During the late 1950s and early 1960s, some of the most exquisite American cars ever produced were produced. Every one of them—the Ford Thunderbird, the Chevrolet Impala, or the Cadillac Eldorado—stands out as a magnificent classic. However, nothing beats the Plymouth Belvedere in my opinion.
Before it was updated for the 1957 model year, the Belvedere was a fairly unremarkable-looking car. This changed in the middle of the 1950s. Since then, it has been distinguished from most of its rivals by the massive rear fins and slanted front fascia that it acquired.
Then Virgil Exner took things up a notch for the 1960 model year by giving the Belvedere a more sculpted look. Some consider it a bit too flamboyant, even by early 1960s standards, but I think it’s the coolest iteration of the Belvedere.
That’s the reason I feel delighted anytime I see a 1960 Belvedere that has been abandoned being given a second chance at life. similar to this two-door hardtop that was saved from a junkyard after it had been abandoned for forty years.
The Mopar has been abandoned for forty years and is in terrible condition, with numerous rust holes and a frame that is irreparably damaged. It appears much more repulsive than “Christine” did prior to its restoration and subsequent killing. Though “Christine” is a 1958 reissue of the nicer Fury version, that’s what immediately came to mind when I saw it
And I’m pretty sure this Belvedere would look 10 times better as a restored classic because it left the factory in a cool color combo. I can’t tell if the paint is Chrome Green or Turquoise Poly, but it’s one of those awesome 1960s hues that makes classic Mopars stand out. And the interior must have been just as gorgeous thanks to a three-tone upholstery matched to the exterior.
But we’ll never find out because this Belvedere won’t make it back on the road. The guy who saved it plans on using some parts to restore a 1960 Fury while the rest of the car will be scrapped. Yes, it’s a sad fate for a once-gorgeous Mopar but being a parts car is definitely better than rotting away in a junkyard. And needless to say, seeing it getting dragged out of its grave is satisfying enough.