Does anyone have a copy of the October '58 issue of Motor Life? (There are several on eBay even now.) Bernie tells me there is a picture of the car in that issue - perhaps he meant to say, even this picture.
A true Unicorn! Whatever happened to this car, do you think...
Thanks, Bernie, for the pix and all of the good fun!
The one - and only one - 1959 Sport Fury 4-door hardtop. Appears to be white with blue interior. (Can't be more than one, right?)
And you whipped up on us by having the Motor Life issue at your fingertips. I have one somewhere, but was just going by memory when I sent the pictures to Dan. Thought there weren't any more photos of it inside, must be another magazine with a Plymouth on the front without anymore inside I had in mind.
I wonder how real it was, a running car or just a mock up? While I've seen other pictures of Chrysler products in various states of styling development on that same turntable, this is the first one with the notations on the photo, the "degree wheel" for posing from different positions, etc. Wonder if more pictures exist. Highly doubtful the car still exists, but if it did, I'd consider it the "Holy Grail" of 1959 Plymouths.
Does anyone else know anything about this car, or the Chrysler styling studios and this secluded location for the photos?
And kudos to Dan for catching the unique "C" pillar ornament, I never looked there once I saw 4 doors and Sport Fury trim.
The part number I found is listed under DeSoto and is a bit different, but since my book is dated March 1959 it might have been listed in an earlier version.
Dick, great shot on the Turbine Car, another one-off that slipped my mind as a possible answer once I saw the 4-door Sport Fury. 1959 was quite a year for firsts, lasts, oddities, and curiosities. Perhaps we should keep these brain teasers coming on a variety of subjects relating to '59 Plymouths, hoping that this exercise was more entertaining than anything else. Everyone can chime in, start your own themes.
Thanks to all, especially Dan. I think he's earning is Plymouth Owners Club (POC) adviser pay!
Bernie B. wrote:Does anyone else know anything about this car, or the Chrysler styling studios and this secluded location for the photos?
Dave Stragand's banner photo with Virgil Exner for the The Forward Look MoPar Network on Facebook is cropped, but if you view the photo, you can see that the venue is the same - the fence pickets and posts are identical:
Seems to be a different pad, but looks to be the same location.
From: Dave Stragand
Sent: Monday, June 13, 2016 9:24 AM
To: Dan Morton
Subject: Re: '59 Plymouth Unicorn
I tried to dig up the thread with discussion, but couldn't find it. I believe part of the discussion was the big light pole in the background being identical to those around the test track, located adjacent.
Hope all is well with you!
Sounds like there was a discussion on Dave's Forward Look Discussion Forums. Does anyone recall that discussion, and can you find it?
Perhaps there's more photos of the outdoor photography setting in there.
The comment about it being at the test track, I assume that means the one in Chelsea, Michigan? Some distance from Detroit as I recall. Perhaps a search on that subject will lead to more photos. The earliest date for any styling photos at this site that I came across was springtime 1956.
