1961 Belvedere project

[SGT FURY]

Thought I would finally start a build thread on 61 Belvedere coupe I picked up.
It was used as a parts car and was on its way to the scrapyard.
Paid only $500 for it!
The good is it has a solid trunk floor, gutter rails and wheel lips.
The bad is some roof top rust and missing interior and trim parts.
It has a frozen poly 318 auto with very few options.
A rare SS1 lavender metallic paint code (plum crazy) with white top and side trim.

My plans are as follows
Date coded 413 from 61 Imperial.
3 speed manual with 61
hurst yo-yo shifter
Inline 2x4 intake/carbs from
62 300H.
Max Wedge exhaust manifolds.
Radio,heater,clock,lighter deletes.
61 15inch police wheels and hubcaps
Manual brakes,steering.
3.31 sure grip.
Weiand 4 bolt valve/timing covers and Nos sun 61 8.5 tach.

Basically a kinda a stock/custom 61 Plymouth max wedge/clone that was never made!
Pics of when I first got it.

 

[SGT FURY]

Pics after one day of giving it a little tidy up.

 

[SGT FURY]

A few goodie’s I’ve collected for the project.

 

[SGT FURY]

More pics

 

[marko]

wow ! looking forward to seeing the progress

 

[SGT FURY]

Goal will look something like this
with dog dishes and lil something under the hood.
A kinda super stock lightweight.

 

[CBODY67]

Might you be able to hide an electric power steering assist unit under the instrument panel?

It'll be neat when finished.

CBODY67

 

[bluefury361]

Great project Ken. I,ll be following.... Wish my convertible was that color.

 

[Isaiah Estrada]

Jealous of those Weiand valve covers! I am saving these cool Moon 4 bolt valve covers for a future 62 project.

 

[Ripinator]

More pics

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Good plan. I luv it, except I think you should keep the poly. . .

 

[SGT FURY]

To fast track this project I will be using the best of parts from these other 61 Belvedere coupes. Not parting them just borrowing the best of the parts!

 

[SGT FURY]

Also have this 4 dr HTP Fury
4dr Savoy and 4dr post Fury
parts cars

 

[Figgy]

Ken, I admire your commitment to one of the lesser supported models. That coupe will look very cool when you are done and you won't run into another.

 

[SGT FURY]

Put a few pieces of the puzzle together today.
This car was pretty stripped out when I got it.
Today I added some tail lights,reverse lights,Plymouth emblem, plate with frame,front bumper.
a rare rust free trunk lid.
A front seat.

 

[Razbo]

Goal will look something like this
with dog dishes and lil something under the hood.
A kinda super stock lightweight.

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Rooting for you! That's a great goal.

 

[SGT FURY]

Picking up this 61 Belvedere 4dr once it stops raining
Not sure if it’s a parts car yet
Bought it sight unseen
Mint grille

 

[CBODY67]

There were lots of interesting and neat styling items on those cars. Many which would have been "custom" on other cars. Unfortunately, at least to me, putting all of them together tended to detract from the overall look of the car. Which made color, trim, and body style important considerations when getting one that really looks great.

Considering the automotive financial times of when the car was designed, the smoother shape, with a few feature lines, decreases production cost. Using chrome trim and two-tones to make them look better . . . as Chevy did on their 1955 cars (once you get the chrome trim of, on those cars, you realize how "generic" the shape really is, other than the feature dip in the belt line in the rear seat area.

Ever notice how that if you take the shape of the grille, put a slight V-bend horizontally in it, that it looks similar to the current "high style" Lexus grilles?

Take care,
CBODY67

 

[WikedPlymouth]

Looks like a really cool project. I really enjoy seeing all the cars in your yard. Really impressive!! How many cars do you have???