While many folks today associate Chrysler’s “Forward Look” campaign with the noteworthy 1957 model year, it really started with the overhauled 1955-56 products. Plymouth especially benefited from the modern changes, building more than 700,000 automobiles in 1955. The Belvedere was the top-of-the-line model, and 2-door hardtops like this one were quite popular. It’s a running project with a V8 engine and an automatic transmission. Located in a garage in Humboldt, Iowa, this Mopar from the ‘50s is available here on Facebook Marketplace for $3,500. Thumbs up again to “Zappenduster”!
The 1955 model year was one of the few times that Chevrolet, Ford, and Plymouth all offered brand-new cars at the same time. The Belvedere had arrived the year before and would remain a Plymouth staple through 1970, migrating from a full-size car to an intermediate in 1965. Virgil Exner was Chrysler’s head stylist, and he engineered the redesign that put Plymouth on the map. More than 47,000 Belvedere 2-door hardtops left the assembly in the double-nickel year.
We assume the seller has been working on this Plymouth and decided to move on. The 260 cubic inch V8 runs well but needs a left-side exhaust manifold and an overall exhaust package. It’s matched with a PowerFlite tranny, the year before Chrysler went the push-button route. Not much else is said about the mechanical status of the car, so you can turn your attention to the car’s cosmetics.
The body of this Belvedere may be okay, but the paint is not, and we can’t quite determine what the original color was (besides white). The interior is pretty rough, especially the driver’s side of the front bench seat, suggesting the vehicle was idle for a long time (or maybe some small critters set up residence inside the Plymouth for a while). If you’re looking for a good 1950s project, could this Plymouth be it? There are bound to be fewer of them left compared to a Tri-Five Chevy.
Price isn’t horrible for what I see in the pictures, I would have to check around my area for an upholstery shop that can fix the interior. But otherwise make it safe and cruise it
Exactly, and if engine parts are an issue (no back copies of JC Whitney laying around) is there any reason a 318 wouldn’t be appropriate.?
Same exhaust on the little Red Ram/truck 241/259 up to the base Dodge V8 in 1956. The liitle 260 was a 1953/54 Dodge truck motor that got punched out for Plymouths first V/8. And yes the 1955/56 Dodge/Plymouth frames accept the 318 side mount motor mounts. A little Red Ram Hemi will also fit in along with the later 315/325 Hemi’s….heck one of my 1956’s had the big 392 Hemi stuffed in it….oil pan needed an adjustment.
You keyboard restorers…..geez………
The forward look didn’t start until 1957
Yep….but they allow the 1955/56’s because they were ahead of GM by a year….look at the 1956 rear fins agaist a 1957 Chevy….
I’m sorry, but you are perfectly wrong.
1955, as stated by Mr. Dixon.
I always liked that body style. Spent my teen years driving a 53 Plymouth coupe, but never found a good 55 body in the junkyards. They were actually pretty decent cars.
I live in phoenix az and they are all over the place here.
Something strange, here: those hood and trunk emblems don’t look the way that I remember: did they come off a Dodge, by any chance? One MORE thing: Ford was not “all new” for 1955, any more than Packard was. Ford had been way ahead of its time for 1952, and were able to simply use that same body shell for 1955 to make something which LOOKED all-new, but wasn’t. I stand corrected on the symbols: this was a V-8 and bot the typical six.
Stock emblems – the front V/8 actually has Plymonth in it….
I really like the ’55-’56 Chry Co cars better than the revolutionary ’57s.
And I am just the other way, Nelson C. I liked the 1955, as a contrast to the stodgy 1953-’54 models. But I was sooooo disappointed when they went back to a more “standard” grille in 1956. Viewed after the ’57 came out, it was clear that the 1956 was something of a place-holding “bridge” preparing the public for the ’57. The 1957, although the last of a three-year-old design, became its pinacle, as far as I am concerned. Hard to fault the 1957 Chevy — unless their ubiquitous popularity has simply made you tired of seeing them.
I think you misread my reference. Chry Co being Chrysler, not Chevrolet.
Sorry but as a Plymouth fan the 57/58 had it all over the 55/56.They where about 5 inches lower and the golden fury was my favorite
It’s funny that the 1959 Chevy gave out a yard stick ruler showing how low it was….I have one…..
Also Plymouth and Dodge did they same thing in 1957 to show how much lower their cars where than the Chevy.
The “Forward Look” officially started with the 1955 model year. Spearheaded by design chief Virgil Exner, it revolutionized Chrysler Corporation’s styling by replacing boxy shapes with long, low profiles, aggressive grilles, and sweeping tail fins. This aerodynamic design language ran from 1955 through 1961.
Source: Wikipedia
To Nelson C: Ah!! — so I DID!!! Well, I wasn’t fond of the 1955-1956 Chrysler cars, either, except for the 1955 Dodge. But I liked the 1953 Mopars, other than Imperial and DeSoto (Chrysler New Yorker being my favourite of their ’53s, particularly the four door sedan). The undramatic changes they made to Chrysler for 1954, ruined it. But more ’54s, somehow, have survived, than the ’53s, for some reason. Any THOUGHTS on that?
Nice option. Tri Five Chevies are nice, but there are multiples at every little Cars & Coffee gathering. My personal favorite is a ‘55/‘56 Ford Crown Victoria- but this Plymouth would be quite a novelty. Nice Black & white/ black & red color scheme. V8/automatic, 2 door hardtop top- cool! 😎
Always liked the 55 thru 57 chev, fords but
Never saw same year Plumouth did have a 69 gtx. Love this car, wish I was 77yo, not enough time left I guess.