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57-58 Plymouth business coupes
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5859
Posted 2008-06-11 2:25 AM (#133509)
Subject: 57-58 Plymouth business coupes


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These have been mentioned here briefly before but I never could get an answer to this question,"Do these business coupes have rear seats or just some sort of rear cargo compartment?" I am hoping that someone who knows will see this and be able to answer. Pictures, if it dosen't have a rear seat, would be fabulous too. The only difference between the two door club coupe and the business coupe I have been able to find so far is that the rear side windows are fixed (do not roll down) and there is no faux rear vent windows, in other words the rear side glass is one piece. Does anyone have any other information?
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d500neil
Posted 2008-06-11 2:54 AM (#133514 - in reply to #133509)
Subject: Re: 57-58 Plymouth business coupes



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Dodge in 57-58 did not offer a specific Business Coupe
other than the 6-cylinder 2-dr sedan model, and it came with a rear seat (but, not much else, as standard equipment!)

And, oh-yeah: the body structure had that rear X-member brace, which pretty-well obstructed any direct access to the trunk (not to mention Dodge's placement of the spare tire, at the forward-end of the trunk), so, there wouldn't have been any real way to have the rear interior compartment be connected to the trunk, and, rear-seat access is rather limited, in any of the 2-door car FWDLK'ers.






Edited by d500neil 2008-06-11 3:06 AM
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Lancer Mike
Posted 2008-06-11 2:47 PM (#133574 - in reply to #133509)
Subject: RE: 57-58 Plymouth business coupes



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interesting question.  I have wondered about it too.  If you look at the dealer order sheets, order code 601 lists a rear seat as ''optional" in the business coupe only.  See

 http://www.forwardlook.net/images/58_code3.jpg

This implies that a business coupe could be ordered without a rear seat or armrests?  Unfortunately, those are so rare and I have seen very few, if any, pictures.  I imagine that it would not be a pass through to the trunk, but a cover for where the back seat rest would have been, an extra larger rubber mat, and a full-length flat panel under the back window - but that is just my imagination and some vague recollections of the salesman's coupes from the '30's and '40's.  Kind of an extra storage area for samples.

Will we ever know the answer to this one?



Edited by Lancer Mike 2008-06-11 2:48 PM
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Doctor DeSoto
Posted 2008-06-11 8:10 PM (#133639 - in reply to #133574)
Subject: RE: 57-58 Plymouth business coupes



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There was a 59 Chev business coupe surviving in Seattle in the early 90's that had a "shelf" where the seat bottom would have been and something of an "apron" hanging where the seat back would have been. The material looked like the cardboard trunk liners FL cars had. The owner was quite proud of his business coupe and had lots of sales lit, etc. detailing what his car was. I can only assume the Mopar version was something like this Chev (?).
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big m
Posted 2008-06-11 8:39 PM (#133644 - in reply to #133509)
Subject: Re: 57-58 Plymouth business coupes



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Usually, through the chain of ownership, a rear seat would be installed and any stand or shelf would simply get tossed. I know that Ferd from the factory had a plywood base on which to stow merchandise or belongings, I had a low mileage '58 business coupe some years back that still had this installed. A rubber covering similar to floor mat rubber was used on the surface.

I would imagine that Ma Mopar would have offered something similar as well, but I've not seen proof of it. ---John
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d500neil
Posted 2008-06-11 8:40 PM (#133645 - in reply to #133509)
Subject: Re: 57-58 Plymouth business coupes



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Nice going, Mike! Plymouth offered a back-seat-less Business Coupe model in (probably 57 and) 1958!

Wouldn't THAT make an interesting piece of factory literature---a fleet-advertising flyer (and, there HAD to have been some
produced) for a Salesman's/Business-sample Coupe.

What a non-fun car to have driven. Manual-everything, probably, and no radio; maybe a heater/defroster, though.




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Doctor DeSoto
Posted 2008-06-11 9:01 PM (#133648 - in reply to #133645)
Subject: Re: 57-58 Plymouth business coupes



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d500neil - 2008-06-12 5:40 PM

Nice going, Mike! Plymouth offered a back-seat-less Business Coupe model in (probably 57 and) 1958!

Wouldn't THAT make an interesting piece of factory literature---a fleet-advertising flyer (and, there HAD to have been some
produced) for a Salesman's/Business-sample Coupe.

What a non-fun car to have driven. Manual-everything, probably, and no radio; maybe a heater/defroster, though.



************************************

I have piece of lit for 56 Dodge showing custom details that could be ordered onto your wagon for professional purposes. One "point" they tried to make was how wonderful it would be to drive your wagon as a hearse from 9 to 5 and then take the kids fishing on weekends with it ! Pretty funny.

An intangible factor we never see anymore that was quite common, and moreso the farther back you go, was the very practical mentality that people had toward motor vehicles. Try convincing the average American that one car per household is enough, or that all that fluffy stuff like power steering or a radio isn't necessary .... the latter, my Grandfather argued, was a hazardous distraction to driving and should be outlawed. He owned the only 60 Buick I ever saw with a radio block-off .... special ordered.

I doubt manufacturers could even give such spartan cars away today. Sales reps I know opt for Beemer wagons, SUV's, etc. All upscale to present an image. I can't even think of a comparable car / model made today to a big bodied, manual everything, stripper car of the pre-70 era. Stripper cars today are KIAs and Hyundais and these, while not plush by today's standards, are nothing like the driving experience a bare bones 58 Plymouth would be. And then there is the added element that as a sales rep, you were going to do a LOT of driving and parking with such a beast !

The Collectible Automobile currently on newstands has a feature on the business coupe with lots of great examples shown. No FL cars though. The tiny roofed biz coupes of the post war era have always been favorites of mine. Had Lord Exner seen to a unique roof like this with a Forward Look flavor, a FL business coupe would really be a sight to see !
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firedome
Posted 2008-06-11 9:29 PM (#133653 - in reply to #133648)
Subject: Re: 57-58 Plymouth business coupes



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I kinda miss those bare bones stripper cars - the first car that I actually bought, in 1970, (my '63 Ferd wagon came from Dad) was a 122-S Volvo with only an AM radio & heater... and that's it - rubber floor mats, 4 spd stick, no power windows, no A/C, no carpet.... and one of the best cars I ever had, for 10 years... Plain Janes rule!!
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Chrycoman
Posted 2008-06-11 11:26 PM (#133677 - in reply to #133574)
Subject: RE: 57-58 Plymouth business coupes



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Lancer Mike - 2008-06-11 11:47 AM

interesting question.  I have wondered about it too.  If you look at the dealer order sheets, order code 601 lists a rear seat as ''optional" in the business coupe only.  See

 http://www.forwardlook.net/images/58_code3.jpg

This implies that a business coupe could be ordered without a rear seat or armrests?  Unfortunately, those are so rare and I have seen very few, if any, pictures.  I imagine that it would not be a pass through to the trunk, but a cover for where the back seat rest would have been, an extra larger rubber mat, and a full-length flat panel under the back window - but that is just my imagination and some vague recollections of the salesman's coupes from the '30's and '40's.  Kind of an extra storage area for samples.

Will we ever know the answer to this one?



Well, if the back seat is listed as optional on the business sedan, then I suppose one could safely assume that the standard version of the business sedan came with no back seat. If you check `The Plymouth-DeSoto Story`by Don Butler, there are illustrations of the 1957 to 1959 business sedans. And all three years mention that the body style came with no back seat.

Will we ever know the answer to this one? Yes we do.

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Lancer Mike
Posted 2008-06-12 12:29 AM (#133693 - in reply to #133677)
Subject: RE: 57-58 Plymouth business coupes



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I was thinking "will we ever know what the interior looked like"? That's the question to which I don't know if we will get an answer. We had a whole thread about this some time ago, but I'm sure there is one out there somewhere. The business coupes, at least for 1958, were the rarest body style and I just imagine that they were the first in line to get crushed. If anyone ever found one, just based on the rarity and scarcity of the thing, it should be worth more than a Fury! I suppose there must be some sales literature that shows what the interior looked like without the back seat, but I haven't seen it yet.

There is a definite appeal to these Plymouth business coupes: here it is - the very entry level Chrysler Corporation product with no frills. Just imagine a '58 Plymouth Plaza business coupe with a six cylinder engine, manual transmission, heater delete, plain steering wheel, painted horn ring, hard metal dash, rubber mats, radio delete, no back seat, back-up light delete, plain black tires, hubcaps, solid color code, plain bumpers, one side mirror, no power nuttin' - the very least expensive car you could buy, period. When they say priced from $1,899 - they mean this!

If you had a choice today between that and a Fury - well, I know you would see another Fury at some point.

Edited by Lancer Mike 2008-06-12 1:05 AM
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Swept57
Posted 2008-06-12 1:20 AM (#133698 - in reply to #133509)
Subject: Re: 57-58 Plymouth business coupes



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I'll bet it wouldn't have any side mirrors. My 1962 Dart is just as you described but did not come with outside side mirrors. It does, however, have a back seat.
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Doctor DeSoto
Posted 2008-06-12 2:11 AM (#133699 - in reply to #133693)
Subject: RE: 57-58 Plymouth business coupes



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I LOVE unusual cars !

The real strippers to the strangely loaded, with weird option combos and seldom seen paint colors.

I get a little bored with the same old same old .... maybe it is my A.D.D. ? Change it up a bit !

I deeply regret letting my 60 Fireflite go - especially since the buyer got in a jam and scrapped the car ! But how many solid black 60 DeSotos were built with option delete everything but 383 crossram, 3-speed manual, and 12" brakes ?

Clear glass, no radio, no antenna, no heater, no drip trim, no back-ups .... just dog dishies and black rims, rubber mats. It was such a cool car ! Kinda ugly, but SO cool !

While the stripper Plymouths would be more of a "natural" because they were the entry level car, a super stripper biz coupe would be a real standout in a show field lineup of Furys and Belvederes with all their flashy glitz. That is where my attention would go !
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Chrycoman
Posted 2008-06-12 2:35 AM (#133702 - in reply to #133693)
Subject: RE: 57-58 Plymouth business coupes



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Lancer Mike - 2008-06-11 9:29 PM

I was thinking "will we ever know what the interior looked like"? That's the question to which I don't know if we will get an answer. We had a whole thread about this some time ago, but I'm sure there is one out there somewhere. The business coupes, at least for 1958, were the rarest body style and I just imagine that they were the first in line to get crushed. If anyone ever found one, just based on the rarity and scarcity of the thing, it should be worth more than a Fury! I suppose there must be some sales literature that shows what the interior looked like without the back seat, but I haven't seen it yet.

There is a definite appeal to these Plymouth business coupes: here it is - the very entry level Chrysler Corporation product with no frills. Just imagine a '58 Plymouth Plaza business coupe with a six cylinder engine, manual transmission, heater delete, plain steering wheel, painted horn ring, hard metal dash, rubber mats, radio delete, no back seat, back-up light delete, plain black tires, hubcaps, solid color code, plain bumpers, one side mirror, no power nuttin' - the very least expensive car you could buy, period. When they say priced from $1,899 - they mean this!

If you had a choice today between that and a Fury - well, I know you would see another Fury at some point.


In 1958 heaters, outside rear view mirrors, backup lamps and radios were optional. Thus radios and heaters were not "delete" as they were not on the list of standard equipment. Heaters generally became standard equipment in 1965, outside mirrors and backup lamps in 1966 and radios in the 1980's. Just forget what year padded instrument panels became standard - either 1966 or 1967. Which is one of the reasons base prices of cars have risen so dramatically since the 1960's. The other reasons were pollution controls and safety standards - they all cost money.

And back then the cheapest series usually had no horn ring - usually just the centre hub on the steering wheel. In the 1950's the cheapest stripper series was easy to tell from the top of the line models. An aunt of mine had a black 1957 Plymouth Plaza 4-door sedan with light grey interior. The only options were heater/defroster and engine block heater. That car's interior always had an odour, and coating, of gravel dust. It actually sucked in less dust if you kept the windows open.

Prices and production of the 1957-59 Plymouth business sedans :

1957 Plaza 2-door business sedan : 2,874 built
6 : $1,899, 3,155#
V8 : $1,999, 3,315#

1958 Plaza 2-door business sedan : 1,472 built
6 : $2,028, 3,170#
V8 : $2,136, 3,320#

1959 Savoy 2-door business sedan : 1,051 built
6 : $2,143, 3,130#
V8 : not offered

The business sedan was not built in Canada - it was strictly an American offering.

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1955Coronado
Posted 2008-06-12 3:01 AM (#133703 - in reply to #133509)
Subject: Re: 57-58 Plymouth business coupes



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Keep it up folks, and, next thing you know, folks'll be cloning these babies to roll out at B-J - "1 of just 1,051 made that year and in BRILLIANT condition!!!"
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5859
Posted 2008-06-12 5:29 AM (#133704 - in reply to #133509)
Subject: RE: 57-58 Plymouth business coupes


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I actually have been quite taken with the idea of business coupes for quite a while. Not so much because some are bare bones cars, but mostly because of that storage compartment behind the front seat, and in some cases access to the trunk from inside the cabin. When I had my 62 Chrysler 2 door hardtop, I had to take the rear seat out when I worked on the rear glass windows, and I actually thought for quite a while how cool it would be to build a finish platform out of some type of plywood, and then cover the whole rear seat area in some kind of correct looking carpet, essentially deleting the rear seat, and creating a business coupe of sorts. I am now entertaining the same thoughts about my 58 savoy, although I am almost certain I will never make any changes to the car.
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57plymouth
Posted 2008-06-12 5:52 AM (#133706 - in reply to #133509)
Subject: Re: 57-58 Plymouth business coupes



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Austin has a black 57 business coupe. It came with a rear seat.

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50scars
Posted 2008-06-12 7:32 AM (#133716 - in reply to #133706)
Subject: Re: 57-58 Plymouth business coupes


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Fleet owners went away from the cheapest el strippo car they could get when the cars got good enough that they were still usable transportation when the fleet decided it was time to get rid of them. My company car went from a 69 Chevy Biscayne 2 door sedan, stick 6, to a 70 Chevy Bel Air 4 door sedan, stick 6, to a 71 Chevy Bel Air 4 door sedan, 6 cyl, PS, PB. Then in 72 they bought Bel Air 4 door sedans v-8, auto, PS PB, and in 73 they went to the Impalla 4 door hardtop, and added air. Funny thing happened--the 71 6s played hell getting 10 MPG, but the 350 in the 72 delivered 14, and the 73s with air got even better because we could drive with the windows shut, improving the aerodynamics. The company I work for now drives Crown Victorias, Explorers and Expeditions. They originally went for the bigger cars as an option the employee paid for. They discovered that they got more money back out of a luxury car than the economy cars they had to give away to get rid of, and the repair costs were significantly less. They get the leather interior, because the car still looks good at 200,000 miles. Someone did a study that showed that the economy models directly cost them more when driven past 75,000 miles than the bigger cars, and when they factored in the cost of professional personal on the side of the road dealing with a dead car, rather than making another call, the cost of the cheap car was prohibitive.
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StillOutThere
Posted 2008-06-12 8:44 AM (#133724 - in reply to #133716)
Subject: Re: 57-58 Plymouth business coupes



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A friend of mine locally has a '53 Ford and before it was scrapped out, we got several parts from a '54 Ford business coupe in a local salvage.  One of the things we got was the metal shelf that became the 'floor' replacing the back seat lower cushion.  It bolted to the floor lip that the front of the cushion catches and then it bolted to a horizontal floor rear reinforcement.  Without a filler like this any buisiness coupe would not have a flat floor.  Again the rear side windows were fixed and of course no arm rests.  This floor filler was stamped ribbed steel - no plywood here.  That's as close as I can come to a story of a contemporary biz. coupe to the '57 Plymouth.
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firedome
Posted 2008-06-12 10:05 AM (#133732 - in reply to #133724)
Subject: Re: 57-58 Plymouth business coupes



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It seems odd that they even offered a business coupe with no rear seat in '57/8 if the steel brace V between the trunk and interior didn't allow a contiguous space between them like the older ones had - some of the '30s/40s cars even had a flat platform on rails that slid out from the rear trunk opening. I wonder if it was made just to allow them to advertise the super low price numbers. It'd be great to see one today.
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5859
Posted 2008-06-13 4:48 PM (#133894 - in reply to #133706)
Subject: Re: 57-58 Plymouth business coupes


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57plymouth - 2008-06-12 5:52 AM

Austin has a black 57 business coupe. It came with a rear seat.

are the rear windows fixed, or do they roll up and down? I once thought a requirement of a business coupe was fixed rear windows, now I am wondering if they were optional as well, what with the rear seat( a deletion being the norm for a business coupe ) being optional as well.
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55 Savoy
Posted 2008-06-13 6:54 PM (#133902 - in reply to #133894)
Subject: Re: 57-58 Plymouth business coupes



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5859 - 2008-06-13 4:48 PM

57plymouth - 2008-06-12 5:52 AM

Austin has a black 57 business coupe. It came with a rear seat.

are the rear windows fixed, or do they roll up and down? I once thought a requirement of a business coupe was fixed rear windows, now I am wondering if they were optional as well, what with the rear seat( a deletion being the norm for a business coupe ) being optional as well.


Exactly what I was thinking. I mean, if you have a business coupe with optional back seat and possibly optional winding rear windows, what is the difference between that car and an ordinary Plaza 2-door sedan?

I'm very interested in "odd" cars like business coupes, the Silver Specials aso, any info, documented or not, appreciated.

Edited by 55 Savoy 2008-06-13 6:55 PM
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Doctor DeSoto
Posted 2008-06-14 2:38 AM (#133941 - in reply to #133894)
Subject: Re: 57-58 Plymouth business coupes



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I know this might be an apples vs. oranges thing, but that 59 Chev biz coupe mentioned earlier did not have open space between the trunk and the rear seat area. There was a grey "cardboard" apron hanging where the seat back would normally hang. The open space was not an issue, at least with Chev. The brochures the owner had showed stacks of books and other materials on the shelf where the seat normally would go. I remember thinking to myself that the first time the driver had to hit the brakes hard ....

Where is it said that this space between the cabin and trunk was open ?
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5859
Posted 2008-06-14 2:56 AM (#133942 - in reply to #133941)
Subject: Re: 57-58 Plymouth business coupes


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Doctor DeSoto - 2008-06-14 2:38 AM



Where is it said that this space between the cabin and trunk was open ?



I think most business coupes did not have an open space between the trunk and cabin, as in no covering or anything there, but rather as you described the Chevy, with a curtain or something hanging between the trunk and cabin. Most older business coupes had access to the trunk from the cabin through those curtains, or whatever was in between the trunk and the cabin. As far as a "modern" business coupe like a 58 Plymouth, who knows what was back there if and when an order was placed for a true rear seat delete business coupe?
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FinFan
Posted 2008-06-15 8:27 AM (#134024 - in reply to #133894)
Subject: Re: 57-58 Plymouth business coupes


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5859 - 2008-06-13 10:48 PM

are the rear windows fixed, or do they roll up and down? I once thought a requirement of a business coupe was fixed rear windows, now I am wondering if they were optional as well, what with the rear seat( a deletion being the norm for a business coupe ) being optional as well.


the brochure shows the business coupe with the typical divider bar in the rear window, what would indicate the fixed and rolling down sections in this window.



(Plaza '57 3.jpg)



Attachments
----------------
Attachments Plaza '57 3.jpg (18KB - 268 downloads)
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5859
Posted 2008-06-15 12:01 PM (#134048 - in reply to #133509)
Subject: RE: 57-58 Plymouth business coupes


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Interesting! I everything I have heard and seen before showes business coupes to not have the fake rear vent wings.
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Chrycoman
Posted 2008-06-15 3:23 PM (#134094 - in reply to #134024)
Subject: Re: 57-58 Plymouth business coupes



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The early 1957 brochure illustrations of the business sedan incorrectly showed a side quarter window as on the 2-door sedans. The later 1957 and all 1958-59 brochures show the correct one piece window.

And that is an example of why brochure illustrations should never be used as a guide as to what was, or was not, used for trim, window arrangements, even the proportions of a car.

Most times illustrators are given photos of preproduction models to use for their illustrations. And, at times, they do not get photos of all body styles. Thus a business sedan lands up with the 2-door sedan side windows, a 2-door sedan has doors the same size as the front doors on the 4-door sedan, the 4-door hardtop gets the 4-door sedan roofline (or the reverse as for the 1970 Dodge Monaco 4-door sedan illustrations).

The best one was the Canadian 1963 Valiant brochure. It is obvious the illustrator used photos of the pre-production prototype of the American 1963 Valiant, which was built with the passenger side as a V-200 4-door sedan and the other sides as a Signet hardtop. Thus the sedan illustrations are of the passenger side and there are no quarter windows on the driver's side rear doors. Production Darts and Canadian Valiants had a reverse angle on the rear side windows of the 2-door sedan and hardtop, something the American Valiant did not have. And neither did the Canadian 1963 illustrations.

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Lancer Mike
Posted 2008-07-01 1:35 AM (#136107 - in reply to #133894)
Subject: Re: 57-58 Plymouth business coupes



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5859 - 2008-06-13 2:48 PM
are the rear windows fixed, or do they roll up and down? I once thought a requirement of a business coupe was fixed rear windows, now I am wondering if they were optional as well, what with the rear seat( a deletion being the norm for a business coupe ) being optional as well.


From what I know if the coupes, the rear windows were fixed and there was no option for rollers. There is a fellow here in Colorado that transformed his '57 club sedan into a business coupe. I understand the conversion to fixed back windows, although it may seem simple, was quite difficult.
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Lancer Mike
Posted 2008-07-01 1:49 AM (#136109 - in reply to #136107)
Subject: Re: 57-58 Plymouth business coupes



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There is a whole thread on Silver Specials, but I had always assumed that the Silver Special was independent of the business coupe. Perhaps though, in the spring of '58, you might be able to get a Silver Special business coupe? My "Monstrous American Car Spotter's Guide" shows something suspiciously like one. Could the Silver Special option be ordered on absolutely any Plaza made? Methinks not, but you just never know with the dear old Chrysler Corporation and its dealer network.
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Chrycoman
Posted 2008-07-02 10:26 PM (#136327 - in reply to #136109)
Subject: Re: 57-58 Plymouth business coupes



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Lancer Mike - 2008-06-30 10:49 PM

There is a whole thread on Silver Specials, but I had always assumed that the Silver Special was independent of the business coupe. Perhaps though, in the spring of '58, you might be able to get a Silver Special business coupe? My "Monstrous American Car Spotter's Guide" shows something suspiciously like one. Could the Silver Special option be ordered on absolutely any Plaza made? Methinks not, but you just never know with the dear old Chrysler Corporation and its dealer network.



Actually, the Silver Special had nothing to do with the business coupe and was offered only on the club (2-door) sedan. Of course, as the club sedan and the business coupe shared the same body shell, it would be no problem to install the trim on the business sedan. And as the basic Plaza came with no side trim, the Silver Special trim could be installed with no need to fill any holes for trim installed at the factory.

Would a dealer install Silver Special on a Plaza 2-door model. even a buiness sedan? Of course. Anything to keep the customer happy while putting their exta cash to good use.

Bill
Vancouver, BC

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Mayfair
Posted 2013-12-25 2:23 PM (#418386 - in reply to #133509)
Subject: Re: 57-58 Plymouth business coupes



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Hello, reading this thread showed me that luckily there are more people than me who try to imagine how a "rear-seat delete" business coupe would look like inside.
I thought years ago I will never know...

Now since the last post here ist five years old, are there any such cars appeared where we can see it? Or even sales literature concerning it?
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1960DesotoAdventurer
Posted 2013-12-25 3:02 PM (#418400 - in reply to #133509)
Subject: Re: 57-58 Plymouth business coupes



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I've always wondered what the rear compartment would look like on the business coupes too. After seeing the production numbers posted here it's no wonder why you never see one today.
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Doctor DeSoto
Posted 2013-12-25 3:07 PM (#418401 - in reply to #418386)
Subject: Re: 57-58 Plymouth business coupes



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Well, my update is that I finally found the el Cheapo 1958 Buzzard Puke Green Plaza sedan I have
wanted forever, and it is restored now to the point of needing paint and interior to be done.

I wanted 4 doors for that "extra ugly" anti-Christine look to match the green paint, so not a direct
comparison. Still, it is being restored to stress the low end appearance with no side trim, blackwalls,
and dog dishie hubcaps. Not a lot of us willing to spend cubic bucks polishing a turd.
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1960DesotoAdventurer
Posted 2013-12-25 9:47 PM (#418442 - in reply to #133509)
Subject: Re: 57-58 Plymouth business coupes



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I'm glad that car found your hands Doc,it's refreshing to see a "stripper" model getting some love and attention lavished upon it.I know I'm in the minority,but I don't mind four doors or plain Jane models,and seafoam green is one of my favorite colors. Guess I need help.
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d500neil
Posted 2013-12-26 2:03 AM (#418466 - in reply to #133509)
Subject: Re: 57-58 Plymouth business coupes



Exner Expert 19,174 posts. Neil passed away 18 Sep 2015. You will be missed, Neil!

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As Joseph asked, above, during the past five years there have been one or more Plymouth Business Coupe 2-door
sedans that have been displayed in several different threads, on this website.

The most obvious aspect to one of them is their large one-piece, immovable quarter glass, with no 'division bar'
which (-would) separate the movable window pane from the small, rear, fixed-glass segment of the quarter glass.

Visualize the car, above, without its division bar and you'd be seeing a Business Coupe.



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Mayfair
Posted 2013-12-26 4:20 AM (#418472 - in reply to #418466)
Subject: Re: 57-58 Plymouth business coupes



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Thank you Neil.

I did not find the threads you mentioned, searching "1957 Plymouth business coupe" did not throw out what I was looking for.

The most interesting part would be the rear interior, did you see pictures of this?

I didn't ever see one of these from outside, with their one-piece rear side glass....

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PlymouthFury
Posted 2013-12-27 11:30 AM (#418689 - in reply to #136327)
Subject: Re: 57-58 Plymouth business coupes



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Chrycoman - 2008-07-02 10:26 PM

Actually, the Silver Special had nothing to do with the business coupe and was offered only on the club (2-door) sedan. Of course, as the club sedan and the business coupe shared the same body shell, it would be no problem to install the trim on the business sedan. And as the basic Plaza came with no side trim, the Silver Special trim could be installed with no need to fill any holes for trim installed at the factory.

Would a dealer install Silver Special on a Plaza 2-door model. even a buiness sedan? Of course. Anything to keep the customer happy while putting their exta cash to good use.

Bill
Vancouver, BC



Silver Specials came in 4 door as well. I own one. And most of the ones I've come across are 4drs. They were built at the factory. It would be more difficult for a dealer to make one as the FL emblems mount different from the PLAZA script...would require filling holes and repainting. Silver Specials only differ in trim by the fact that the inserts are aluminum instead of painted. They also have the front fender/door moldings...but I've seen regular plazas with em as well.
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1960DesotoAdventurer
Posted 2013-12-27 1:48 PM (#418716 - in reply to #133509)
Subject: Re: 57-58 Plymouth business coupes



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I've searched this site too and haven't been able find any photos of 57-58 business coupes,just a 56 Plaza. Anybody here have a link to the photos mentioned above?

Edited by 1960DesotoAdventurer 2013-12-27 5:13 PM
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Mayfair
Posted 2013-12-27 2:20 PM (#418720 - in reply to #133509)
Subject: Re: 57-58 Plymouth business coupes



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Location: Bavaria, Germany
I only found this car on the internet, but it is a bit dressed up and there is a rear seat installed by a later owner....

http://www.peom.se/
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jimntempe
Posted 2013-12-27 2:49 PM (#418727 - in reply to #133509)
Subject: Re: 57-58 Plymouth business coupes



Expert

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Slant 6 - it took 19 Seconds 0 - 60.

My dad had one, ... for about 6 months - biggest dog he ever owned... then he moved on to V8 Chryslers, Desoto's, and Dodges.
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oldwood
Posted 2013-12-27 3:06 PM (#418733 - in reply to #418727)
Subject: Re: 57-58 Plymouth business coupes


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There were no /6 engine's until 1960 unless it had been transplanted into a '57-'58.
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jimntempe
Posted 2013-12-27 3:23 PM (#418738 - in reply to #133509)
Subject: Re: 57-58 Plymouth business coupes



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opps, sorry, it was the antique flathead six.
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57burb
Posted 2014-01-27 6:03 PM (#424378 - in reply to #418733)
Subject: Re: 57-58 Plymouth business coupes



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I'm not certain that this "is" a business coupe, but I thought I would post the image anyway. Maybe someone has a photo taken of the same subject from a slightly different angle that would confirm whether it is or is not?



(58_mopar_transport.jpg)



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Attachments 58_mopar_transport.jpg (278KB - 197 downloads)
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SavoyPlaza
Posted 2014-01-27 6:24 PM (#424380 - in reply to #133509)
Subject: RE: 57-58 Plymouth business coupes



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Location: Georgia
Great photo, Danny!
If I had any money to bet, I'd bet that IS a business coupe. It appears to be lacking the divider for the rear window to roll down.
The rear windows would have been stationary.
Pete
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d500neil
Posted 2014-01-27 6:42 PM (#424383 - in reply to #133509)
Subject: RE: 57-58 Plymouth business coupes



Exner Expert 19,174 posts. Neil passed away 18 Sep 2015. You will be missed, Neil!

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This.....from above;





(WheelsArtikel.jpg)



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Attachments WheelsArtikel.jpg (294KB - 211 downloads)
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Doctor DeSoto
Posted 2014-01-27 10:22 PM (#424422 - in reply to #424383)
Subject: RE: 57-58 Plymouth business coupes



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Location: Parts Unknown
Obviously, the wheels and continental kit are a bit on the silly side, but was this two-toning even
possible on a factory-built 57 Plaza ?

That car on the trailer certainly looks to have no divider on the rear side glass, a sure indicator
of a business coupe. The ultimate stripper. Wonder what color it was ?
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57Kelii
Posted 2014-01-28 2:12 AM (#424444 - in reply to #133509)
Subject: Re: 57-58 Plymouth business coupes



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Location: Los Angeles, California
I do remember about 2 years ago a '57 Plymouth Business coupe for sale on the east coast, faded red with no outside mirrors, easily able to tell the fixed back glass. I wonder what happened to it.
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60 dart
Posted 2014-01-28 2:39 AM (#424448 - in reply to #133509)
Subject: Re: 57-58 Plymouth business coupes



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i think the continental brightens up a drab looking ride and get rid of the 2 tone bottom ------------------------------------------------later
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57Kelii
Posted 2014-01-28 3:30 AM (#424453 - in reply to #133509)
Subject: Re: 57-58 Plymouth business coupes



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Are mudflaps really needed? What is their point on a classic car?
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SavoyPlaza
Posted 2014-01-28 6:20 AM (#424458 - in reply to #133509)
Subject: RE: 57-58 Plymouth business coupes



Elite Veteran

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Location: Georgia
Kelii, I saved the photos of a red '57 business coupe that was for sale a while ago, I'll post one here. I have forgotten where it
was located. Could this be the one you are thinking of?

Also, I'll post a photo of a two-tone business coupe I bought some years ago. She was too far gone to save; I kept all the flat
glass and stripped her. I always thought it strange that she was two-tone; no other options on her.
Pete



(5N65I85H93J63He3l5c49fe9c792408fc1df0.jpg)



(feb1608c2.jpg)



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Attachments 5N65I85H93J63He3l5c49fe9c792408fc1df0.jpg (46KB - 205 downloads)
Attachments feb1608c2.jpg (93KB - 225 downloads)
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GregCon
Posted 2014-01-28 8:34 AM (#424472 - in reply to #133509)
Subject: Re: 57-58 Plymouth business coupes



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There is one on Craigslist Houston right now under 1958 plymouth. At least it sure looks plain.
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