Will This Spooky 1957 Plymouth Belvedere Convertible Run And Drive Again After Decades In Pieces?

Over the years, I've revived several cars that people compare to Christine. I think that's because these old Chrysler products often seem to magically come back to life as if they were never parked. But the Christine connection has never been stronger than with today's project, a 1957 Plymouth Belvedere convertible. This car experienced some kind of major front end collision decades ago, and had been sitting in a now defunct dealership's service center ever since. Today, it's been hauled to Rocket Restorations in Washington for a shot at a new life. Without further ado, let's find out if this Fury lookalike wants to live again. ‪@rocketresto‬

[@JeffMiletich]

That 57 is a beauty! My grandparents had a 1958 Fury for an extended test drive- they were looking to trade in their 1955 Studebaker 4 door, yellow with a dark navy blue roof.. They didn't buy this beautiful 1958 Fury- instead they bought a 1958 Studebaker 2 door hardtop- light pink with a white roof- and the antenna was in the middle of the trunk. Their next new car was a 1964 Belvedere 4 door. slant 6 & was the car I first drove around the town(Superior, wi) when I was 11 years old.. My grandparents stayed with Chrysler products for the rest of their lives.

[@JeffMiletich]

they traded in the 64 Belvedere for a 67 Polara 2 door hardtop..Them tail lights were HUGE! kzbin.info/www/bejne/rWfVnmeZnrappJI

[@johneckert1365]

Greetings Superior 👋, from Eagle River WI.

[@waynedavis7245]

Great video Jamie. In 57 and 58 they use the quarter panels off station wagons on their fleet line trucks, so they could incorporate the tail fins into the trucks. They are super rare. I've only seen one in person. They are very cool.

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

I’ve seen pictures of those, and they’re neat. I’ve never seen one in person…

[@waynedavis7245]

@@DeadDodgeGarage lol . I'm a lot older than you. Great video.

[@shaunclifton5281]

I just took pictures of one at my Favorite annual car show.

[@jimhickey2276]

Would love to have a ragtop! We have a 57 converted to a 58 hardtop with the poly dual quad. That's super solid for a 57 Plymouth especially a drop top.

[@shaunclifton5281]

@@jimhickey2276 Yes, that is the dream ride for me !

[@jakespeed63]

These cars are not for the faint of heart. I applaud your enthusiasm for fixing it. She could be a real thing of beauty when Don, all you need is the rest of your life and the rest of your money. Seriously, I went round and round with one of these push button transmissions. They are fixable with some work. Fatsco transmissions in New Jersey, has any parts you might need.

[@bobhoulihan3652]

👍 get on it sooner the better. Definitely a worthy project..

[@dans8287]

Reviving a '57 Belvidere. You are living my dream. My Dad bought a 57 Belvedere brand new and yes rust was the reason he got rid of it. I was hoping to get one in restorable condition but I found out that the prices for these things are a little overinflated thanks to a certain movie about a 58 fury.

[@chrisjeffries2322]

Simply DeLuxe! 💋

[@nathanalbert205]

It's so satisfying to hear the engine start right up and idle after working through so many issues. For all the frustrations of working on old cars, there are victories that make it so enjoyable. Another classic saved. Great content as always and more kittens please!

[@livinglikarockstar]

Cable shift in my 65 Fury was worn out when purchased. Leaked like a sieve from unobtainable cracked shift cables. Wanted to upgrade but to my demise was strongly suggested to rebuild original cable shift, bad mistake. "Something" never really found out what, was wrong with the case. Specialists "tried" to fix it. As well, the valve body was cracked as these early style cable style are prone. brother had a replacement, cracked as well. 5 months and $1200 later, i trailered back to the house, although i drove to the "trans specialists" home shop. Found a replacement from a 1972 (71 and up are the best 727, larger front bushing) motorhome in south ga for $150 including converter. 7 years later with a b&m star shift shifter still pulls fine, no rebuild. Do yourself a favor, ditch the cable style. Good video. To bad about the axle, stuff happens...

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

Oh I’m confident the valve body in this one will be cracked too. We have some other ideas…

[@1575murray]

That cable shift in 1965 was a one year only setup as Chrysler went to a column shift after using push buttons from 1956-64. In 1966 Chrysler went to a conventional linkage setup.

[@neiljohnson6815]

My dad bought a new '57 Belvedere. I was 10 years old. I thought the car was super cool. It was also the first car I ever drove after I got my D/L.

[@clembob8004]

The forward look Mopars are so scarce that when you find something this decent and especially a ragtop, it really deserves to be restored, or at least brought back to life and drivable. It definitely has some challenges, but it's a piece of Mopar history. I like the 57s because my dad had a 57 Fury 3 speed manual 318 dual quads. It was a bit before my time, but I saw pics of it and lots of cool stories.

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

Absolutely a fixer. No question there. We’ve got the dual quads! And we don’t have a three speed, but we’ve got one better…

[@glenbo2464]

Makes me think of the one they buried in the Tulsa time capsule and then that old man saying "She'll start" when the guy goes to buy it ! lol

[@denislandry7577]

What a pisser , over decades, patch up work that can happen , and then , 30 40 50 … years later , guys like you and me have to figure it out ! Hats off to you ! , i only do small stuff now . Keep up the good work ❤

[@hemibreath]

I’m jealous I would love to find a car like that !

[@samhicks97]

Big fan of these forward look era cars especially the 1960 Dodge Matador, parts for forward look car parts are rare to come by, but they are out there! Hope you "restore" the pushbutton feature back to workable levels, it's the icing on the cake!

[@beljames1563]

Love Fury stuff. Can't wait. Car's the same age as me. Always favored the 56 plymouth. We had one after the 52 Concord fastback. Was a 56 Savoy 270 with powerflyte. Loved the fins and long tail lights. But the 57 and beyond was cool too. This convert has great potential. Did I see a poly dual quad?

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

You sure did! It’ll be finding its way under the hood eventually.

[@born_again_torinos]

In the mid 80s, I went through a "50s" car phase. I had a 57 Fury with factory dual quads and a 57 Belvedere 2-door hard top. My daily driver.

[@shaunclifton5281]

Wow ! My dream car...well 58 , but close enough !

[@karensavarese5684]

The good news is that the accident damage almost certainly parked it, so everything else is probably "OKish" , That's a great car to work on, keep goin'",,,,Love,,,DUBS'''

[@chrispiazza7487]

That was a hoot! Thanks Jamie!

[@mexicanspec]

I push started my 1963 Fury once, once.

[@wiggyjones]

I love the way you tie in all the design elements like the windshield shapes. Cool!

[@dougritchie4625]

Love it! Hope it gets restored. Love the Exner cars.

[@claytondewey3367]

While not perfect it's still a good starting point. Hopefully it gets put back together and on the road. 👍👍👍👍🙏🙏🙏🙏

[@SuperMAZ007]

One of the coolest finds ever. They made only a limited number of these convertibles for 57 and 58 respectively. Make sure it has floors left to attach the rest of the car. Usually the back side is just rusty has heck on these. Might not be the case with this one. I think this one might have been a stick shift with a inline 6 under the hood? Why such odd configuration no idea. Might have been the case someone ordered a car like that from the dealer? Usually the accelerator pump is the main issue on these 2 barrel carburetors. I think you need some part donors but over all you should be able to fix the horrible and swanky repairs over time.

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

I have intimate knowledge of these two barrels, but we’re going to fix everything wrong with this one by installing dual quads. We have a complete Fury dual quad setup. As I understand, this Belvedere would have been V8 only? Or so I read somewhere. I really think someone ordered this wanting a convertible that looked like a Fury but wasn’t. The rust bug somehow missed the back end of this car. I’m not sure how. Whatever the case, this thing is a sound restoration candidate.

[@SuperMAZ007]

@@DeadDodgeGarage Every carburetor is foolproof until it's not.🤣 At least the 2 barrel is repairable unlike some cursed Holly's. I'm not sure but for a 4 barrel you do need the right intake and these can be very different depending on the engine displacement size. Savoy was the bottom line model and these would have come with inline 6 engines? Unless this is a weird Canadian made car. The VIN number should be a giveaway. So apparently a stick shift V8 is possible but rare option still. There are collectors who seek these cars not to mention this will attract attention anywhere. Looking forward for the next videos and am here to help if I can.

[@linwoodlane5721]

Never twigged on the hotel names - see im learning stuff 😁

[@josephcetar9202]

Great video, it brought back memories when you referenced DeSoto. Grandma had one parked in the field that was my favorite place to play as a kid.

[@ryanomalley430]

That’s awesome! For some reason 70’s dodge trucks/ ramchargers and A and B bodies are pretty common here in northeast PA, with a few E bodies here and there. I have seen some forward look cars but never a late 50’s Belvedere or fury. I can’t wait to see more of that car!

[@LongIslandMopars]

I have one of those Stromberg carbs. Works great with nice throttle response.

[@user-iy9mf8xq3w]

Wow, that was cool! Sounded good!

[@NathansMoparGarage]

Fins of Fury

[@johnhaines6501]

All American Classics in Vancouver might have the parts you need to fix that beast

[@jimgummere5561]

Would love to see 😢his again soon.

[@tonyb3864]

Great job guys

[@dh2360]

very cool find, you have been able to find some really nice cars.

[@musclecarmitch908]

Awesome project!👍

[@cambo1200]

Really cool. I have a ‘60 Imperial, love the Exner cars.

[@ednoga1507]

We had a 66 Dodge Coronet with a 318 2 barrel and the engine was red like “almost Christine”. We took that Dodge on our honeymoon from Detroit to Quebec and back in 1975. Those polys were reliable and got decent mileage. Glad you got it running !

[@OlderNotNecesarilyWiser]

Good job Jamie!

[@idaholineman5788]

More spicy gas!! Y’all have too much fun out there.

[@rickrice3221]

More, please!!!!

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

Coming up!

[@66skate]

That shift cable is tricky to remove. There's a clip inside that needs to be released while pulling on the cable. The service manual shows using a small screwdriver to find the clip. I've done it on a 60 Imperial. A total PITA.

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

Yep. I was just getting to that step when I learned I couldn’t pull the cable out of the transmission in the car enough because the valve body is seized…

[@BigBoxDodge2020]

But.... Does the Radio come on in the middle of the night???. GREAT video Jamie. Looking forward to seeing that thing running down the road. That's probably not going to happen anytime soon. Haha

[@MidnightPolaris800]

That things a beast

[@donaldhelgeson6769]

Thank God for hoarders!! 🙏🙏🙏

[@haroldkellermier5502]

From all of us in the Poly world we ain’t surprised. If you decide you need parts a man named Gary Pavlovich is our go to guy. He’s located in Southern California 👍

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

I’ve heard the name!

[@butcher390]

Sweet MERCY !! Mother of Christine !! 😈 🥰 💖

[@williampompey4286]

<a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="783">13:03</a> Did anyone hear how good that door sounded when closed will my hyundai sound that good after 67 years

[@johneckert1365]

I recently bought 2 1957 Chrysler Windsors from an action, and also a 65 New Yorker. No engine/trans in either 57, but the 65 is complete with a 413. All 3 cars are 4 door unfortunately, but if anyone has an interest in them, hit me up! I'm in Northern Wisconsin but enjoy traveling.

[@user-hi2ev7ug4l]

Good content and thanks....🔧🔧🐐👍

[@Legacy_Lou]

Love the vids bro 😎

[@kc5gym]

Cute little kitten!

[@13coyote13]

Awe the sounds of 1960's quarter mile dirt track days🙂

[@moparedtn]

He's a goofy bastahd - but he's OUR goofy bastahd. 🙂 Enjoyed it as always Jamie. Love it when a petrified old one comes to life again! - Ed on the Ridge

[@RandallSoong-pp7ih]

Be ready to run. Mad Science!!

[@rodrocket8216]

Definitely better. Thanks, Cobber

[@explorewithbarryandlagniap7744]

The 1957 instrument cluster aluminum backing plate had dots, same as the aluminum plates down were the key switch and wiper switch are. The 1958 had little stars, the push button plate you showed in the vid at <a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="402">6:42</a> came from a 1958 it had stars. If it had the original 2sd power flite or 3sd cast-iron Torque flite transmission those didn't have a parking gear, you just had to use the parking brake. the 3sd had a neutral safety switch feature were to start the motor, switch the ignition to on and then push the neutral push button starter switch.

[@MidnightOilsRestoration]

Yes! That’s what I was thinking too, I worked on a 62-63’~ that required the parking brake, and I thought it just had neutral 🤔. I didn’t say anything because I’m not that versed with the push buttons… From what I remember the old timers saying- the push button transmissions rarely had problems..until the parking pall was put into the transmission which put a lot of binding on the sprag/case from holding the weight of the car all the time-instead of the parking brake, but I thought that was around like 64~ ish🤷🏻‍♂️.

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

Cool! I will look for stars. Someone else mentioned that too. Yes, I made mention of the lack of park in the video - they have no park position and use a tail housing / driveshaft brake. That’s also why I said the brake handle does nothing, because the parking brake left the building with the original transmission.

[@chrisjeffries2322]

@@DeadDodgeGarage lol

[@Darryl-69SE]

I can’t lie, the best car in Christine was the Charger. But of course great video Jamie.

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

Your singleminded Charger obsession has been noted in the log. Lol. Of course I think the blue Charger in Christine was also neat.

[@johneckert1365]

​@@DeadDodgeGarageI dunno, Darnell's Caddy with a 500 was pretty lol. The Detective's (can't recall his name) 4 door Fury was sweet too

[@Mopar_Jake]

Multiple starters and batteries and shes alive😂 those cars are so nice.

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

Batteries, yes. Haha.

[@shanemartin5697]

Mint 👌

[@cbobmonster]

Another kick ass video and dammit I need those mag wheels for my D100 Lolo kidding kind of 😂

[@steveanderson6353]

Great video! The more i watch, the more i see my own "not mainstream" Mopars. Ive got my '57 Belvedere 4 door hrdtp that i've had since Junior high. Its been sitting out in Exner part of the yard for way too long. I may need to get back to it soon. Ive "hoarded" parts for it for years. The local pic-a-part had a wagon come in about 4 years ago and i pilfrered abouth half of that car before they squished it. Got a solid core support, if ur interested? (I hacked the rusty quarter panels and rear doorskins to hang on my beat up '57 Dodge pickup for a rough Sweptside project)

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

That’s awesome. Get that thing running! Not sure where you’re at, Tom thinks his friend in California probably has one.

[@steveanderson6353]

@@DeadDodgeGarage I'm in Idaho. West of Boise. I could make a 2 day trip out of it. I've got a "new" 1977 D100 that needs some hiway miles on it.

[@robertfitch1720]

Although my experience with 57s is limited to Chryslers and Imperials, not Plyms, but they all had pushbutton transmissions, and none of them had park, only the brake drum on the trans output. Anyway, watching this brought back some great memories, thanks!

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

Correct! Aside from the three on the tree manual models, of course.

[@clevelandmaker386]

@DeadDodgeGarage and the 57 fury scared the crap out of GM and made them change design mid stream

[@pcbullets8726]

Too bad about the front end being messed up. And the transmission. Still a really cool car!

[@edwardt9585]

.That 57 is by a mile the coolest car you've got .Needs suspension and brake upgrades and a Sonoramic RB with 4 speed ( 5 speed even ) .

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

It doesn’t need any “upgrades.” If the stock suspension and brakes worked, we’d be doing fine. I could get definitely get onboard with a cross ram setup, but we’ve got dual quads for the Poly - and a four speed…

[@bigwrenchtech]

Oh epic

[@harlyjock1]

Thinking back to my 62 Polara when the park lever is engaged you cannot depress motion buttons forward or reverse

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

Right, that’s what I was saying - but I believe that locking mechanism is in the shifter itself, not the transmission.

[@moyadapne968]

And park lever will pull button(s) into neutral.

[@MidnightOilsRestoration]

That thing is badass! The 57,58,59 Plymouth Fury’s and Dodge Coronet’s were beautiful cars! Love the Christine movie and car of course-which I think was the perfect car candidate for the role except for one thing that I have to ask you guys about; years ago I heard a rumor that the Dodge front end and the Plymouth front end designs got switched accidentally during development for the 57-59 models… the sinister look the Dodge front end had was meant to go on the Fury!I wanted to know if you guys have ever heard anything about that? It certainly makes sense🤷🏻‍♂️and how much would that front end have changed the movie …😳

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

I’m not familiar with that at all, but I could see it. Haha.

[@vintage76vipergreenBeetle]

They need to do the movie over again. Hopefully by the book this time. If done right it, would be a great movie.

[@chewie1869]

are you kidding?

[@fubarmodelyard1392]

It's already a great movie. I'm glad carpenter didn't follow the book

[@vintage76vipergreenBeetle]

@@chewie1869 No.

[@vintage76vipergreenBeetle]

@@fubarmodelyard1392 Glad you liked it.

[@bccev770]

Sounded like Christine..😜👍

[@kellismith4329]

Oh man, just like my neighbors rig - just saw him bombing around in his yesterday with the roof down and a big smile. His has a 440 in it - I’m sure he said it originally had a 350 something Real horrorshow

[@roycervantes1341]

Yeee Yeee!

[@Grandadsjunk]

Hopefully you spend a lot of time on it this is great the mighty poly cranked up now your heading towards the ere of car I love brother hood we will get you to the 30s yet

[@fubar1372]

Cold war motors on you tube is a Chanel that you might enjoy they have vast knowledge of late 50s Plymouths along with some cool builds enjoy your Chanel...keep up the shenanigans my friend.

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

I’m well familiar. People have actually been comparing our channels for years.

[@jamesadams4304]

I was thinking why the belvedere was being stubborn.. you didn't fix the wiper blade first!!

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

Ahhhh, shit

[@mexicanspec]

Jamie, the 1957 Belvedere convertible would be Chrstine's older sister, not cousin. A Dodge would be a Cousin

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

Fair enough. Someone also called it “topless Christine” and I could get behind that despite the year difference. Haha.

[@mexicanspec]

@@DeadDodgeGarage Wrong color and model for Christine. My 1963 Fury, Sherry, Sherry Baby, is her younger sister. They have the same personality.

[@ThisValiantAdventure]

No wheel chocks? Oh, right- forgot safety is a bit further down the list on DDG. :) Just don’t get Tom run over- that’d be bad. Hope to see more of “Topless Christine”. Hmmm, that sounds dirty.

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

I think that’s the point. Haha. Wheel chocks… nahhhh…

[@friguy4444]

<a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="1556">25:56</a> If you look at the cable to the right of the screen near where the brake booster usually goes (Ish) you will see it Arking out to the throttle rod. Or I'm seeing the fan blade let sunlight through or something. But it sure looks like spark to me. LOL.

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

You’re the second person to comment that actually, and I am going to check that out next time I get a chance to run this thing.

[@daltonsparks1293]

That car with a small air stream camper, that would be awesome!

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

Yes!

[@Rvshadow1964]

I stood in front of my Dodge and said show me, it flipped me off.

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

🤣

[@NJCarCruisecom]

shame i'm in NJ, I got a '57 301from a Belvedere project that never happened. just taking up room now

[@OldSchoolCrank]

Going on the theme of Christine…..There’s a possibility that when you park it in the shop one night it’ll restore itself…..and possibly follow you and Tom. 👻

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

We’re hoping so. Well, kind of.

[@OldSchoolCrank]

@@DeadDodgeGarage All kidding aside it was cool to watch you bring it back to life. I did cringe a little while wondering if there was any oil in the pan. 🫣

[@brianandrews7099]

Better hope this one also restores itself at night. It might be the only way to find and afford the restoration parts!

[@69Coronet500]

Great car.....kind of takes cold air induction to the extreme 😅

[@Friedbrain11]

My Mom used to have a '59 Savoy.

[@GeraldWood-ig9rw]

Rare in convertible 😊

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

Very!

[@robertwest3093]

What are the plans for all those cars sitting around Rocket Restorations? I’m amazed at all these old cars still being found. It looks like this one got fairly lucky in that the floor pans and quarter panels still look solid.

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

They’re all over in the west and Midwest. We have zero problems finding more cars. Haha. The back row there are either parts cars or way later projects. Cars at the front are more near term projects or our favorite parts cars. Many will be sold. In fact Tom just got his dealer’s license finally.

[@HelpingHand-ic4wt]

"Today we're at the International Space Station to pick up a 2023 Boeing Starliner that "ran when last parked" but the seller said it had some problems getting here..." Ohh sorry, just thinking into the future.

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

I can’t wait. Haha.

[@kc5gym]

And yet another "lets grind the starter until it dang near burns up" video

[@johneckert1365]

I notice that too 🤨

[@jasonyoung5628]

The dirt ghost of the rear fender lettering makes it look like it's a fiveder.

[@robertvance1873]

The Fury Nameplate Carried on till I think 83-84

[@johneckert1365]

I think it lived on even longer than that, into the late 80's as the Gran Fury. Many PD squads and taxi cabs used Plymouth Gran Fury and Dodge Diplomat

[@michaelnault5905]

It's not years of waiting work. It's a runner!

[@rexkean]

Let Tom know, we want MORE Belvedere!

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

Consider it done!

[@TheNismo777]

Christine!

[@kellismith4329]

Sixteen!

[@dantupper1784]

Ok- definitely not up for a corndog run today, or next week, but someday...

[@culcune]

You know, if it just sits there, it will fix itself...

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

Oh… I know it. But I’m impatient

[@rocketresto]

Not quick enough

[@stevent3450]

sounds just like the one in the movie "Christine"

[@johneckert1365]

I bet most of the cars used in the movie were Poly cars, but when the hood was open, it was a "B" 350.

[@troglodyte1969]

Hawk tuah! 🤣

[@johnmullins2798]

😆

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

Why the hell are we doing this? Lol

[@johneckert1365]

Wish I could go back in time and save all the early 60's era push-button 727 I tossed out :/

[@andrewbutton5580]

Jamie, you are not keeping that car at this house...I tried to talk you out of it.... you should have tried harder. Actually thats a really cool car. ~!

[@MichaelCuff-qp3oo]

It needs a later model 392 Hemi and a 6 speed trans out of a wrecked Challenger SRT.😊

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

Nooooooooooo