The Next: WTF...?

[Patronus]

Well, the Duster is gone. I will be sad as we never had a chance to really enjoy it. Oh well on to others to save.. Thought we'd be able to get rocking on this Cuda of my brother's but alas, something has sparked our interest. Found this on Craigslist and had to go check it out. Rob dragged it out of the back 40 for $750. Its actually is ok shape. Plus metal for this car is pretty cheap. Does anyone have experience with these cars? Or where to get parts? Its a 1956 Plymouth Plaza, flathead six, 3 speed. Going with a mild 360 v8 auto. Oh, and its going to be black...

[Patronus]

 

[Patronus]

 

thats it for now... whatcha think? Never thought I'd be in on a 50's build.. eh what the hell, I think she deserves it...
Also, I have the original title, we're the second owner...

[Mopar Nut]

Looks good. What ever you do, keep the same color.

Good find.

[A383Wing]

It's green...keep it away from Stu

[Patronus]

Looks good. What ever you do, keep the same color.

Good find.

Really? Ya think the original color would be best? I believe it was a rare color for the year.. but..  

[Patronus]

Ha ha. Where to put the wing? 

[Mopar Nut]

Looks good. What ever you do, keep the same color.

Good find.

Really? Ya think the original color would be best? I believe it was a rare color for the year.. but..  

That's a good color. What color of top did it have?

[A383Wing]

at least it has 2 doors 

[JB400]

I agree, keep the mint green, and paint the top white.  Baby moon hubcaps.  Put a 350 in it

[A383Wing]

as long as it ain't gonna be orange with numbers on the side and a flag on the roof...do what ya want

[Patronus]

I think it looked like this:

[Mopar Nut]

That would be a perfect sleeper with a 360.

[JB400]

It looked pretty back in the day.   I'd definitely put it back that way.  Or, you could just put the 360 in it and drive it the way it is now.  Rat Rod style   It's already got good patina

[Mopar Nut]

That's a idea, I've seen the Gas Monkey guys clear coat cars over the patina, in style.

[polywideblock]

cool find    what motor is in it ? i'd keep it original colour to

[draftingmonkey]

That is going to be a cool project.

...what motor is in it ? ...

From the photo it looks to be the 230.2 CID L-head Straight Six, 125 HP one-barrel carb (131 HP w/ two-barrel opt)

[Cooter]

Not much out there as far as sheet metal goes for the '55-'56 cars. More narrower than a '57-'59. Very little room underhood. Is it 6volt or 12 Volt?

That may-may not pose a problem for you. Looks quick and easy until you get into one. These ain't your typical B-bodies.

[Dino]

It needs to be two tone black/white.

[Patronus]

The two-tone was a Belvedere, the Fury had a really cool stripe on it..
We're thinking a painless elect. system prob a tilt column, obviously everything new.. Which in some cases is a blessing. I just hope someone makes aftermarket disc brakes for it...

[Mytur Binsdirti]

It needs to be crushed

Fixed it.   

[Dino]

It needs to be crushed

Fixed it.   

Nooooooo...whadaya think this is?  A 68 hemi charger?   

[71ChallengeHer]

Very cool, reminds me of a Dodge Custom Royal.    I say keep it the original color .    it will be a very cool car when you are done with it.

[RallyeMike]

Very cool find. The 55 and 56 Plymouths get overlooked and they really nice looking cars.

Welcome to the hobby of real restoration..... where you actually have to make, refurbish, or find used everything. You can't restore these by making a list from the Year One catalog. Working on the Forward Look cars has given me (as will you) a whole new perspective and deep appreciation for the work that goes into a well-restored one.

Join up at   http://forwardlook.net/  for information, search tools, and people who sell and know stuff. I've had my 60 Plymouth since 1989 and also owned a 61 Chrylser for the last 2 years. I've been able to find cheap parts and helpful answers.... like how to build a tool to get the &^%$ing inside window crank off ?!  

Hope you are keeping it a manual?

[Cooter]

I'm afraid the only disc brake set up might even be the Must II.
Again, not too many into these year cars. Personally, I'd like to see one with a BB and 4-speed set up like a gasser.

[Silver R/T]

Looks cool, I like front end on it.

[Ram07]

Or...something like this....old skool!!!  ....Satin black, red rims...   I'd even leave the old flathead in it, not like you're gonna race the thing or anything....kool old time cruiser....of course, I know nothing about building something like that...but you do.... my  

[Patronus]

I kinda thought the same about the brakes..Heidt's makes something we can use I'm sure..

[Patronus]

Yeah, I like the flame idea. Never thought I'd say that...
But I think maybe outlines might look good.. I've got to sell bro on the blown bb/gasser idea.

[Ponch ®]

Or...something like this....old skool!!!  ....Satin black, red rims...   I'd even leave the old flathead in it, not like you're gonna race the thing or anything....kool old time cruiser....of course, I know nothing about building something like that...but you do.... my  

Ponch likes that idea. Satin black w/ red or ghost flames.

[polywideblock]

hi patronus for brakes try hoopers stoppers    http://www.hoppers.com.au/index.html   shipping from AUST might be a bit of a bitch but this guy is good! sells for a lot of early mopar etc

[Lighthorseman]

My recommendation...along with a 360 or 340.

[billfury]

I like it. I would do it all original as far as body and int but do a stroked 400. Then I remembered that I have no money.

[Patronus]

A bit torn on where to take it. What do you guys think of the rear axle? Is this something that can handle a newer v8? I can get discs for it, for $900. I think its gonna need discs for sure, but with steering costing $450+ Im just wondering if a mustang II front rack would be better. Its going to have to be tubbed to fit anything other than a 215 out back, which I can do, but never have. Anyone?

[71ChallengeHer]

Wm, I will talk to the guys over at the Rod's Shop. They do builds like this all the time. I will see what they say .

[polywideblock]

i was going to suggest the same thing treat it as a hot rod build rather than a later muscle car,stock on the outside /int  but built underneath

[Patronus]

Yeah, I figure. Having a frame is a rare treat for us.

[polywideblock]

Yeah, I figure. Having a frame is a rare treat for us.

go for it

[odcics2]

Maybe "period correct" mods?   

[nh_mopar_fan]

Hmmm, original color with a small block? I like that idea ALOT.

Better yet, if you're going all new, how about dropping in a newer hemi out of a wreck. No shortage of those around....

[FlatbackFanatic]

I agree with Cooter, make it a gasser, put a straight axle on it with a BB and tunnel-ram. Satin black with red rims.

[Patronus]

Yeah, I dig the gasser. Another wack idea is an old cop car. Single red light on top, spots, still racked and blown tho 
Like one of those old plastic model kits from the 70's..
To be honest, its going to sit. Sure, we'll fix the floors and rockers.. Probably pull the mill and wait. I like the patina so Im hoping to hold off blocking the whole thing. I figure it needs the floors and rockers any way we go. I also need to learn more about the narrowing. Im guessing to cross brace at the rear body mounts and just cut em and move em in..? Probably a 4 link or caltracks. I can make the trans mount too Im sure. But this 'Cuda is coming first, my brothers car with the RMS. This old girl is going to be around for a while Im thinking.

[Cooter]

I believe that old, outdated rear is nothing like the 8 3/4 that came out the year after (1957). Needs to be updated everything cept the body.
Even the 1957-1964 8 3/4 rears were "Junk" by today's strength standards. I got a pic here of an early 8 3/4 tapered axle next to a 1969 8 3/4 axle. Looks like a Toothpick next to a telephone pole.

[Patronus]

Hmmm, original color with a small block? I like that idea ALOT.

Better yet, if you're going all new, how about dropping in a newer hemi out of a wreck. No shortage of those around....

Any new hemi around here be going in the Charger!

[Patronus]

I love it when bolts either break or come right out... :20 minutes later...
Looking at the frame, I think it best to chop out that splayed part and box it all the way through. Then just weld in the Heidt's cross member and perches..? Also, does anyone have experience with air ride systems or Ridetech? I think we're calling this a "rusto-mod". 

[JB400]

With the exception of the blower motor, there looks like quite a bit of room for whatever engine you want.  Cross member could be a problem though with crank pulley as well.

Too bad they don't build engine compartments that roomy anymore

[mauve66]

I agree with Cooter, make it a gasser, put a straight axle on it with a BB and tunnel-ram. Satin black with red rims.

I'm afraid the only disc brake set up might even be the Must II.
Again, not too many into these year cars. Personally, I'd like to see one with a BB and 4-speed set up like a gasser.

definitely straight axle, no front bumper, big M/T's on the rear, blower out the hood

[Patronus]

Yeah, I've been looking at 8-71's all day. Found a blown 440 with a 727 for $7500..
Also, the heater is history..

[mauve66]

Yeah, I've been looking at 8-71's all day. Found a blown 440 with a 727 for $7500..

sorry, but you don't want that one, you want a 440 with a blower...........................................

[Patronus]

uh, yeah. . here it is:

[RusTy/SE]

[quote Yeah, I dig the gasser. Another wack idea is an old cop car. Single red light on top, spots... [/quote]

http://www.oneillvintageford.co.uk/acatalog/info_BK2348.html

[Ghoste]

Isn't that what Vic Morrow drove in "California Kid"?

[polywideblock]

 

[quote Yeah, I dig the gasser. Another wack idea is an old cop car. Single red light on top, spots...

http://www.oneillvintageford.co.uk/acatalog/info_BK2348.html
[/quote]   cool look 

[Cooter]

A quick word of caution here Patronus, those cars aren't as "Roomy" as one might think at first glance. ALOT of the Foward Look members have one helluva time dumpin' an early Hemi in one of those with headers. Course, that's with the stock front sus. too...

Agreed, I'd definately upgrade the front to something later. Like independant, with discs. If you can "delete" that heater, would be even more room.

[Patronus]

Thanks for the ideas and pics all. I talked to Heidt's, and they should have something we can use. I just need to do some mock-up and
get an updated track width for the front. We were also thinking of using truck headers. 

[mauve66]

straight axle, zoomies out the fender, blower out the hood, man hole cover in the trunk...........................

[djcarguy]

  we put 86 dodge diplamat  chp cop car eng,trans front cross torsionbar and rear under my 47 ply business coupe .  an volare cross bar front under my buds 48 ford f100 an he had a quick change rear an 350,350 combo.with frame mod he ws able to go super low ride on f100.some ideas,your old ply will look good in dark one color paint and look smaller.

[70moparman]

Cool car, cool fins, cool color, and its a 2 door... Restore it, just dont paint it black.... Keep that original color, looks much better...    I do like watching your builds... 

[Patronus]

So, the floors are going in, inner and outer rockers fit pretty well.. Working on a Helix IFS kit from a guy here on Craigslist..
Got it listed for only $1350! I would LOVE to have this build exclusively from Craigslist.. I have a question though.. for all the rodders here. I'd like to run the alternator off the drive shaft behind/under the rear seat. That with a elect. water pump removes all pulleys, belts, and fans. Just wondering if anyones had any luck with this obscure mod? Im pretty sure I can get in down, just looking at ways to keep tension on the belt. Generic idler pulley?

[hatersaurusrex]

For the love of God, do NOT leave it the original color.   Pastels do not belong on cars.