1959 Plymouth Belvedere Convertible – Fuel Injected 361ci V8 – 3 Speed Automatic

Vehicle Location: Jackson, MS 39213
Auction Type: Reserve
Mileage: 12544
Engine: Fuel Injected 361ci V8
Transmission: 3-speed automatic
Exterior: Orange Red
Interior: Red/Black Leather/Vinyl
VIN: M253118106
Party: Dealer

Plymouth designed this car way ahead of its time in 1954! But this was no accident! It was marketed with the slogan “Suddenly it’s 1960!” The model you see before you is one that earned the nickname FURY because it is powered by a 361 ci engine that gave the stylish car some serious performance. Classic curb appeal is always a showstopper on the street and in shows. For several years Plymouth offered the Belvedere as the top of the line with the Savoy being the midline and the Savoy at the low end. The Fury had previously a stand-alone model offered in limited body styles and had never been offered as a full series.

In 1959, Plymouth officials made the Fury a full series including coupes, sedans, station wagons and a convertible as the top-line model. The demoted Belvedere became the midline model and the Savoy dropped to the low series as the Plaza name completely disappeared from marquee. 1959 also marked the first time the company offered two convertibles, coming both in the Fury (Sport Fury) and Belvedere models. Even with the two convertible offerings in their product line, less than 10,000 ragtops were manufactured by Plymouth in 1959 making them exceptionally rare. Factory records indicate 5,063 Belvedere drop-top models were manufactured in that model year with Sport Fury numbers at just over 4,000 units. Mechanically and cosmetically, the 1959 models varied little from the previous year yet the changes made were significant.

Still utilizing body-on-frame construction, the standard engine for the top two lines was a 318 cubic inch V8.  The dual four-barrel 350 cubic inch motor from the 1958 Fury was increased to 361 cubic inches and was available with either a single two barrel or single four barrel carb. No multiple carb options were available in the Plymouth for the 1959 model year. Transmission choices remained a three-speed manual, a two-speed automatic and a three-speed automatic with both automatic offerings operated by push buttons. The fin height increased slightly and many Plymouth enthusiasts feel the 1959 models epitomize Exner’s styling efforts. This 1959 Plymouth Belvedere convertible is an excellent example of a car that presents very closely to the condition it left the Evansville, IN factory back in 1959!

Purchased new at a dealership in the Oakland, CA area in March 1959 by a female owner, the convertible remained in the Oakland area in her ownership until the present owner acquired the vehicle in April of 2005. According to documents relating to the car at the time of sale, the original owner’s daughter says the car was rarely driven and was always garaged during the time her mother owned the car. There are several documents relating to the car including the original sales documents, the original title and many service receipts for maintenance.

The paperwork leads us to believe that the 12,540 miles showing on the odometer to be original and correct, but in accordance with Missouri statutes the vehicle will be sold mileage exempt due to the vehicle’s age. The car at some point has been resprayed in the factory color prior to the present owner’s acquisition and, as noted in the pictures; there is a tear in the passenger front seat insert and some discoloration in the seat back. There is also a wear issue with the factory carpeting in the driver’s floorboard near the accelerator pedal.