On the Wagon

[thedahmer]

Well, I have been driving the 57 Wagon now for 3 weeks straight-- no modern cars in 3 weeks, this has been Very liberating-- besides it gets better gas milage than my pickup- Anyone else drive their old cars full time??

[Normspeed]

I drive the 53 exclusively on weekends but during the week I take my econo car to the train station. Too many interested little loafers in the area for me to leave the 53 unattended at the same parking lot all day every day during the week.

I do love driving the wagon. Gets better mileage than my Bronco too.

[Powerhouse]

I will be again soon when I'm moved in to my new place...a 39 Plymouth Roadking. 4 years ago I used to drive a 57 belair sport sedan for 3 years as my daily driver. My Good friend Rob drives his 46 P15 everyday. Another good friend of mine drives a 52 Plymouth Belvedere saddle back EVERY DAY. It's in need of paint..bad...really bad. hahaha

[Young Ed]

What does the saddle back refer to?

[Ed Griffin]

Does the wagon have a straight 6 (235?) in it or a 283 or ...? I've been driving the 50 Chevy truck when I'm not working on it but it has a 57 283 with no working gas gauge. Cant tell how the mileage is but sure enjoy driving it here and there.

It still can not compare to the ride of the Dodge but will do for now

[thedahmer]

it has a 235 three on the tree-- Love It!!

[Ed Griffin]

If at all possible, is there any way I could talk you into posting a picture of the pumpkin on the rear axle Gary? I'm trying to ID the rear axle on my truck and think it came off a GM car. A 57 or later but I'm not sure. If you can see the bolts from the rear dont bother with the picture. If not, your picture would really help, thanks, Ed

[Don Coatney]

I'm trying to ID the rear axle on my truck , Ed

Ed;

Follow this link.

http://www.nationwideparts.com/differentials.htm

[JerseyHarold]

Ed,

"Saddleback" refers to the two-tone color scheme used on '52 Belvederes where the roof color flows down onto the rear quarter panels and trunk lid. There was curved stainless molding coming down from the belt line to the bottom of the quarter panel that separated the two colors.

Harold

[Young Ed]

Ok. Familiar with the look but had never heard them called that before. Is that a mopar term or just a term for that look of 2tone

[Normspeed]

I think it's one of the greatest looks Plymouth ever came up with. I snagged this pic off this site a long time ago.

[Plymouthy Adams]

That is one car that is far and very few between...it is very distinctive in its trim..I do not recall ever seeing one except in pictures..say a low line model..but never a full dresser..

[Young Ed]

[Normspeed]

I saw one other, I think it was copper and black but not original paint. I love the look. It's amazing how just the contour of the trim and paint can change the look of the body.

[BobT-47P15]

I have seen one or two, think the trim is always only on that hardtop, top

of the line model.

[Young Ed]

Bob you are right that is Belvedere only trim. Its 52 only also. There is a 51 belvedere but the 2tone is different.

[Ed Griffin]

Ed;

Follow this link.

http://www.nationwideparts.com/differentials.htm

Thanks Don. Just saw the post and went directly to the site. Being that it is a 10 bolt about all I can do is guess that it is either the top row, 1st (GM 7.2") or 3rd (GM 8.2" or 8.5") example shown and they both look the same.

The picture below is the backside, all the bolts are in the front. Just posting this to show why you cant tell which of the two it may be because of the shape.

I'll try using the id marks shown on the link and see what I can find this time. Have done this before and didnt see markings in the places noted. May have to scrub more and see if I've missed something. Thanks again, Ed

[greg g]

Normspeed, that pic isn't that old. It was at the POC meet in Vermont summer of 05. I think you snared it from one of my posts. Was a nice car, had a dusl carb /exhaust set up.

[JerseyHarold]

The mint green and black Belvedere that Bob psoted was owned by a guy in Connecticut. I think he bought it new, then gave it a frame-up restoration after many years of storage. Notice it has a non-original gas-tank door instead of the exposed filler cap.

FWIW, the '52 Belvederes were available in three two-tone combos: Mint Green and black, Belmont Blue and Sterling Gray, and Sable Bronze over Palm Beige. I've heard that the two-tones were optional and the standard single -color paint was Belmont Blue. I've seen a number of '52 Belvederes (including one at Harrah's in Reno that was eventually auctioned off) but never a factory single-color car so they must be pretty rare.

Harold

[Plymouthy Adams]

Sorry Ed but that white car you posted with the filled hood, decked nose and frenched lights..sure the guy loves it but sure messed up a fine looking automobile in my opinion..the v glass is aweful looking also, detracts from the car....and I amnot sure if any one has ever looked out of one of these..bifocals are great in comparison

[Normspeed]

To me, at least the owner kept the work clean and simple. But considering how rare these apparently are, I kinda wish he had chosen something else to modify.

Ed, was that picture taken in southern CA?

Imagine the fun of trying to find some NOS stainless for one of these?

[Young Ed]

Tim I agree. I believe that car also had a 49-50 dash in it. I do like his grill treatment though.

[JerseyHarold]

I was just at the bookstore and this month's Collectible Automobile magazine has an article about the cars of 1952 with two nice photos of a '52 Belvedere.