Orphan of the Day, 02-23, 1956 Plymouth Savoy

[8E45E]

Craig

[Andy R.]

Hey, look what's parked behind it!

[8E45E]

Hey, look what's parked behind it!

Indeed! I refereced that car on this thread immideately after that event: http://forum.studebakerdriversclub.c...hlight=console Studebakers FIRST! Then, other orphans, etc. I do have my priorities straight!!

Craig

[BobPalma]

Interesting, Craig.

Would the car pictured have been Canadian production for the Canadian market? I ask because I believe the side molding treatment on the subject car was unique to higher-priced Belvederes in the United States.

'Stateside Savoys had a simpler molding that came forward from the tailight and then went forward and down to the rocker panel in the middle of the front door. Perhaps the Belvedere molding treatment became a mid-year option on Savoys. That was happening a lot in the mid-50s.

Ironically, southwest of Indianapolis there are not one but two high-performance 1956 Plymouth Fury hardtops, the real McCoys, rusting down to oblivion almost side by side on a property that is apparently occupied but looks terrible. I stopped and saw the cars a couple years ago and knocked on the door, but got no response.

'One of those situations where the county will likely come and bale the cars after the owner defaults on property taxes or something, sorry to say. BP

[8E45E]

Interesting, Craig.

Would the car pictured have been Canadian production for the Canadian market? I ask because I believe the side molding treatment on the subject car was unique to higher-priced Belvederes in the United States.

'Stateside Savoys had a simpler molding that came forward from the tailight and then went forward and down to the rocker panel in the middle of the front door. Perhaps the Belvedere molding treatment became a mid-year option on Savoys. That was happening a lot in the mid-50s.

Yes, Bob, those moldings are correct for Savoys and Canadian Dodge Regents. The Belevedere and Dodge Mayfair had the model name in black-painted lettering on the chrome 'arrow' on both front doors. Here is a factory photo I have of a 1956 Dodge Regent:



Craig

[Skinnys Garage]

Interesting, Craig. Perhaps the Belvedere molding treatment became a mid-year option on Savoys. That was happening a lot in the mid-50s. BP

The side trim puzzled me too, because photo's of my Dad's old '56 Savoy (back when it was nearly new) has the "traditional" '56 trim. So, I did a quick search and you hit the nail on the head about the Belvedere trim as a later offered option. Here's a snip from the website:

"By October, MoPar had released a Sportone molding package for in-field installation on all Plaza and Savoy models. These moldings (Belvedere style) differed only in not having the model name on the side medallion, retailing for $16 and $27 per package depending on body style."

The part I find interesting is that they claim it was an "in-field" installation. Can you imagine today if a new car rolled off the truck and the boss told you to run it in the back, strip off the trim, fill and drill holes and paint as necessary! Of course, we really don't have to worry about stainless moldings anymore.......

Here's an old pic of my Dad's '56 Savoy with the standard trim. I have some pics of it still stock looking in '57, so this was probably taken in '58 with some mild customizing. This was after his first year in the Navy where he picked up some southern California styling ideas being stationed out of San Diego.

[Carl Purdy]

That's my favorite Plymouth.