Tag Archives: Plymouth

Shadeyside Bonded Body – Chrysler Prowler

Aged just seven Chip Foose started working on car at his Dad’s Project Design shop, in Santa Barbara, California in 1970.

Chrysler Prowler, Pendine Sands

After financial difficulties Chip dropped out of the Art Center College of Design in 1982, but returned to graduate in 1990 by which time he had designed a retro coupé / roadster for a a Chrysler-sponsored college project.

Chrysler Prowler, Pendine Sands

After attracting much attention with it’s Dodge Viper, Chrysler design director Thomas C. Gale, also a hot rodder, gave the Plymouth Prowler which was influenced by Chip Fooses College design the go ahead as a concept car in 1993.

Chrysler Prowler, Pendine Sands

The Prowler went into production in 1997 with a chassis and body built from adhesive bonded aluminium at a facility in Shadeyside, Ohio with the rest of the assembly being completed by hand in Detroit.

Chrysler Prowler, Pendine Sands

Initially the Prowler was powered by a 214hp 3.5 litre / 213 cui V6 but in 1999 this was upgraded to produce 253hp, the motor is linked to a a four-speed Autostick semi-automatic transmission mounted in in the back, a al Alfa Romeo and Porsche 924/944/968 among many others to improve weight distribution, by a torque tube.

Chrysler Prowler, Pendine Sands

When the Plymouth brand was dropped in 2001 the Prowler continued to be marketed as a Chrysler until production ceased in 2002 with 11,700 examples built.

The 2002 example seen in these photographs taken at Pendine Sands was first registered in the UK on the 19th of December 2002.

Thanks for joining me on this “Shadeyside Bonded Body” edition of “Gettin’ a li’l psycho on tyres” I hope you will join me again for Ferrari Friday tomorrow. Wishing all GALPOT readers a Happy New Yew Year. Don’t forget to come back now !

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For Mature Audiences – Plymouth GTX

The second generation “Gentleman’s Muscle Car” Plymouth GTX was introduced just one year after the first in 1968 and remained in production until 1970.

Plymouth GTX, Goodwood Revival,

The GTX was offered with either a Coupé or Convertible body though the latter was deleted after only 701 were built in 1969.

Plymouth GTX, Goodwood Revival,

New for 1969 were optional functional “Air Grabber” bonnet / hood scoops for the 4 barrel carburetor 440 7.2 litre “Super Commando” V8 which produced 375hp.

Plymouth GTX, Goodwood Revival,

Other goodies included a Hirst Shifter “so you spend less time going through the gears”, heavy duty radiator with viscous drive fan so “more power ends up at the wheels” and a Sure-Grip differential for “maximum traction”.

Plymouth GTX, Goodwood Revival,

The contemporary ads for the GTX suggested that’s it’s customers liked “the beach in spring. The Strip. Miniskirts. Neat cars. Blood rare steaks.” and “Things like that” with the strap line “Suggested for mature audiences.

Plymouth GTX, Goodwood Revival,

The GTX, like the 1969 example seen in these photographs taken at Goodwood Revival, was built alongside the similar but less well appointed, lighter and cheaper Road Runner, the convertible version of which made the production of the GTX convertible superfluous.

Thanks for joining me on this “For Mature Audiences” edition of “Gettin’ a li’l psycho on tyres” I hope you will join me again for Ferrari Friday tomorrow. Don’t forget to come back now !

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The Least Junked Car – Plymouth Belvedere

The sixth generation Belvedere, with styling overseen by Elwood Engle, was launched in 1965 with a variety of V8 engines ranging from 4.5 litre / 273 cui to 7 litre / 426 cui capacities with either 3 speed manual or 3 speed automatic transmission.

Plymouth Belvedere Wagon, Avenue Drivers Club, Queen Square, Bristol,

In 1966 Richard Petty helped boost Belvedere sales considerably by winning seven races and his third NASCAR title a feat he bettered in 1967 by winning 27 races on his way to winning his record, for the time, fourth NASCAR title.

Plymouth Belvedere Wagon, Avenue Drivers Club, Queen Square, Bristol,

Plymouth offered a full range of body styles on the B Platform including; 2-door sedan, 4-door sedan, 2-door hardtop, 2-door convertible, 4-door station wagon like the 1966 example seen here at an Avenue Drivers Club meeting at Queen Square Bristol.

Plymouth Belvedere Wagon, Avenue Drivers Club, Queen Square, Bristol,

This vehicle fitted with a 5.2 litre / 318 cui motor was first registered in the UK on the 18th of September 2002.

Plymouth Belvedere Wagon, Avenue Drivers Club, Queen Square, Bristol,

According to the Planet Junk Car Database the ’66 Belvedere was said last year to be the least junked car in America, though exactly how reliable this information based on the record’s of just 33,000 junked vehicles is perhaps open to debate.

Thanks for joining me on this “The Least Junked Car” edition of “Gettin’ a li’l psycho on tyres” I hope you will join me again for Ferrari Friday tomorrow. Don’t forget to come back now !

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Forward Design – Plymouth Savoy

The arrival of of the 1957 Mopars saw a dramatic shift in styling from a conservative Plane Jane to Virgil Exner’s jet age inspired Forward Design featuring the outrageous tail fins that became synonymous with the late 1950’s and lead Plymouths advertising copy to read “Suddenly – It’s 1960!”

Plymouth Savoy, Summer Classics, Easter Compton,

The only car that dared to break the time barrier Plymouth, De Soto, Dodge and Chrysler full size models all featured variations of the same body design that were available to meet a variety of needs at an all important variety of prices.

Plymouth Savoy, Summer Classics, Easter Compton,

Two years after Chrysler replaced the ’55 body styles the Plymouth Savoy alone was offered with 2-door coupe, 2-door hardtop, 4-door sedan, 4-door hardtop and station wagon bodies which with 8 engine options and 3 transmission options allowed a diligent salesman to sell up or down according to the purse of just about anybody who walked through the dealers showroom door.

Plymouth Savoy, Summer Classics, Easter Compton,

Allegedly “The Forward Look of Motion” caused GM’s styling boss Harley Earl to ask Chevrolet exterior designer C.J. MacKichan “Why don’t you quit?” after seeing the 1957 Plymouth catalogue”.

Despite Torsion-Aire Ride using torsion bars but not airbags as the name might suggest, build quality problems with the Forward Designs meant many did not survive long before they started to rust away, the ’57 Savoy featured in these photographs is seen at last years Summer Classics meeting in Easter Compton.

Thanks for joining me on this “Forward Design” edition of “Gettin’ a li’l psycho on tyres” I hope you will join me again tomorrow. Don’t forget to come back now !

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More Like A Six Cylinder – Plymouth PD

In 1932 sales of the Plymouth PB helped Plymouth become the only brand to show an increase in it’s sales volumes over 1931 and edged Chrysler closer to displacing Ford in second place in the corporate sales league, despite this Chrysler was still loosing money.

Plymouth PD, Summer Classics, Easter Compton,

For 1933 Walter P Chrysler boldly invested US$9 million in new plant and machinery to make a new six cylinder engine “for the price of a four” which would be fitted to the 107″ wheelbase PC model that was to replace the PB.

Plymouth PD, Summer Classics, Easter Compton,

To launch the new Six Cylinder PC which sat on a 109″ wheel base chassis in October 1932 Chrysler booked 90 mins of the ABC radio networks airtime just to talk to it’s dealers and employees across the nation.

Plymouth PD, Summer Classics, Easter Compton,

Despite all this investment in a brand that was just five years old the PC was not a great success because it sat on a 107″ wheel base it looked like a 4 cylinder car.

Plymouth PD, Summer Classics, Easter Compton,

A revised deluxe PD with the same 189.8 cui / 3.1 litre straight six but now on a 112″ chassis was rushed into production in time for the spring sales and the manufacture of the PC was discontinued in March 1933.

Plymouth PD, Summer Classics, Easter Compton,

The Silver Dome 70 hp and 76hp Red Head variations of the PD remained in production until December 1933, the ’33 PD example seen in these photographs, at last years Summer Classics meeting in Easter Compton, was first registered in the UK on January 1st 1935.

Thanks for this “More Like A Six Cylinder” edition of “Gettin’ a li’l more psycho on tyres” I hope you will join me again for Ferrari Friday tomorrow. Don’t forget to come back now !

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Four Cylinder Zenith – Plymouth PB Sports Roadster

Six months before production of the Plymouth PA came to an end production of the PB commenced on February 4th 1932.

Plymouth PB, California,

The PB would be the last 4 cylinder model using the same 196 cui / 3.2 litre 4 cylinder motor inherited from both the PA and earlier U series Plymouths, though now with oil filters fitted as standard equipment.

Plymouth PB, California,

The 109″ chassis was the same wheel base as the PA and U series to but with X pattern cross bars for additional chassis rigidity.

Plymouth PB, California,

The hydraulic brakes were also upgraded to a centrifuse type featuring steel drums with fused cast iron friction surfaces.

It is believed that 2,163 PB Convertible Coupés were built like the example seen here in a California car park, though they were only available new from the factory painted; Black with either Black or Casino Red mouldings, Limousine Blue No. 4, Uhlan Gray, Merrimac Beige, or Biscay Sand, bodies, the 4 cylinder PB’s would be replaced by 6 cylinder PC’s and PD’s in 1933.

My thanks to Geoffrey Horton for sharing his photographs.

Thanks for joining me on this “Four Cylinder Zenith” edition of “Gettin’ a li’l psycho on tyres” I hope you will join me again tomorrow for a Superfast Friday. Don’t forget to come back now !

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American Highlights – Goodwood Festival Of Speed

Today I am looking at some of the American highlights at this years Goodwood Festival of Speed.

Chevrolet SS, Bobby Labonte, Goodwood Festival Of Speed,

2000 NASCAR Cup champion Bobby Labonte was demonstrating Austin Dillons 2015 # Dow Chevrolet SS that is run by Austin’s Grandfather’s Richard Childress Racing team.

Chevrolet Custom, BJ Baldwin, Goodwood Festival Of Speed

Twice Baja 1000 Winner and seven time US National Off Road Champ “Balistic” BJ Baldwin appeared to be having a lot of fun demonstrating the capabilities of his 850hp 2012 Chevrolet Custom.

Shadow Matra DN7, Grant Beath, Goodwood Festival Of Speed,

The Matra V12 powered 1975 Shadow DN7 was only raced twice by Jean Pierre Jarrier before Matra decided to supply Ligier for the 1976 season and it retired on both occasions in Austria and Italy qualifying a best 13th at Monza, this great sounding one off is seen above being demonstrated by Grant Beath.

Plymouth Superbird, Kenny Brack, Goodwood Festival of Speed,

Unfirtunately I missed Richard Petty’s morning demonstration of the 1970 #43 Plymouth Superbird, but I did catch Kenny Brack driving the iconic car in the afternoon.

Lola Ford T153, Richard Hamlin, Goodwood Festival Of Speed

The unique two wheel drive turbocharged Ford powered Sunoco Special Lola T153 was driven to a second place finish in the 1970 Indy 500 by Mark Donohue, it is seen above with Richard Hamlin at the wheel.

Swamp Rat 1, Don Garlits, Goodwood Festival of Speed,

Finally drag legend Don Garlits demonstrated his 1957 Swamp Rat 1 with which he reached a world record 180mph over the 1/4 mile in 1958 and which badly burned the driver the following year when the supercharger exploded.

Thanks for joining me on this “Americana Highlights” edition of “Gettin’ a li’l psycho on tyres” I hope you will join me again tomorrow when I’ll be looking at some of the Ferrari’s taking part in the Goodwood Concours d’Elegance. Don’t forget to come back now !

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