1954 Plymouth Belmont Concept news, pictures, and information

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Roadster

This 1954 Plymouth Belmont 2-door roadster concept car is powered by a 150-horsepower, 241-cubic inch, 3.9-liter, V8 engine with a Hy-drive transmission and rides on a 114-inch wheelbase.

The car was designed by Chrysler Corp., under the direction of Virgin Exner, for the 1954 Chicago Auto Show and New York Autorama Show.

The Plymouth Belmont Concept was designed by the Advanced Styling Studio under the direction of Virgil Exner. It was built by Briggs Manufacturing and shown at the Auto Shows and Autorama events throughout the country in 1954.

This car is the first and only vehicle to be fitted with a fiberglass body. It rides on a standard Plymouth platform that means it has a 114-inch wheelbase. Since Plymouth did not have a V8 engine at the time, they went to their sister company for help. Dodge provided a 241 cubic-inch V8 that offered 150 horsepower. This engine was mated to a Hy-Drive semi-automatic Plymouth transmission.

The car was painted in silvery blue paint which was later changed to red. Standing a mere 49-inches, this low-slung roadster is both futuristic and attractive. Its styling is aerodynamic and indicative of Exner's future 'Forward Look' theme. The design is clean with the convertible top carefully stowed away in a hidden compartment located behind the seats.

A Chrysler Corporation dream or concept car for the Plymouth Division, the Belmont was highly publicized and well received by the public at the various major automobile shows where it was displayed. Styled by Briggs and built in the United States, the major theme stressed by the company was that the Belmont was a practical car in every sense combined with sweeping beauty. The fiberglas roadster body was mounted on the standard Plymouth chassis that had been proven by billions of miles of owner use creating an unmatchable combination. Unfortunately, the car was never put into production, this car being the only one built.

Source - Barrett-Jackson Auction Company

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