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Member
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Location: The United States of America | Hello all. So I've seen plenty of people convert their 57 Plymouths into 58s but is it possible to convert my 59 into being a 58? This is my first forward look car and I know that Plymouths 57-59 have the same basic design. But I'm wondering if there's anything I wouldn't be able to change if I decided on trying the conversion. I just bought the car and it's a mess and in major need for restoration. |
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Expert
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Location: Netherlands | The front and rear/fins are different on the '59s.
Perhaps a front clip of a '57/58 would fit nicely. Would you want to replace the fins with a set from a '57/58 aswell?
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Extreme Veteran
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Location: North of the 49th | Hi
I converted a station wagon once from a '59 to a '58 , at a fellows insistence... I chopped off the upper portion of the rear quarters which got rid of the '59 fin and tailight and I grafted on a '58 rear quarter section. Some trim holes had to be welded shut and some new ones drilled. I installed the '58 front clip without issue. So that was pretty well all straight forward , the tricky part was changing the dash. The '59 used vacuum actuators for the heater/defroster so I made adapters to allow the '58 cable operation of the heater defroster , the vent was converted as well and ended up being actuated by a knob attached under the dash on the same side as the hand brake. Anyhow I pulled it off as visually its a '58 but open the hood and you'll see the '59 firewall and if anybody services the front end they'll find cams instead of shims on the upper control arms. For a regular passenger car the most difficult bit is the back end as you'll have to use the whole rear clip from a '58 the rest would be bolt on and re-trimming. With regards to the wagon I did , the car had to be registered as a '59 due to the Vin number and the goofs at the DMV couldn't quite get their head around it as to why...The answer was simple , the '59 was a solid car and the '58 was a rust bucket and the '58 was the prefered car. |
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Member
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Location: The United States of America | Thank you both for your suggestions. Yes I think I would replace the fins as well. If I didn't I'm afraid it would look like some sort of Frankenstein Plymouth. I imagine It would also be pretty cool though. would you happen to have any photos of the station wagon grunau?
Edited by EvilMopar58 2014-07-03 8:52 PM
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Extreme Veteran
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Location: The Netherlands | Guess you need to do the whole front and rear as they are completely different |
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Location: The United States of America | In anyone's opinion. Would it be worth it to do such a conversion? |
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Extreme Veteran
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Location: The Netherlands | IMHO, not really.
If you want the 58 trim you need to do the doors too with all the holes for the trim.
You need all the sheet metal, chrome and stainless for the 58. Would be easier to get a 58 I guess.
Also send you an email |
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Expert 5K+
Posts: 8445
Location: Perth Australia | To me, nope
A lot of work (translates to time/money) to convert the 59, be better and cheaper to find a repairable 58.
I did change a 62 holden to a 60 once, but that was basically trim items and a few holes, not changing anything that wouldnt un bolt.
For a wagon, if I did it, I would be like Doc Desoto and want to put sedan rears on it to make the fins sweep back, not forward.
For re sale, the car would be less value than a genuine 58 as it would be tagged as a 59, where as a nicely done 59, it would be worth more
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Member
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Location: The United States of America | I'm not sure which direction I should go. A frankenplymouth would be pretty if I just did a 58 front end and the rest a 59. But on the other hand it seems really ridiculous. |
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Extreme Veteran
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Location: North of the 49th | Hi
After I answered your question I went looking for pics , no prints found, maybe on slides ... I did this thing back in '78 so I'll have to check my negative pile and/or my slide trays... I had the '59 fins laying around for the longest time and I know I have the taillight assemblies as they've been in my swap meet junk ever since .... |
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Location: Sweden | I would contact Jim Rawa about this, he's Done it. See pic.
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Expert 5K+
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Location: Williams California | The entire roof stamping is different as well as the front and rear clip. The conversion can be done, but I'd think finding either a '57 or a '58 coupe would save money and time in the long run.
---John |
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Expert
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Location: Netherlands | Looking at the above converted Plymouth, I just noticed something.
I actually don't like the 'thin' top windshield/roofedge. It looks like it has shaved eyebrows orsomething.
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Member
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Location: The United States of America | I think the above converted Plymouth looks quite well. I didn't even notice the roof until BigBlockMopar mentioned it, and i'm not sure but I think I like it. |
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Expert
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Location: New Castle PA | Not worth the trouble in my opinion (since you asked for it). Just restore the '59. |
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Location: Montreal, Canada | Since you are asking opinions on this, I think it's not worth the trouble at all, IMO, and the result would never be a 58 plymouth or look like a 58 plymouth anyway, with that windshield top. Why not get what you really want and leave the 59 to someone who will appreciate it? There are 58s on the market all the time.. Or 57s, at least you would start with something closer to a 58 to work with. |
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Location: The United States of America | I think I am just going to restore the 59 as a 59 and buy a 58 sometime in the future. If I see a good deal on a 58 I may decide to sell the 59 but I really like it so for now I'm going to keep it and I guess restore it as a 59. I appreciate everyone's opinions. |
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Location: Germany | Since '59 Plymouths are becoming more valuable too, I would not cut it up unless it's smashed in the rear. The conversion above was done 10 years ago. Back then nobody cared about '59 Plymouths, even if it was a 2dr HT. Everybody wanted a '58 Plymouth coupé, especially if it was red and white, just like "Christine". 4dr '58 Plymouths were another thing nobody wanted. So Jim had a botchy '59 coupé and a '58 4dr donor Plymouth...and built himself a daily driver Christine. |
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Extreme Veteran
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Location: Watertown South Dakota | I am probably in a very small group, but I actually like the 59 better than the 57-58s. They are a very good looking car in their own right. Not knocking the other 2,,,all of them are great.
EvilMopar58 - 2014-07-07 12:17 AM
I think I am just going to restore the 59 as a 59 and buy a 58 sometime in the future. If I see a good deal on a 58 I may decide to sell the 59 but I really like it so for now I'm going to keep it and I guess restore it as a 59. I appreciate everyone's opinions. |
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Member
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Location: The United States of America | I like the 59 Plymouths but I like the 58s a little better and I've always wanted a 58. Maybe i'll come across a 58 sometime in the near future I'd prefer that. If I bought a 58 I know my 59 is going to stay a 59 . I have a 59 Belvedere 4door sedan. I keep debating back and fourth on the subject, because well it's a 4 door sedan. But I dont think the 59s look that bad as 58s. |
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Expert
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Location: Jamaica Plain, MA | A four door is definitely not worth the hassle. Your car does have the same roof brow that the 57-8 Plymouth coupes had. The back doors are different, as well as the clip, rear, dash, etc. |
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Converting 59 to 58 Plymouth
