1954 Plymouth Savoy

From the mid-1950s and continuing for over a decade, the Savoy was a part of Plymouth's model lineup. From 1954 through 1961, it was a full-size, mid-level car, while the 1962 to 1964 version was a mid-size model. Plymouth had used the Savoy name prior to 1954; beginning in 1951 it was used on a station wagon. Similar to Plymouth's Belvedere and Plaza models, the Savoy was named after an upscale hotel - the Savoy Hotel located in London.

1954 was a year of change for Plymouth with the previous Cambridge and Cranbrook models replaced by the entry-level Plaza, the mid-priced Savoy, and the top-of-the-line Belvedere. Just like Plymouth's prior use of the Savoy name to represent its station wagon, the Belvedere name had previously been used to represent the two-door pillarless hardtop. All models rested on a 114-inch wheelbase with an overall length of 193.5 inches (the Suburban was slightly shorter at 190.25 inches). The tried-and-true 217.8 cubic-inch inline L-head six-cylinder engine, introduced prior to World War II, had a 3.24-inch bore and a 4.375-inch stroke. It used a Carter one-barrel carburetor, solid valve lifters, four main bearings, a 7.1:1 compression ratio, and delivered 100 horsepower at 3,600 RPM. Midway through the 1954 model year, Plymouth increased the engine's stroke by a quarter inch, resulting in displacement growing to 230.2 cubic inches and output increasing to 110 hp. A three-speed manual transmission was standard, while an overdrive was a $99.55 option, a semi-automatic transmission was $145.80, and a PowerFlite fully automatic transmission was $189. The standard rear axle gear ratio was 3.73:1; with the optional overdrive installed, a 4.10:1 gear ratio was used. The Hy-Drive used a 3.73:1 ratio.

Body styles on the Plaza and Savoy included a sedan, club coupe, Suburban, and bare chassis. The Plaza was also offered as a three-passenger business coupe.

Plymouth vehicles introduced immediately following World War II were mildly restyled and mechanically updated versions of the models it sold just prior to the outbreak of war. The first all-new styling was introduced in the spring of 1949 and was based on the 'box styling' philosophy of Chrysler Chairman K.T. Keller. The philosophy of this styling exercise focused on practicality as the paramount theme, positioned above beauty, resulting in interior efficiency for its occupants. This design theme would continue through 1955, albeit with updates along the way, before being replaced with Virgil Exner's all-new styling in 1955 along with a new polysherical-head V-8 engine. The company's performance image would gain a boost in 1956 with the new limited-edition Fury hardtop equipped with a 303 CID V8 engine with a four-barrel carburetor and dual exhaust.

The 1954 Plymouth models introduced all-new names, but the mechanical specification remained mostly the same as the previous year and the styling was minimally updated. The name 'Plymouth' was now positioned in the front horizontal grille bar, positioned slightly below the recessed headlights and above the parking headlamps. The chrome bumper wrapped around on each side, to the front of the wheel well opening. The Plaza models had black rubber gravel shields and 'Plaza' fornt fender script. The Savoy had full-length side body moldings, chrome gravel shields, and the 'Savoy' signatures positioned on the cowl side area of the front fenders. The interiors of the Savoy were 'fancier' than the Plaza, with higher-grade fabrics and more standard amenities.

The Savoy was the most popular 1954 Plymouth model with total sales of 199,517 units accounting for approximately 43% of the company's production. The most popular Savoy body style was the sedan with 139,383 units built, followed by 30,700 of the club coupe, 25,396 of the club sedan, and 450 of the suburban. Additionally, 3,588 Savoy chassis were built.

by Daniel Vaughan | Oct 2022