Plymouth Savoy

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Plymouth Savoy
Plymouth Savoy (1958) 01.jpg
1958 Plymouth Savoy 4-door Sedan
Overview
Manufacturer Plymouth (Chrysler)
Also called Dodge Kingsway (Canada)
Production1954–1964* (1965 in Canada)
Assembly
Body and chassis
Class Full size (1954-1961)
Mid-size (1962-64)
Layout FR layout

The Plymouth Savoy is an automobile which was produced in the 1951 through 1964 model years by Plymouth.

Contents

As with Plymouth's Plaza and Belvedere models, the Savoy was named after an upscale hotel, the Savoy Hotel in London.

1951-1953

Plymouth Savoy Wagon 1951 Plymouth Savoy 1951.JPG
Plymouth Savoy Wagon 1951

Plymouth used the name Savoy as a trim package from 1951 to 1953, as an upgrade of the base model Suburban station wagon. [1]

1954

First generation
1954 Plymouth Savoy (35581882206).jpg
1954 Plymouth Savoy four door sedan
Overview
Model years 1954
Body and chassis
Body style
Related Plymouth Plaza
Plymouth Belvedere
Powertrain
Engine
  • 217.8 cu in (3.6 L) PD sv I6 (early)
  • 230.2 cu in (3.8 L) PD sv I6 (late)
Transmission
Dimensions
Wheelbase 114.0 in (2,896 mm)
Length193.5 in (4,915 mm) [2]
Width74.25 in (1,886 mm)

When introduced in 1954, later in the year with 1955 model paint schemes, the Savoy was Plymouth's mid-level car and priced between the base Plaza sedans and the top-line Belvedere models. Midway through the model year (on February 26), the engine's stroke was increased by a quarter inch, increasing displacement from 217.8 to 230.2 cu in (3.6 to 3.8 L) and increasing power from 100 to 110 hp (75 to 82 kW). [3]

In 1954, the Savoy was available as a two-door Club Coupe, four-door sedan, and 2-door Club Sedan. [4]

1954 Plymouth Savoy Sedan rear view Savoy Rear.JPG
1954 Plymouth Savoy Sedan rear view

1955-1956

Second generation
Plymouth Savoy 1956 1.JPG
1956 Plymouth Savoy 2-door club sedan
Overview
Model years 1955–1956
Body and chassis
Body style 2-door coupe
2-door hardtop
4-door sedan
4-door hardtop
4-door station wagon
Related Dodge Coronet
Plymouth Belvedere
Plymouth Plaza
Plymouth Fury (1956 only)
Powertrain
Engine 225 cu in (3.7 L) I6
270 cu in (4.4 L) V8
301 cu in (4.9 L) V8
318 cu in (5.2 L) V8
383 cu in (6.3 L) V8
361 cu in (5.9 L) V8
395 cu in (6.5 L) V8
Transmission 2-speed automatic
3-speed manual
3-speed automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase 115.0 in (2,921 mm)
Length203.8 in (5,177 mm) [5]

For 1955 through 1956 The Plymouth Savoy was positioned in between the base Plaza and the high end Belvedere

In 1955, the Savoy was available with new power steering. [5]

In 1956, the line added a hardtop coupe and the Custom Suburban station wagon.

In 1956, seat belts were added for safety. [6] The Highway Hi-Fi record player was also optional. [6]

A promotional video was produced by Chrysler, where the 1955-1956 Plymouth models were built on the assembly line at Lynch Road Assembly. [7]

1955 Plymouth Savoy 4-Door Sedan Sam Rayburn House Museum June 2017 23 (Lucinda and Sam Rayburn's 1955 Plymouth Savoy).jpg
1955 Plymouth Savoy 4-Door Sedan
1955 Plymouth Savoy Four-Door Sedan 1955 Plymouth Savoy (36349226800).jpg
1955 Plymouth Savoy Four-Door Sedan
1956 Plymouth Savoy 4-door sedan 1956 Plymouth Savoy Sedan (22333134491).jpg
1956 Plymouth Savoy 4-door sedan

1957-1959

Third generation
1958 Plymouth Savoy 4-door f.jpg
1958 Plymouth Savoy 4-door Sedan (with 'Sport Tone' side trim)
Overview
Model years 1957–1959
Body and chassis
Body style 2-door coupe
2-door hardtop
4-door sedan
4-door hardtop
4-door station wagon
Related DeSoto Firedome
Dodge Coronet
Plymouth Belvedere
Plymouth Plaza
Powertrain
Engine 230.2 cu in (3.8 L) I6
241 cu in (3.9 L) V8
260 cu in (4.3 L) V8
273 cu in (4.5 L) V8
301 cu in (4.9 L) V8
318 cu in (5.2 L) V8
Transmission 2-speed automatic
3-speed manual
3-speed automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase station wagons: 122.0 in (3,099 mm)
all others: 118.0 in (2,997 mm)
Length208.2 in (5,288 mm) [8]
Width78 in (1,981 mm) [8]
Height54.6 in (1,387 mm) (4-Door Hardtop)
56.6 in (1,438 mm) (Sedan)
54.0 in (1,372 mm) (2-Door Hardtop)
54.8 in (1,392 mm) (Convertible)

The Savoy was an upscale trim of the Suburban station wagon in 1957. [9]

For the 1957 and 1958 model years, the line added a four-door hardtop sedan.

In 1959, Plymouth dropped the Plaza and replaced it with the Savoy, making the Savoy the model's entry-level full-size Plymouth. The two hardtop models were dropped, as well as the side trim and interior appointments. Sales were not diminished as the Savoy became vehicles used by taxicab companies, police departments, and other fleet customers. The model was also available to customers who were in the market for a low-cost, economical vehicle with the availability of a V8 engine and automatic transmission, and the roominess of a full-size vehicle. By 1960, a new model, the Plymouth Taxi Special, was spun off from the Savoy. Front leg room was 45.5 inches (116 cm). [8]

1958 Plymouth Savoy 4-door Sedan 1958 Plymouth Savoy 4-door s.jpg
1958 Plymouth Savoy 4-door Sedan
1958 Plymouth Savoy 4-door Sedan Plymouth Savoy sedan 5211 cc 1958.JPG
1958 Plymouth Savoy 4-door Sedan
1958 Plymouth Savoy 4-door Sedan interior 1958 Plymouth Savoy 4-door i.jpg
1958 Plymouth Savoy 4-door Sedan interior

1960-1961

Fourth generation
Plymouth, 1960 (25664151588).jpg
1960 Plymouth Savoy 2-door Sedan
Overview
Also calledDodge Savoy (Mexico)
Model years 1960–1961
Body and chassis
Body style 2-door coupe
2-door hardtop
4-door sedan
4-door hardtop
4-door station wagon
Powertrain
Engine 230.2 cu in (3.8 L) I6
241 cu in (3.9 L) V8
260 cu in (4.3 L) V8
273 cu in (4.5 L) V8
318 cu in (5.2 L) V8
Transmission 2-speed automatic
3-speed manual
3-speed automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase 118.0 in (2,997 mm)

Plymouth models were restyled in 1960. The styling for 1961 was a year "most beholders would agree...it was hit with the ugly stick". [10] This was because of the odd chromed "eyelashes" on the front. [1]

1960 Plymouth Savoy 4-door Sedan 1960 Plymouth Savoy (7444794182).jpg
1960 Plymouth Savoy 4-door Sedan
1961 Plymouth Savoy 4-door Sedan 61 Plymouth Savoy (9125099885).jpg
1961 Plymouth Savoy 4-door Sedan

1962-1964

Fifth generation
1962 Plymouth Savoy (18355950542).jpg
1962 Plymouth Savoy 2-door Sedan
Overview
Model years 1962–1964
Body and chassis
Body style 2-door coupe
4-door sedan
4-door wagon
Platform B-body
Powertrain
Engine
Transmission 3-speed manual
3-speed automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase 116.0 in (2,946 mm)
Length
  • 202.0 in (5,131 mm) [11]
  • 210.0 in (5,334 mm) (Wagon) [11]

New for 1962, the redesigned Savoy lineup started with the 225-cubic-inch (3.7 L) Economy 6 engine, producing 145 hp (108 kW). Three optional V8 engines were available initially: The Fury V-800 and the Sport Fury V-800 both displace 318-cubic-inch (5.2 L), with either a two-barrel or a four-barrel carburettor. The Fury produces 230 hp (172 kW) while the Sport Fury has 260 hp (194 kW). The top engine was the 361-cubic-inch (5.9 L) Golden Commando, producing 305 hp (227 kW). [11] Later in the year, Plymouth added an optional 383 V8 with twin, four-barrel carburettors and 335 hp (250 kW), followed by the Super Stock "Max Wedge", raised block 413-cubic-inch (6.8 L) V8. Maximum power is 410 or 420 hp (306 or 313 kW), depending on compression ratio. Only 289 examples were built. [12] Sold with the intent of being a competition car only, the 413 was supplanted by the 426 Wedge engine for 1963 and 1964; power increased to 415 or 425 hp (309 or 317 kW). [12]

Plymouth discontinued the Savoy nameplate at the end of the 1964 model year, except in Canada, where it continued through 1965. [1] In 1965, the entry-level full-size Plymouth model in the U.S. was the Fury I; in Canada, it was called the Savoy while the top-level models were named Fury II and Fury III.

Other markets

Australian developed 1956 Plymouth Savoy Coupe Utility 1956 Plymouth Savoy coupe utility (5279722780).jpg
Australian developed 1956 Plymouth Savoy Coupe Utility

References

Inline
  1. 1 2 3 50 Years of American Automobiles. New York: Beekman House. 1989. pp. 319–322. ISBN   0-517-68640-6.
  2. "1954 Plymouth foldout, specifications". oldcarbrochures.org. Retrieved June 27, 2022.
  3. Zavitz, R. Perry (1990). "The Postwar Plymouths Changing Personalities From Staid to Flashy". In Lee, John (ed.). Standard Catalog of Chrysler, 1924-1990. Krause Publications. p. 119. ISBN   0-87341-142-0.
  4. "1954 Plymouth foldout, models". oldcarbrochures.org. Retrieved June 27, 2022.
  5. 1 2 "1955 Plymouth prestige brochure". Oldcarbrochures.com. Retrieved June 27, 2022.
  6. 1 2 "1956 Plymouth album". oldcarbrochures.com. Retrieved June 27, 2022.
  7. "Wishes on Wheels - Chrysler Forward Look" . Retrieved June 27, 2022 via Youtube.
  8. 1 2 3 "1959 Plymouth brochure". oldcarbrochures.com. Retrieved October 13, 2014.
  9. Original sales brochure for 1957 Plymouth
  10. Flory, J. Kelly (2004). American Cars, 1960-1972: Every Model, Year by Year. McFarland. p. 123. ISBN   0-7864-1273-9.
  11. 1 2 3 "1962 Plymouth Full Size brochure". Chrysler Corporation. 1961. p. 14. Retrieved October 13, 2014 via oldcarbrochures.com.
  12. 1 2 Hunkins, Johnny (July 24, 2023). "1962 Plymouth Fury Super Stock 413: The First Real 1960s Muscle Car". Motor Trend. Archived from the original on August 4, 2023.
  13. Farmer, Gavin (2010). Great Ideas in Motion Chrysler's Australian History 1946-1981. Ilinga Books. pp. 23–25. ISBN   0-9805229-1-9.
  14. "Automotive oddity website". roadkillontheweb.com. February 17, 2008. Archived from the original on December 13, 2021. Retrieved June 27, 2022.
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