Car: Plymouth Belvedere 4-Door Sedan
Year: 1959
What makes it special: The Belvedere model was 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 Belvedere continued as Plymouth’s full-sized car until 1965, when it became an intermediate, and was replaced after the 1970 model year by the Satellite, a name originally used for the top-trim level Belvederes.
What made it famous: 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 would once again return as a top level trim for 1958 for the last time. Styling was a continuation from the 1957 models. A big block “B” engine of 350 in3 V8 with dual four-barrel carburetors dubbed “Golden Commando” was optional on all models. For 1959, the Fury became the top range with a full array of sedans and coupes, and the Belvedere became the middle range. The Savoy became the least expensive model, and the Plaza was discontinued. A manual transmission was standard with the push-button 2-speed PowerFlite optional and the push-button 3-speed TorqueFlite automatic also optional on V8 cars.
Why I would want one: Love the aggressive scowl of the front and large rear tailfins.
Fun fact: The 1957-58 Belvedere two-door hardtop gained notoriety from the Stephen King movie Christine in 1983. In the opening of the movie, it is indicated that Christine is a 1957 Fury, though the standard color of the 1957 Fury was not red. 1957 Fury had standard Sandstone White with gold anodized aluminum trim. For the movie Christine is painted “toreador red” with an “iceberg white” top.