July 2021
In Novemer 2020, I was browsing Facebook Marketplace when I saw a very familiar vehicle on my screen — a 1956 Plymouth Belvedere 2-door hardtop equipped with a 277 cubic-inch V-8. The car was familiar because I went to high school with its owner — Gary Brady. Gary and I were car friends — at the time he owned the Plymouth,, I owned a 1955 Chevrolet Bel Air 2-door hardtop — ironically, the Chevrolet equivalent of the Belvedere, but a year older. I bought my Chevy in 1979 and refurbished it in 1982; in 1983 I rebuilt the 4-bolt main 350. I owned the Chevy until I sold it in 2015 to pay for tuition for a master’s degree.
The Chevy needed work, and for whatever reason, I had lost interest in the car. I needed the cash more than the car, which I hadn’t driven for several years. I owned that car 36 years, and in the years after I sold it, I missed it. But the car was tied to my past, not my present. It was a time capsule of my youth. Time to move forward.
But seeing the Plymouth was like seeing an old friend. How many times had I driven the Chevy and passed Gary and his wife cruising town? Gary and his wife didn’t have children; the Plymouth was Gary’s baby, and had been for years. The previous owner had bought it from Gary’s wife with plans to hot rod it for his girlfriend. There was a change of plans, apparently, and he didn’t want the car. But I did.
In the months since I bought the car, its been like a long date — I’ve slowly been getting to know the old girl and all her quirks. She starts and runs like a top, one of the quietest running cars I’ve ever owned. I had a very intimate knowledge of my 55 Chevy; but the Plymouth is all new to me.
So whats in the plans for the Plymouth?
INTERIOR. The door panels need to be replaced; the cardboard is water-damaged and the bottoms are somewhat ragged. The seats are acceptable. It looks like the original material may have been dyed or painted; I’ll know more when I remove the door panels. The drivers’ side rear window is binding and needs to be lubed; the driver’s side glass is loose in its mounting. But all the glass in the car is in excellent shape.
I have a restored, working radio to install in the car, though I’m thinking of obtaining a duplicate radio plate and modifying for a modern radio system … just thinking about it.
OTHER ADDITIONS. I’m considering investing in original style power steering for the car. There’s two ways you can do this — you can use the old style hydraulic power steering that’s all under the hood, or you can add electric power steering. The disadvantage of the electric is that it has to be inserted in the steering column, and its basically impossible to install it without it showing.
UNDER THE HOOD. The engine appears to be original, and hasn’t seen paint in 30-plus years. It really could use paint, at least on the valve covers. Aluminum valve covers are available, but are very pricey. I think I’m having vapor lock issues, so it may be necessary to add an electric fuel pump and return line to the car. I’m also considering adding electric fans to the radiator to drive air thru it for better cooling.
EXTERIOR. The car’s 30-year-old paint is showing its age. Small rust spots have popped up on the driver’s door, passenger door and quarter panels. Once I get my garage built, I plan on repainting the car in the same two-tone color scheme.