Vehicle Description
1954 Plymouth Belvedere Series P25-3 Convertible
Belvederes were produced by Plymouth from 1954 to 1970. The
Belvedere name was first used for a new hardtop body style in the
Plymouth Cranbrook line for the 1951 model year. In 1954 the
Belvedere replaced the Cranbrook as the top trim and became a full
model line with sedans, station wagons, and convertible body
styles. The nameplate "Belvedere" is Italian for "beautiful sight"
or "fair view".
For consignment, a 1954 Plymouth Belvedere Series P25-3 convertible
with a title verified 26,517 actual miles. This is an incredible
show car with a long list of impressive wins including AACA
National 1st 1999, AACA Grand National 1st 2003, Plymouth Owners
Club Best Of Show, and Plymouth Owners Club National 1st. More than
400,000 Plymouths were sold in 1954, but only 6,900 of them were
convertibles. You'd be hard pressed to find a nicer one 70 years
and we're thrilled to have it in our Hallowed Halls.
Exterior
A coat of bold San Pedro Blue envelops the big car, its waistline
split by a polished spear that spans the length along the slab side
panels, augmented by a trim piece resembling a gravel guard you
would see on earlier cars with articulated fenders, but merely
decorative now. The front has copious real estate filled with
grille bars, name plates, and emblems, but lacks the massive chrome
pieces that front other makes and models of the era. Instead, the
car nicely pulls in more of the body color and that spear around
the waistline continues through the front, while a wraparound
chrome bumper does underline the fascia. The Plymouth hood ornament
is somewhat mirrored by chrome fins that protrude off the rear
fenders above the modest taillights and are in line with the rest
of the metalwork and its impeccable condition. That includes the
script Belvedere emblem, the Overdrive emblem, and wire wheel
hubcaps on 15-inch wheels. The tan canvas top and its plastic
window also present in excellent condition, and we were hard
pressed to find flaws on the exterior.
Interior
Inside, things are also nice beginning with the blue and white
vinyl doors that recall the outer spear once again across the
midline, intersected by a door pull that is slightly canted up for
better ergonomics. The blue and white bench seat is split 70/30 and
is in beautiful condition as is the rear bench which is a bit
narrower to make room for the convertible apparatus which is lined
with the decorative pattern found on the door panels. The white
plastic steering wheel has a hairline crack in one of the spokes
but is otherwise a fantastic design with a metallic horn ring that
overlays the plastic. San Pedro blue washes over most of the upper
and lower dash while the center portion is decidedly art deco in
design with displays over the cream backed panel and lined metal
band. The integrated AM radio display is larger than any we've seen
in this era and the controls are housed in a chrome panel with vent
controls below the center glove box. It's really a unique interior
that is full of interesting features. Blue carpeted mats cover the
floor and like the rest, is clean as is the trunk which has a
rubberized mat and spare tire.
Drivetrain
Spotless and show worthy, under the hood we find the 217.8ci L-head
6 cylinder engine rated at 100 horsepower and fueled by a 1-barrel
carburetor. A 3-speed manual with overdrive sends power to the rear
wheels and 4.11 gears, while drum brakes are furnished on front and
back. A retro look battery is under the hood for a more authentic
presentation.
Undercarriage
An X-frame dominates the very clean underside where surface rust is
practically non-existent. A single exhaust flows through the back,
through the X-frame, into a glasspack style muffler and then out
the back where a decorative exhaust deflector adds some shine to
the tailpipe and pushes fumes towards the street. Coils spring
suspension is provided up front and leaf springs are out back. We
note a touch of transmission fluid on the transmission and a single
drop of oil on the oil pan.
Drive-Ability
Did people in the 50's realize their daily driver would someday be
considered rolling art? We hope so because driving or riding in one
of these, in this condition, is something special. The car purred
onto our test loop and provided a smooth ride, wonderful
visibility, a comfortable cabin, and all in a cheerful shade of
blue! All of the bells and whistles worked with the exception of a
stuck lower heater slide and the epic AM radio is not working.
Near perfect paint, show winning provenance, a relatively uncommon
model all are the ingredients in a recipe for a great purchase
opportunity. Someone's pride and joy is ready for its next steward
and will provide a turnkey show car that can be enjoyed parked with
the hood open, or while cruising with the top down.
Classic Auto Mall is home to more than 1,000 classic and
collectible vehicles for sale via consignment in a climate
controlled 336,000-square foot showroom (that's more than 8
acres!). The largest single location consignment dealer of classic
and collectible vehicles in the country is located in Morgantown,
Pennsylvania, just 1-hour west of Philadelphia off Exit 298 of the
I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. For more information visit
www.classicautomall.com or call us at (888) 227-0914. Contact us
anytime for more information or to come see the vehicle in
person.
With so many great cars, you know we have a lot to talk about, and
we do that each week on the Classic Auto Mall Podcast with host
Stewart Howden. Stewart discusses new inventory as well as trends
in consignments and car prices, while interviewing celebrities and
automotive professionals about amazing cars and their history. Tune
in each week to the Classic Auto Mall Podcast wherever you enjoy
listening. You can also watch on YouTube!
