Classic Car Feature: 1956 Plymouth Belvedere

In the 1950's, American auto manufacturers hit their stride with awe inspiring designs that put a stamp on what some would consider the greatest decade in automotive history. By 1955, all of the "big three" manufacturers (Ford Motor Company, General Motors and Chrysler) had redesigned the flagship models with cool, new styling that sent consumers sprinting to the dealerships across the country. For the Plymouth brand, the Belvedere was the top dog in the product line, and with miles of stainless steel trim, beautiful front and rear styling cues and a host of engine options, it's easy to see why it was so popular. We got our hands on one of these '50s classics during the filming of the Backroad Gold TV show, which airs weekly (Wednesdays at 9:30pm EST) on the Travel Channel. The TV show documents Corky Coker, and the Honest Charley crew, as they scour the country for barn finds, neglected projects and any other cool stuff they run across. This Plymouth had certainly seen better days, but it was a solid start to a great build. Thanks to a restoration from the guys at Honest Charley, the car is ready for the road, and we're here to tell you how it turned out. The car retains its original two-tone paint job, as well as all of its original trim. Inside, a black and white interior adds plenty of '50s style to this four-door sedan. Opening the hood reveals the original 273ci engine, topped with a two-barrel carburetor. The engine bay was in such great shape, it was left untouched. So, what was the most important part of the build? The tires, of course! We dismounted the dry-rotted tires from the original steel wheels, and then inspected the wheels to make sure they were straight and true. All four wheels checked out, so we prepped them for paint, and then installed a set of Firestone Deluxe Champion 6.70-15 tires with a 2-11/16-inch whitewall. The Firestones are bias ply tires, with the popular '50s piecrust sidewall that we all know and love. With the new combination bolted to the car, we snapped the original hubcaps into place and hit the road! The car runs and drives like it's supposed to, and it has the right look, thanks to a careful restoration and authentic tires from Coker! [products]