Most folks associate the Chrysler “Forward Look” years with the 1957 to 1959 era, but it really began with the reworked 1955-56 models. During those years, the Savoy was Plymouth’s mid-tier product, with the Plaza as the starting point and the Belvedere at the top end. The seller’s ’56 Savoy Club Coupe (aka 2-door sedan) hasn’t been driven in 25 years and has been priced as “cheap wheels” to help get a restoration started. Located in Damascus, Oregon, this two-tone Plymouth is available here on craigslist for $750. Credit goes to “Curvette” for the tip.
As part of the Plymouth roster between 1951 and 1964, the Savoy was named after a hotel in London (as were the Plaza and Belvedere). The second generation was introduced in 1955 and helped raise Plymouth’s sales numbers over 1954. However, the Tri-Five Chevies and refreshed Fords also arrived in 1955, and Plymouth’s success didn’t lead to increased market share.
We’re told the seller’s car has a 277 cubic inch “Poly” head V8, which would have been rated at 187 hp. But that engine was more typically found under the hoods of Belvederes and Suburbans, not the mid-level Savoy. Flanking the V8 is a 2-speed PowerFlite automatic transmission with push-button controls. Since the car has been dormant for most of the 21st Century, we assume some mechanical problem developed at 41,000 miles (or 141,000). Documentation has survived that goes back to the origins of the vehicle in 1956.
The seller says the Plymouth has power steering and power brakes, which make it a well-equipped Savoy. But power windows? While most of the sheet metal has avoided the rust bug, the floors have not. And the interior is badly deteriorated after 70 years. So, for this vehicle to shine again, a full-scale restoration would be in order. This Mopar is noteworthy as it was the first year for Plymouth’s famous tailfins.
just a few miles from my house but, gosh folks, let’s get honest. This was not a spectacular car in 1956. If it was a 56 Fury, well now that would be different and could add another “0” to the price would still be something to consider. Will just be a grandpa 56 even if it gets restored. Sometimes it’s just best to make a donor out of a car. It doesn’t look bad on the surface but once you open the hood and trunk, well that tells a different story.
What the heck – it’s $750…..read that again $750……move your lips….seven…fifty…..sheeeez – just move on to the ones you see every day with more doors and the like……as an owner of a 1956 Fury go try and find one in 2500 built for…..seven hundred and fifty……
I agree with Terry, got the appeal of a head cold,,,TODAY, oh, but that wasn’t the case in 1956, this was a mighty fancy car. Even with the 2 speed, it had V8 power, gee-gaws up the ying yang, and styling that was deemed ULTRA modern, and considering what these replaced, it was. While the Fury was the real fancy one, they cost almost $2900, or $700 more than this car, and Joe Lunchpail could have almost as nice of a car with this. Then father time took over, Joe was gone, and in the 70s, these were the cars that nobody wanted, usually the V8 long gone for some Valiant project, and as shown, they sat and deteriorated. Shame, really, they were nice cars, but for any interest, they have to be nicer than this, like plastic on the seats, nice. All of these types of cars will be in a big heap somewhere, not nice enough to drive, and restoration out of the question. Hey,,,that’s what I see of the future, I hope I’m wrong.
Wow, this was what my second car was when I was about 14 years old. It was a black and white rust free Montana car. Bought it from our high school shop teacher for $25. Reverse was out in the tranny. My Mother followed me home and I took the back way since I didn’t have a license. I put it in the ditch driving too fast and not used to the road ( no damage to car). A rancher pulled me out and my Mom kept harping about driving to fast when I didn’t know the road. I must have drove it around a bit and quickly resold it as that’s about all I remember about it. I had a very forgiving Mother.
This car and Derek Bieri would get along great. For $750 someone will buy it. As a die hard Mopar fan I hope this car gets mobile again. GLWTS.
That’s what I was thinking, a good looking car for an episode, but the show is cancelled I think.
Alex Taylor and her father, Dennis Taylor, built a killer 55 Savoy. This 56 could be a great car. Great body style.
My first ride, 56 plymouth belvedere. Painted at the “ll,l paint any car any color for 29 ninety five, Garbage can green . With the two speed push button auto it would smoke the tires in reverse. It really looke hot with the lower front bumper removed. Loved that old plimmy.
First year for the Poly 277 that would get puched out in 1956 to 303 for the Fury. Then in 1957 the 318 poly would come out with the 2×4 set up in the Fury…..you can get adapters to put the later 727 auto transmission in these.
It’s only $750 and looks pretty darn complete…..seven…..fifty……
Nice looking Plymouth, and for dirt cheap! This might be one of the coolest mopars I’ve seen. I’d daily drive it once cleaned up and running. Trick will be of course to get it running. But the buy-in is so low …
These were popular out west although if you opened the hoods you would be more likely to find flathead sixes coupled to three-speed manuals. I remember two identical twins to this, including the wheel covers, but they were six-cylinders. I do remember a Belvedere, from the Hills, to the east that was V-8/auto powered, and a Canadian-built “Plodge” that was similarly equipped. The latter still exists, I might add.
I remember these cars having very brilliant “Idiot Lights.” My friend’s mother was driving their Plymouth down to Great Falls. All was going well until the oil light suddenly came on.
Light a well-bred farmer’s daughter, she did the right thing; she pulled off to the side of the road and shut the engine down. Then immediately got out and checked the oil. It was right to the level. Satisfied that there was nothing serious wrong, she then slammed the hood and proceeded with her trip.
Well, I guess you can all realize what happened next. Anyways that car, was towed home, a rebuilt engine installed and it went many more miles/years before it was semi retired.
And it still resides on the farm…
Posting was deleted. Looks like someone out there got a deal.