Plymouth Savoy

Plymouth Savoy
1958 Plymouth Savoy 4-door Sedan
Overview
Manufacturer	Plymouth (Chrysler)
Also called	Dodge Kingsway (Canada)
Production	1954–1964
Assembly	Highland Park, Michigan, US Detroit, Michigan (Lynch Road) Newark, Delaware Mexico City, Mexico Windsor, Ontario, Canada Mumbai, India (Premier Automobiles)
Body and chassis
Class	Full-size car
Layout	FR layout

The Plymouth Savoy is an automobile model produced from the 1954 through 1964 model years by Plymouth.

Early history

Plymouth Savoy Wagon 1951

Plymouth used the name Savoy on several automobiles. From 1951-1953, the Savoy name was used on a station wagon, upgrading the base model Suburban. Later was a line of full-sized Plymouths from 1954-1961.

Another incarnation was among Plymouth's downsized full-size cars from 1962-1964.

As with Plymouth's Plaza and Belvedere models, the Savoy was named after an upscale hotel, the Savoy Hotel in London.

1954

First generation
1954 Plymouth Savoy four door sedan
Overview
Model years	1954
Body and chassis
Body style	2-door Club coupe 4-door sedan 2-door sedan
Related	Plymouth Belvedere
Powertrain
Engine	217.8 cu in (3.6 L) I6
Transmission	3-speed manual 3-speed manual with overdrive 2-speed automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase	114.0 in (2,896 mm)
Length	193.5 in (4,915 mm)[1]
Width	74.25 in (1,886 mm)

When introduced in 1954, later in the year with 1955 model paint schemes, the Savoy was Plymouth's mid-level car and priced between the base Plaza sedans and the top-line Belvedere models.

In 1954, the Savoy was available as a two-door Club Coupe, four-door sedan, and 2-door Club Sedan.^[2]

1954 Plymouth Savoy Sedan rear view

1955-1956

Second generation
1956 Plymouth Savoy 2-door club sedan
Overview
Model years	1955-1956
Body and chassis
Body style	2-door coupe 2-door hardtop 4-door sedan 4-door hardtop 4-door station wagon
Powertrain
Engine	225 cu in (3.7 L) I6 270 cu in (4.4 L) V8 301 cu in (4.9 L) V8 318 cu in (5.2 L) V8 383 cu in (6.3 L) V8 361 cu in (5.9 L) V8 395 cu in (6.5 L) V8
Transmission	2-speed automatic 3-speed manual 3-speed automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase	115.0 in (2,921 mm)
Length	203.8 in (5,177 mm)[3]

In 1955, the Savoy was available with new power steering.^[3]

In 1956, the line added a hardtop coupe and the Custom Suburban station wagon.

In 1956, seat belts were added for safety.^[4] The Highway Hi-Fi record player was also optional.^[4]

Here is a promotional video produced by Chrysler, where the 1955-1956 Plymouth models were built on the assembly line at Lynch Road Assembly.

1955 Plymouth Savoy 4-Door Sedan

1956 Savoy hardtop coupe

1957-1959

Third generation
1958 Plymouth Savoy 4-door Sedan (with 'Sport Tone' side trim)
Overview
Model years	1957-1959
Body and chassis
Body style	2-door coupe 2-door hardtop 4-door sedan 4-door hardtop 4-door station wagon
Powertrain
Transmission	2-speed automatic 3-speed manual 3-speed automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase	station wagons: 122.0 in (3,099 mm) all others: 118.0 in (2,997 mm)
Length	208.2"[5]
Width	78 in (1,981 mm) [5]
Height	54.6 in (1,387 mm) (4-Door Hardtop) 56.6 in (1,438 mm) (Sedan) 54.0 in (1,372 mm) (2-Door Hardtop) 54.8 in (1,392 mm) (Convertible)

For the 1957 and 1958 model years, the line added a four-door hardtop sedan.

In 1959, Plymouth dropped the Plaza and replaced it with the Savoy, making the Savoy the model's entry level full-size Plymouth. The two hardtop models were dropped, as well as the side trim and interior appointments. Sales were not diminished as the Savoy became fleet vehicles used by taxicab companies, police departments and other fleet-minded customers where luxury was not a concern. The model was also available to customers who were in the market for a low-cost, economical vehicle with the availability of a V-8 engine and automatic transmission, and room of a full-size vehicle. By 1960, a new model, the Plymouth Taxi Special, was spun off from the Savoy. Front leg room was 45.5".^[5]

1958 Plymouth Savoy 4-door Sedan

1958 Plymouth Savoy 4-door Sedan

1958 Plymouth Savoy 4-door Sedan interior

1960-1961

Fourth generation
1960 Plymouth Savoy 4-door Sedan
Overview
Model years	1960-1961
Body and chassis
Body style	2-door coupe 2-door hardtop 4-door sedan 4-door hardtop 4-door station wagon
Powertrain
Transmission	2-speed automatic 3-speed manual 3-speed automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase	118.0 in (2,997 mm)

Plymouth models were restyled in 1960. The styling for 1961 was a year "most beholders would agree...it was hit with the ugly stick".^[6] This was because of the odd chromed "lashes" on the front.

1960 Plymouth Savoy 4-door Sedan

1962-1964

Fifth generation
1964 Plymouth Savoy 4-Door Sedan
Overview
Model years	1962–1964
Body and chassis
Body style	2-door coupe 4-door sedan 4-door wagon
Powertrain
Engine	225 cu in (3.69 L) I6 318 cu in (5.2 L) V8 361 cu in (5.9 L) V8 383 cu in (6.3 L) V8
Transmission	3-speed manual 3-speed automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase	116.0 in (2,946 mm)
Length	202.0 in (5,131 mm) [7]

Plymouth discontinued the Savoy nameplate at the end of the 1964 model year, except in Canada, where it continued through 1965.

In 1965, the full-sized entry level Plymouth model in the U.S. was the Fury I; in Canada it was called the Savoy but the top-level models were named Fury II and Fury III.

1963 Plymouth Savoy 2-door Sedan

Other markets

• The Plymouth Savoy and the Dodge Kingsway were built in India by Premier Automobiles in Kurla, Bombay.
• In Mexico was assembly by Automex between 1960–1961, the car was rebadged as the Dodge Savoy. The plant was localited in Lago Alberto, Mexico City.
• Chrysler Australia produced the P25 series Plymouth Savoy from 1954 to 1957.^[8] An Australian developed coupe utility variant of the Savoy was produced from 1956 to 1958.^[9]

Australian developed 1956 Plymouth Savoy Coupe Utility

References

Inline

General

• Gunnell, John, ed. (1987). The Standard Catalog of American Cars 1946-1975. Krause Publications. ISBN 978-0-87341-096-0.
• Butler, F. Donald (1979). The Plymouth and DeSoto Story. Crestline Publishing. ISBN 978-0-912612-14-0.
• Motor Vehicle Data Book Sanford-Evans Communications, various issues 1955-1966

External links

Media related to Plymouth Savoy at Wikimedia Commons

• Owner's page of a 1960 Plymouth Savoy sedan