Features The 1955-1956 Plymouth and Dodge Thread

And hey patrick66, I saw this 2 door 1956 wagon that unfortunately had an interior fire, It reminded me of your green and white wagon you just got painted, I thought you might get a kick out of seeing it. It was in the junkyard i visited today looking for parts for my 1956 Belvedere. It's a great yard, over 800 cars! and all 1966-back forward look mopars, and alot of 1950's mercury and edsel stuff too! john's a great guy, and love old cars, his place is called Big M automotive dismantlers and they are in Williams, CA (about and hour from me). I feel lucky that there is a guy like this so close to me and I can go around in his yard all day and look for stuff.

www.Bigmauto.com

 

Funnycar.. That Photoshop picture is Cool.. I like that look.. nice color combo..

Belvedere.. I got the Tranny Crossmember out of that 56 Wagon.. that is a cool yard..

 

plodge, I can take a picture of it as soon as i can figure out how to get my door open, as it is jammed shut now with the latch sprung.

 

I really hope that someone has some 'magic' solution...after looking at the 55 assembly I am not sure how you will get the door open if an internal latch part is broken (well, my method includes things like a saw....). Lets hope the 56 version is easier to deal with.

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My guess is that the front seat will have to be unbolted and removed, then the window garnish, interior door handles, and the door panel. With the door panel off there should be access to the latch, at least enough to get the door open to make a repair. It might be a hassle but it's necessary.

 

Here is my ol' 56 [my avatar], got a lot of work to do but I love the car. I am so glad to see the one Patrick has is being saved. I tried to buy parts from that car when the Insane Chassis dude in Ennis, Tx. had it with no luck, but Patrick snagged it and is going to town on that baby. There is a picture of a killer 56 2-dr Suburban in a picture post from the recent shown at Del Mar, Ca., it was posted by Don about 2-wks ago. I just found a pretty nice 56 Dodge Custom Royal 2-dr hardtop in a Nebraska boneyard, about a 7 on a scale of 1-10, poly motor, automagic, power steering, complete car including glass. It is black and white tutone. I think $2,500 to $3,00 would buy it. If anyone is interested pm me and I will pass along the info. This fellow buys and sells whole cars only as a general rule. He has a stable of about 2,000 cars at this time. Its fun to see all this MoPar action on here!!~Sololobo~

 

Sickboy -Nice work on the hardtop mopar,very stealth like.

 

This one belongs to a friend of mine. 270, three speed. Canadian built and apparently not all that common even when new.

 

Thanks for the wagon parts tip, Mr Bel2! Hopefully, I can get some of the pieces I need there. I've got a line on a complete wagon in SD, but it's really too nice to part.

 

Anybody got a good grill for a '55 or '56? I bought one from a fellow HAMB'er that's better than no grill, which is what I had, but it's really got more damage than I've skills to repair it.(He described it accurately, I just figured they're hard to come by and snagged it) Don't have to be show quality, I'd just like one that has no rust through or major dents.P.M. me if anyone does, Thanks

 

Found these pics on a Indian car forum:



It says DeSoto but it looks like a '55 Plymouth with a DeSoto grill fitted.

 

They were available new like that in New Zealand.

We looked at buying the purple one a couple of years ago but we felt it was too expensive and the seller would not budge on the price.

They were also available as a wagon.

 

Cool, Didn't know that! Could you get a "normal" DeSoto too? or only these?

 

Not to my knowledge. The only De Soto available was a re-grilled Plymouth.

 

Thanks for the link to Big M Auto MrBelvedere2. He sounds like a really valuable resource for the cars we all enjoy. I'm hoping he can help me with finding some little odds and ends for my '55 Dodge.

 

No problem Moonshine!

I also wanted to say that anyone trying to find KYB Gas-Adjust Shocks for their 55-56 Dodge/Plymouth, I did some digging and found out that since they don't list them for our cars, you order a set of front shocks for a 1974 Corvette 454 (part # KG4550). They fit right in you just have to open up the T-Bar mounting bolt hole not very much with a dremel tool or die-grinder, they fit right in after that! For the rears you order ones for a 1957 Plymouth (KG5511). I needed some new shocks really bad and these worked great!

 

I finally got the chance to go look at the 56 Dodge , and I brougt it home . I'll post some pics later today.

 

After 3 solid, frustrating days of working on it, I got the brakes, all the lights, and the wiper transmissions working on my '55 and I took it out for a drive today.

Like an idiot, I backed it out of the garage with the parking brake on, thinking I had a wheel brake dragging. Parking brake still seems to work though, hope I didn't ruin it.

Still have a few issues going on, once I got out on the open road I had some smoke coming out from under the dash, I think it's actually a mouse nest burning on the hot heater core. I'm going to bypass the heater and see if the smoke stops.

Also, I have a howling coming from under my hood, that I suspect is either the water pump or the generator. Can any of you tell me if either of these things can be greased/how, or if there are water pump or generator rebuild kits availible for these cars anywhere? I want this to be my daily driver for the summer and I'd feel better if I had the howling fixed before I break something. It's not real loud but something is making noise that shouldn't.

Here's a couple pics I just took, letting it air out a bit from the burning mouse nest smell.

 

Looking good I think you need the 56 Coronet ive got & make it look half that good

 

Some pics the former owner shot. It's raining outside or I would have some better ones.

 

A two door hardtop with the optional grille teeth and dual mirrors, not bad at all. What are the plans for this car?

 

I'm thinking mild kustom. I think I'm gonna lose the side trim and emblems, and french the headlights. White flake roof and the body in a satin dark red , but that could change. I'm not sure on the wheels yet.

 

When you get some clean, focused side shots of the car, post them and I can do some quick photoshopping. Personally I would keep the hockey stick trim but shave the handles and emblems. Could try some different stuff and see what works.

 

Dang Guys... Nice Cars..

 

Seen KG4507 mentioned, but that might have been for a 59-60, forgot to note if it was front or rear..

 

Nice rides guys. Wish I had one. I guess I will stay with my 49 Ply. Just wanted to say that the 56 Plymouth and Dodge was two of the best looking rides to hit the road. Also wanted to say that they came out a full year before that other finned copycat thing in 57.
If its a Mopar then keep it all Mopar

 

If it ever stops raining I'll get out and get some shots.

 

The KG4507 are for the torsion bar cars, 1957-up. 1956 was the last year they used coil springs on the front. If you look at the picture on KYB's website you will notice they lack the T-Bar mounting.

 

OK I got a few shots before I pulled it in the garage. I'm pretty sure it's got the 315 in it but not 100% sure on that. Where is the engine code at ?

 

On a flat in front of the valley cover.