Vehicle Description
1956 Plymouth Belvedere Sedan
All Plymouths were treated to a major overhaul for the 1955 model
year. This was the first year of Chrysler stylist Virgil Exner's
"Forward Look". The Belvedere returned as top-of-the-line. For
1956, Plymouth styling evolved from that of the 1955's. Most
notable would be the introduction of the first push-button
automatic transmission to appear in an American automobile and a
more dramatic rear-end treatment highlighted by a pair of rakish
tailfins. In early 1956, the Fury joined the Belvedere line as a
special-edition high-performance coupe. Belvedere remained the top
full-line series through 1958. In 1956, Plymouth added seat
belts.
For consignment a black and white Plymouth Belvedere from 1956.
With headlights not unlike the early Lincoln styling we could
harken back to the original Batmobile and see a similarity. The
"forward" look for design, two tone paint and nice trimmings, we
have a cruiser that is right out of the finned era and has a
rebuilt engine. It's a 4-door sedan, and definitely a suburbia
second car mainly used for the grocery getter role.
Exterior
With many "borrowed lines" from various cars (the headlights from
the Lincoln, the taillights from the Tri Fives, and the trim spears
and paint from the mid 1950's.) Not a muscle car, but just a family
hauler which has nice conveniences and great classic looks. Black
paint that has a few faults and some dulling covers most of this
steel slab sided car. Chrome trimmings are all in good condition,
and all glass is free from any delamination and all surrounded by
nice aluminum trim. A white painted top and on either side is a
mixture of trimming and paint change over creating a forward facing
large white arrow that points forward. This white wraps around the
lower part of the rear deck near the roll pan and is peppered with
badged stainless moldings. A nice rear wrap mourned curved glass
offers up great visibility and standard wheel covers are wrapped by
mid-sized white walls on all 4 corners.
Interior
A swing of the door and some modern art from the mid 50's reaches
out to your eyes with some black background broadcloth and a funky
white stitched design within this upper door panel. In the mid door
is white vinyl and this is broken up on the bottom by a black vinyl
panel that is very smooth and tight. Slipping inside we find
ourselves perched on a black vinyl bench with a white tub surround
on the bottom. A rear bench is within these confines as well and is
looking in fine condition. The original dash with the push button
transmission to the drivers left, then some black steel with a
white insert and aluminum panels for the round gauges, a central
cigarette station, and a round panel on the panel in front of the
passenger with Plymouth badging in your grandmother's handwriting.
Nice clean black carpeting floods the floors and a yellowed white
headliner in what appears to be mohair is floating above. Noted is
some water damage to this fabric on each B pillar near the rear
bench.
Drivetrain
Underneath the hood in an unrestored engine bay sits the 277ci V8
which is topped with a single 2-barrel carburetor. A Powerflite
2-speed automatic transmission is on back and a 3.73 rear axle is
attached. Engine is clean and as stated has been recently
rebuilt.
Undercarriage
Some surface rust, light and heavy is throughout the underside. On
the floor pans all metal is solid as the same for the framing.
Rockers have suffered a bit of invasive rust on the interior
underside rocker metal showing some smaller areas of destruction.
Independent coil sprung suspension is on front, and leaf springs
for the rear. Drum brakes are seen all around.
Drive-Ability
A quick started, with a smooth idle for the rebuilt V8, and I was
off to the test track. Good acceleration got me there quickly and
sustained a nice cruising speed with a smooth ride and shifting
getting there. Bias free panic stopping on the braking side, and
all functions save for the rear taillights were working as they
should.
Dripping with mid 1950's styling, in essential black and white
livery and plenty of spears and trimmings. Along with the rear tail
fins, it's back to the future here in our halls of Classic Auto
Mall. A nice Plymouth example, that is a strong runner with the
rebuilt engine, and all in fair to good condition overall.
Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special
interest automobile showroom, featuring over 600 vehicles for sale
with showroom space for up to 1,000 vehicles. Also, a 400 vehicle
barn find collection is on display.
This vehicle is located in our showroom in Morgantown,
Pennsylvania, conveniently located just 1-hour west of Philadelphia
on the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. The website is
www.classicautomall.com and our phone number is (888) 227-0914.
Please contact us anytime for more information or to come see the
vehicle in person.