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Fins For The Family: 1960 Plymouth Station Wagon

1960 brought some big changes to Plymouth. It was the first year for the unibody platform, and the bulletproof slant 6 also began its 27-year run in ’60.  What didn’t change were heroically-sized fins and Virgil Exner’s increasingly “unique” styling touches. This surviving ’60 wagon is located in Mariposa, California (near Yosemite), and is up for auction and ending soon here on eBay, with a current bid of $1,150 and no reserve.

The station wagons (“Suburbans”) didn’t follow Plymouth’s Fury/Belvedere/Savoy model naming convention, rather there were just three series of wagons: the Sport, Custom and DeLuxe lines. Based on the surviving trim, this appears to be a Custom, but an inspection of the VIN would be necessary to verify. Speaking of that, the seller mentions there is no title, and it is out of the California DMV system. Depending on the state, titling an old car with only a bill of sale runs from mildly annoying to nearly impossible, so potential buyers should evaluate that carefully.

Here we see the epic size of the fins (or “vertical stabilizers” as Plymouth called them). More importantly, these photos give a decent indication of the amount of rust on the car, which really isn’t terrible for a 58-year old wagon. The seller notes there are holes in the passenger side rear floorboard, but the rest is only surface rust.  There’s also a dent in the driver’s door. Glass appears good with the exception of a cracked windshield and missing passenger wing window. Those wagon-only rear curved windows would likely be nearly impossible to find today, so it’s good those are intact.

The powerplant is the standard 318 poly small-block. The seller states it turns over, meaning it does not run. The radiator and alternator/generator are also missing. Trans should be a 3-speed Torqueflite.

The futuristic dashboard and “squaroid” steering wheel of the early-60’s Mopars inspired countless artists, designers, and animators. The horizontal speedo is exceptionally cool, even if the warning lights do look a little bit like eyes staring back at you. Regardless, lots of work would be needed in the cabin.

With most of the wagon-specific parts and trim remaining, there is certainly a lot of potential here – but not for the inexperienced or faint of heart. The styling of the 60’s Plymouths was not well-received initially, although over time it’s a perfect representation of a hopeful space-age future that never came to be.  With a very low current bid (but no title), could this big wagon be a part of your future?

Comments

  1. Avatar Dick Johnson

    Nuts. Wrong end of the planet.

    Like 5
  2. Avatar Bongo

    Georgia no title needed after 1985…how many more states out there that doesn’t require title on 30 years or more vehicles? These unibody cars can run big dollars to restore over a body on frame car.

    Like 0
  3. Avatar Miguel

    If this was a Georgia car, that would work.

    If you bring this car to Georgia, you would have to have the title from the state it came from.

    Like 1
  4. Avatar Matthew Van Leer-Greenberg

    I absolutely love old Plymouth Wagons. The original Plymouth Suburban was a bit more stylistically subdued (which is what I admire), but there is something to say about the fins and the gaping grill of this Exner designed Plymouth Wagon. This engine compartment would be a prime candidate for a 413 or a 440. I hope someone buys this lovely machine and breaths a little life into it.

    Like 8
  5. Avatar David Zornig

    By my two decoders the Vin# comes back as a Valiant V-100, so I’d be suspect of the no title status.
    Or the seller pulled a number off of somewhere other than the door pillar which is visible, but not legible when enlarged.

    Like 1
    • Avatar Miguel

      The VIN is made up.

      The real VIN would be more numbers than that.

      Like 3
  6. Avatar Bob C.

    The front end has an angry look to it. Still, not nearly as bad as the 61s, they look like a p!ssed off bug.

    Like 2
  7. Avatar RL

    If you can’t title it, you could make a pile of cash on the wagon-specific parts.

    Like 0
  8. Avatar hatofpork

    Great looking Plymouth-never seen this year before. I have to ask-do those three doodads on the tailfins have a function or are they just tailfins on tail fins?

    Like 0
  9. Avatar Levi Andrus

    @Miguel my 63 buick special has 9 digit vin#

    Like 2
    • Avatar Miguel

      Levi, a Buick is not a Plymouth.

      The VIN in this car should be something like 3606 100001

      The number listed in the ad of 1103 3123 is made up for this car.

      By the way guys, you don’t need to use VIN# as the N in VIN is number so no need to be redundant.

      Like 1
      • Avatar Dick Johnson

        For those who are into numerology #s.

        Like 3
  10. Avatar Ray G Member

    I think old Mopar wagons are really cool, lower them a bit, give it some attitude, cool wheels/tires – you got it ! Or shorten them up and turn them into gassers . . .lol !

    Like 2
  11. Avatar Ray G Member

    Cool Mopar Wagons !

    Like 4
  12. Avatar Ray G Member

    ’60 Plymouth gasser

    Like 6
  13. Avatar Ray G Member

    Here is my 1 owner barn find – 1969 Chrysler Town & Country, 383 4bbl HP, 3.55 SureGrip, no a/c, no power windows, ordered by original owner this way. Original paint, always garage kept, 73000 original miles – drives like new.

    Like 17
    • Avatar theGasHole

      Love it Ray G and I hope you bring that bad boy out to shows!

      Like 0
  14. Avatar glenn

    i can hear the crispiness and crackle of that interior

    Like 1
  15. Avatar Steve

    It’s 2018 folks # that is a hashtag it has nothing to do with numbers :)

    Like 1
    • Avatar ctmphrs

      No hashtag has nothing to do with reality. # is number symbol.

      Like 2
  16. Avatar Ken

    “1960 brought some big changes to Plymouth”

    Yep. They got even butt-uglier. I wouldn’t be caught dead in that hideous monstrosity. If we’re talking 1960, give me a Buick Electra 225. Now there’s a pretty car.

    Like 0
  17. Avatar stillrunners

    Been trying to sell this one for awhile.

    Like 0
  18. Avatar Del

    More BS about USA title rules. WTF.

    Spare me the BS about no title.

    This is a 318 wide block. Get the details right.

    It weighed 100 pounds more than a 318 small block.

    Car long gone. Grabbed by a smart buyer. Looked like easy resto.

    Like 0
  19. Avatar Ensign Pulver

    A perfect addition to my asymmetric micro focused collection of dead tonnage.

    Like 1
    • Avatar Ensign Pulver

      I wish I could post a picture!!

      Like 0

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