new member

[sbailey]

Hello Forum!

new member here....also new to plymouths and all mopars actually.
My reason for joining is that i would really like to find a late 50s plymouth. I know this group is primarily dedicated to the 59 Plymouth but i am hoping to find a group or person who can give me the good, the bad and the ugly.

I would like to find something from 57 to 59, is there much difference mechanically between the years? how are are parts to find? is weather strippingbeing reproduced? issues with push button transmissions?, etc....

Currently i am restoring a 59 Merc Monterey, 4 dr sedan, 312, 2 sp auto. (who is having a heck of a time finding weather stripping....)

Looking forward to hearing from everyone....
thanks
Scott

[Nighthawk]

Hi Scott, welcome to the group!
I know a guy who has a 57 Plymouth Savoy 4 dr sedan for sale, its red and white, was originally 6 cyl auto, now a 383 with a 3 spd auto, he wants 9 grand for it but the car is in Canada, in Toronto Ontario, let me know if this interests you.

Bob

[Dick Koch]

Hi Scott - Welcome to the group and Mopars, they garner plenty of attention at show and on the road. Chev's and Fords are like rice there are millions of them. I have a 59 I'm currently doing a restoration on and haven't had any trouble finding body parts or mechanicals for it. Good sources are e-bay, junk yards, for instance www.Fremanauto.com in Montana has around 13 - 59's in his yard, I've seen them and sources for many more. NAPA is an excellent source for parts, Andy Birnbaum for weatherstripping and parts. Probably the best source for Mopar parts is Gary Goers in Montana, he has and reproduces almost all of the hard stuff. There are several sources for body repair panels and many club sites on the net that can help you. Any problem you run into, somebody has been there and can help, expecially on this site. One of our members Big M is a good source for parts. A lot of parts are interchangable 57 thru 59. I haven't heard of to many problems with pushbutton transmissions, they are adjusted easily. I have 3 cars with pushbuttons and have never had a problem. Knock on wood. So Jump in and have a good time.
Dick

[sbailey]

Hi Scott - Welcome to the group and Mopars, they garner plenty of attention at show and on the road. Chev's and Fords are like rice there are millions of them. I have a 59 I'm currently doing a restoration on and haven't had any trouble finding body parts or mechanicals for it. Good sources are e-bay, junk yards, for instance www.Fremanauto.com in Montana has around 13 - 59's in his yard, I've seen them and sources for many more. NAPA is an excellent source for parts, Andy Birnbaum for weatherstripping and parts. Probably the best source for Mopar parts is Gary Goers in Montana, he has and reproduces almost all of the hard stuff. There are several sources for body repair panels and many club sites on the net that can help you. Any problem you run into, somebody has been there and can help, expecially on this site. One of our members Big M is a good source for parts. A lot of parts are interchangable 57 thru 59. I haven't heard of to many problems with pushbutton transmissions, they are adjusted easily. I have 3 cars with pushbuttons and have never had a problem. Knock on wood. So Jump in and have a good time.
Dick

Hi Bob & Dick...
First of all, thanks for taking the time to write...I've heard the 318s were a good engine, i know the slant 6 went on forever and have basically been reliable cars. I've also heard that especially 57 plymouth were prone to rust. Being from NY, all cars rusted when i was a kid. If i am looking at 57 through 59 plymouths, are there any particular problem areas or maybe certain parts are hard to come by? I would like to find someone unmolested if possible, doesn't matter if it is a 6 or a 8, auto or standard, 4 dr or 2dr, sedan or hardtop.

Your right about fords and chevys being like rice. I am envious to all of the reproduction parts that are available. Mechanically my 59 Merc is all there as is the body. I have dealt with Neil Fremann and Big M salvage yard in california. Look up in any of the catalogues for ford & mercury and 99% of the time 59 & 60 there are no parts. The only rubber goods that are made for ath 59 Merc is the trunk seal. Replacement windshields i've personally seen go as high as 12 - 1500.00.

If i buy a 57-59 Plymouth and there is a part that is particularly part that is hard to find or extremely expensive to replace I want to make sure that i have one. Are there rubber goods that are available? are NOS parts very hard to find? What are some good companies/catalogs that have Plymouth parts / supplies? You've mentioned Andy Birnbaum, is he Mopar or Merc weather stripping? Any good plymouth salvage yards?

Thank you !
Scott

[big m]

Hi Scott, small world, Huh? We must have similar tastes in cars, the late '50's Mercs and Forward look Mopar cars are my personal favorites.

I am not aware of anyone reproducing the weatherstripping on the '59 and '60 Mercs, but you might try contacting Gry Stordahl of the Norway Mercury club, as she just completed the restoration on a '59 Parklane convertible. Her work is quite thorough, and she may have answers for you.

Are you looking primarily for a '59 Plymouth, or are you still deciding? The members on this site have a wealth of information, and are some very friendly folks as well.

Welcome!

---John

[sbailey]

Hi Scott, small world, Huh? We must have similar tastes in cars, the late '50's Mercs and Forward look Mopar cars are my personal favorites.

I am not aware of anyone reproducing the weatherstripping on the '59 and '60 Mercs, but you might try contacting Gry Stordahl of the Norway Mercury club, as she just completed the restoration on a '59 Parklane convertible. Her work is quite thorough, and she may have answers for you.

Are you looking primarily for a '59 Plymouth, or are you still deciding? The members on this site have a wealth of information, and are some very friendly folks as well.

Welcome!

---John

Hi John...
This is definitely a small world if you are John from Big M salvage yard in CA. You've been a big help with my 59 Merc, thanks for the left side of the grill. And yes, I have attempted several times to contact Gry, she did send me pics of her yellow convertible but never did get her to answer any questions.

I've enjoyed the pictures of the members cars and have started maneuvering through this site reading the posts, I'm impressed with what i see. I haven't settled on any particular year, between hemmings, the internet, one of the model years i like will turn up...

Good hearing from you..
Scott
Belfair, WA

[rogerh]

Belfair? I need to get out to your neck of the woods, as I know there was a 59 sedan parts car out there and the yard owners told me (2 yrs ago now) tha they were onto a collection of 50s cars...did it happen?

[Fins59]

Last year (2006) at the Iola Car Show, Restoration Specialties of PA checked out my '59 Sport Furys' door weatherstripping with the intention of reproducing the weatherstripping. So by now they might have the door weatherstripping kit available for the '59.

[big m]

Last year (2006) at the Iola Car Show, Restoration Specialties of PA checked out my '59 Sport Furys' door weatherstripping with the intention of reproducing the weatherstripping. So by now they might have the door weatherstripping kit available for the '59.

That would definitely be a good thing, although my project probably won't be ready for it until way in the future. ---John

[sbailey]

Belfair? I need to get out to your neck of the woods, as I know there was a 59 sedan parts car out there and the yard owners told me (2 yrs ago now) tha they were onto a collection of 50s cars...did it happen?

Hey Roger, are you talking about Belfair Auto Wrecking? I know there are a couple of yards near Shelton just south of Belfair. I am assuming that you are talking about a 59 Plymouth? I am on the east coast right now but will back this coming saturday, i can check with the yard to see if they still have the sedan.
Scott

[rogerh]

yes and okay