photos from the CC Cohort by Jerome Solberg.
Finding cars from the 1950s, unrestored, still providing driver duties, has become a very rare thing. So, this old 1956 Plymouth caught my attention as soon as it showed up in the CC Cohort. Add to that it’s the now-gone 2-door wagon species, and my interest picks up further. Never mind this survivor’s suspect condition; repurposed parts, and patina in some areas that make it look like it was rescued from a shipwreck. Which feels about right, actually…
Yes, son; these low 2-door creatures did exist on land once, but now reside hidden from everyone in underwater cities…
Actually, even back in the day, this 1956 Suburban was still fresh enough to look like a new kind of creature. After all, the 1955 models had been the first ones in a while when a Plymouth didn’t look like a 1940s holdover.
Admittedly, it wasn’t a trend setter. More of an urgent catch-up to 1950s fads; overall, an effective effort. Something Paul talked about a while back.
For 1956, all Plymouth wagons were Suburbans, in 2-door and 4-door bodies; the 2-doors available in Custom or Deluxe trims. I wouldn’t dare to guess what we may have here, since trim-wise there’s lots missing…
And well, license plates were never part of the Custom or Deluxe trims. Perhaps, it’s a D-M-Vedere? Or is this aesthetic some rat-rod kind of thing?
Surprise, the interior is quite presentable and livable. 1955 had been the first year Plymouths were offered with the new Hy-Fire 260Cid V-8, but you could still get your Suburban with the company’s aging L-head six. Displacement of the V-8s increased for 1956, but who knows what’s being used in this one? I doubt much of this one’s powertrain is still original.
Plymouths of this era (at least before the ’57 rushed models) had a rep for being sturdy and long-lasting, and regardless of mods, this old wagon is still rolling. Something that proves the long-lasting case. Battered, but alive.
However, the overall shape, along with the 2-door body, shows that this is a creature from a different world. One that feels very alien to the current automotive world. Not from undersea, but rather a world of sealed barns and junkyard landfills.
Related CC reading:
Curbside Classic: 1955 Plymouth Belvedere – Suddenly It’s… 1956
Old, tired, not pretty anymore, but still rolling! If they could only tell their story.
That’s a ‘56 Plymouth wagon – not a ‘55. See the fins on the back . . . No fins on ‘55 model.
Thanks. Yes, it’s a ’56. The text has been updated.
The California plate sheet metal repair is the nicest touch on this reinCARnation project.
But what is with the new front fender? How bad did the original fender have to be to earn an entirely new one? Did he run out of old license plates? Or was that fender entirely missing when he got the car, so he had no other option than get a good one?
Looks like a great candidate for the Concours d’ Lemons in Seaside CA August, 2026. Maybe we can meet up in person.
. . . Funny “suddenly it’s ‘56 . . . “. Good one!!
Of course, the blue Plymouth wagon is a’55 model – a nice one,
I was looking at the rusty one in the first photo . . Which is a ‘56.
Hence the clever “Suddenly its ‘56” . . .
I remember our close friends bought a new ‘55 model sedan – not the wagon, and I remember that even with the bigger 177 hp engine it didn’t have much grunt. They related that they’d hD an impromptu drag race vs a neighbor’s 162 hp 2bbl Ford sedan, and lost badly to the Ford. What would it have looked like had that other car been a ‘55 Chevy V8 – ‘forget about it. . . ‘
Gotta be Berkeley to El Cerrito from the looks of things.
The “new” front fender has some Rustoleum looking paint on the lower back corner so maybe it is allowed on this otherwise pristine runner. And the license plate on the tailgate gave me a laugh, “CDC***”, like it was designated by the DMV as afflicted with a communicable disease. Or is it the owner who has the disease of liking old cars in any condition? Or maybe that is for:
Certified
Dilapidated
Car
Thanks for this post!
This is a classic Bay Area-mobile. It goes back to the ’60s when it was cool to drive an old beater, with no attempt to “fix it up” except for necessary mechanical issues. Speaking of, given the aftermarket floor shifter, this undoubtedly has had a drive train implant.
I caught the floor automatic shifter, too. IIRC, wasn’t 1956 the first year for push-buttons?
And what’s with The Club on the steering wheel? Is someone actually going to try and steal this? I know crime in the big city is bad but, c’mon, who is going to try and take off with an old, fifties’ beater? Times are tough…
Still dutifully serving. Heart-felt salute to this guy.
Thanks for the post, the 2-door is certainly a rare bird. We came across a 4 door Sport Suburban on a trailer in Needles Ca. about 10 years ago, I hope it wasn’t going to the crusher.
I like a challenge so…
There is no ‘V’ on the grille or tailgate so originally it was a six cylinder. I can see the push button transmission pod in the interior photo, so originally a PowerFlite. That and the radio made it fairly well optioned for it’s day.
I will call it a De Luxe trim level, as the Custom was so designated by a different quarter panel nameplate, plus the interior trim was different.
I had a neighbor who had one very similar when I was very young. It was light green, and two memories I still have are; it slid into a snowy ditch one time and I recall seeing it nose down. The damages were a dented hub cap and a bent antenna. And I was real excited one day because it was the first car door I opened from the outside without any help. Those pull type door handles worked well.
Did he really think he needs that steering wheel lock?
I dislike rust a lot .
Overall I find this compact Station Wagon to have clean and attractive lines inside and out .
Hopefully it’ll get some body and paint work done .
Bummer the push button shift controls are not being used .
-Nate