ONLY 1 IN THE WORLD | WORLD'S RAREST PLYMOUTH FROM THE VAULT

Welcome to another Treasure of the Petersen Museum Vault presented by ‪@Hagerty‬. Like a majority of other Chrysler Corporation dream cars of the period, the rakish Plymouth Explorer was built by Carrozzeria Ghia of Turin, Italy. Its hand-formed coachwork was distinguished by carefully sculpted contours and accentuated by horizontal spears on the sides that were painted white to contrast with the striking metallic green body color. Exhaust pipes projected from the taillight pods. Special interior features included leather upholstery, fitted luggage that stored behind the seats, and radio controls that were concealed by an opening panel on the dashboard. Built on a modified 1954 Plymouth chassis, the Explorer was powered by a stock 230-cubic inch, 103-horsepower six-cylinder engine.
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[@jeffpetrie7744]

One of my favorites at the Petersen! This Plymouth is ridiculous, in the best possible way. Thank you!!

[@tdv901]

agreed !

[@philipwalker3300]

The 50's concept cars are second to none , the design of this Plymouth and the color pallet is fantastic.

[@GaryGrube1]

It certainly looks like a Ghia design. Ghia styling was always beautiful!

[@chrisjeffries2322]

Refreshing cool green color, and the fact that it did not go down with the ship that brought it to the USA is a Plus+.

[@kingsknightfour]

That color reminds me of the factory "fleet" green that was used on both my '53 and '63 Plymouths.

[@howabouthetruth2157]

Fantastic car, and I really do appreciate you sharing it with us. But it sure would've been nice to see more of the interior, the trunk, and hear it run. If Jay Leno owned this car, we would've seen & heard all of that........including an actual ride-along as he would drive it.

[@stevebot]

Jay wasn't interested, no hemi.

[@howabouthetruth2157]

@@stevebot Oh bullshit. Leno owns at least several rare & classic Chrysler's that "don't have a hemi". And of this car was available to him at an agreeable price, he would buy it in a heart beat.

[@stevebot]

@@howabouthetruth2157 Joke, but it was strange that one of the two Mopar hemis at the time didn't make it into the Plymouth line.

[@RichMander1]

@@stevebot Plymouth never got a hemi because they wanted to upsell you into a Dodge, Desoto, or Chrysler. Plymouths were plain Jane transportation. Perfectly acceptable, nothing special. Although the late 40’s and early 50’s Plymouths had an incredible build quality. The 4 or 5 I’ve been in were really well assembled, quiet, smooth, no rattles, and very nice to drive.

[@edgarribeirodossantos9019]

Art ar its best! Ghia was undeniably one of the best crafters at that time... it is shocking what they could do with a plain sheet of metal....👏👏👏👏👐👐👐💚💙💛👊

[@erepsekahs]

....and as he said, (in a nice way), completely useless. Essentially what he said was, "It was built and designed just to be looked at." Kind of like a Barbie doll.

[@gsmith207]

Not that I’m some expert, but right when I looked at it, it screamed Ghia design. Just beautiful. Thanks for sharing.

[@juliancrooks3031]

Too bad it wasn't a production model, it's beautiful

[@inkydoug]

I say the Volvo P 1800 was the production model.

[@Freimopp777]

@@inkydoug Ferrari 250 Europa GT Vignale Coupe

[@donnajones1603]

Yeah with a 392 Hemi dual 4blls , true dual exhaust 3spd floor shift , tra-lock rear .....

[@frankcoffey]

Wow.. just wow. There are so many elements of design on this car I'd like to see on modern cars.

[@inlangford]

I really enjoyed this car when I was at the museum a few years ago! I really like the dream/concept cars on display! The only reason I drove to LA was to go to the museum.! I will be back in March!!

[@rickyjoeshippyful]

Perfect color, beautiful car! The best looking Plymouth I have ever seen, wish we could have seen bit more of the interior and even the trunk.

[@CreatorCade]

The old 1 of 1 cars are always amazing and is a real shame they never made more than just the one but I guess that’s what makes them so special.

[@ronschwolsky1626]

One word: Gorgeous!!

[@evalonious]

Wow, imagine if Plymouth had the vision back then to build a boutique facility for hand built cars. (I would love to see a video of the purple & red Delahaye!)

[@jamesslick4790]

Any "boutique facility for hand built cars" under "Plymouth" would have been labeled "Imperial", as Plymouth was a Chrysler brand, and it was Chrysler's "low price" brand at that. It would be the same as a boutique facility for hand built cars under GM would be within Cadillac, Not Chevrolet.

[@NWLee]

It looks like what I would say is a solid Exner/Ghia masterpiece.

[@robertphillips6296]

Very nice! I would like to have seen more of the interior and the trunk.

[@jameskidd7359]

It looks futuristic

[@OBC-radio]

I see a lot of the first and second gen Valiant in this concept.

[@vincentbasso4903]

I saw a Ghia at a show. Beautiful !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@jeffjames4064]

She is drop dead gorgeous! So far ahead of its time.

[@thistime4you]

Volkswagen bought the rights since Plymouth did not build it. This eventually became the Karmann Ghia. The whole roof line is nearly identical as are the swept rear fenders. I have owned 3 Karmann Ghias and all I can say is thank you Plymouth/Chrysler for the initial design

[@jerroldkazynski5480]

My family had a '65 Karmann Ghia VW. Wore out in 2 years.

[@thistime4you]

@@jerroldkazynski5480 Some people are harder on vehicles than others.

[@MarcAdamsDev]

What a gorgeous car. So well maintained too.

[@dval59valletta79]

That thing is pure beauty

[@billramsey2337]

I think that Plymouth is absolutely beautiful!!!

[@dh2360]

Such a truly beautiful car, the factory engine is not a bad choice. I would buy a car like this with a Hemi from the factory today.

[@thejerseyj9422]

That is what I was thinking. A modern version of this with the Hemi, but this color is a must.

[@mrseaweed5587]

just plain beautiful.

[@bobtepedino5661]

That is one of the most beautiful things I have ever seen! Wow! I can see where the 1975 Cordoba got its insiration. I had a 1981 Imperial in that same "SeaSpray" color - stunning!

[@gregsimon9061]

It is absolutely stunning.

[@francisniestemski8682]

Pre-Restoration photos would be nice to see

[@JoeMama-vj8es]

Google it bro.

[@MrMadscotsman]

@@JoeMama-vj8es I didn't have any luck googling

[@davidfoster5787]

What a beautiful car!

[@sunahamanagai9039]

Impressive design

[@edwinthompson159]

what a great loking car. Very subtle design.

[@tumblelake63]

Wow! Ghia is great.

[@spacemissing]

One good reason to Not have an exhaust outlet right under a taillight is that the lens would almost have to be cleaned every fifty miles or so.

[@GordoGambler]

If it didn't melt first. LOL

[@ramrider1453]

Never heard or seen this car. Or not that I remember. Beautiful car.

[@soarornor]

This car is so beautiful and modern that it could and should be produced today. I would buy one in a second. The designers of this really created something extraordinary.

[@mikekeeler6362]

Gorgeous car I love the color

[@loucostabile]

Great camera work sharing the details, and excellent presentation.

[@markpfeifer1402]

This was my favorite car in the entire museum.

[@PeteLenz]

Astonishing car, just beautiful!

[@reijerlincoln]

Great content. Thanks for posting.

[@jasonhergert7573]

Bravo, what a marvellous looking car. Keep on Dreaming 😃. Grate presentation.

[@marauderhot]

Beautiful! Jay Leno is dreaming how he can acquire it.

[@jamesengland7461]

It's gorgeous!

[@georgesmith8113]

Nice! 👍👊😎

[@Hoboelmo23]

I've never been a fan of anything Dodge Chrysler Plymouth, but this is quite fascinating. I actually like it.

[@kingsknightfour]

Then you need to see the Chrysler Falcon concept car. Two-seater with a 354 Hemi and side pipes. kzbin.info/www/bejne/aIaQgJKledCZodE

[@brienfoaboutanything9037]

True about Carrozzeria Ghia: kzbin.info/www/bejne/gmOraWxppayYrpo

[@robertsteffan6304]

I was disappointed that you did not highlight some of the innovative features of the car.

[@betsyrocks]

Wow, what a beauty. Absolutely stunning. The car is nice too.

[@quicksilver2510]

What a beautiful restoration

[@dus40468]

Ein schönes super schönes Automobil und eine wunderschöne Vorstellung von dem Auto Danke 🙏🏻

[@kfl611]

It is a pretty car and I love the color.

[@jamesdellaneve9005]

The only person dreaming here was the car designer. Not the auto maker.

[@CowboyLuigi]

Damm, I would so love to own this car. Hell, even a recreation would work well for me!

[@howardkerr8174]

I owned a 54 Plymouth, " handed down " from an older sister, I thought it was THE ugliest car to ever wear a Plymouth badge if not THE ugliest Chrysler product ever built. The bulges on the sides, above the wheel openings appear on the front fenders of my car but are nearly invisible on the rear fenders. Had my car carried A LOT more of this car's essence, I might have liked it more.

[@kingsknightfour]

I bought my Grandmother's 1953 Plymouth in 1963. It had 13,000 miles on it. The '53 and '54 shared a lot of Fugly features, so I'm right there with you, Mr. Kerr.... Main differences were the parking lights and taillights.

[@billcoleman7316]

What a great looking car. Thanks for sharing.

[@russbilzing5348]

A Rolls Royce/ Bentley nose, a Karman Ghia roof. Just beautiful.

[@ThreenaddiesRexMegistus]

That’s beautiful! The colour is unworldly. You could sell these today. Certainly would have ended up with a big MOPAR had it gone into production.

[@stevedolesch9241]

I like it.

[@robertdoyle7963]

great , thanks

[@THROTTLEPOWER]

Really enjoyed!!!!!!!!!!!

[@seventysevenfiji]

This and the Thomas Coupe. Had the honour to see this car in the flesh, as well as The Vault. What a frustrating experience because you cannot take pictures and it is impossible to convey what is really down there

[@brentfellers9632]

I love the 3d chrome thru the body work

[@joebutlersnr7017]

The most beautiful car I've ever seen.

[@Redswipe]

That's stunning!

[@thejerseyj9422]

Just gorgeous. And that color, Oh !!!

[@k.a.davison9897]

Plymouth was never a favorite of mine . . . and who cares . . . but that is Art. Thanks for showing it.

[@Forevertrue]

That is righteous. No question. I think it is almost timeless!

[@kurtjensen7264]

I am not a Old car enthusiast. But…That car is gorgeous! 😍

[@johnnywadd3020]

WOW FANTASTIC

[@oldschoolautoupholstery]

I duplicated the original upholstery in this car during the restoration while I worked for Lon Kruger at Sun Valley Classics in Scottsdale Arizona around about 1998-1999. I am happy it ended up at the Peterson Museum.

[@groverbaker6404]

What a beautiful car!!! Thanks

[@geraldstephens6612]

Looks similar to the Studebaker Hawk cars.

[@shortribslongbow5312]

Beautiful car, thanks for sharing.

[@42lookc]

The hand made status is evident by the wavy lettering of all the insignias. The overall look is very Norseman-like, which is understandable because Ghia made both this car and the ill-fated Norseman. The back window and trunk area has elements of the Tucker '48. Just a beautiful car.

[@avirtualworld4U]

Style in 1954, Amazing looks even today it fits perfectly.

[@johnbastille5483]

The rear 3/4 view reminds me a little of the Borgward Isabella Coupe. I don't believe that was a Ghia design, though.

[@MARTIN-fe2bw]

Flintstones font on the side lettering 🤣 But what a gorgeous car 😍😊

[@garyharris2940]

You don't see vehicles like this very often very nice

[@ALightInTheForest]

Stunning design.

[@JoeMama-vj8es]

Once again. Cars today cars have no soul.

[@joellamoureux7914]

Why can't anyone put letters on straight???

[@generatorjohn4537]

I saw this very same car on display at Peterson's Museum December 2017. If you are ever in Los Angeles, Peterson's museum is a nice place to visit.

[@MediumRareSteak]

I gotta get out there in person one day...

[@Jasona1976]

What an awesome beauty!!

[@ilikequiet6474]

Never knew this car existed. The color is perfect. I was expecting to see a hemi engine.

[@mannyj4751]

It should have been a best seller! It's gorgeous.

[@renelepage2078]

Very nice !

[@curtgomes]

Totally beautiful car these many years later.

[@gordonwaldner9792]

They should have kept this up. It is gorgeous.

[@zekelucente9702]

So many Dream cars back in the day had body work and styling by the best Italian designers. It would have been nice to more of that European look in the production cars.

[@toddknox685]

Frankly, this car would be a winner today. They should have made this car. They should make it now.

[@markkoval4251]

The father of the Volvo 1800!

[@sabba_dabba8649]

looks like something from the 60s, gorgeous

[@jamesdellaneve9005]

The American Auto makers left me in the 1970’s. Not to mention that the US auto execs had no passion for beauty. It must have been frustrating for car designers. Designing things to save a 1/4 cent.

[@Fevebblefester]

It is a very attractive car. Needed more power in the real world.

[@HLife719]

In the early sixties a man named John Willment in the U. K. seems to have had the same thought. He took a similarly styled Ghia Fiat 8V body and mated it to a Cobra 427 chassis.

[@happyfreeliferc]

Beautiful lines for the times .

[@jamesengland7461]

American makers partnering with European design houses in the 50s probably rescued them from fading into oblivion.

[@hyacinthbucket3803]

I love that color. Does it have a name other than just green?

[@mrluckyuncle]

So stylish and tasteful.

[@chrisfoxwell4128]

That is gorgeous.