Chrysler Corp. made a strategic boo-boo in 1962 when it came to their full-sized Dodges and Plymouths. Operating on the supposed assumption that Chevrolet was downsizing the Impala, et al, cars like the Plymouth Belvedere now rode on a B-body platform that was smaller than in 1961. The result was decreased sales that didn’t recover until they were redesigned again in 1965. The seller offers a sweet ’62 Belvedere sedan that has been slightly customized and should be an attention-getter. Located in Ballston Spa, New York, this interesting Mopar is available here on eBay. The reserve is unmet at $5,705 thus far.
When this Belvedere was built, it was supposed to compete with the Chevy Bel Air and Ford Custom as a mid-tier model. But because its overall size was smaller, an intermediate Ford Fairlane may have gotten the business. This particular car was short on options, sporting a standard 225 cubic inch “Slant Six” and a “3-on-the-tree” manual transmission. Virgil Exner designed these Plymouths and associated Dodges, both of which became known as “plucked chickens” by insiders.
We’re told the previous owner took some liberties with this Mopar. For example, the venerable Slant Six has been treated to headers and an oil accumulator, some gauges reside under the dash now, and the rear door handles were shaved during a likely repaint (I guess they still open, but from the inside).
The body and paint look good, though the latter has a couple of flaws brought on over time. The brakes, battery, and shock absorbers are newly installed. The Plymouth is only driven lightly these days and has both a current New York inspection and registration. You should be able to use this vintage machine right away with no worries and introduce your Cars & Coffee friends to a plucked chicken!
The pluck’t chik’n reference is a little lost on me, but I really like the look of the souped up slanty. Hot rodded I6s are cool.
As ugly as a plucked chicken. Not my opinion, the public opinion of 1962. The shaved rear door handles are pretty cool, too bad they didn’t do the front ones too.
I’ve heard that about 1962 Plymouth Savoy-Belvedere-Fury. I’ve never understood why. I’ve always found them quite attractive. I’d love to drive one if offered. I’ve always loved the 1962-64 Plymouth Fury.
These cars were first modeled on DeSotos, which had an elongated triangular upper rear fender that sort of resembled a chicken wing.I can’t illustrate, but I believe if you can find 62 Chrysler Corp prototypes, you’ll see the resemblance. Ironically that particular look never made it to production, as did DeSoto.
The original plan for 1962 was for this styling theme to be used on larger, true full-sized cars for both Dodge and Plymouth. As Russ notes, some misinformation caused Chrysler to apply the same styling theme to cars that were smaller, lighter, and cheaper. Items like curved side glass and deep, wrap-around bumpers were removed. Legend has it that Exner himself called the finished products “plucked chickens,” because the size and details needed to make them look good had been removed.
Some may look at the motor and laugh, but the “Hyper-Pak Slanty” was no joke. The Hyper Pak put out over 196 HP, ( 145 stock) and in a ’61 Valiant, it turned 14.6 at almost 90 mph! Those are stock V8 times. The Hyper Pak was discontinued after 1963, people weren’t interested in hot rod Valiants, and $400 bucks was 1/4 the price of the car, it quietly fell aside. While you can’t expect those kind of times here, I bet this motor sounds sweet, and some oomph. It was cars like this with big block motors that put the 409 Chevy out to pasture. Early 60s were banner years for Chrysler in drag racing, and ’62 Plymouths/Dodges were hot. At $5700, hopefully the days of 5 figure clean everyday classics is fading, and this is much more in line for a car like this.
In the mid 1960’s the Department of the Interior bought a lot of this bodystyle Dodge cars with a 426 Hemi in them. I used to push them thru the spray booth at the Chrysler plant in Fenton, Mo. And in the left front A frame of the body was a metal data tag, wired in, and you could read what the specs were, and the color was a sand brown, which was the signature Dept of Interior color.
No 426 Hemi’s until 1966.
Was Exner a genius or indulgent in his rec habits? Either way he inspired some interesting cars. As mentioned what the market wasn’t ready for the racing world took to whole heartedly. I think this is cool with the souped up slant six 3-speed.
“I think this is cool with the souped up slant six 3-speed.”
So do I, for what it’s worth. And contrary to public opinion when the car was introduced (yeah, I’m old enough to remember), I like its looks.
There looks to be a significant amount of rust on the firewall and likely elsewhere. The ad states “spring ready”, which suggests it’s been on the market for a while. Even though the high bid seems like a reasonable price, the reserve hasn’t been met. It checks a lot of boxes for this site, it’s a slant 6, has a 3 speed column shift manual and is a 4 door. The question is, will the love shown tempt anyone to dig into their wallet?
Steve R
The term “plucked chicken” makes me think of Diogenes holding up a photo of a Belvedere and saying, “Behold, a car!”
IMO BOO BOO is underestimating the disastrous 62 Plymouth and Dodge . I have a personal vendetta against them, especially 62 Plymouth. My parents passed on trading our 55 DeSoto for two other DeSotos, before trading it for a 62 Belvedere Sedan. There was nothing I liked about it. Smaller, less luxurious, and the UGGLIEST car I’d ever seen. We’ll equipped without air conditioning, it listed for $3,200 and change with the 318 V8. But it did give reliable service, logging over 116, 000 miles before it was traded.
I feel your pain. My family’s was a 1961 Plymouth Suburban wagon, 318 poly and push button auto. Manual everything else except for the power rear window. The block we lived on was full of better looking cars, but the old Queen Mary never let the 8 of us down.
@Russ Dixon
I always understood the derogatory term “Plucked Chicken” referred to the ’61 Plymouth, Dodge, and Chrysler products because their wild wings [or fins] of 57-60 were clipped for 1961.
1962 was a fresh design for Plymouth and initial Dodge offerings. A misstep for Mopar, but these ’62-64 Plymouth offerings can be added to the roster of Muscle Cars [BIG engine in smaller chassis] which preceded the ’64 Pontiac GTO.
My ex father in law was bequeathed one of these with a /6 and 3 on the tree by a deceased relative. I only rode in it once, but I remember that he had to time traffic and stop lights because the clutch slipped so badly. Pulling away from a stop was like watching a cruise ship build momentum while leaving port. He easily could have afforded to have it repaired or, he could have purchased a new car, but the emotional pull to keep it “just like Aunt _____ drove it” caused him drive it until it eventually fell apart.
I think the wheel choice on this one is very good.
A friend of my brother had a black 2 door with red interior 413 with a 4spd it was a sharp car.
He used to down shift when he went down the hill in front of my grandfather’s place I can still picture how good it used to sound.
love the wheels they give this car. bet it sounds like an Evinrude outboard with those headers. they would have to go but to each their own
Perhaps sounds more like a Mercury in line 6 “dock buster” out of water,, :)
Ended at $6,199.
Reserve Not Met.