The Plymouth Belvedere is an American automobile model that was produced by
Plymouth from 1954 to 1970. 1951–1953 Plymouth Cranbrook Belvedere
Introduced on March 31, the 1951 Plymouth Cranbrook Belvedere is a
two-door pillarless hardtop. It was Plymouth's first such body design and
was introduced in response to the 1950 Chevrolet Bel Air, the first two-door
hardtop in the low-priced American market.
The Cranbook Belvedere was not a separate model, but the name for the
two-door hardtop version of the Cranbrook and built on the same 118.5 in
wheelbase. Powering the Belvedere is a flathead 217.8 cu in straight-6 engine
with a 7.00:1 compression ratio producing 97 hp.
For 1952, Plymouth kept the Cranbrook Belvedere largely unchanged. The biggest
alteration was to the color scheme; to further distinguish the top-level
Belvedere from other Plymouths, the two toning now flowed from the roof over the
beltline onto the trunk, which has been referred to as the "saddleback"
treatment. Two-tone color schemes were "sable bronze" over suede, black over
"mint green", and gray over blue. Overdrive was made available as optional
equipment in the 1952 Plymouth. In overdrive, the engine made three
revolutions for each rear wheel revolution against four without
overdrive. The engine was a complete carry over from 1951. Prices, however,
did increase by about US$100 to $2,216. Production for 1951 and 1952 totalled
51,266 units, which was slightly better than a quarter of Chevrolet Bel Air and
Ford Victoria production for that same period. There has never been a separate
breakout for Plymouth production figures for the Korean War era years of 1951–52.
The Belvedere remained a part of the Cranbrook series through 1953. For that
year, all Plymouth models were completely restyled. Major style changes
include a shorter 114 in wheelbase, a one-piece windshield, flush rear
fenders, and a lower hood line. In April 1953, Plymouths received the Hy-Drive
semi-automatic transmission. Again, Plymouth was behind the competition with
Chevrolet having introduced the fully automatic, Powerglide, transmission in
1950, with Ford following the next year with its fully automatic, Ford-O-Matic,
transmission. The engine was carried over from 1952 with the only enhancement
being a slight increase in the compression ratio to 7.10:1, which
yielded a rating of 100 hp. The shorter wheelbase partly led to an overall
stubby appearance that was panned by consumers and critics. Even with a
reduced starting price of US$2,132, demand was low. A total of 35,185 1953
Belvederes were sold. 1954
The Belvedere replaced the Cranbrook as the top-line offering for 1954. Now, a
separate model instead of just a two-door hardtop coupe, a buyer could
choose a convertible, two-door station wagon, four-door sedan or the
aforementioned two-door hardtop, now called the "Sport Coupe". Minor styling
updates adorned the carry-over body design. For the first time, small chrome
tailfins appeared on the rear fenders. In March 1954, Plymouth finally offered
a fully automatic transmission, the Chrysler Corporation's well-regarded
PowerFlite two-speed. Also new was a larger standard engine: a 230.2 cu in I6
that was also used by the Dodge Division. Power was now rated at 110 hp.
Belvedere production slipped to 32,492 for the year.
1955–1956 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 1955s. 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 tail-fins. In early 1956, the Fury
joined the Belvedere line as a special-edition high-performance model.
In 1956, Plymouth added seat belts. After the Fury was expanded to become
Plymouth's top model in 1956, the Belvedere was demoted as the middle
priced model after the Plaza and Savoy. In 1956, Chrysler in a public relations
campaign took a Belvedere and had turbine engine fitted instead of the
standard gasoline engine, and was driven across the US.
1957–1959 The 1957 model year had high sales for
the Chrysler Corporation, and for the Plymouth line. Plymouth's design was so
revolutionary that Chrysler used the slogan "Suddenly, it's 1960!" to promote
the new car. The Belvedere line once again included the Fury. This year a new
277309/320 in3 V8 with dual four-barrel carburetors was the standard engine in
the Fury, and it was available on all Plymouths.
The Belvedere would once again return as a top level trim for 1958. Styling was a
continuation from the sleek 1957 models. A big block "B" engine of 350 in3 V8
with dual four-barrel carburetors dubbed "Golden Commando" was optional on all
models. The convertible was only available in
the Belvedere model between 1956 and 1958.
The 1958 Belvedere two-door hardtop gained notoriety from the Stephen King
movie Christine. Christine was billed as a '58 Fury, but lacked the "buckskin
beige" paint and gold trim that was standard on all Furys that year; instead
it sported Belvedere trim and was painted "toreador red" with an "iceberg
white" top. Plymouth collectors decried the cars that were destroyed or cut up
in the making of the film; however it did give new life to the remaining
Plymouths, shooting the value of the cars upward to many times their original
worth. 1960–1961
Starting in 1960, Belvederes got a brand-new standard inline six-cylinder
engine. Colloquially known as the slant-6, it displaced 225 cu in,
featured overhead valves, and a block that was inclined 30 degrees to the
right to permit a lower hood line with maximum displacement. This engine used a
single-barrel Holley carburetor, and became known for its extremely rugged
construction, exceptional reliability and longevity. In 1961, "most beholders
would agree...it was hit with the ugly stick."
1962–1964 The 1962 model year full-size Plymouths
were "downsized", with more compact outside dimensions. American car buyers
at the time were in the thought mode of "bigger is better", and sales of these
models suffered. However, the smaller Plymouth provided greater owner approval
in their actual use. A Plymouth Belvedere with six-cylinder engine and
automatic transmission was compared to the intermediate-size Ford Fairlane and
the compact-size Chevrolet Chevy II in an economy test by Popular Mechanics and
the road test concluded that the Belvedere was "a very pleasant
transportation package." Another advantage of the smaller and lighter
body was in drag racing. The 1963 and 1964 models used the same
unibody platform as the 1962s, but were restyled to look longer and wider.
The 1964 Belvedere featured a new "slant-back" roofline that proved to be
popular, and sales improved significantly over the previous design.
The 1964 Belvedere was also the car used to introduce the 426 Chrysler Hemi
engine, which used a canted large-valve arrangement. This was such a significant
high-RPM breathing improvement that Hemi-equipped Plymouth Belvederes won
first, second, and third at NASCAR's 1964 Daytona race. One of the winning
drivers was Richard Petty. 1965–1967
In 1965 Plymouth once again made the Fury a full-size car, and Belvedere
became the intermediate size offering. The 1968 television show Adam-12
featured a 1967 model black and white Belvedere as the standard Los Angeles
police cruiser. 1968–1970
The Plymouth GTX was introduced as the top of the line Belvedere, and Richard
Petty won the Grand National championship in NASCAR in a Belvedere.
The new LA-style lightweight 318 engine was introduced for this year and would
remain available on the Belvedere through its life.
In 1968, the line was restyled with a roofline changed to follow the Charger,
standard flip-out rear quarter windows, and "Coke bottle styling".
The Belvedere name was dropped at the end of the 1970 model year, replaced by
the Plymouth Satellite name originally reserved for higher-end Belvederes. The
Satellite itself lasted only through 1974; starting in 1975, the car was
renamed Plymouth Fury, and the longer-wheelbase Plymouth Fury became
the Gran Fury. Engines
(Note: there are some discrepancies in this section referring to the term
"Hemi". 340 engines were not Hemis and the Hemi was first put into production
and performance use as early as 1951, not in the late 60's as the last
paragraph suggests. For more info on the Hemi see Chrysler Hemi engine.)
= Old style 277303/318 "A" engines = These engines were manufactured from
1955 to 1966, and the newer "LA" engines were introduced in 1967 running all the
way till 1992. These engines have led to a lot of confusion with the inclusion of
the 273-318, 340-360 "LA" engines, also referred to as "A" engines. The old
style "A" engine was introduced as a 277 ci engine with 187 hp as standard. The
301/318 engines were introduced in 1957. The 318 two-barrel carb had 230 hp,
while the 318 four-barrel had 260 hp. In the '57, there was a four-barrel 318
performance package that had 290 hp, being the largest output for stock "A"
engines. As with the vintage the Polysphere was not the choice for
hotrodders because the lack of support for performance parts such as headers,
cams, intake manifolds, and cylinder heads that were widely available for the
318 "LA" and the 340/360 engines. Hence the confusion where old car enthusiasts
refer to the 1967 as being the "A" style, which is incorrect if looking at
Chrysler's engine history. = New style 273340/360 "LA" engines =
The 273 was introduced midyear in 1964 with a 2-barrel 180 hp, 1965 saw a
4-barrel 235 hp with performance camshaft, 1966 saw a limited production
of the 273 with dual exhaust, steel headers, a 700-cfm Holley carb, and a
0.500" lift performance camshaft making 275 hp; installation was only in 50
specially equipped Dodge Darts designed specifically for NHRA D-stock drag
racing, the car was tagged "D-Dart". In 1967, the new style 318 was introduced
with a 2-barrel carb and was not meant to be a performance engine. This engine
was a bigbore version of the 273 and used the latest lightweight casting
technology found in the 273. A 318 4-barrel version was introduced in 1978
after a period of 10 years of having the 318 ship with a 2-barrel. The 318LA was
replaced after 1991 with the introduction of the 1992 5.2 L Magnum.
The 340 was introduced in 1968 and began to build what was one of the most
popular and best small block V8 engines. The 340 had high-flow cylinder heads and
a 180°, 2-level intake manifold. The 340 reached its highest stock performance
peak in 1970 with a three two-barrel carburetor package and featured a thick
web block, specially machined cylinder heads, adjustable rocker arms, and
special intake manifold and carbs. In 1972, the 340 was bumped down in
compression from 10.4:1 to an emissions friendly 8.5:1 and shortly thereafter we
had the 1973 oil crisis. The 360 was introduced in 1971 with a
2-barrel carb and a 9:1 compression ratio. After the 340 was discontinued in
1973, many of the 340 parts were installed on the newer 360 and continued
with the 340's performance heritage; with the discontinuance of the B and RB
engines after 1978, the 360 E58 became the highest output Chrysler VB8 for 1979
and 1980. Australian production
The Plymouth Belvedere was also produced by Chrysler Australia. The first model,
based on the 1953 US Plymouth, featured a high level of Australian content, with
body panels pressed in Chrysler Australia's Keswick facility in South
Australia and matched with a 217.8 cubic inch side-valve six-cylinder engine,
imported from Chrysler UK. It was produced as a four-door sedan and as a
locally developed two-door coupe utility, along with similar Cranbrook
and Savoy models, until it was replaced by the Chrysler Royal in 1957. The
Belvedere was reintroduced to the Australian market in early 1958 when
Chrysler Australia began assembling the current model Belvedere four-door
hardtop which was imported from the US in knocked-down form. The 1959 model was
equipped with a 318 cubic inch V8 engine and push-button automatic transmission.
Chrysler Australia replaced their Plymouth Belvedere, Dodge Custom Royal
and De Soto Firesweep models with the Dodge Phoenix in 1960.
Oklahoma centennial During Oklahoma's 50th anniversary, a
new 1957 Plymouth Belvedere was sealed in a concrete enclosure as a time
capsule near downtown Tulsa. It was unearthed June 14, 2007 during the
state's centennial celebrations, and was publicly unveiled on June 15. In line
with the Cold War realities of late 1950s America, the concrete enclosure
was advertised as having been built to withstand a nuclear attack. The concrete
enclosure, however, was not airtight and allowed water to leak in, which caused
significant damage to the vehicle. The controversial televised vehicle
customizer Boyd Coddington was to have been the first to start the unburied
car, had it been operable. The car was the prize of a 1957 contest
to guess the population of Tulsa in the year 2007. The winning entrant, one
Raymond Humbertson, guessed 384,743 versus the actual figure of 382,457.
However, Humbertson died in 1979 and now only distant relatives remain.
A second such car, this one a brand-new Plymouth Prowler, was encased in an
above-ground vault in 1998 to celebrate the city's centennial. It is to be
revealed after the same period of time as the Belvedere, in 2048.
Notes External links
Allpar: Plymouth Satellite, Plymouth GTX, and Plymouth Belvedere
View the Unburied Plymouth Belvedere Plymouth Belvedere in television and
film Plymouth sales brochures at
www.oldcarbrochures.com