Like it or not, you can’t call this 1960 Plymouth Belvedere’s styling boring. Three years after Chrysler put fins in every neighborhood with designer Virgil “X” Exner’s Forward Look designs, Plymouth’s “Stabilizers,” as they were called, rise with authority behind the rear wheels. A sculpted eyelid line wraps into the fenders to encircle the front wheel openings, further highlighted by this specimen’s two-tone paint. Though not perfect, this Rocky Mount, Virginia classic runs, and the seller would “take it anywhere.”
Space-age style continues in the cabin with a floating instrument pod atop the multi-level dashboard. What looks like replacement upholstery shows well, and the large horn ring makes it easy to sound a warning blast to other ships of the highway.
Bumper extensions protect the Belvedere’s corners, anchoring the vertical chromed rocket fins.
The 318 cubic inch (5.2L) “Polysphere” V8 filled many Chrysler corporation car and truck engine bays from the ’50s through 1966 and should not be confused with the “LA” series 318 the took over that displacement slot in 1967. A two-speed automatic handles the gear-changes. The single pot master brake cylinder seems ridiculous for a car this size, but people drove them, even slowing trailers to a stop, without perishing.
The finned two door hardtop looks great in profile, though I’d prefer body color front corners. General Motors styling went so bold in ’59 that they dialed it back for ’60, and some may similarly judge these ’60 Plymouths. Conversely, if you want a no-holds-barred representation of late ’50s to early ’60s extravagance, why not fully embrace it? Thanks to the storehouse of original brochures at lov2xlr8 for some details. To put these fins in your driveway, bid to win here on eBay where at least seven bidders have the Belvedere’s market value above $9000 without meeting the seller’s Reserve. Is this space-age Plymouth’s styling too much or just right?
FURYIOUS for 60 Furys since I saw a red convert in a parade, shortly after 60s introduction. Last and IMO best of Exners Plymouths. Absolutely FINTASTIC! Remember when luxo liners like this got as much attention as the dignitaries they carried? Even though considered a (top of the line) low priced car, the 60 FURY had the OTT excessive style, class, and panache of a genuine Luxury vehicle! 🏆 👍
Isn’t this a Fury ? It is written on the front wings.
Scott from Coldwarmotors restored one of these by splicing 3 cars into 1 !
This IS a Fury. When first introduced in 1956, Fury was an upscale Belvedere, which had been top of Plymouth line. Not sure when Fury became a SEPARATE series 🤔 But believe that was 🤔 57. I believe this as a Belvedere is a misnomer. In the 50s, Plymouth models were named for NY hotels. Believe Savoy, Plaza and Belvedere was the pecking order. Some say Belvedere was named for Chryslers Belvedere, Illinois plant.
Hey Mark, I believe I saw part of that video. Didn’t he use the lower section of a 1960 Dodge Dart sedan?
Seller states in the writeup that it looks like a Fury, but VIN indicates Belvedere.
That wasn’t the steering wheel in our Fury. And by wrong, I mean the chrome horn ring. And no, we didn’t have the rounded corners rectangle.
I’m not seeing any power steering on this car. Maybe Chryco used different steering wheels for manual and power steering cars. I remember a friend of my brothers had a ’64 Dodge (not an 880) and it had the rectangle wheel and no power steering so who knows what the thinking was.
I could see with manual steering that you would want a round wheel – 7 turns lock to lock versus 3.5 for power. What a cool car, but I would want to update it to PDB and PS unless all I was doing was driving in parades.
Like it or not, you say?? Who doesn’t like it?? It’s awesome! I LOVE it! Fins! Badges! Exner! Two tone! Bucket list car!
The perfect send-off to the 1950s.
Amen and Hallelujah to that! Always happy to see Rex not wanting to Rex a Car! 👍
When fins were in.
Chrome, Fins, and Monster V8s made America 🇺🇸 great BACK THEN 👍! It’s truly FINTASTIC!
Not my preferred color combination, but the styling of any Exner car will always garner attention. Although this doesn’t have a big block, it’ll still appreciate in value simply because you don’t see these a lot, especially compared to comparable Chevys. Just keep this a fair-weather car.
I like the front end AND the back end…a lot!
My Dad bought a new 60 Plymouth with a 225 slant 6 with a 3 speed manual. It was a white Savoy 2 door. I was 8 years old. My Dad later told me he was impressed with the power and the gas mileage of the Plymouth. We took a lot of fishing trips in that car. Good memories!
My father bought a 1960 Belvedere blue on white.
Back then the pecking order was
Savoy, round steering wheel with two chrome accent on the fins
Belvedere, oval steering wheel with three , chrome accents on the fins
Fury, rectangle steering wheel with round pie plate chrome emblem on the fins.
Even though I prefer the gorgeous ’57-58 models, the 59-60 models are beginning to grow on me and I like this ’60! When “fins were in” era which we will never see again. I wouldn’t mind having this in my driveway.
Perfect hubcaps for this car! Really like the two-tone paint. A beautiful car.
The Fury became its own series in 1959. The Sport Fury was the top of the line, followed by the Fury, Belvidere and the Savoy.
The Fury debuted in 1956 as a halo car….the Golden Commando V8 was standard (I think it may have been. 361 CID engine, but I’m not totally certain) and was its own series until 1959. The original car was available in Eggshell White only for 1956 and 1957, and Buckskin beige for 1958. The Fury was analogous to the DeSoto Adventurer and to the Chrysler 300 letter series.
Peter Gunn drove a ’59 Sport Fury convertible with a car phone. Waaay cool…….
I believe the comment re: Belvidere being named for the Belvidere, IL plant is correct. Dodge had model named Seneca that was built in the Seneca, IL plant.
I believe the comment re: Belvidere being named for the Belvidere, IL plant is correct. Dodge had model named Seneca that was built in the Seneca, IL plant.
I believe the comment re: Belvidere being named for the Belvidere, IL plant is correct. Dodge had model named Seneca that was built in the Seneca, IL plant.
I believe the comment re: Belvidere being named for the Belvidere, IL plant is correct. Dodge had model named Seneca that was built in the Seneca, IL plant.
What a GEM!
But those little rust holes have me wondering how thin the ice is throughout the rest of the chassis…And no A/C, PS or PB’s??
Think I’d buy the 1:24 scale and ogle that while waiting for a better example.
Great idea! OR, do as I did, frame large pictures from sales brochures. I have made collages of 61 DeSoto and 61 Imperial focused on LEBARON (two of my dream cars),as well as others. The DeSoto and Imperial are hanging in my home, while the others decorate my garage. You can have a large collection without needing a multi car garage, save costs, and enjoy them every day. 😉
P.S. I also have 1-18 scale models of numerous favorite vehicles, including two 61 Imperials (though LEBARON doesn’t seem to have one) and three 61 DeSotos in different colors.
Another great Mopar here on BFs. She definitely looks like a Fury to me but someone mentioned it’s VIn indicates it’s a Belvedere. No Power steering, not even power drum brakes, or AC makes it a big no for me, even though she’s a beauty.
Unless this cars nickname is Poseidon , the grille emblem is upside down ! How can people miss that on their own car ??