4WRD-LK

The 1959 Plymouth Belvedere you see here was photographed at the Wednesday night "cruise-in" at a local ice cream store.

With its low silhouette and large tail fins, the '59 Belvedere is a prime example of Chrysler stylist Virgil Exner's "Forward Look."  This particular car has been lovingly restored. Other than the alloy wheels, its external appearance is just about exactly stock.

That's not quite the case under the hood.

The engine in this car is a 413-cubic inch "Wedge" V-8 introduced on the 1960 Chrysler 300F, which boasts dual carburetors and "cross ram" tuned intake manifolds. Resonances in the long air columns of this intake system helped increase air flow to the cylinders, improving power at low and mid-range RPMs.

To get this particular engine to fit under the Belvedere's hood, custom air filter boxes had to be fabricated because the stock ones were too tall. Though it is quite capable of being tuned into a fire-breathing monster, the Belvedere's owner fitted the engine with a mild cam and set it up for cruising, not for the drag strip.

The dashboard features Chrysler's pushbutton automatic transmission, for that complete car-of-the-future feel.

What really sets it off for me, though, is the license plate. The owner of this car knows his history.

-- Cookie the Dog's Owner

Comments

[David Colborne on September 02, 2008 at 10:25 PM]

That is one well cared for Belvedere right there. I am genuinely impressed.

[David Drucker on September 03, 2008 at 06:42 AM]

This wonderful, wacky car is an excellent example of how true enthusiasts are responding to the investor-driven prices of the more traditionally desirable models. Not too long ago, a Plymouth four-door sedan -- even an upscale Belvedere -- would have been viewed primarily as a potential source of spare parts for a Fury two-door hardtop project. I think it's just wonderful that it was rescued from that fate. (Still, I can't help visualizing the donor 300F's empty engine compartment, and wondering what happened to that sad thoroughbred.)

[ben on September 04, 2008 at 09:20 AM]

I'll ask. What does 4WRD-LK mean?

[Cookie the Dog's Owner on September 04, 2008 at 10:09 AM]

@ben: "What does 4WRD-LK mean?"

"Forward Look," which was the tagline Chrysler used to describe cars styled by Exner from 1956 to 1962.

[That Car Guy on October 26, 2008 at 01:54 PM]

These cars were used in the final chase scene of "It's A Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World" as taxis. Please check it out... it's a hilarious movie!

[That Car Guy on October 26, 2008 at 01:56 PM]

These cars were used in the final chase scene of "It's A Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World" as taxis. Please check it out... it's a hilarious car chase movie!