Plymouth Belvedere

First generation
1954 Plymouth Belvedere four door sedan
Overview
Model years	1954
Assembly	Lynch Road Assembly, Highland Park, Michigan Los Angeles Assembly, Maywood, California San Leandro Assembly, San Leandro, California
Body and chassis
Class	Full-size car
Body style	4-door sedan[3] 2-door hardtop[3] 2-door convertible[3] 2-door station wagon[3]
Related	DeSoto Firedome Dodge Meadowbrook
Powertrain
Engine	230 cu in (3.8 L) I6
Dimensions
Wheelbase	114.0 in (2,896 mm)

The Belvedere replaced the Cranbrook as the top-line offering for 1954. Now, a separate model instead of just a two-door hardtop, it was also available as a convertible, two-door station wagon, and four-door sedan. The two-door hardtop version was now called the "Sport Coupe". The 1954 Belvederes featured full-length rocker sill moldings.[3]

Minor styling updates adorned the carry-over body design. For the first time, small chrome tailfins appeared on the rear fenders. An entry-level nameplate was introduced, called the Plymouth Plaza sharing the same design and technology at a lower price.

In March 1954, Plymouth finally offered a fully automatic transmission, the Chrysler PowerFlite two-speed. Also new was a larger standard engine: a 230.2 cu in (3.8 L) I6 that was also used by the Dodge Division. Power was now rated at 110 hp (82 kW).

Belvedere production totaled 32,492 for the year.

• 
  1954 Plymouth Belvedere four-door sedan
• 
  1954 Plymouth Belvedere Suburban

Second generation
1955 Plymouth Belvedere 4-door sedan
Overview
Also called	Dodge Mayfair (Canada)
Model years	1955–1956
Assembly	Lynch Road Assembly, Highland Park, Michigan Los Angeles Assembly, Maywood, California
Body and chassis
Body style	2-door sedan[4] 4-door sedan[4] 2-door hardtop[4] 4-door hardtop[4] 2-door convertible[4] 4-door station wagon[4]
Related	DeSoto Powermaster Dodge Coronet
Powertrain
Engine	230 cu in (3.8 L) I6 241 cu in (3.9 L) V8 260 cu in (4.3 L) V8 277 cu in (4.5 L) V8 303 cu in (5.0 L) V8
Transmission	2-speed automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase	115.0 in (2,921 mm)

All Plymouths underwent 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, and the Plaza remained the entry-level model. Chrysler promoted the all-new appearance, showing cars built at the Lynch Road Factory in a featurette movie Here. Midway through the model year (on February 26), the engine's stroke was increased by a quarter inch, increasing displacement from 217.8 to 230.2 cu in (3.6 to 3.8 L) and increasing power from 100 to 110 hp (75 to 82 kW).[5]

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 coupe. Belvedere remained the top full-line series through 1958. In 1956, Plymouth added seat belts.[6]

In 1956, Chrysler's chief engineer in a public relations campaign took a Belvedere and had a Chrysler turbine engine fitted instead of the standard gasoline engine, and was driven across the US.[7]

The 1956 models came with more V8 power upgrades, up to 180 bhp 270cid V8, 187 bhp 277cid V8, 200 bhp 277cid V8, with a 240 bhp 303cid V8 for the Fury.[8] Tail fins featured for the first time, in what Exner described as the "Forward Look".[8]

• 
  1955 Plymouth Belvedere Sport Coupe
• 
  1955 Plymouth Belvedere Sport Coupe interior
• 
  1956 Plymouth Belvedere 4-door hardtop

Third generation
1958 Plymouth Belvedere 2-door Hardtop
Overview
Model years	1957–1959
Assembly	Newark Assembly, Newark, Delaware Lynch Road Assembly, Detroit, Michigan
Body and chassis
Body style	2-door sedan[9] 4-door sedan[9] 2-door hardtop[9] 4-door hardtop[9] 2-door convertible[9] 2-door station wagon[9] 4-door station wagon[9]
Related	DeSoto Firedome Dodge Coronet
Powertrain
Engine	230.2 cu in (3.8 L) I6 241 cu in (3.9 L) V8 260 cu in (4.3 L) V8 273 cu in (4.5 L) V8 301 cu in (4.9 L) V8 318 cu in (5.2 L) V8 340 cu in (5.6 L) V8 350 cu in (5.7 L) "Golden Commando" twin 4-barrel V8
Transmission	2-speed or 3-speed automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase	station wagon: 122.0 in (3,099 mm) all other: 118.0 in (2,997 mm)

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.[10][11]

Standard on all body styles except the convertible was the "Powerflow 6" L-head engine. The convertible was only V8 powered and V8s were available in other Belvederes with an optional "Fury" 301 cu in (4.9 L) version as well as a "High-Performance PowerPAC" at extra cost.[12] A manual transmission was standard with the push-button two-speed PowerFlite optional and the push-button three-speed TorqueFlite automatic also optional on V8 cars. The front suspension introduced Chrysler's Torsion-Aire Torsion bar suspension shared with all Chrysler products starting in 1957. In 1957, Chrysler products offered an appearance of either single or dual headlights. Plymouth installed the headlights in a facia that accommodated dual headlights while offering both single and dual lamps. This appearance can be seen with front turn signal lamps installed inboard, next to the headlight, while vehicles installed with dual headlights offered a concealed turn signal above the headlights in the headlight alcove.

The Belvedere would once again return as a top-level trim for 1958 for the last time. Styling was a continuation of 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.

The convertible was only available in the Belvedere model between 1956 and 1958.

The 1957-58 Belvedere two-door hardtop gained notoriety from the movie Christine (1983) based on the novel by Stephen King. In the opening scene, in which the titles set as "Detroit, 1957", Christine appears near the end of the assembly line as a lone bright red car in a long line of Buckskin Beige Furys being built for the new model year (1958). (In the novel it is revealed that her first owner, Roland Lebay had ordered her with custom paint, as the standard 1958 Fury came only in beige.) For the movie, Christine was painted "toreador red" with an "iceberg white" top.

• 
  1957 Plymouth Belvedere 4-Door Sedan
• 
  1958 Plymouth Belvedere 4-door sedan
• 
  1959 Plymouth Belvedere 2-door hardtop
• 
  1959 Plymouth Belvedere 4-door hardtop

1961 Plymouth Belvedere 2-door sedan

Fourth generation
1960 Plymouth Belvedere 4-door Sedan
Overview
Also called	Dodge Savoy (Mexico)
Model years	1960–1961
Assembly	Newark Assembly, Newark, Delaware Lynch Road Assembly, Detroit, Michigan
Body and chassis
Body style	2-door sedan[13] 4-door sedan[13] 2-door hardtop[13] 4-door station wagon[13]
Related	Dodge Polara Dodge Dart Dodge Matador
Powertrain
Engine	230.2 cu in (3.8 L) I6 241 cu in (3.9 L) V8 260 cu in (4.3 L) V8 273 cu in (4.5 L) V8 318 cu in (5.2 L) V8 340 cu in (5.6 L) V8 350 cu in (5.7 L) "Golden Commando" twin 4-barrel V8
Transmission	2-speed automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase	118.0 in (2,997 mm)

Starting in 1960, Belvederes got a brand-new standard inline six-cylinder engine replacing the venerable valve-in-block "flathead" six. Colloquially known as the Slant Six, it displaced 225 cu in (3.69 L), 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. The V8 engines continued to be optionally available, in displacements of 318 cu in (5.21 L) and 361 cu in (5.92 L).

Unit body construction was introduced throughout the line, though it appeared on certain Plymouths in earlier years such as the 1953 hardtop coupe. This eliminated the frame and was advertised as Unibody.

Under Chrysler president William Newberg, Virgil Exner's styling team was encouraged to go "over the top" with distinctive styling, leading the 1960 models to be popularly dubbed the "jukebox on wheels" and the 1961 models were not well-received and "unfairly maligned just for being different... the cleaner, finless look was certainly on the way in, and today the Belvedere looks distinctive."[14] Despite being good cars in performance, handling, modest weight, and appealing interiors, sales suffered. Plymouth yielded third place in U.S. sales to the 1960 Ramblers.[15]

Fifth generation
1962 Plymouth Belvedere Sedan
Overview
Model years	1962–1964
Assembly	Lynch Road Assembly, Detroit, Michigan Saint Louis Assembly, Fenton, Missouri Los Angeles (Maywood) Assembly, Maywood, California
Body and chassis
Body style	2-door sedan[16] 4-door sedan[16] 2-door hardtop coupe[16] 4-door station wagon[16]
Platform	B-body
Related	Dodge Polara (1962-1964)
Powertrain
Engine	225 cu in (3.7 L) I6 383 cu in (6.3 L) V8 413 cu in (6.8 L) V8 426 cu in (7.0 L) V8 (1964 only)

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.[17] A Plymouth Belvedere with a 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."[18] 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 (and corresponding Fury hardtop coupes) 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.[19]

• 
  1962 Plymouth Belvedere 2-door Hardtop
• 
  1963 Plymouth Belvedere 4-Door Sedan
• 
  1964 Plymouth Belvedere 4-door sedan

Sixth generation
1967 Plymouth Belvedere II 4-door sedan
Overview
Model years	1965–1967
Assembly	Lynch Road Assembly, Detroit, Michigan Saint Louis Assembly, Fenton, Missouri Los Angeles Assembly, Maywood, California
Body and chassis
Body style	2-door sedan[20] 4-door sedan[20] 2-door hardtop[20] 2-door convertible 4-door station wagon[20]
Platform	B-body
Related	Dodge Coronet
Powertrain
Engine	225 cu in (3.7 L) Slant-6 I6 273 cu in (4.5 L) LA V8 318 cu in (5.2 L) LA V8 361 cu in (5.9 L) B V8 383 cu in (6.3 L) B V8 426 cu in (7.0 L) Wedge V8 426 cu in (7.0 L) Hemi V8 440 cu in (7.2 L) RB V8
Transmission	3-speed A903 manual 3-speed A727 automatic

In 1965 Plymouth once again made the Fury a full-size car, and Belvedere ostensibly became the intermediate size offering, though the Belvedere was little changed, and most dimensions and weights remained the same—the Fury was merely enlarged, restoring a full-sized line which Plymouth had been lacking.[21] The Belvedere line was divided into the Belvedere I, Belvedere II and Satellite subseries, the latter available only as hardtop coupe and convertible, and featuring the 273 cu in (4.47 L) "LA block" V8 as standard equipment. The line was restyled in 1966, and the high-performance GTX was added in 1967.

The pilot episode for the television show Adam-12 featured a 1967 Belvedere as the standard LAPD police cruiser.

Engines:

• 
  1965 Plymouth Belvedere II 2-door hardtop
• 
  1965 Plymouth Belvedere II wagon
• 
  1966 Plymouth Belvedere Satellite 2-door hardtop
• 
  1967 Plymouth Belvedere I 4-door sedan

Seventh generation
1968 Plymouth Satellite
Overview
Model years	1968–1970
Assembly	Lynch Road Assembly, Detroit, Michigan Saint Louis Assembly, Fenton, Missouri Los Angeles Assembly, Maywood, California
Body and chassis
Body style	2-door coupe[22] 4-door sedan[22] 4-door station wagon[22]
Platform	B-body
Powertrain
Engine	273 cu in (4.5 L) V8 383 cu in (6.3 L) V8 318 cu in (5.2 L) V8 340 cu in (5.6 L) V8 426 cu in (7.0 L) Hemi V8
Dimensions
Wheelbase	116.0 in (2,946 mm)
Length	202.7 in (5,149 mm)
Width	76.4 in (1,941 mm)
Height	54.7 in (1,389 mm)

In 1968, the Belvedere - along with the rest of Chrysler's B-body offerings - was reskinned with "Coke bottle styling." The Belvedere II was dropped, but the Sport Satellite was added to the overall lineup, using the same sheet metal.

The new LA-style lightweight 318 engine was introduced this year and would remain available on the Belvedere throughout its production. The Plymouth Road Runner was introduced as a low-price, high-performance alternative to the GTX. Richard Petty won the Grand National championship in NASCAR in a Belvedere. The GTX came standard with the 440 CID engine and the Road Runner with the 383 Magnum, with the 440 six-barrel or the 426 Hemi engines optional.

The Belvedere name was dropped at the end of the 1970 model year, replaced by the Satellite name originally reserved for higher-end Belvederes. It lasted only through 1974, becoming the Fury in 1975 when the longer-wheelbase Fury model became the Gran Fury.