The rise of station wagon sales in the 1950’s can be attributed to the postwar baby boom and the growth of what we call suburbia. For model year 1957, Ford was the wagon king selling almost 320,000 units, followed by Chevy with 294,000. A distant third place was Plymouth, which was getting outsold about 3-to-1 by Ford and Chevy. Much has been written about the groundbreaking ’57 Forward-Look Plymouth. Although their styling was great, what wasn’t so great was their quality-control and rust issues. Here’s a one-owner ’57 Plymouth that wasn’t sent to visit Mr. Junkyard early. It’s also a Suburban Station Wagon that happens to be a 9-passenger model. There can’t be many out there like this one, folks. In fact, this is the first ’57 Plymouth Suburban we’ve featured on Barn Finds. It’s located in Gilroy, California, and is for sale here on craigslist for $17,500. Thank you, T.J. for spotting this rare Mopar long roof and sending it to us!
I’d really like to hear the story behind this one. How did it manage to survive? The seller says it’s a “one-owner, 100% original, 1957 Plymouth 9 passenger station wagon,” then in the next sentence lists several things that are new or have been rebuilt, so “somewhat original” is a more accurate description. The Suburban is wearing its factory black and gold two-tone paint which still has a shine, but there are thin spots visible in a number of places. The seller says there is “zero rust,” so maybe it’s been a garaged California car for most of its life. The chrome and glass and trim all look good for its age. The only thing I’d add to the car’s appearance are period-correct whitewall tires.
The Suburban’s interior looks great and has new upholstery and carpet. The ’57 Plymouth sales brochure bragged that buyers “had a choice of modern, wear-resistant fabrics in an almost limitless combination of harmonious colors.” The period-correct black-and-gray interior looks great on all three rows of seats, as does the instrument panel, steering, wheel, and dash. You can spot the famous push-button PowerFlite automatic transmission and two under the dash aftermarket gauges. The seller says that everything works.
Although the seller doesn’t give us specifics, the ’57 Plymouth sales brochure says that all Belvedere, Savoy, and Suburban V8 models had the Fury 301-cubic-inch engine under the hood. The seller states that it’s been rebuilt and that the transmission has been “gone through.” 66,000 miles is on the odometer. I tried to find a production number for how many of these 2-door (most families with kids wanted a 4-door wagon), 9-passenger Suburban Wagons were produced, but had no luck. It couldn’t have been a large number, making this rare Mopar even rarer and more tempting. What do you think?
Ron, while searching to figure out how many of these were made, I ran across a couple sources saying that only the 4 door wagons were 9 passenger, so maybe the third seat was added?
I’m digging in my rusty, foggy, dusty, memory banks, and I don’t ever remember seeing ANY 2 door 9 passenger wagons. I’m thinking about what Todd J. Said above, and wondering as a second possibility that this was special ordered this way. I know some people preffered a 2 door wagon to keep the kiddos from flinging the door open at 40 mph giving Mom a heart attack up front. Cool wagon here. And very impressive condition. Other than white walls pike Ron mentioned, thats all I’d change. Great write up Ron. I enjoyed it.