'59 Plymouth Forum

HI.
I don't know where to put this so I will try it here. What I want is information. I am putting a sport fury interior with swivel seats in my 59 Belvedere convertible. I believe there was carpet along the bottom of the doors, on the backs of the swivel seats and on the floor. Is this correct ? Did it all match ? What type of carpet was used, cut pile or loop ?
Also on another note, does anyone know of a source for the seat and door panel buckles, exact or similar ? Thanks John

Hi John - The carpet, seat backs, bottom of door panels should be cut pile. As far as the buckles go, good luck they are extremely rare. I am in the process of restoring a 59 Belvedere Convertible whose progress you can see on the Forum "Show You Ride". I'm curious to find out how you came about finding your convertible and would love to see some pictures. One of our members, Matthew, a SF Convertible owner keep a registry of all 59 Plymouths and I'm sure would love you to post the VIN # of your car on the Forum.
Dick.

Hi Dick
Thank you very much for the information. I got the car Nov. 2012. It was a body and frame basically with many parts missing. The floors including trunk are surprisingly solid. It is going to get the complete powertrain from a 62 chrysler and that is what I have been working on. That power train will allow me to keep my push button transmission and emergency brake working as original. The upholstery is in the works from Original auto interiors and a local shop. I did send my vin. and a picture (as it was found) to Matthew. I will get some pictures on this site in time. I have really not done much to the body but search for parts. I am still looking for top side rail pieces that were broken. How did I find the Convertible ? I was at a car show with my 58 Dodge Coronet and was approached by a man that said he new where there was a 59 plymouth convertible that he thought I could get and restore. This was almost to good to believe. It turns out that the convert was destined to be crushed about 20 years ago when this man bought it from the crusher and then resold it. Nothing had been done to it since then. It was stored outside covered with some metal roofing and a tarp. I knew how rare this car was and I was able to purchase it.The car was an Evansville car but was located in SK Canada. (about 3.5 hrs from me) That is a short version of the story. Thanks again John

Glad you will save it. 5,990 Sport Fury Convertibles were built in 1959 and only 5,063 Belveders were built. Many Sport Fury converts survived but not many Belvederes, There are many SF on the site but only four Belvedere's, Tom Fox, John Quinn, myself and you. I guess since the Belveder was a less expensive model they were not as well taken care of as the SF. Old Car Weekly Price Quide has a higher value on the Belveder. I found mine in Hemmings Motor News. I understand it was in a field for over 35 years. I bought it without a power train or title. I had a complete power train including the 318 "A" block, torqueflite tranny, radiator, drive shaft and correct differential. They threw it on a mystery differential to get it out of the field and shipped to me. I have all the rust under control now (every thing epoxy primed) and will start tearing the engine down next. Once that's done it's back to Blocking and sanding, blocking and sanding, ad enfinitum, then paint. Body and trunk were very good but the floors not so good. I have a 59 Desoto parts car with a 383 but decided to stay original with the 318.
Dick.

Welcome! It's great to hear of another active restoration, and we're happy you found us!
As Dick said, the buckles are very scarce, yet there isn't enough demand to inspire someone to replicate them.
As for cvt top parts, that's yet another rare item! There is a huge interest in these cars in Scandinavia, and as a result there are scavengers and buyers across the States looking to buy these cars in order to ship them overseas.
As you were able to find your convertible by word-of-mouth, this is the most likely way you will find the parts you need.
In my opinion, all the monthly and weekly printed journals, websites, and posts on places such as Forwardlook are being monitored by folks who are well financed and prepared to buy at prices far over our heads.