1955 Plymouth Plaza

Nice original car with a no-nonsense 50s attitude. Believed to be 41,505 original miles. Great-running 260 cubic inch Poly head V8 with 3-speed manual transmission. Comfortable, spacious interior. An affordable vintage cruiser with a bit of a surprise under the hood.

The Plaza was Plymouth s entry-level car, which made it affordable in 1955 and affordable today. This particular Plaza sedan has a few nice features, not the least of which is the great-running little V8 under the hood a nice upgrade from the usual flathead six. For 1955, styling was reserved but contemporary Exner s dramatic fins hadn t yet made it to the Plymouth lineup. The clean design still looks handsome today and we believe that the color is called Miami Blue, which definitely has a 50s look. It was probably repainted decades ago, panel fit is still quite good and while there are a few signs of age and use, it has a lovely soft shine that only vintage paint can offer. The white top adds some contrast and the optional fender skirts make it look a bit sleeker than some of its siblings. All four doors close with authority, the hood snaps down without a big slam, and there s no evidence that this car has ever been wrecked or patched up. Even the bright trim is quite nice, including the simple single-bar grille and stainless side trim. The only notable deviation from stock are those modern plastic chrome side mirrors that seem to date from the 70s.

We believe the interior has been freshened at some point but the striped seat covers were professionally done in the original patterns and they look right in the vintage 4-door. The cloth inserts are comfortable even on warmer days and we re pretty sure the door panels, headliner, and floor coverings are still factory-issue. A big rubber mat protects the front carpets and there s a bit of wear on the big two-spoke steering wheel, but it isn t cracked or damaged, which is a nice surprise. All the gauges work, even the oil pressure and temperature dials way over there on the passenger s side of the dash. And yes, you do see a clutch pedal, because this car has a 3-speed manual transmission that makes it feel pretty lively around town. The original AM radio remains in the dash but unfortunately, we weren t able to tune any stations with it. There s a big, comfortable back seat that s great when you want to bring some friends along and the windows aren t cracked or discolored by age nice! There s also a massive trunk that s obviously in solid condition and includes a full-sized spare tire and jack assembly.

Most Plazas came with a fairly unambitious 6-cylinder flathead, but this one sports the late-production 260 cubic inch Poly head V8. Considerably more potent and fairly state-of-the-art for 1955, it transforms the Plaza from a frumpy grocery-getter to a fun cruiser. Wearing a correct oil bath air cleaner on top of the original 2-barrel carburetor, it has a nice torque curve that makes it easy to handle around town and an effortless freeway cruiser. The electrical system is still 6-volts, but it cranks over easily and fires eagerly, settling into a nice V8 burble at the tailpipe. Brakes and steering are unassisted, but control efforts are modest, so you don t have to worry that you just can t manage without power steering remember these were designed to be driven by women, too! The 3-speed manual transmission has light clutch action and well-chosen ratios, so the V8 always feels like it s on its toes, and with 3.73 gears out back, it feels quick but cruises easily at 60 MPH. The undercarriage is unrestored and a little grungy, but you can see that the floors are solid and there are signs of conscientious maintenance over the years. The single exhaust features a glasspack-style muffler, so there s a nice V8 sound that doesn t get annoying and the tube shocks are relatively recent so it rides well. Factory steel wheels with plain-Jane hubcaps are appropriate and carry 205/75/15 whitewall radials of indeterminate age.

Extras include a factory Service Manual.

Just a pretty little car with a reasonable price and a great-running V8 under the hood. This Plaza is ideal for local cruise nights and maybe for reliving a slice of the past that doesn t seem to exist anymore: a no-frills experience. We like the way the V8 feels and the manual transmission makes it fun to drive. Not a show car, but something that doesn t need any major work and can be enjoyed right away. Sometimes simple is better. Call today!

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