Sometimes a classic car doesn’t need spotless presentation and mirror-shiny paint to walk away with show silverware. Take this 1959 Plymouth Belvedere. It is an original and unmolested survivor with aging paint. However, it struck a chord with patrons who selected it to receive a “People’s Choice Award” at a local show. The seller has enjoyed this classic, but with the decision to offer it for sale with No Reserve, it is set to find a new home in a few days.
Plymouth introduced a radically restyled Belvedere range in 1957, with the ’57 and ’58 models gaining later notoriety as the star car in the iconic movie, “Christine.” Our feature car rolled off the line in 1959 and is one of the last produced before the range underwent another significant update. Its Silver Gray and Iceberg White paint shows its age, holding a warm glow, rather than a mirror shine. However, it is consistent across the entire vehicle, suggesting there have been no touch-ups or minor repairs. The panels are straight, and although there is dry surface corrosion in various areas, there is no evidence or mention of penetrating rust. That means that the winning bidder could preserve the vehicle as-is, but performing a cosmetic refresh would be straightforward. The bright trim is in generally good order for a car of this vintage, and while it appears the windshield might be cracked on the driver’s side, the remaining glass seems okay.
The 1959 model year marked the end of an era for the Belvedere range. It was the last where buyers received the 230ci flathead “Powerflow” six as the standard engine. The slant-six was waiting in the wings to grace engine bays from 1960. This car’s first owner teamed the “Powerflow” with a two-speed PowerFlite automatic transmission, and with 132hp and 205 ft/lbs of torque on tap, performance could best be described as competent. This car won’t win a “Traffic Light Grand Prix,” but it should hold its own in city traffic and cruise effortlessly at freeway speed. News for potential buyers is positive, with the seller recently replacing the braking system, fuel lines, and fuel tank. They rebuilt the carburetor and fuel pump, and although it isn’t stated outright, it appears the Belvedere is a turnkey proposition.
If potential buyers consider this Belvedere purely as a survivor, its interior is exceptionally well-preserved for its age. There are some depressions in the front seat on the passenger side, but these appear to be the result of something heavy being placed there. I suspect they will disappear with time. Otherwise, the dazzling Silver and Red upholstered surfaces show no evidence of wear or distress. It is hard to make a definitive call about the carpet, but the dash and pad look very nice. The first owner passed on such luxuries as a radio, so long trips may require occupants to tune up their tonsils for a spot of “Car Pool Karaoke.”
The seller listed this 1959 Plymouth Belvedere here on eBay in Yukon, Pennsylvania. Bidding sits at $5,100, and with No Reserve in play, it is guaranteed to find a new home shortly. The new owner could continue to preserve this classic as a genuine survivor, although its rock-sloid nature would make it ideal for a sympathetic restoration. I don’t know which path I’d choose, but I am leaning toward leaving the vehicle essentially as-is. Do you agree, or do you have grander visions for this gentle giant?
Fun to see cars like this again. I always laughed, the 2 and 4 door look almost alike, except for the crack of the rear door. It looks spartan, but actually not as basic as you’d think. This car cost $2351 new, and a option list a mile long. It’s odd that the original buyer wanted the flattie, when the 318 V8 was all the rage. I can’t find a cost difference between the V8 and 6, couldn’t have been much, it was the automatic that cost a lot. I remember hearing stories of these cars that doors would pop open, or the trunk on big bumps. My uncle had a Plymouth like this before his Pontiacs, and I remember the old man telling us not to sit close to the doors. Very poor build quality and I remember these cars, or any with “eyebrows” with the headlights literally falling out. What a great find if not in a hurry, that is. I think most here may have forgotten how worthless a flathead 6 is in a full size car.
Maybe the first person who bought it didnt care what was under the hood , as long as it ran . A lot of people aren’t into cars, and they look on it as more of an appliance . The buyer probably went to the dealership , told them what they were looking for and wanted to spend, and was steered to this car. Since its in such good shape and only seems to have an automatic transmission , I would venture to guess it was purchased by an older couple with a fixed income who wanted something affordable , but didnt need things like radios as many older cars didnt come with them – its possible they never owned a car with a radio !
This a car that would have me frustrated if I owned it . One one hand , its pretty much original , and as they say, its only original once , but .. the paint is pretty dead , and with a nice paint job and some replacing of worn trim, it could really look so much better
I agree, to a point. I remember folks were leery of change then, and the person who ordered the car knew full well what they wanted. A flattie 6 always got them home. This new fangled V8, we’ll just wait and see on that. Back then, we didn’t live in our cars 28 hours a day. They had a specific purpose, that usually didn’t involve a lot of miles. 15 minutes each way to work, and maybe bowling after supper. Chrysler was one of the last holdouts on the flathead, I think Rambler was the only other, for car applications, and for city travel, they worked fine. Typically, these had a 3 speed manual, as the automatic was a hefty option, sometimes the most expensive option. Why some people ordered certain options, I’m sure had most salesmen wondering why.
That has to be one or the goofiest statements I have heard. Maybe the owner did not care what was under the hood as long as it ran??? Are you kidding? Maybe one does not care about power windows or a radio but what’s under the hood is what makes it run! Dah!
I knew people when I was young who preferred an inline 6 over a V8 because they thought it was easier to work on. Many farmers preferred the Ford 300ci 6 over an 8. I hadn’t been licensed long when my uncle visited with a brand new 1965 base model Ford with a 6 and 3 on the tree. That was the first standard transmission car I ever drove. Chrysler sold a lot of slant sixes, and most were backed by automatics.
I grew up in the 50s on several used car dealerships owned by my uncle. I clearly recall the problems with the door handles (and door locks) of Chrysler products of this era. In addition, gauges and warning lights often proved whimsical and engine-starting was iffy in rainy or even in damp weather (a problem that had extended back many years). Oh, and lest I forget, the fenders of these cars often rotted directly above the headlights–which, as you say, Howard, caused the headlights to loosen and eventually fall out.
Chrysler apparently assigned a relatively low priority to the quality of its products, which seems inconsistent with its innovative and excellent engineering record.
My mother had a favorite story about her 1960 Dodge Dart. Whenever she turned right, the horn would sound. One day she was at a corner waiting for an older lady to cross. She turned the wheel and BEEP! The woman got mad and complained to a cop. He came over and told my mother he was going to pretend to write her a ticket to make the old lady happy!
Had 59 Fury, 318, auto, daily driver. Engine Trans perfect, but body construction left much to be desired. In a rain storm, I could see the rear window moving in the gasket and letting water in.
Deserves a modern hemi
Indeed it does. My dad bought me a ’57 Belvedere in Dusty Coral for my high school graduation in ’68 and I put a hemi in it because the 318 was shot. He was about making me do things myself so I’d become self sufficient, and he got it expressly for that reason.. and partly because it was only $200 I imagine. So it got new tie rod ends, reupholstered seats, a hemi out of a Dodge and four new tires on chrome reverse wheels and I had what I thought was a pretty cool hot rod. Never had any trouble with the door handles etc either.. maybe I got lucky in that regard.
At 5 grand sign me up and it is only 20 min away!
Grab it, Joe!
16 hours left to go and its still at $5100. It would be steal at that price, most of these especially Pa. cars rusted into the ground within ten years. This looks solid and its got an automatic trans. and a heater. I always liked the 59’s more than the others, they got new updated fins. Odometer says 28,000 mi. on it, owner doesn’t claim that to original, but it very well could be?
Seal that patina in whatever way possible.
The small rear vent windows makes it what I believe is a club sedan? Which almost at first glance makes ya think it’s a 4dr. My old man had the same yr 4dr with the poly block 318. He had a 58 belvedere wagon and that had the flathead in it and what a slow p.o.s it was. He and my uncle changed out 2 flatheads in that car. After the 2nd one went and I kid you not after a week He sent it down the road. The 59 with the 318 he loved that one ran like a beast! I’d trash the flathead and throw a healthy bb with a pistol grip 4spd in it. Peace!
My Mom had a 4-door with the 318 with the push-button trans. It was pretty fast and would smoke the rear tires.
I don’t recall her having any problems.
I thought the star vehicle in Christine was a Plymouth Fury , or at least portrayed as one .
Although several Furys were used in the movie, a stray Belvedere may have been used in some scenes
You go,Joe! Would you keep it as is? I would.
Keep it as it is and drive it. Everyone didn’t want a V8 engine back then and even though gas was about a quarter per gallon lots of people wanted the best gas mileage they could get. I got a ride to school in1955 in a brand new Chevy 210 two door, 6/3spd. The person said he didn’t need the V8 and wasn’t sure about how they would work out as they were new and un-proven, so he stayed with what he knew. This car would be fun to have and drive to remind me of how the average car rode and drove. If it were closer to me I’d be very tempted to bid. I hope someone won’t destroy it with modifications.
I’m all for originality but I’m sorry the flattie would be gone if I bought it. The new bullet would be of Mopar origin and upgrade the brakes. Other than that just leave it!
This 59 Belvedere has a great,solid looking body, but that tired flat 6 would have to go and make way for an updated 318, or similar Mopar V8 if I got her. With this flattie 6, and drums, she’d be driving like a lumber truck.
Contrary to some posts, not looking under the hood of a car before a purchase can and does happen. To many people, as long as it runs, moves and stops . That’s all they care about, it’s the options that’s more important. We had people buy cars from the dealership I worked at in the 80s that didn’t even take them for a test drive !
My father, an electronics sales man, bought a new Ford every two years as he would put a lot of miles on them. He told me when he wanted another car, he’d call the Ford dealership, tell them he wanted a 2 door Ford wagon with an automatic transmission, a radio and an outside mirror. That’s it . It was more important to have the auto trans ; as a new car you’d just expect it to run. For some buyers who aren’t car people ( like my mom) , looking under the hood would mean nothing. As long as it did what she wanted, it was a car she’d buy.
Yes, exactly.
Individuals have differing priorities. I’m 74, with a lifelong interest in cars and their drive trains. Yet I’ve encountered many who are entirely indifferent to the design, construction, and use of mechanical components–women and men who hold a strictly utilitarian view of vehicles. Typically, these folks don’t understand the mechanical workings of vehicles and, moreover, couldn’t care less about them. Indeed, some are more concerned with fuel consumption, the quality of a sound system, or whether their car offers the latest electronic gadgetry.
I also agree at age 76. If the 230 has decent compression still, why not keep as is, or maybe split the exhaust if a dual manifold can be located. I had a 218 flat 6 about 45 years ago that was in a 46 Dodge 1 ton pickup with the 9-foot bed. It ran well until it only started by popping the clutch going down a hill! Several times I adjusted the side valves as the engine ran. That’s before the fine motor mechanics gloves, no way to adjust without burning hands on the exhaust. I like this car but where is Yukon PA? Just found the small-town SE of Pittsburgh near the turnpike. The brakes work, they say, so what’s not to like?
Lee Petty won a lot of stock car races with 6 cylinder Plymouths.
Listing ended, 0 bids
There were bids that were considerably higher that it was when Adam did the write up but the owner ended it supposedly due to an “error in the listing”. I’ve been an eBay seller since 2005 and I’ve seen this time and time again when a prospective buyer sends a message to the seller with his phone number or email in code so eBay can’t read it and makes an offer off the table. That way there are no seller fees and the buyer doesn’t have to compete against anyone else. It’s a dirty trick but they get away with it.
I think I would try some of Vice Grip Garage’s shine juice on the paint, to keep original, or what he used to use, boiled linseed oil and thinner. Watch out disposing those rags. Cheap semi-gloss finish that can be reapplied whenever.
Ended with 0 bids.