- 1,096
- United States
Poll 1329: 1957-1959 Plymouths nominated by @Volksauto
Body Style: 2-door hardtop, 2-door convertible, 2-door sedan, 4-door sedan, 4-door station wagon
Engine: 230ci. (3.8L) L-head straight-6, 277ci. (4.5L) V8, 301ci. (4.9L) V8, 318ci. (5.2L) V8, 350ci. (5.7L) V8 361ci. (5.9L) V8
Power: 132-305 HP
Weight: 3,746 lbs. (1,699 kg.)
Transmission: 3-speed manual (optional overdrive), 2-speed Powerflite automatic (6-cylinder only), 3-speed Torqueflite automatic (V8s only)
Drive train: front engine, rear-wheel drive
Country: USA
Body Style: 2-door hardtop, 2-door convertible, 2-door sedan, 4-door sedan, 4-door station wagon
Engine: 230ci. (3.8L) L-head straight-6, 277ci. (4.5L) V8, 301ci. (4.9L) V8, 318ci. (5.2L) V8, 350ci. (5.7L) V8 361ci. (5.9L) V8
Power: 132-305 HP
Weight: 3,746 lbs. (1,699 kg.)
Transmission: 3-speed manual (optional overdrive), 2-speed Powerflite automatic (6-cylinder only), 3-speed Torqueflite automatic (V8s only)
Drive train: front engine, rear-wheel drive
Country: USA
Chrysler Corporation's "Forward Look" began for the 1955 model year across all brands. The cars represented an optimistic future and were styled to be the sleekest and most modern amongst the competition's offerings from Ford and General Motors. The man responsible for designing these cars was Virgil Exner. Chrysler Corp. spent the next two years completely retooling and changing the cars for the 1957 model year. $300 million later, the new 1957 "Flite Sweep" cars were introduced in October, 1956. The cars' styling were radically different from the 1957 GMs and Fords. The cars were longer, lower, wider, had streamlined rooflines, and tall tailfins.
Plymouth for 1957 and 1958 was dubbed the "Star of the Forward Look". Plymouth being part of the low priced field competed with Chevrolet and Ford. The advanced styling of the new low priced Plymouths was revolutionary among the American automakers. The effect of the new Plymouth sent shock waves through the styling halls of both GM and Ford. One story told of GM styling boss Harley Earl walking into the office of Chevrolet exterior designer C.J. MacKichan, throwing a 1957 Plymouth catalog on his desk and asking bitterly, "Why don't you quit?"
1957 was the first year for Chrysler Corporation's Torsion Aire suspension system. Replacing the coil spring setup in the front, torsion bars with ball-joint steeling was standard on all Mopars. With this new suspension system, the cars' handling changed for the better making them handling superior to any other full-size car offered at the time. Motor Trend went one step further and named Plymouth the best handling car in the country-eventually awarding the 1957 Motor Trend Car Of The Year Award to Chrysler Corporation's five divisions based on "Superior Handling and Roadability Qualities."
The 1957-59 Plymouths were available in many trim levels and body styles such as the economical Savoy, Suburban station wagon, and the sporty Fury. The cars were facelifted slightly in 1958 with the biggest visual change being the addition of quad headlights. 1959 was restyled again and would be the last year of body-on-frame construction before the unibody Chryslers of 1960.
The 1957 Plymouth is an example of when imagination ruled car design. Virgil Exner single handedly changed American automotive design and led the competition to create cars like the radical 1959 Cadillac as well as the theme of longer, lower, wider in the decades to come.
Plymouth for 1957 and 1958 was dubbed the "Star of the Forward Look". Plymouth being part of the low priced field competed with Chevrolet and Ford. The advanced styling of the new low priced Plymouths was revolutionary among the American automakers. The effect of the new Plymouth sent shock waves through the styling halls of both GM and Ford. One story told of GM styling boss Harley Earl walking into the office of Chevrolet exterior designer C.J. MacKichan, throwing a 1957 Plymouth catalog on his desk and asking bitterly, "Why don't you quit?"
1957 was the first year for Chrysler Corporation's Torsion Aire suspension system. Replacing the coil spring setup in the front, torsion bars with ball-joint steeling was standard on all Mopars. With this new suspension system, the cars' handling changed for the better making them handling superior to any other full-size car offered at the time. Motor Trend went one step further and named Plymouth the best handling car in the country-eventually awarding the 1957 Motor Trend Car Of The Year Award to Chrysler Corporation's five divisions based on "Superior Handling and Roadability Qualities."
The 1957-59 Plymouths were available in many trim levels and body styles such as the economical Savoy, Suburban station wagon, and the sporty Fury. The cars were facelifted slightly in 1958 with the biggest visual change being the addition of quad headlights. 1959 was restyled again and would be the last year of body-on-frame construction before the unibody Chryslers of 1960.
The 1957 Plymouth is an example of when imagination ruled car design. Virgil Exner single handedly changed American automotive design and led the competition to create cars like the radical 1959 Cadillac as well as the theme of longer, lower, wider in the decades to come.
