.
Virgil Exner!
I’d rather have a 30K rusted out, no engine, trans, glass early Camaro.
Loch Ness monster here. I bid Tree-fiddy.
For Sale? You must be kidding.
The curse of 57 and 58 Plymouth’s, never ending Christine references. I owned a correct color 58 Fury for thirty years. Got so tired of the stupid and tedious Christine comments.
Steve, I know what you are saying. That Christine car was not a Fury, but that’s what everyone who doesn’t know what a real Fury looks like calls it. Once on Jeopardy TV show the question was what was Christine. The contestant answered a Fury and that was the correct answer according to the show. I told my wife that was not the right answer, it was actually a Belvidere.
Thank you! Endless, tedious and juvenile.
It was 1963 in Modesto, California, I was 16 and my cousin Phyllis who was 23 had a purple version of this car. My Uncle (Phyllis dad) had just died, so the family was moving up to Redding where we lived. I had gone down to help them make the move. I was allowed to drive the Plymouth. What a great car it was, I loved putting the top down with the sun shining down on me and the wind whistling past my ears. It had the push button gear selector on the left side of the dash with a v8 engine and a/m radio, huge fins out back and room for six people inside. Great memories.
The body on this one looks good enough to restore, the grill even looks in good condition. It would take a fortune to bring it back to its former glory, but boy what a ride. It will probably take years to complete (of which I have a limited number left) but if money were limitless and time was on my side, I’d definitely go for this project.
God bless America
Had a hard top top 57 Plymouth. Put a Chrysler 413 engine in it with two four barrel carbs that sat above the fender wells. It was ram induction. Changed the two speed powerflite for a heavy duty three speed stick. Crummy brakes. I obviously lived through it.
BTW, Now I have a Challenger Scat Pack, shaker, that is far faster than that old Plymouth of mine.
had a hardtop , engine had 2- 4 barrel carbs, push buttons for trans were to the right of the steering. left in garage when I moved. “how sad” now that I look back to 1964…
I am in the process of restoring an earlier Dodge and from experience the buyer that restores it be prepared to pay high dollar for parts. If time and money is not an issue it will beautiful car when completed.
And despite how many were made, they rusted out worse than Chevy’s of the time, and so, fewer made it to the 25 year mark when they become “collectible” and values begin to rise, let alone the 50 year mark when values start to decline as those who lusted after them as teens start shedding their cars on the way to the retirement community that only allows one car, or, worse, the nursing home, with no car, or the grave.
This is not worth buying and restoring since the market for these is dying along with the rest of us old guys.
It will be a big number to restore it and even to get it driveable, so you have to love these cars (I do) and I would go to look at it but I have no room. Just looking at it I think one would be North of $50,000.00. But if you love it, do it.
Put a 383 in it. Put the top down and cruise. Very sexy ride.
I see only one logical road for this car, it’ll make a great custom street rod, but the cost to restore will likely be twice what it will bring on completion. There is currently one for sale that the owner put over $100k into it, it’s a beautiful car, but it’s not sold yet at only $65k
A really gifted custom car guy could do an outstanding job on this, especially with those fins! And if he chose to go the vintage custom route, I would love to see a nice 392 Hemi with dual 4 barrel carbs, from a Chrysler 300.
Wow. People who have no idea what they are talking about sure do like to run their gums around here ! That, and cheapskates too. Forward Look convertibles are uber rare and very in demand. Most parts are easy to get and no more expensive than any other non-Ford/Chevy cookie cutter car. There is a strong support network for these cars. Been playing with Forward Looks for 45 years. Have two 58’s in the shop that I have owned for decades. And BTW – model ranking was Plaza, Savoy, Belvedere, and Fury, …. in that order.