Simon Cars - Plymouth Belvedere 1955

Plymouth Belvedere 1955 - 57

Plymouth brought a new model of the Belvedere out in 1955, utilising the 'Forward Look' body by Maury Baldwin under Virgil Exner. 1955 cars had a 115-inch wheelbase, a roof lowered by 1.35 inches, and an overall length up by 10.3 inches to give a long low look. 1955 Plymouths were designated P26 for the inline six or P27 for the V8. Offered as the 'Plaza', 'Savoy' and the 'Belvedere' as the top model until the powerful 'Fury' was introduced. The Belvedere offered a sport coupe and a convertible body, as well as 2 and 4-door hardtops and a station wagon. The 1956 Plymouth P28 and P29s were modestly restyled front and back, and as a sign of things to come the tail fins grew upwards. Plymouths were given a new 4-button automatic transmission branded 'Powerflite', and the V8 versions were fitted with the new Hy-Fire Chrysler V8 which was cheaper to make than the Hemi V8. In 1956 a 2-door coupe with 240bhp V8 called the 'Fury' topped the Plymouth range. In 1957 all Plymouths received new styling.

aa Plymouth Belvedere 1956 4-door sport sedan badgea

Plymouth Belvedere 1956 4-door sport sedan. The 'Belvedere' model was the top line Plymouth and it was treated to this gigantic emblem and striping across the front doors

aa Plymouth Belvedere 1956 4-door sport sedan badgeb

Plymouth Belvedere 1956 4-door sport sedan - badging on bonnet. The 'Mayflower' ship emblem still exists, albeit in a rather small form below the 'P L Y M O U T H' lettering. The golden 'V' beneath indicates this Belvedere had the 'Hy-fire' V8 option.

aa Plymouth Belvedere 1956 4-door sport sedan badget

Plymouth Belvedere 1956 4-door sport sedan - badge on bootlid. The Mayflower ship emblem had been dropped, but the Plymouth coat of arms clung on for Plymouth

ac Plymouth Belvedere 1956 sport sedan head

Plymouth Belvedere Sport Sedan 1956. The "V" in the grille signifies this Belvedere has the with the 4,398cc (270) Hy-Fire V8 engine

Plymouth Belvedere 1956 4-door sport sedan rear

Plymouth Belvedere Sport Sedan 1956, with 4,398cc V8 engine. 1956 Plymouths were built on a 115-inch wheelbase

Plymouth Belvedere 1956 sport sedan front

Plymouth Belvedere Sport Sedan 1956. 1956 Plymouths were built on a 115-inch wheelbase, and the Sport Sedan was the 4-door hardtop

q Plymouth Belvedere 1956 sport sedan lamps

Plymouth Belvedere Sport Sedan 1956 - tail lamps. 'Powerflite' was a 2-speed automatic box.

s Plymouth Belvedere 1956 sport sedan side

Plymouth Belvedere Sport Sedan 1956. Plymouth was given a 115-inch wheelbase for 1956. The Sport Sedan was a 4-door hardtop

v Plymouth Belvedere 1956 4-door sport sedan lamps

Plymouth Belvedere 1956 4-door sport sedan - rear lamps. Tail fins grew taller for 1956 and there were new lamps

Plymouth Savoy 1956 4-door sedan frontg

Plymouth Savoy 1956 4-door sedan. Chrysler Forward Look. The design recipe brought in by Virgil Exner to replace the boring designs by Keller.

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