1954 Plymouth Savoy Two Door Sedan HyDrive Blu MecumKissimmee0105195011

[@knowbodiesfull5768]

Hey Jack! The 1954 Plymouth is a really well-built car for its time. That beautiful robin's egg blue paint really makes it stand out. The 1954 model year was when Plymouth rearranged its model line-up. From bottom to top, the models were Plaza, Savoy, and Belvedere. That arrangement carried over into the restyled 1955's, then for '56, they were joined by the high-performance Fury. A side note: A 1954 Belvedere two-door hardtop served as a test bed for Chrysler's first experimental turbine engine, and, for the next quarter-century, Chrysler worked at attempting to make the turbine engine a production reality. Of course, that would never happen, and by 1980, in the middle of its financial crisis, Chrysler ended its turbine program, likely forever.

[@coolrides]

Mopar was getting ready for the transformational change that was to happen in '55. The two toning of the '54 models was bolder than ever, and the car really was well built. I remember reading the article about the new gas turbine engine, and the picture denoted it placed in a '54 model Plymouth. It was in either Popular Science or Popular Mechanics at the time, a favorite read of mine! Thanks! :) Jack

[@Greatdome99]

Plaza, Savoy and Belvedere were all named after New York hotels.

[@ralphshoop8822]

It did requite 10 quarts of oil but the service interval was twice as long so it evened out in usage.

[@coolrides]

Hey, Ralph! Good point! And that was when oil was relatively cheap! Thanks! :) Jack

[@robertosanchez5328]

Beautiful Plymouth!

[@coolrides]

Hey, Roberto! Last of that style Plymouth, just before the Forward Look! Very cool! Thanks! :) Jack

[@dennisdaly907]

A nice description of HyDrive, but I offer one slight correction: After February '54, Plymouth offered four transmissions (1) 3 speed manual (2) 3 speed manual with Overdrive (3) HyDrive (4) Powerflite.. .With the introduction of the Powerflite, Plymouth received the 110 H.P. 230 cu. in. engine (as Dodge used,) to replace the 100 H.P. 217.8 cu. in engine.

[@coolrides]

Hey, Dennis! Four choices for transmissions seem bewildering...as I remember it, powerflite was introduced mid year. Interesting that Plymouth and Dodge shared the same flathead in '54. Thanks! :) Jack

[@dennisdaly907]

Hi Jack- One source cites "after February" and another (Allpar) cites"( April '54)" (of the _model_ year,). Close enough, I suppose :) Sort of Frumpy old cars-Maybe that's why I own two of them...Here's one. paintref.com/cgi-bin/colorcodedisplay.cgi?type=sample&ditzler=80641&syear=1954&smanuf=Chrysler&smake=Plymouth&smodel=Plymouth&sname=San%20Diego%20Gold&name=plymouth1954sandiegogold&scomm=

[@dogwalkfinds9899]

What a nice car! 53/54 Plymouths are very good looking. Thanks Jack!

[@coolrides]

These Plymouths were reliable and fairly popular...the neighbor grocer had one that he used to go to work. However, you seldom see them, it's too bad, they were interesting and practical cars! Thanks! :) Jack

[@randydaniel1583]

Hi, Jack, this is a very nice Plymouth 2-door sedan. I've never heard of a Hi-Drive transmission, but I can see its benefits in city traffic! This transmission appears to be one better than the Fluid Drive Chrysler used in the late forties and early fifties. My folks had a '52 Chrysler Saratoga equipped with the Fluid Drive. Love the "cool blue" color on this one!

[@coolrides]

Hey, Randy! It definitely was an advance compared to the earlier semiautomatics that merely had a fluid coupling. It was an interesting progression from the semiautomatics to Powerfllite to Torqueflite. When they were done, they had one of the best transmissions around! Thanks! :) Jack

[@dsteele27]

It's gorgeous. And yeah, those transmission choices are VERY confusing. 11 quarts of oil, yum!

[@coolrides]

Plymouth always seemed to be the stepchild at Chrysler regarding transmissions! And it was true of the V8 too....they didn't have one until 1955. By that time, it was clear that if Plymouth didn't have a V8 or a fully automatic automatic, they were dead. Thanks! :) Jack

[@michaelbenardo5695]

You COULD stay in high gear, but the car was quite slow that way. 2nd was a good starting gear, shifting to 3rd once you got some speed.

[@coolrides]

Hey, Michael! That would be useful in large urban mid-city traffic where it's often stop and go and you'd maybe move up only a few feet....hence useful in some cases. Thanks! :) Jack

[@jasoncarpp7742]

Hey Jack. Beautiful looking car. I've never seen one before. :)

[@coolrides]

Hey, Jason! They are really becoming rare...I'm glad they saved this one! I'd say lots of salesmen used them in their everyday work. Thanks! :) Jack

[@jasoncarpp7742]

@@coolrides I agree. I'd rather wait until they come up with the TorqueFlyte auto. :)

[@coolrides]

Hey, Jason! Yes, Torqueflite was admittedly the best transmission out there at the time. Thanks! :) Jack

[@monarch1957]

I have never drove one of those cars, must be hard to get used to.

[@coolrides]

Hey, Barry! It's not bad....you use the clutch to shift into a forward gear....let's say third, let the clutch out, and then just use the accelerator and brake, no need to put in the clutch. The added torque of the torque converter would give you a little boost. Now if you had a hill to climb, you would use the clutch to shift into second gear and back to third. Thanks! :) Jack

[@scottschmittmusic]

Cool thanks

[@coolrides]

Hey, Scott! You just don't see these Plymouths...especially those sporting the semi automatic HyDrive! I love to video them when I see them! Glad you like! Thanks! :) Jack

[@scottschmittmusic]

@@coolrides I'm so upset.... I've been trying to sell my 53 ford wagon to buy a "Mint" plaza.. I mean 51000 original miles seats covered Mint! He only wanted $6500 .. I just called and it's sold Ugh!!

[@tombob671]

Nice car, maybe it was Joe Lunchboxes first new car?

[@coolrides]

Hey, Tom! Exactly...this was a workaday car...and probably explains why so few are seen today. They served their purpose and went to recycle heaven. Thanks! :) Jack

[@michaelbenardo5695]

That is one reason. The other is that they were not all that rust resistant. Pre 52 ChryCo cars were almost rust proof,, but 52 - 56 were just average. And of course the 57 was made of rust.