The Savoy was Plymouth’s first or second-tier automobile during its various cycles from 1954 to 1964. In 1958, the Savoy was sandwiched between the Plaza and Belvedere and Fury much like the Chevy Bel Air would be later between the Biscayne and Belvedere. The seller’s ’58 edition is mostly original with a 230 cubic inch inline-6 and a “3-on-the-tree” manual transmission. Located in Albuquerque, New Mexico, this old workhorse is available here on craigslist for $11,900. Barn Finder Gunter Kramer is at it again with great tips!
Like the rest of Chrysler’s automobiles, the Plymouth Savoy would carry the hot “Forward Looks” styling from 1957 to 1959. The 1958 models were little changed and were mostly identifiable over the prior year models by the use of dual rather than single headlights (in ’57 a turn signal was located where the second headlight would be). Due to an economic recession (that helped to do in the new Edsel), Plymouth sales dropped to 443,500 units in 1958. Of those, about 25% of those were Savoy’s including 68,000 4-door sedans like the seller’s machine.
This Savoy may be a fairly basic issue other than the two-tone paint and full-wheel covers. The engine and transmission are standard fare, so the car is no speed demon. We’re told the paint is original and looks good except on upward-facing surfaces. The interior is also from Day One except that the front bench seat has been recovered. The odometer reads nearly 37,000 miles, but it’s broken so things have likely turned over once and kept going.
The tires are about two years old and the Mopar has been converted from a generator to an alternator. Besides that, the distributor and carburetor have been rebuilt. Overall, we’re told it is a good running car from California, and it has a clear title and is ready to go to its next home.
It’s extremely rare to find a ’57-59 MoPar with so little rust. This could make an interesting project for the right buyer.
I agree. Assuming parts can be found.
Kinda fun, huh? Aside from all the Christine references you could probably trundle down the road quite happily.
Didn’t that body go from frame to unibody, 1957 to 1958? And while scarcely changing the styling. Neat trick – wonder why they didn’t wait until the next styling rework.
The Christine reference has already been taken, I see. But I think I understand: A church-lady type neighbor, when I was a toddler, sometimes car pooled with my mother…sharing ride duties to kindergarten. I scarcely remember the girl, who was my age, but I remember that car. Somehow it was scary.
Stephen King never wrote about it, but I’ll just betcha he was in that era of Plymouth, too, and probably found it creepy. I truly did – our Rambler was a friendly-looking car; another neighbor’s 1959 Ford wagon was no-nonsense; but that Plymouth just radiated evil.
No Unibody (unit body) until the 1960 models and those cars still used a front stub frame (sub frame) for the engine and front suspension.
Christine was a 58 FURY, which became top of the 58 line up. FYI, Carrie Underwood actually contacted King for permission to use similar rejuvenation in her video TWO BLACK CADILLACS. He graciously agreed. There are two versions, I believe the longer one is the one to watch.
I remember the movie “Christine”. While the car may have been a 58 Fury, I don’t recall the 58 Fury being offered in Red, unless it could’ve been custom ordered.
Very interesting `58 and very solid! The chrome strip on the front fenders is an item I don’t recall ever seeing on any other `58 Plymouths. And I couldn’t find it listed as a MoPar accessory so I wonder where it came from?
Me, I’d swap out the six for say, even a 5.7L Hemi V8 and an appropriate automatic. Not trying to make a sleeper out of it, just a comfortable driver of a collector car. Beautiful shape! GLWTA!
This Savoy has the Sportone trim package. Could the front fender chrome have been made part of that package as a spring special? Just a guess.
I think it could be a ‘silver special’ with that trim and the flathead six.
Even though 1959 was the last year of that flathead six (1960 for trucks), I believe it was used in army trucks into the 1970s. A testament for its durability.
I owned a 1950 with the same engine. Good around town, but after 55 MPH the engine was shouting. I don’t see overdrive on this example, so I can’t see how it could be much better.
Beautiful looking car. 1958 is my favourite year for the Plymouth. Whether it’s the Savoy, the Belvedere or the Fury, I find it the best year for the “forward look” Mopars. If only craigslist posted more pics of the car. I would love to have seen the engine, the trunk, possibly underneath the car.
I agree with what you said about the 58 but I like the taillights of the 57 better.
I agree. I also prefer the 58 Plymouth over the 1959-61 model years.
Think this could be a Silver Special as it has the “Foreard Look” emblem on the rear fender & special side trim & full wheel covers. There is a picture of one in Don Butler’s Plymouth book but he also says it was based on the Plaza, not the Savoy.
Sorry, but my immediate reaction to the 6 in this car is 🤮. Mr. Fox is right, these do radiate a bit of a ‘mean’ attitude. Nice car though.
My first car was a 1954 Plymouth Savoy four-door sedan. It was short, boxy and rather tall. I laugh at the difference only four years made when I see this car with its “forward-look” styling and fins. My Plymouth had the same flathead six with a two-speed Powerflite transmission and power steering. It was sooooo slooooow but gave a very comfortable ride and was quite reliable. Also very good in snow because it didn’t have enough power to spin the wheels. lol
Virgil Exners fabulous finned fantasies for Chrysler set the automotive industry on its ear beginning with the Million Dollar look in 55. By 57, GM set out to completely dump plans for revised 58s being offered as 59s. The full Chrysler Corp line was appropriately called The Forward Look. Unfortunately quality control and unibody used on all except Imperial (with low production) makes these extremely hard to find. Sad to see what little is left of Chrysler, now focusing on trucks.
The non-Imperial unibody switch came with the 1960 models.
Thanks for the update. I thought it began with 57.
I think there were many people who bought a 1956 that regretted not waiting until 1957. (suddenly, it’s 1960!)
My only qualm is the drivetrain, otherwise I’d be all over this one. And this does look like a Spring Special, which would make this even more desirable to me.
I had a 58 Savoy. Mine had a 318(?) with push button auto. No A/C it did have am radio that worked great! My father and I went to Falls City Nebraska and bought it. I thought it was the ugliest automobile I had seen! Did my mind change after I saw a Desoto that a little blonde girl at work owned( that’s another story) then when My girlfriend And I were cruising in the beige beast on the Country Club Plaza in Kansas City Mo. we came across a group of Mopar owners and there were Savoys, Fury’s a couple of Desoto’s and the normal Road Runners, a Superbird and other Mopars.
We sold the car , I genuinely miss this automobile! After driving it, people looking at it and the strange style of 1958. A few things I thought was weird was the stainless steel trim with the gold side trim with the pointed Plymouth hub caps. Still it was more fun than I ever imagined!