1957 Plymouth Plaza Resurrection/Resto Mod

[BadAss71]

Just picked up this 1957 Plymouth Plaza, and figured I should start a build thread on it. The car came out of Yuma Arizona. It has been sitting in the desert since 1976 or 1977, going by the license plate. It was one of about 300 cars in the yard. These were all cars that were picked up off the roads, due to either breaking down, car accidents, flat tires, you name it. They were towed to this yard and were never claimed. Over 45 years! There were tons of interesting cars, but this one got my eye. The car is amazingly straight. And virtually rust free! Besides a small spot on the drivers side rocker, and the floors, she's solid as a rock. Still wears its original paint. Well most of it anyway lol. The car is 100% complete, down to the bumper jack and hub caps. The motor isn't locked up and is full of oil and the trans is still full of fluid. I plan on trying to fire it up and see if the trans operates, but they will be sold off.

Plans are as follows. Not going to paint the car as of yet. Maybe down the road but right now I am kinda digging the patina. I will probably paint the roof and engine compartment tho. I have a 1999 Dakota R/T donor truck. I plan on doing the same type of swap with this car, as I did with my swinger. Complete drivetrain swap, HVAC swap, with gauges and all. Front disc brake install. Explorer rear axle. Suspension rebuild, and a complete interior redo. Then just drive the wheels off it!! Here are some pictures of what I am working with. Feedback is always welcome!

 

[BadAss71]

More pics.

 

[3406pk]

Love the fins!! That will be a cool cruiser. Great find.

 

[Abodybomber]

Sweetheart find...!

 

[Bad Sport]

Not going to paint the car as of yet. Maybe down the road but right now I am kinda digging the patina.

That was my very first thought when I saw it. It looks cool the way it is.


Psssst, your bumper fell off.

 

[inkjunkie]

First one of these I have ever seen....cool looking car....and I agree on the patina...

 

[Otateral]

Wow! Please don't paint this thing. Beautiful.

 

[70DartMike]

Very cool! A friend of mine has a whole pile of fin cars, I've always liked them.

 

[BB-Dave]

That's sweet, keep the original paint!!! I wondered what car those cool PLAZA emblems went on!!

 

[cudaman51]

that is exactly my first car in 1967. 301 ci 2 speed transmission. same color. I am jealous. Thats got a steel crankshaft. Mite work in an la motor

 

[chryslerfat]

As big as a Plaza but cool factor of 10

 

[OKDart]

Good choice, I have a '57 Savoy 2 dr HT I'm working on. Looks like yours is complete, that's good, because I haven't found much aftermarket support for these cars. Lenses pop up all the time on Ebay though. Here's mine:

 

[H20loo]

My dads buddy had a 2 dr like yours and he says that he bought it new with out a back seat. I remember thinking he was full of crap I love these cars but when they are repainted with the deep shine of todays B/C paints- they just look heavy and wrong. Like it as it is better.
Good find.

 

[pishta]

some day?

 

[norton]

What a cool project. I too love the patina.

 

[BadAss71]

Wow! Kinda surprised with all of the great comments! Thanks guys. Yea the patina is staying. I will tho paint the roof. I am thinking of shooting the car with a satin clear coat just to seal it up. Right now, if you rub up against it you end up with red paint on your clothes. I am also thinking I will tint the windows really dark. This arizona sun is not friendly, and tint will at least keep the interior temps down quite a bit. I also need to find a more comfortable front seat, something with a reclining back. The one in the car now is not the original seat anyways. Any ideas on what application I can find a seat like that?

 

[BadAss71]

Getting a lot of work done on the car the past few weeks. Got the old motor and trans pulled out and sold. Picked up the new donor 360 magnum and 46re overdrive transmission. Got them cleaned up and installed. Pretty much figured out the wire harness routing. Got the dash pulled out and ready to mod for the Dakota instrument cluster. Once that's figured out I will send it out to be powder coated. Still need to test fit the heater/air conditioning box under the dash. I also pulled the gas tank and sent it out to be boiled. I ordered the aluminum radiator and will mock that up when it arrives this week.

 

[65dartcharger]

Awesome thread! That will be a cool cruiser when finished.

 

[Rockerdude]

Damn, Im glad that car went to someone thats going to do something great with it. Keep it up!

 

[BigBlockMopar]

Nice find and project.
I have a '57 4dr hardtop Belvedere myself with similar plans.

 

[jfreakofkorn]

this should be a good build ...

 

[Abodybomber]

Looking great, so far 71...

 

[txstang84]

This is gonna be so damn cool

 

[mech1nxh]

Getting a lot of work done on the car the past few weeks. Got the old motor and trans pulled out and sold. Picked up the new donor 360 magnum and 46re overdrive transmission. Got them cleaned up and installed. Pretty much figured out the wire harness routing. Got the dash pulled out and ready to mod for the Dakota instrument cluster. Once that's figured out I will send it out to be powder coated. Still need to test fit the heater/air conditioning box under the dash. I also pulled the gas tank and sent it out to be boiled. I ordered the aluminum radiator and will mock that up when it arrives this week.
Attached Images







Well lookie there, just like that 50's engine bay was waxing prophetic !!!

Subscribed !! Righteous Build !!!.

 

[jfreakofkorn]

they have one of these on fee bay .... if i remember correctly, it did not have any bids on it ... it was mostly complete from what i can tell .... besides that, nice progress =)