Here’s one you don’t see often anymore, a 1954 Plymouth Belvedere. The seller tells us that it’s very original but it has had some updates that detract from the originality statement. Regardless, the improvements constitute a lot of the right stuff so this is one review. Located in Los Angeles, California, this top-drawer Plymouth sports coupe is available, here on craigslist for $13,800.
Plymouth’s ’54 model line-up started out with the Plaza, moved up to the Savoy, and then crowned itself with the Belvedere – a name that would stick with Plymouth for years. Belvedere models included the Sports Coupe (our subject car), four-door sedan, convertible, and a Suburban station wagon. Plymouth managed a third-place finish in the ’54 production race with 463K units, following number two Chevrolet’s 1.14M output and number one Ford’s finish of 1.16M copies.
Obviously, there is some patina going on, though the seller makes no mention of that word or the effect that it has had on this car’s finish. The body appears to be solid and dry with no sign of rot. That said, the images are a sort of twenty-footer type so it’s difficult to get a close-up look but no obvious issues are revealed. The stainless trim appears to all be intact though the passenger door “spear” looks as if it has seen some parking lot action. I can’t say with certainty but the finish, which does look original, is probably “Miami Blue” with what is known as “Orlando Ivory” covering the roof and upper portions of the doors and quarters.
Power is provided by a 100 HP, 217 CI in-line, six-cylinder engine which is connected to a “Hy-Drive” automatic transmission. The seller mentions the following improvements and maintenance: A new aluminum radiator, (the original is still available), a rebuilt original carburetor, flushed out fuel lines, a new starter, rebuilt generator, a new battery, and transmission service performed along with an oil change. Further stated is, “I went through the car mechanically You can drive it anywhere with peace of mind“. The mileage is recorded as 55K miles but it is not authenticated.
The star of the show I suppose is the interior. The seller tells us, “I had the interior done with matching original materials, the interior looks like it did when the car was new“. From what can be seen it does show as new. And it’s not just the seats but the door panels too. Nice to see is the addition of seatbelts!
While not exactly rare, this vintage Plymouth is scarce, certainly when compared to a similar model Ford – I’ll admit, it’s not one that I often ponder. The seller concludes his listing with, “If you’re looking for a very cool vintage original car to cruise in that you can drive anywhere then you just found the right car“. I would have to agree with that sentiment, how about you?
These were great cars, but the autos were weak. The standard three on the tree was always the way to go. The L Head had a nice sound and great torque. Odd, had a new interior but didn’t paint it? Wish there was more interior shots.
lot cheaper than paint
Especially in LA with all the restrictions.
Okay, I went to C List and saw more pics. Nice car, but what’s with the girl in all the shots? Those should be left out. Think that is why he is selling the car, she doesn’t like it?
I don’t know, I think it gives a bit of the “human” touch, they are actually out for a drive in their classic car. Truth be known, I think more younger women like older cars than these men(?) nowadays. California is in rough shape, almost 360,000 people left California last year, termed the “California Exodus”, many coming here( Co.). “Regular” people are leaving in droves, and I consider folks that drive a car like this are regular people. That lifestyle has sucked the steam out of these people, and the old car has to be sold. I think she looks bummed because the car has to go. People literally can’t make enough to live there, and sadly, I believe we’ll see a whole lot more of this.
Same with Hawaii. The locals have to leave because the rich people from far away come in to buy and the cost of living gets too much. People losing their heritage so some one percenter can have a second (or third or 12th) home. You would think some of our political leaders would put a stop to this, but nether party cares about us regular people.
California’s population growth has been declining for more than 30 years. But thanks to the increase in remote work due to the covid-19 epidemic, those trends have accelerated. Ability to work anywhere 62% of Americans are considered moving to a new country…. looked it up interesting, we take refuges here in Canada just saying
I think she doesn’t want to sell and won’t get OUT!
This is a nice car, but I would spend my money on the near perfect 1948 DeSoto. They are both Chrysler products, and the DeSoto is a lot nicer and desirable in my opinion. Too much money for what you are getting, still a decent car.
I had a ’53 Cranbrook that was a lot of fun to drive with that free-wheeling overdrive, to this day I can remember with detail the first extended trip I took in that car what a honey of a 50’s car/70’s memory!
114″ wheelbase. 193 inches long, 74″ wide.
These seem so large, but this is very ’60s intermediate size.
For 50s comparison:
56-57 Rambler: Width; 71.32. Wheelbase 108″ Length: 191.4″. Wagon 193.6″. Quickly outstripped in the size race of the late ’50s.
65 Rambler Classic: 195″ long. Width 74.5″ Wheelbase 112″.
’64 Chevelle: 193.9″ length. Width 74.6. Wheelbase: 115
This appears to be the sweet spot for vehicles.
Standard size for early ’50s cars before they got stupid it appears
The ad would be better served by the seller having photographed it with all the windows down. That’s what a “Sport Coupe” was all about [hard top, no B pillar].
Just like a convertible with the top up and none of the drawbacks of a drop top.
Fun stuff:
http://oldcarbrochures.com/static/NA/Plymouth/1954%20Plymouth/1954%20Plymouth%20Hidden%20Values%20Folder/index1.html
Grant,
You say: “Think that is why he is selling the car, she doesn’t like it?” I’m inclined to think he is selling the car because she goes with it… I had a ’53 Belvidere two-door hardtop with five Kelsey Hayse wire wheels; the fifth being mounted in a continental kit. Three/tree + overdrive – the same free-wheeling Borg-Warner unit that was offered on many American cars: my dad’s ’37 DeSoto, ’48 Studebaker, ’51 Mercury, and my ’64 Chevy. I bought the Belvidere in ’78 as my first restoration project. I didn’t get very far with it; ‘ didn’t know what I was doing or how to do it. These old flat-head sixes were very durable, reliable, smooth-running engines. Not known for speed, but oh so quiet and functional.
Must be an early 54. Later in the model year the 230 six became standard power.
Also, the Hy-Drive tells us that’s it’s an early 54. Mid-year the fully automatic Powerflite was available on the Plymouth. The Hy-Drive remained an updated version of the original Chrysler Fluid-Drive.
CORRECTION. This is NOT a Hy-Drive, it’s a Poweflite (2spd Torqueflite predecessor). That means it is a later build 54 since the PF didn’t appear on Plymouth till mid-year.
‘ Just proof-read my comment and think I owe the attractive young lady an apology. No offense intended – it’s just that she looks like she’s barely tolerating the proceedings. Maybe it’s HER car and she has threatened that if he sells it, she’ll go with it. And now he’s calling her bluff. It does lead to speculatiion about the ongoing dynamics here…
My Dad said if I could fix the brakes, I could have his 1954 Ply-Mouth Belvedere. I did! I was 12, living out on a dirt road in Choctaw Oklahoma. Ultimately I hit a road graders blade, trying to kick start it rolling backwards down a hill. Me and my buddies really didn’t get in trouble, but the Belvedere was sent to the salvage yard. Awesome 1st car! The red paint had faded to pink ha ha! Never get away with that kind of adventure nowadays. Great memories!
My first car was a ’54 Belvedere Convert. Rebuilt engine myself and replaced the convertible top myself. This was way before U-Tube and I had only manuals and magazines (and no money). Mine was Cascade Green. Slow as hell, but I was a big deal in my $395 convertible after all the work was done. I have great stories about both the rebuild and top jobs. Finally a soft plug let go on the back of the block. Over my pay grade. Mechanics said engine had to be pulled or just maybe cut a hole in the floorboard/firewall to fix. Filled with heaviest oil I could buy, drove it to a shaddy deal used car lot and traded with cash for a ’57 Buick Century 4-door hardtop. Wish I had the Plymouth and Buick back!
Nice car but and there is always a but.To much money.
Nobody has commented on the cool-looking green tinted glass on this car. That’s the way Chrysler Corp. did it in the 50s. I’m in the minority in that I think the price is OK considering you can get in the car and (hopefully) drive it anywhere.
I’ll take the Kaiser over this heap. And at half the price.
Caly car. Caly price , Looks pretty good, give it a drive, give it a good inspection, say you get it for $ 12 K, not too ugly, no speed demon, nice cruiser. If it really needs nothing, what’s to complain about, if this 65 year old grandma car makes you happy, go for it, the days of buying this for $350 are LONG gone, enjoy while you can.
Beautiful (the car, not saying she’s not bad to look at). To me, all that car needs is wide whitewalls and a split manifold with good sounding mufflers, and parked in my garage. My first car when I was fifteen was a fifty one Plymouth convertible. I had very little money but I scraped up enough to get the manifold properly split, and I cobbled up a set of pipes, and man, did it sound good. Being a convertible made it difficult due to the “X” frame brace.