Spec Page is a new series where we explore a particular model’s DNA.
This post is covering a car that I’ve frankly never heard of before. Plymouth Belvedere sure is recognizable as a 60’s muscle car (yes properly powered they were muscle cars) and Suburban as big hauler. The 1954 Plymouth Belvedere Suburban was a hauler, but power house it wasn’t.
Plymouth Belvedere Suburban
So lets start with the engine. Weren’t a lot of choices in 1954 and the standard for working class cars was the Plymouth’s flat head six.It was an iron block with L-head valves. It had a bore and stroke of 3.25″ 4.64″ and a compression ratio of 7.1:1 and displaced 217.8 cubic inches. Topped with the a single carb barrel downdraft (normally a Carter Type BB model D5h2) help produce 100 hp.
Flat Head Six
All that power was transferred to the wheels was a 3 speed synchromesh on column and a Hypoid 3.73:1. Once underway stopped by 4-wheel hydraulic drum with double front cylinders. And those will be need to get this 3,000 plus pound, 189 inches (nearly 16 feet).
Supporting all this mayhem was a double-channel box frame with side rails and 4 cross members and Briggs all-steel body. The suspension was independent in the front with coil springs and torsion sway bar with tapered leaf springs and 6.50 x 15″ tires and press steel safety rims.
You could buy his car with some added option like push-button radio, heater, two-tone paint, wire wheel covers, white side walls, bumpers guards, tissue dispenser, exhaust extension deflector locking gas cap, mirrors.
Thanks for reading.
Tim
No Bil – no V8 in 1954. They offered the standard Plymouth 6 (the one above) or you had the Optional Plymouth 6 which had a bigger bore and longer stroke and mustarded up 110 hp. In 1955 you could get a V8(the HY-Fire).
No V8, or Fluid Drive options? I wonder why Chrysler did not renew the rights to the Suburban name?
Nice post – looking forward to the next one
Thank you. I’d like to add a section to some of my posts where the readers can find parts. I’d like to tailor that to specific cars. Do you have any 40’s, 50’s, 60’s or 70’s there with parts available?