Bare Bones: 1955 Plymouth Plaza Two-Door Wagon – SOLD!

March 23, 2021 Update – we confirmed the seller of this rare Plymouth “Classifind” deleted their listing, so we’re now able to call this one “SOLD!” While this one got away, please reach out either by email or call Rudy directly if you’d like to be informed when we come across something similar.

March 6, 2021 Update – We’re starting to sense a very motivated seller as this one just reduced their asking price by another $150 to land at $12,750.

February 27, 2021 Update – We came across a fresh Craigslist ad replacing the original one.  While the pictures and description remain constant, the seller reduced their asking price to $12,900.

February 18, 2021 Update – We noticed the private seller lowered their asking price a few hundred dollars more to land at $13,500 currently.

February 13, 2021 Update – Oddly, the seller reduced their asking price by $100 to $13,900, likely in an effort to make the car appear more affordable.

Every carmaker offers an entry-level brand, and from 1954 through 1958 Plymouth’s was the Plaza available in a wide variety of styles including a two-door station wagon such as this 1955 example originally listed in January 2021 on Craigslist in Frederick, Maryland with a number of upgrades for it’s asking price of $13,900.   Comparing this price against the Collector Car Market Review confirms this private seller has his Plaza Wagon priced between the #4 “Fair” appraisal of $10,100 and the #3 “Good” estimate of $17,900.

Although it currently does not provide pricing specifically for the two-door wagon body style, The Hagerty Valuation Tool provides a nice overview of Plymouth’s short-lived 1950s brand:

“The Plymouth Plaza was the division’s base model for 1954 and only slightly revised from the discontinued Cambridge. It was initially powered by a 217 cid flathead six-cylinder, generating 100 bhp, but in March a new “PowerFlow” engine was offered. It was a 230 cid six that delivered 110 bhp and could be had with the PowerFlite automatic transmission. Other transmissions included a three-speed manual with optional overdrive and a Hy-Drive semi-automatic. Power steering and power brakes were available.

The Plymouth Plaza was practically devoid of brightwork and was the company’s workhorse, with the Savoy and Belvedere serving as the more upscale series. Plaza was available as a four-door sedan, two-door club coupe, two-door business coupe, and two-door suburban wagon. Sales totaled 76,053 of the company’s 433,000 annual sales, with 43,077 sedans, 27,976 club coupes, 5,000 business coupes, and 35,937 two-door station wagons. The best seller for the year was the mid-range Savoy sedan with 139,383 units sold.

For 1955 the entire Chrysler range was restyled by Virgil Exner and the Plymouth Plaza shrugged off its 1951 lines. It was still plain, but a longer, lower body had straight-through fender lines, and the windshield and rear window curved round to the A and C pillars. Front fenders were hooded over headlights and the grille featured horizontal bars. Buyers were able to order side trim after mid-year, push-button door handles were introduced, a dashboard-mounted automatic shifter introduced, and suspended pedals fitted.

A 117 bhp, 230 cid six was standard, but a 157 bhp 241 cid V-8 was optional as well as 167 bhp or 177 bhp 259 cid V-8s. Plymouth Sales shot up about 85 percent as the economy rebounded and annual production was 672,100. The Plaza series offered a four-door sedan, a two-door club sedan, and two-door business coupe, and a two-door and four-door station wagon. The best-seller was the Plaza sedan, with 84,156 buyers, while the two-door club coupe attracted 53,610 owners. The two wagons totaled 47,230 sales, though buyers preferred the two-door at a rate of two-to-one.

The 1955 body continued through 1956, with the addition of more brightwork, two-tone paint, and fins. Electric systems were now 12 volts and the automatic transmission a push-button. Plaza remained the basic series but the Deluxe suburban was trimmed like a Plaza. Annual sales dipped a little to 521,000 in 1956. Plazas could be bought with six-cylinder or V-8 engines. Plaza offered a four-door sedan, two-door club sedan, two-door business coupe, and two-door deluxe suburban wagon. The top seller was the sedan at 60,197 followed by the club sedan at 43,022, the suburban at 23,866, and the spartan business coupe at 3,728.”

Here’s a Plymouth commercial from 1955 trying to make the most of the dowdy styling of their car line for 1955:

In addition to the cool airbrushed faux side wood trim, we like all of the electrical, mechanical, and cosmetic upgrades the current caretaker made to their Plymouth during their ownership. You can read all about them by clicking the link to the owner’s blog about their car below.  Unlike the sea of ’55 Chevys you’ll likely come across at most local car shows, it’s not every day you’ll see a Plymouth Plaza there.  Dare to be different and good luck with the purchase!

Link To Seller’s Blog on Forward Look Plymouth Message Board

Here’s the seller’s description:

“Since 2017 has received all new brakes including front disk conversion, all new wiring with 12V conversion and alternator, HEI ignition, tires, carpet, headliner, upholstery, carb, head pipe, muffler, tailpipe, shocks. Odometer broken when purchased, since repaired, true mileage unknown. Have NOS parts to rebuild front suspension, NOS u-joints, and NOS Mopar Sportone trim. Rusted tailgate replaced with NOS piece. Driver floor replaced. Lots of photos and details at: 

Do you have a Plymouth Plaza story you’d like to share?  Comment below and let us know!